Emily Bengyak is a Higher Education Policy Fellow at EdTrust-Tennessee. In this role, Emily utilizes data analysis and research to support equity-driven policies. Through a combination of data and first-hand testimonies from students across Tennessee, Emily works to advance strategies that allow students from all backgrounds to access and succeed in higher education.
Prior to joining EdTrust, Emily worked as a fellow with the Tennessee College Access & Success Network (TCASN). At TCASN she spearheaded a research project on scholarship displacement in Tennessee and supported TCASN’s goal of removing barriers to higher education for students across the state in a variety of ways. Prior to moving to Nashville, Emily worked as a research assistant in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Tennessee studying the superintendent labor market. Additionally, Emily worked as a policy intern with Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation.
Born and raised in New York, Emily relocated to Tennessee in 2019. Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in public policy analysis from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and an associate’s degree in political science from Chattanooga State Community College.
What are people most surprised to learn about you?
I’m the youngest of eight kids, I have five older brothers and two older sisters. I credit them for my top-notch debating skills.
Why are you passionate about working at EdTrust?
My own experiences in higher education have made advocating for equitable education policies personal work to me. After working for years in the hospitality industry, I came to understand how many kind, bright, and capable people are unable to access an education beyond high school due to systemic barriers. I’m dedicated and honored to be able to amplify student voices alongside data and research to advocate for a more equitable higher education system in Tennessee.
