Colleen Gaffney

Colleen has always been drawn to activities that challenge her mind to think creatively and forge new pathways. A fan of video games that emphasize world-building and strategy, she thrives on collecting and deploying useful information, getting the lay of the land, and discovering patterns to make connections others might miss. Most important, she’s learned that fail states—points in a game when a player cannot advance—are growth and learning opportunities. Colleen’s ability to apply the details she’s learned to see the bigger picture helps her tackle Michigan’s most pressing public policy challenges.

As a consultant at PSC, Colleen takes a strategic approach to her work, where she collects and assembles results from research, data analyses, and literature reviews to clarify solutions for the client. She develops reports, proposals, and other key project materials, ensuring they are clear, impactful, and aligned with client goals. Colleen also plays a vital role in coordinating and facilitating stakeholder meetings, focus groups, and strategic planning sessions, helping to bring together diverse perspectives to gather insights that lead to successful outcomes.

Prior to joining PSC, Colleen was a policy consultant with the Michigan Community College Association where she conducted bill research and data analysis to advocate for community colleges across the state. She also worked at the American Institutes for Research as a research associate, analyzing international and postsecondary education data and developing and reviewing annual reports for the National Center for Education Statistics.

Email: [email protected]