Cheri A. Vogel, PhD is a researcher and consultant specializing in early childhood education programs and policy. With over 25 years of experience as a researcher, evaluator, project director, and technical assistance (TA) provider, she has led studies that shape national conversations on early learning and child development. Her expertise lies in improving early childhood care and education, particularly in two-generation programs that support young children, families, and caregivers. She is also highly skilled in measurement and assessment, with a focus on adapting and refining observational tools to ensure they are valid and reliable across diverse research settings.

Dr. Vogel has collaborated extensively with the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) in the U.S. Department of Education. She has designed and led rigorous studies using both quantitative and qualitative methods, generating critical insights into best practices for early childhood education.

Prior to her consulting work, Dr. Vogel spent 25 years at Mathematica, where she held leadership roles overseeing large-scale research and evaluation initiatives in early childhood settings. She was the principal architect behind the Early Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (Baby FACES)—the only nationally representative study of Early Head Start. Under her leadership, Baby FACES provided groundbreaking insights into child and family experiences, program retention, and service quality. The study’s successive waves in 2018 and 2022 shed light on family and staff needs, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Vogel’s expertise also extends to evaluating programs for older children in inclusive preschool settings. She played a key role in the Evaluation of Special Education Practices (EPSEP), a randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of intensive training for preschool teachers in inclusive classrooms. She led study design, measurement selection, school recruitment, data collection logistics, analysis, and reporting.

In the disability services space, Dr. Vogel directed research efforts for the Disability Innovation Fund Pathways to Partnership Study, which provides technical assistance and oversight to 20 state vocational rehabilitation agencies. Her leadership in this initiative has helped agencies forge stronger partnerships to support children and youth with disabilities in their transition to competitive, integrated employment.

Throughout her career, Dr. Vogel has bridged research and practice, ensuring data not only informs policy but also drives meaningful improvements at the program level. She has designed assessment tools, trained teams in reliable data collection, and supported continuous quality improvement efforts in early childhood education. She remains committed to advancing research methodologies and translating evidence into practical solutions that benefit young children, families, and educators.

Dr. Vogel resides in suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Education

• PhD Policy Research, Evaluation, and Measurement, University of Pennsylvania

• MS Psychology, Villanova University

• BA Psychology, cum laude, Millersville University