Meghan Reints

Public policy researcher and program evaluation professional with expertise in survey research, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and organizational assessment. Experienced designing and implementing research projects, developing survey instruments, supporting human-subjects research, and translating findings into actionable recommendations for practitioners and public-sector audiences. Strong background in public administration, performance measurement, and evidence-based decision making.

Graduate Research Assistant at Portland State University (2024-08 – Present)

• Contributed to the development and implementation of the 2024 EVIC Local Election Official Survey, a national survey of more than 3,100 local election officials.
• Assist in the design, refinement, and pilot testing of the Oregon City Manager Survey, including survey instrument development and stakeholder-informed revisions.
• Conduct literature reviews and environmental scans to identify evidence-based measures relevant to local government management and election administration.
• Translate academic research into practical survey instruments designed to support organizational improvement and evidence-based decision making.
• Support quantitative and qualitative research projects focused on local governance, election administration, and public-sector performance.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and technical documentation for practitioner and public-sector audiences.
• Support IRB compliance, survey implementation, and research protocol development.

Assistant Professor (Part-Time) at University of South Alabama (2024-08 – Present)

• Develop and deliver undergraduate instruction in American government, public policy, and political institutions.
• Taught five semesters of PSC 130, serving approximately 125 undergraduate students across multiple course sections.
• Translate complex political and policy concepts into accessible information for diverse audiences.
• Assess learning outcomes and employ data-informed approaches to improve instructional effectiveness.
• Manage multiple course sections and associated administrative responsibilities.

Professional Learning Facilitator at Learning Ally (2022-12 – Present)

• Deliver professional development and software implementation training to educators, schools, and school districts through virtual and in-person formats.
• Facilitate training sessions for diverse audiences, translating complex technical information into practical applications for users with varying levels of expertise.
• Partner with school and district stakeholders to identify implementation needs and support successful adoption of educational technology and instructional practices.
• Develop and adapt training content to meet the unique needs of client organizations and educational environments.
• Provide ongoing consultation and support to educators and administrators throughout implementation and change-management processes.
• Regularly present to professional audiences, demonstrating strong facilitation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Field Researcher

• Conduct educational assessments supporting program evaluation and policy research efforts.
• Ensure compliance with research protocols, institutional standards, and human-subject protections.
• Support large-scale data collection initiatives and quality assurance processes.

Lab Director at USA Polling Lab (2021 – 2023)

• Supervised and trained a team of up to 10 survey interviewers conducting public-sector and public opinion research projects.
• Developed and delivered interviewer training focused on survey administration, data quality standards, research protocols, and respondent engagement.
• Managed day-to-day survey operations and quality-control procedures to ensure consistency, accuracy, and adherence to project requirements.
• Coordinated data collection efforts for citizen satisfaction surveys, employee satisfaction assessments, and other community-focused research projects.
• Supported implementation of multiple concurrent survey initiatives while maintaining established timelines and performance expectations.
• Collaborated with researchers and project leaders to ensure reliable data collection and successful project execution.

Research Assistant at University of South Alabama (2021 – 2023)

• Conducted qualitative research examining the social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Performed data cleaning, coding, database development, and codebook creation.
• Maintained research documentation and supported project reporting efforts.
• Applied qualitative research methods while maintaining high standards of methodological rigor and research integrity.

Policy and Research Intern at Michigan Justice Advocacy (2021 – 2022)

• Researched criminal justice policy issues and supported legislative advocacy initiatives.
• Engaged with elected officials, policymakers, and stakeholders regarding criminal justice reform efforts.
• Developed educational programming and supporting materials focused on justice policy issues.
• Assisted in communicating policy recommendations to diverse audiences.
• Researched criminal justice reform initiatives and analyzed policy proposals affecting justice-involved populations.

PhD in Public Policy (in progress) – Portland State University

Master of Public Administration in Public Administration – University of South Alabama

Bachelor of Arts in History – University of South Alabama