LARA FIELDS
Research Associate
Lara Fields leads the firm’s qualitative research efforts. With almost a decade of experience supporting research and operations for education and nonprofit organizations, she plays a key role in qualitative research design, data gathering, project management, and analysis and reporting for client projects. Lara understands the important role qualitative data plays in providing context for issues facing higher education and K-12 schools and uses her expertise in qualitative methodologies to illuminate the market-informed strategies that best align with client needs.
Having previously supported A&S as a Research Assistant and then as an Affiliate Consultant, Lara has worked with a wide range of clients including colleges and universities such as Augsburg University, Bates College, Berea College, Bryn Mawr College, Case Western Reserve University, College of Saint Mary, Denison University, Grinnell College, Loyola Marymount University, Ursinus College, Washington University in St. Louis, and Whitman College and independent schools including Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School, Milton Hershey School, The Hockaday School, and The Nueva School.
Before joining A&S in her current role, Lara was an administrator with Baltimore City Public Schools, where she supported the management of district-wide social-emotional learning curriculum, health services, athletics programming, and attendance monitoring initiatives. In addition to her experience in education, Lara has aided research and operations for arts and culture, public history, and international health and development organizations.
Beyond the work:
As a life-long cat lady, Lara enjoys lounging on the couch with her cat, Petra and watching the latest true crime docuseries. Lara is also an avid cook and often experiments in the kitchen with new cuisines and recipes; the spicier the better! When seeking adventure, Lara likes to find hidden karaoke spots around town with friends.
Education
A.B. Anthropology and Classical & Near Eastern Archaeology, Bryn Mawr College