Heather R. Collins

2010-2012 Fellow

A native of Charlotte, Heather received a bachelor’s degree from Duke University. Prior to her Fellowship, Heather taught in the Dominican Republic and volunteered with AmeriCorps in Charlotte. At the Endowment, she focused on the postsecondary experience of non-traditional students. Her work culminated in the Foster Care Initiative at Johnson C. Smith University, a program designed to support students leaving the foster care system transition to and complete college. Influenced by her experience as a Fellow, Heather continues to focus on college access, completion and affordability for non-traditional students. She completed her Master of Science in Education degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2014 and then interned with Lumina Foundation in Washington, D.C. She is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education at the University of Georgia and working as a Policy Analyst for the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.