When they need clarity to make high-stakes decisions, Virginia leaders turn to the Wilder School Center for Public Policy. Driven by purpose, the CPP has become a national model for academic-led public service research. For more than three decades, the CPP has continued to deliver nonpartisan, data-informed solutions that empower policymakers and strengthen communities across Virginia and beyond.

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Rooted in public service and trust

As the premier public policy consulting and research center for state, regional and local leaders, the Wilder School Center for Public Policy (CPP) operates with a shared mission grounded in public service and impact. Backed by more than 30 years of applied research, the CPP is a proven catalyst for informing decision-making and driving meaningful change for the public good.

Guided by the core values of evidence and actionable insight, CPP practitioners cultivate trust and relationships across sectors, and provide nonpartisan expert analysis to help stakeholders navigate complex policy issues. 

“We have trust in twofold,” says Robyn McDougle, Ph.D., Wilder School associate dean of research and outreach and leader of the CPP. “We have confidence in the administration to hire us, and legislators from both parties trust that the work we do is reliable. They know it is founded in good science, good data and best practices.”

From consulting projects and customized research to executive leadership training, the CPP is a cornerstone of informed policymaking in the commonwealth. Many of its research reports and targeted recommendations are made public, translating complex data into practical guidance for legislators, nonprofits and other community groups.

As one of the few centers in the nation that houses full-time policy researchers within an academic institution, the CPP has developed deep agency relationships across Virginia. Its team speaks legislators’ language, providing actionable summaries while upholding the highest standards of confidentiality and integrity. 

"I see the public good in all the work we do. We collaborate with agencies at all levels, providing our skill sets to analyze, interpret and plan their data, providing the information we need to collectively serve the citizens of the commonwealth."
– Robyn McDougle

Gina Barber, (’19 MPA), director of administration and senior consultant, attributes the CPP’s success to three key strengths: mission alignment, customized project scopes and uncompromising research standards. “We understand the big picture to such an extent that we can prevent the client from stepping into a pothole that they didn’t see coming. And so our clients will rely on us for that.”

The CPP formula: Why it works

When organizations engage with the CPP, McDougle and her team begin with a thorough needs assessment that clarifies both the research methodology and a strategic plan for achieving measurable goals. It’s not just about meeting a legislative deadline — it’s also about delivering quality policy analysis that holds up under scrutiny.

The CPP team is flexible but firm on standards, only taking projects that align with their research principles. “We refine our scope to make sure we’re meeting the client’s objectives while keeping our standards intact,” McDougle shares. “If a project doesn’t fit within our principles, we’re not afraid to say it might not be the right match.”

The CPP’s research process is meticulous and people-driven. The team prioritizes focus groups over shortcuts and never relies on AI tools for substantive work. The CPP draws on Wilder School faculty for their subject matter expertise to meet the demands of complex projects.

The CPP staff collaborates across a range of expertise areas to inform policymaking.
Photo: David Slipher / VCU Wilder School.

“We never slight what is the best practice,” McDougle says, and her long-standing partners respect this rigor. “Policymakers take what we say seriously. They know they’re accountable to their constituents. They want to ensure our recommendations are grounded in fact and will stand the test of time. They’re not willing to gamble with the future of Virginians.”

The CPP’s portfolio includes research in healthcare, public safety, education, workforce development, housing security and human trafficking. Its high rate of returning clients speaks to the impact and reliability of its work. In addition to producing detailed reports, CPP facilitators create executive summaries that cut through complexity and deliver clear, actionable findings for agency heads and legislators. In an environment of ever-changing political leadership, CPP research stands above the fray. Its nonpartisan credibility and consistent quality make it a trusted partner to both sides of the aisle.

“What separates us from other firms is that we understand the ethics and the protection of the client and their participants and their stakeholders around this work.”
 – Gina Barber

When they need clarity to make high-stakes decisions, Virginia leaders turn to the Wilder School Center for Public Policy (CPP). Driven by purpose, the CPP has become a national model for academic-led public service research. For more than three decades, the CPP has continued to deliver nonpartisan, data-informed solutions that empower policymakers and strengthen communities across Virginia and beyond.

A national model for policy research

The CPP’s growing influence now extends to federal partnerships that shape state funding and program design. For example, under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), CPP researchers facilitate biennial planning for Virginia’s workforce development ecosystem,

identifying research pathways that unlock education and job opportunities across state agencies. Ongoing collaborations like the Safer Communities program with the Department of Justice highlight the CPP’s expertise and underscore its critical role in crafting evidence-based, scalable policies that address national issues. These partnerships demonstrate the CPP’s ability to influence public policy on both the state and federal levels.

“CPP serves as a playbook for states that want to turn data into action, helping accelerate policy progress and deliver results,” McDougle says. The center’s success stems from early and continued investment by Wilder School leadership, beginning with founding CPP director Robert Holsworth, Ph.D., who envisioned a research hub that could elevate the school’s policy relevance and impact.

Today, that vision is carried forward under the leadership of Wilder School dean Susan Gooden, Ph.D., who sees the CPP as both a strategic asset and a model of mission-driven public service. “We’ve made intentional investments in the Center for Public Policy because its work aligns with the Wilder School’s mission: advancing evidence-based research that strengthens communities and promotes better decision-making,” says Gooden. “CPP stands as a national model for how universities can lead with purpose, partnering with policymakers to deliver actionable insights that drive meaningful change.”

The Wilder School Center for Public Policy is a recognized leader in nonpartisan policy analysis across Virginia and beyond. 

Transformative partnerships

Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services – Safer Communities

With a 2024 General Assembly budget appropriation, the CPP is working with the DCJS and localities to provide strategic initiative planning and evaluation services to improve public

sector response to community violence. The CPP will evaluate four Safer Communities grantee sites and develop training tools and resources for DCJS grantees. 

Virginia Latino Advisory Board – Economic Impact 

The Office of the Chief Transformation Officer requested an analysis of education, workforce and entrepreneurship trends pertaining to Virginia’s Latino community. The CPP will inform future state planning and investment decisions by collecting data from stakeholders and reporting findings to the governor and the General Assembly. 

Office of the Attorney General – Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking

The CPP and OAG were awarded an Office for Victims of Crime grant to assess human trafficking of boys, and youth and labor trafficking. The CPP is conducting surveys and focus

groups and developing area risk maps, as well as recommendations and toolkits for engaging with trafficked youth.

City of Richmond – Richmond People’s Budget

The Richmond City Council tasked the CPP to conduct an evaluation of Richmond’s participatory budgeting program. The CPP is conducting surveys, focus groups and interviews to determine how program goals are met and how to enhance relationships between residents and local government. 

Virginia Department of Health – Ryan White Data Management Program

Since 1990, the CPP has securely tracked identifying data for patients who receive services funded under Part B of the United States Code. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Services Report, a crucial data collection system, informs funding decisions and monitors program effectiveness to combat the HIV epidemic.