Sakshee Chawla, MPP

As a Program Officer, Sakshee Chawla supports the development and management of a portfolio of strategic grants aimed at improving postsecondary persistence, and completion. She works to identify high-impact grantmaking opportunities, cultivate relationships with partners across the education ecosystem, and contribute to the Foundation’s efforts to drive systemic change through evidence-based innovation.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Sakshee served as a Senior Policy Analyst at the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO), where she led and supported a broad portfolio of initiatives spanning academic affairs and student success. Her work included advancing national replication efforts of the City University of New York’s Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) model across multiple states to improve college completion, as well as leading projects on direct admissions, higher education in prison, student mental health and wellness, and holistic student support. She began her career at EAB, where she conducted research on developmental education reform, student mental health, and strategies to address learning loss. Across her roles at EAB, and SHEEO, Sakshee has contributed to research, policy design, and cross-sector partnerships that translate evidence into actionable strategies to improve student outcomes.

Sakshee brings experience in policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and grantmaking strategy. She has authored and contributed to publications on student success, mental health policy, and postsecondary system transformation, and has supported multi-state learning communities and convenings to advance shared solutions across the field.

Sakshee holds a master in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s degree in economics and psychology from Smith College.

Why are you working at ECMC Foundation and committed to improving higher education for underserved learners?

I am committed to ensuring that learners who have started college but have not yet earned a credential have clear, supported pathways to return and succeed. Through my work with states and institutions, I’ve seen both the scale of this challenge and the opportunity to drive meaningful impact by aligning policy, practice, and investment. ECMC Foundation’s focus on removing systemic barriers and advancing evidence-based solutions aligns deeply with my belief that re-engaging these learners is one of the most effective ways to expand economic mobility. I’m motivated by the opportunity to work alongside partners to design more responsive, equitable systems that meet learners where they are and help them achieve their goals.