Angelica Thompson, Ph.D.

I am a data-driven researcher and evaluator with a deep commitment to equity, accountability, and impact. My work sits at the intersection of research, strategy, and systems change—helping organizations understand not only whether programs work, but for whom, under what conditions, and why.

I hold a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology & Research and bring over 17 years of experience leading evaluations across K–12 education, higher education, workforce development, and nonprofit systems. My background includes advanced training in statistical modeling, survey development, and impact analysis, as well as extensive experience translating complex findings into clear, actionable insights for practitioners, executives, and policymakers.

Currently, I serve as Vice President of Research & Evaluation at Per Scholas, where I lead the organization’s learning agenda and evaluation strategy at a national scale. In this role, I partner closely with program, innovation, and executive teams to measure outcomes, assess implementation quality, and strengthen evidence in support of scaling effective workforce development solutions—particularly those aimed at increasing diversity and economic mobility in the tech sector.

Earlier in my career, I spent more than a decade serving as a Research Advisor within a large urban school district, where I designed and led evaluations of academic and behavioral programs, conducted research on disciplinary inequities, and supported district-wide decision-making through rigorous analysis and reporting.

Across all my work, I am guided by a core belief: equity-focused innovation requires evidence. Access alone is not enough. Sustainable change demands clarity about outcomes, differential impact, and unintended consequences—and the courage to act on what the data reveal.

• Ability to Execute (A2E) Essentials

• University of Memphis - Ph.D.

• New Memphis Fellow

• American Evaluation Association

• OUT Georgia Impact Fund