Vanora Thomas holds a M.A. in Anthropology with a concentration in international development from George Washington University. As part of her graduate work, she conducted field research in Tanzania to assess the socio-economic impact of the eviction of Maasai pastoralists from the Mkomazi Game Reserve. Prior to joining BPA, Ms. Thomas was the Policy and Research Associate for the American Indian Higher Education Consortium. Ms. Thomas holds a B.A. from University of California, Santa Cruz.

Selected Current/Recent BPA Projects:

• Random Assignment Evaluation of Principles-Based Professional Development to Improve Reading Comprehension for English Language Learners, a subcontract with Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL)
• Evaluation of Quality Teaching for English Learners (QTEL)
• Evaluation of the National Economic Development Law Center's (NEDLC) All on Board For Children Initiative.
  
• Evaluation of the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Teaching American History Program
  
• Adult Basic Education-Community College Transition Project
  
• Care Not Cash Homeless Caseload Decline Study
  
• State of Louisiana's TANF Evaluation
  
• Improving State Accountability Systems and Indicators of Program Quality (Even Start Project)