The projects below illustrate examples of the depth and range of AlignAZO's work across program design, evaluation, strategic planning, sustainability and community alignment. This is a representative sample — for additional publications and projects, see Bridget Timmeney's research profile at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.

Education & College Access

• The free college handbook: A practitioner's guide to promise research (2022 and 2025) authored entries targeted to policy makers and program administrators to address student success supports, basic needs strategies, the role of research and evaluation for promise programs, and how promise partners can build community alignment.

• Promise Programs Database (2015 - current) Co-created and maintain, with Upjohn Institute colleagues, a research database of community-based promise programs operating throughout the U.S. Included are design features designed to inform communities considering launching a program and available to researchers to study the field.

• Evaluating the Columbus Promise (2022 - current) key investigator on a three year evaluation examining implementation and student outcomes during the program’s pilot phase. Conducted annual interviews of stakeholders, focus groups of high school students and college scholars, and analyzed student progression and completion. Co-authored three annual reports to inform program improvements and program administrators.

• Evaluating the Kansas City Scholars College Scholarship Program (2017-2019) Key investigator on a multi-year evaluation examining program design, implementation, and early outcomes. Conducted extensive site visits, stakeholder interviews, and analysis of student data. Co-authored three annual reports that informed program improvements and contributed to national conversation about Promise scholarship design.

• The Impact of the Kalamazoo Promise on College Choice (2013) Analyzed how the Kalamazoo Promise influenced college enrollment patterns among students at the Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center, finding a near-doubling in attendance at Michigan public institutions among eligible students.

• Cost Estimates for Promise Programs Developed financial projections and program design recommendations for nearly 60 communities across the country, from small rural communities, to metropolitan areas, the states -, providing decision-makers with clear understanding of program design, program costs and potential community impacts.

Workforce & Talent Development

• TALENT 2025: Regional Workforce Demand and Talent Development Assessment (2010-2013) Comprehensive analysis of West Michigan's talent pipeline from birth through adult workforce, covering nine counties. Mapped assets and gaps across the talent development continuum, conducted labor market analysis, and identified strategies to align education, training, and employer needs.

• Evaluation of Indiana's 21st Century Workplace Skills Initiative (2007-2008) Mixed-methods evaluation of a state-funded workplace literacy program. Designed surveys, conducted site visits and participant interviews, analyzed learning gains and earnings data, and documented lessons learned about contextualizing workplace training and supporting incumbent workers' college aspirations.

• Employer Resource Networks: What Works (2012) Research on effective practices in forming employer networks focused on entry-level worker retention and advancement, examining models across the country and identifying key success factors.

Community Alignment & Systems Change

• The Learning Network of Greater Kalamazoo (2010-2017) Served as data manager and strategic partner for this collective impact initiative focused on birth-to-career educational outcomes. Developed community scorecard with shared metrics, assessed partner data needs, and facilitated alignment among dozens of organizations across education, youth development, and workforce sectors.

• Kalamazoo Area College Access Network (KACAN) Founded and facilitated this county-wide network bringing together schools, nonprofits, higher education institutions, and community organizations to improve college access and success. Conducted landscape assessment of community-based college access supports.

Economic Development

• Economic Development Strategic Plan for the City of Waco, Texas (2014) Comprehensive strategic planning process for a mid-sized city, including regional economic analysis, industry cluster identification, stakeholder engagement, and actionable recommendations for leveraging assets and addressing barriers to growth.

• Southcentral Michigan Five-Year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (2014) Led planning process for a five-county region, working with steering committee of public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders to identify economic development priorities and investment strategies aligned with CEDA requirements.

• Calhoun County Casino Baseline Study (2008) Designed social and economic indicator system to measure potential impacts of a proposed casino development, establishing baseline data across employment, income, housing, public safety, education, and social services.

Grant-Supported Projects 

• Tri-Province Arctic Canoe Expedition (2012) Provided grant strategy, research, and writing support for six-person expedition traveling 1,000 miles across Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. Secured funding from National Geographic, Scott Polar Research Institute, and the Camping and Education Foundation. Expedition completed first documented route connecting three major Arctic rivers and contributed water samples to University of Alaska Fairbanks isotope mapping research.

• EITC Tax Counseling Initiative Founded and developed program providing free tax preparation assistance to low-income individuals eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit and other credits. Generated over $400,000 in funding, coordinated volunteer recruitment and training, and built sustainable community program.

Publications & Research

Bridget Timmeney's work has been published in books, peer-reviewed journals, policy papers, and technical reports. Selected publications include:

• "The Free College Handbook: A Practitioner's Guide to Promise Research" (2025)

• "Building Shared Prosperity: How Communities Can Create Good Jobs for All" (2020)

• "Investing in Community: A Playbook for Connecting Economic and Skills Development" (2020)

• "The Evolution of Promise Scholarship Programs" (chapter, 2024)

• "Policies for Place: How to Make Sustainable Investments in Communities" (2024)

• "Lessons Learned from a Workplace Literacy Initiative" (Employment Research, 2008)

• "What Works in Forming a Successful Employer Resource Network?" (Employment Research, 2012)

Full list available through W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research