Aaron D. Schroeder, Ph.D.

Research Associate Professor
Social & Decision Analytics Division, University of Virginia Biocomplexity Institute & Initiative
aaron.schroeder@virginia.edu

Dr. Schroeder's overarching research focus is the enablement of Evidence-Based Policy-Making and Program Evaluation through the Secure Liberation, Integration and Analysis of Administrative Data.

Dr. Schroeder has extensive experience in the technologies and related policies of information/data integration and systems analysis, policy and program development and implementation, quantitative and qualitative methodologies of evaluation, and the general application of data and web technologies to the enhancement of public and private sector services.

A particular focus of Dr. Schroeder's research has been on the integration and analysis of education, health, social service and non-profit administrative data streams for the purpose of conducting policy analyses and program evaluations impacting a wide range of constituents, including: pre-K child social and health service recipients; child care service operators; primary, secondary, post-secondary and adult education service recipients; state workforce training service recipients; and, U.S. veteran health and social service recipients.

High-profile information integration projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia include the USED-funded Statewide Longitudinal Data System, the USHHS-funded Project Child HANDS, and the USDOT-funded design, development, deployment, and evaluation of the U.S.’s first statewide travel information system, Virginia 511.

EDUCATION  
Virginia Tech University  
Ph.D. in Public Policy & Administration 2001
Areas of Concentration: Organization Theory, Data Management, Privacy Law, Implementation  
Dissertation: “Building Implementation Networks” - Building Multi-organizational, Multi-sector Structures for Policy Implementation  
James Madison University  
M.P.A. in Public Administration 1993
Areas of Concentration: Geographic Information Systems, Administrative Law  
University of Delaware  
B.A. in Psychology 1991
Areas of Concentration: Brain & Behavior (including graduate-level training in Neuropsychology)  
Minor: Statistics  

SPECIALIZATIONS
Policy & Evaluation
  • Methods of Data Collection
  • Research Design
  • Quantitative & Qualitative Data Analysis
  • Information Policy
  • Privacy Law
  • Policy & Implementation Network Analysis
Information Management
  • Information Integration
  • Data Management
  • Big Data
  • Web-Enabled Public Services
Additional Specialized Training & Technical Skills
  • Master R Developer
  • Linux Server Administration
  • Server Virtualization
  • PostgreSQL Database Programming (PL/pgSQL)
  • Oracle Database Programming (PL/SQL)
  • Microsoft SQL Server Programming (T-SQL)
  • JavaEE Multi-Tier Programming (Java, JPA, JSF, Facelets)
  • Microsoft Server Administration
  • ASP.NET Web Development (C#)
  • Python Development
  • Cisco Network Administration
  • SAS & SAS JMP
  • SPSS
  • Group Facilitation, Focus Groups, & Nominal Groups
  • Advanced Cold Fusion: Fusebox
  • Advanced Graphics with Photoshop and GIMP

HONORS, AWARDS, RECOGNITION

Member, Arlington County Open Data Advisory Group, 2018-2019

COVITS 2013 Winner, Cross-Boundary Collaboration on IT Initiatives

(2013) Announced as the winner in the category of Cross-Boundary Collaboration on IT Initiatives, along with agency partners from the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Virginia State Council of Higher Education, and the Virginia Employment Commission, in the Governor's Technology Awards for the multi-agency data integration project, the Virginia Longitudinal Data System (VLDS). The Technology Awards are presented in conjunction with Government Technology's annual Commonwealth of Virginia’s Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS 2012). The VLDS provides qualified researchers, agencies and policymakers the ability to formulate and submit cross-agency requests for de-identified data sets.

COVITS 2012 Finalist

(2012) Announced as a Finalist, along with agency partners from the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Virginia State Council of Higher Education, and the Virginia Employment Commission, in the Governor's Technology Awards for the multi-agency data integration project, the Virginia Longitudinal Data System (VLDS). The Technology Awards are presented in conjunction with Government Technology's annual Commonwealth of Virginia’s Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS 2012). The VLDS provides qualified researchers, agencies and policymakers the ability to formulate and submit cross-agency requests for de-identified data sets.

Virginia Early Childhood Advisory Council

(2010) Invited to present to the Virginia Governor's Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) on the status of and approach being employed in Project Child HANDS. The ECAC is chaired by the Secretary of Education, co-chaired by the President of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, and is comprised of the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Finance, the Governor’s Director of Policy, and many other high-ranking state officials.

National Institute of Statistical Sciences Workshop

(2009) Invited to present on methods of public-sector data integration and issues created by federal and state privacy laws to a workshop on Research Use of State Longitudinal Data Systems sponsored by the National Institute of Statistical Sciences (NISS) , the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).

National Press Club

(2008) Invited to present the findings from a recent study analyzing the relative costs associated with intergeneration day care facilities vs. traditional operations.

Intelligent Transportation Systems Conference

(2003) Invited speaker to the Florida Department of Transportation Intelligent Transportation Systems Conference. Lectured on potential benefits of an 802.11 wireless communications backbone to operate the nation’s freeway assets

Technology and Public Administration Conference

(2000) Invited by University of LaVerne to lead two day workshop on the concepts of stakeholder analysis and management, public-private partnerships, and political-economic analysis for the purpose of Information Technology development and implementation in the public sector.

Virginia Transportation Conference

(1999 & 2000) Invited to speak on topics of public-private partnerships and information technology deployment in rural areas.

Advanced Traveler Information Systems

(2000) Invited speaker on Advanced Traveler Information Systems in Rural Areas, sponsored by the Intelligent Transportation Society of Virginia.

Association of State Governments

(1999) Nominated by the Association of State Governments for Award in Innovation in State Government for the design, development and deployment of Travel Shenandoah, a public-private partnership for Advanced Traveler Information Systems in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

Member, Congressional Commission

(1999) Appointed as a Member, Congressional Commission on I-81 Truck Safety.

Eno Transportation Fellow

(1997) Eno Transportation Fellow and graduate of Eno Transportation Foundation Leadership Development Program.

Guest Editor

(1997) Invited Guest Editor, Administration & Society.