Class of 2025: Todd Hall

Originally from Jersey City, New Jersey, Todd Hall will graduate with his Ph.D. in education policy from the UVA School of Education and Human Development in May. During his doctoral studies, Hall received the American Educational Research Association-National Science Foundation (AERA-NSF) Dissertation Fellowship for this research. Working closely with the EdPolicyWorks research center while a student, Hall will continue working in the research field in the next phase of his career.

Q.  Why did you choose the Ph.D. Ed Policy program at the UVA School of Education & Human Development?

The close faculty mentorship and the tight sense of community within EdPolicyWorks stood out in all my interactions as a prospective student. That resonated with me, along with seeing strong alumni job placement within and outside academia. Ultimately, as a Christian, I prayed about the decision and felt at peace in choosing UVA.

Q.  What was the focus of your dissertation research?

My dissertation focused on ensuring supportive environments for historically marginalized students, particularly students of color and students with disabilities. My job market paper examined the impacts of a 2017 ban on corporal punishment for students with disabilities in Louisiana. I received the AERA-NSF Dissertation Fellowship for this work.

Q. What is one thing you learned during your studies that surprised you most?

I learned that more than a dozen states still allow corporal punishment (e.g., paddling) in public schools. That led to my dissertation research.

Q. What is one of the most significant things that has shaped your time while you’ve been here?

Leading a research partnership with the Wake County Public Schools System helped me appreciate the role of relationships and local priorities in co-developing research. 

I initially identified some feasible ideas that could fill a gap in the literature. However, that research would not have been very actionable for the district. By listening and collaborating, I was able to build rapport, co-develop more useful ideas, and analyze a district-wide workforce survey that was both interesting and actionable.

Q. Do you have any thoughts about what you will be doing next?

I recently started full-time as a Quantitative Research Scientist at Gibson Consulting Group, an education research and consulting firm. I analyze data for state education agencies and school districts. Building on some of my experiences at UVA, I analyze data from teacher surveys and post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities.