SALT LAKE CITY, UT (October 20, 2022) – Sutherland Institute announced today the addition of Christine Cooke Fairbanks as its new Education Policy Fellow. Her research will focus on how increased support for a variety of school types impacts students, parents and educators.

“Christine’s unique combination of experience in the classroom and expertise in education policy will take our research and reform efforts to the next level,” said Rick Larsen, Sutherland Institute President & CEO. “The need for expert voices like Christine’s to help improve Utah’s educational system has never been greater.”

Fairbanks earned a law degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. She was most recently the Director of Student Life at the Brigham Young University Law School. Previously, she led education policy research for Sutherland from 2015 to 2021. She brings a unique perspective, having served as a public-school teacher before entering the public policy world.

“I look forward to this new era with Sutherland Institute where my research will focus on the trend of public policy supporting students to use a full diversity of school options,” said Fairbanks. “I’m pleased to be returning to an organization dedicated to supporting the civic mission of schools.”

Fairbanks will be based in Arizona and offer research and analysis of schools there as a way for Utah decision-makers to better understand the realities of a policy approach that supports students in schools of all types.

Media Contact:

Nic Dunn

VP, Strategy & Communications

801-349-5961

[email protected]

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