2019-2024
Tom joined CLOSUP at its founding in the fall of 2001 and served as executive director from 2019-2024. He also co-directed the Center's Fiscal Health Project, directed the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) program, and was the lead or co-author on more than 100 MPPS publications covering a wide range of state and local government policy topics. He also served as study manager, program manager, and administrator for 11 years with American National Election Studies at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research. Outside of work, Tom serves as a board member and past president of a nature area non-profit organization that focuses on stewardship and elementary school environmental educational opportunities in Ann Arbor, MI. He has a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's in public administration, both from the University of Michigan.
2012-2019
Barry Rabe is the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Professor of Public Policy and the Arthur Thurnau Professor of Environmental Policy. He was the director of CLOSUP from 2013-2019. During his time as director, CLOSUP launched the Energy and Environmental Policy Initiative (EEPI) including the National Surveys on Energy and Environment, the Renewable Energy Policy Initiative (REPI), and the CLOSUP in the Classroom (CITC) initiative. He is also currently a CLOSUP faculty affiliate.
2007-2012
Brian Jacob is the Walter H. Annenberg Professor of Education Policy, professor of economics, co-director of the Education Policy Initiative and Youth Policy Lab, and director of the Ford School’s doctoral program. He was the director of CLOSUP from 2008-2013. During his time as director, CLOSUP launched the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS), the Education Policy Initiative (EPI), and saw a major expansion of the CLOSUP events series. In 2012, the EPI became a stand-alone research center under the directorship of Professors Susan Dynarski and Brian Jacob.
2006-2007
Paul Courant is the Harold T. Shapiro Collegiate Professor of Public Policy, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Economics and Information and a Presidential Bicentennial Professor at the University of Michigan. Paul served as director of CLOSUP from 2007-2008, after serving as a provost of the university, and before serving as university librarian and dean of libraries.
2001-2006
Elisabeth Gerber is the associate dean for research and policy engagement and the Jack L. Walker, Jr. Professor of Public Policy at the Ford School. She was the founding director of CLOSUP, from 2001-2006. During her time as director, CLOSUP conducted research projects including the Growth Management Study and co-directed the Michigan at the Millenium project. CLOSUP also launched the grant programs: the CLOSUP Major Projects Program and the Small Grants Program, which sponsored over 50 research projects at the University of Michigan, and also launched the CLOSUP Events Series. She is also currently a CLOSUP faculty affiliate.
