Aristotle said, 'The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.' Education policy is complex, complicated, and, at times, frustrating. But knowing our work shapes institutional, state, and federal policies that help millions of underserved students’ educational pursuits makes it worthwhile.
Bryan J. Cook is director of higher education policy in the Work, Education, and Labor Division at the Urban Institute. He is a nationally recognized expert in higher education policy with more than two decades of experience shaping the field. He oversees a team of scholars advancing analysis, tools, and evidence to inform federal and state higher education policy. Since joining Urban in 2021, he has secured and led a substantial portfolio of funded projects, organized a national convening on the US Supreme Court’s ruling on the use of race in college admissions, and authored influential publications on admissions, accountability, and equity.
Before joining Urban, Cook held senior leadership positions at the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, the American Dental Education Association, and the American Council on Education. He led major policy research initiatives, directed data infrastructure reforms, and advised policymakers on issues ranging from federal student aid and accountability to military veterans’ educational experiences.
Cook’s career began in academic advising and student affairs before moving into research and policy analysis, giving him a broad perspective on the intersection of student experience, institutional practice, and policymaking. His research has appeared in peer-reviewed journals, association reports, and policy briefs and has been cited by numerous media outlets, including Politico, CNBC, CNN, and NPR.
Cook earned his bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning from Miami University and his master’s and doctorate degrees in higher education from the University of Michigan.
