Hollie Daniels Sarica, PhD

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Background

I earned my PhD in Education Policy and Evaluation from Florida State University, where I served as a Research Assistant at the Center for Postsecondary Success. Through my dissertation, I examined the postsecondary performance of students who earned accelerated credits during high school through participation in Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, and/or International Baccalaureate programs.

I’m a mixed-methods researcher with experience developing and implementing both qualitative and quantitative studies, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs). My qualitative research includes large-scale studies of statewide policy reforms and efforts to scale innovative approaches to improve equitable access to college-level coursework. My quantitative research includes descriptive studies of federal expenditures and causal studies of interventions. Before pursuing my doctorate and beginning my career as a researcher, I was a practitioner at a university in Georgia where I implemented a new statewide policy on dual enrollment that reduced cost barriers and expanded access for students.

My educational background includes an associate’s degree from Chipola College, a rural community college in North Florida, a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences from Florida State University, and a master’s degree in Student Personnel in Higher Education from the University of Florida.

My areas of interest include students’ college and career readiness, access, and success. My interests stem from my time as a student at a rural community college, my professional experience researching developmental education reform in Florida and Texas, my professional work with students participating in Georgia’s statewide dual-enrollment program, and my personal experience as a dual-enrollment student at a rural high school.

Education

Professional Experience

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Kopko, E., & Daniels Sarica, H. (2024). The long-term effectiveness of multiple measures assessment: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial. Manuscript under review at the Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness.

Daniels, H., Lakin, T., & Reynolds, J., (2023). Racial/ethnic differences in accelerated credit and inequalities in college outcomes. Social Currents, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/23294965231193333

Chambers, A., Daniels, H., Dooris, J., Moreno Luna, A. Y., Riordan, S. (2023). Does the starting point matter? Analyzing bachelor’s degree attainment for adult students by institutional type. AIR Professional File, 5–23. https://doi.org/10.34315/apf1582023

Nix, A., Bertrand Jones, T., Daniels, H., Hu, P., & Hu, S. (2021). “There’s so much that we’re doing”: How Florida College System institutions address basic needs insecurity among students. Community College Review, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/00915521211047674

Brower, R., Hu, P., Daniels, H., Bertrand Jones, T., & Hu, S. (2021). We can do this together: Intergenerational learning and academic motivation in community colleges. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 1–14. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/10668926.2021.1910594

Brower, R., Nix, A., Daniels, H., Hu, X., Bertrand Jones, T., & Hu, S. (2021). A pedagogy of preparation: Helping underprepared students succeed in college-level coursework in community colleges. Innovative Higher Education, 46, 153–170. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-020-09531-9

Nonrefereed Reports and Manuscripts

Daniels Sarica, H., Monahan, T., & Anderson, M. (2024). An analysis of federal pandemic relief funding at community colleges. Accelerating Recovery in Community Colleges Research Network, Community College Research Center. https://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/media/k2/attachments/analysis-federal-pandemic-relief-funding-community-colleges.pdf

Kopko, E., Daniels Sarica, H., Cullinan, D., Nichols, H., Wasserman, E., & Hernandez, S. (2024). Access to success: Insights for implementing a multiple measures assessment system. Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness. https://postsecondaryreadiness.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/access-success-insights-implementing-multiple-measures-assessment.pdf

Daniels, H., Monahan, T., & Anderson, M. (2023). Pandemic relief funding for community colleges. Accelerating Recovery in Community Colleges Research Network, Community College Research Center. https://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/media/k2/attachments/pandemic-relief-funding-community-colleges.pdf

Kopko, E., Daniels, H., & Cullinan, D. (2023). The long-term effectiveness of multiple measures assessment: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial. Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness. https://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/media/k2/attachments/long-term-effectiveness-multiple-measures-assessment.pdf

Park-Gaghan, T. J., Mohker, C., Henning, H., Daniels, H., Fatima, A., Ibrayeva, D., Danyi, M., & McCoy, K. (2023). Exploring corequisite developmental education models in the lone star state: A second report on student success and corequisite coursework. Center for Postsecondary Success. https://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:873438

Park-Gaghan, T. J., Mohker, C., Daniels, H., McCoy, K., Henning, H., & Moran, A. (2022). Exploring corequisite developmental education models in the lone star state: A first report on student success and corequisite implementation. Center for Postsecondary Success. https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/diginole/research_repository_submission-797dc447-dad9-4104-8c52-6bc39040a6a3

Daniels, H., Allen, D., Park-Gaghan, T. J., Hart, L., Sole, M., Bertrand Jones, T., Guzman, A., & Hernandez, M. (2021). Expanding promise draft design: Students needing academic support. In C. M. Millett (Ed.), Expanding promise: Depicting the ecosystems of support and financial sustainability for five college promise populations (Research Report No. RR-22-07, pp. 71–80). ETS. https://doi.org/10.1002/ets2.12350

Hu, S. Bertrand Hones, T. Nix, A., You, J., Daniels, H., Hu, X., Hu, P., & Brower, R. (2021). Understanding the implementation of developmental education reform in Florida. Center for Postsecondary Success. https://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:763401

Hu, S. Bertrand Hones, T. Nix, A., Daniels, H., You, J., Hu, X., Hu, P., & Brower, R. (2020). The four phases of developmental education reform in Florida: An implementation matrix. Center for Postsecondary Success.

Hu, S., Bertrand Jones, T., Nix, A., Brower, R., Harrison, J., Daniels, H., Hu, X., You, J., Hu, P., & Bunn, S. (2019). Overcoming challenges through commitment to student success: Site visit report from the fifth year of developmental education reform in the Florida College System. Center for Postsecondary Success.

Hu, S., Bertrand Jones, T., Brower, R., Harrison, J., Sermon, J., Daniels, H., Park-Gaghan, T., & Mokher, C. (2018). Meeting the needs of students: Site visit report of the fourth year of developmental education reform in the Florida College System. Center for Postsecondary Success. https://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu%3A574825

Hu, S., Bertrand Jones, T., Brower, R.L., Park-Gaghan, T., Nix, A., Rahming, S., Harrison, J., Sermon, J. & Daniels, H. (2017). Changes on the ground: Site visit report of the third year of developmental education reform in the Florida College System. Center for Postsecondary Success. https://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:492967

Blogs

Daniels, H., Monahan, T., & Anderson, M. (2023). An interactive dashboard for exploring pandemic relief funding. Accelerating Recovery in Community Colleges Research Network, Community College Research Center. https://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/arccnetwork/2023/10/03/interactive-dashboard-pandemic-relief-funding/

Daniels, H., & Fay, M. P. (2023). A new CAPR and CUNY partnership to explore corequisite implementation. Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness. https://postsecondaryreadiness.org/capr-cuny-corequisite-implementation/

Daniels, H., Park-Gaghan, T. J., & Mokher, C. (2023). The strengths and challenges of corequisite developmental education in Texas. Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness. https://postsecondaryreadiness.org/strengths-and-challenges-corequisite-developmental-education-texas/

Invited Presentations

Conference Presentations

Monahan, T., Daniels Sarica, H., Griffin, S., & Klempin, S. (2025). An unprecedented investment: Community colleges’ use of federal emergency aid. Session proposed to be presented at the annual conference of the Associated for Education Finance and Policy.

Daniels Sarica, H., Cullinan, D., Campbell, M., Harrell, T., & Fox, S. (2024). Embracing change: A more equitable statewide approach to college placement in Arkansas. Session presented at the annual policy conference of the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, Washington, D.C.

Daniels Sarica, H., Monahan, T., & Anderson, M. (2024). Pandemic recovery efforts in practice: Community colleges’ use of higher education emergency relief funds. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Philadelphia, PA.

Kalamkarian, H. S., Herman, M., & Daniels, H. (2024). Understanding the support networks of first- generation college students. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Philadelphia, PA.

Monahan, T., Daniels, H., & Anderson, M. (2023). An unprecedented investment: An analysis of pandemic recovery funds at community colleges. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, Atlanta, GA.

Kopko, E., Daniels, H., & Cullinan, D. (2023). A long-term look at multiple measures assessment: Impact findings from a randomized controlled trial. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, Atlanta, GA.

Kopko, E., & Daniels, H. (2023). Equity through assessment? The differential impacts of multiple measures assessment on student subgroups. Paper presented at the Annual Association for the Study of Higher Education Conference, Minneapolis, MN.

Daniels, H., McCoy, K., Henning, H., Park-Gaghan, T. J., & Mokher, C. M. (2023). Implementing statewide policy reform during COVID-19: The need to humanize higher education. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.

McCoy, K., Henning, H., Daniels, H., Mokher, C., & Park-Gaghan, T. J. (2023). The consequential timing of policy reform: Implementing statewide reform during COVID-19. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.

Kopko, E., & Daniels, H. (2022). Evaluation of a multiple measures placement system: Final impact findings. Findings presented at the annual conference of the Association for Institutional Research and Planning Officers.

Daniels, H. (2022). An accelerated pace? Analyzing graduation and time-to-bachelor’s-degree completion for students with accelerated credit. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego, CA.

Daniels, H., Nix, A., Bertrand Jones, T., & Hu, S. (2022). “We need to test the students”: Diagnostic assessments as lethal mutations to developmental education legislation. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego, CA.

Daniels, H., Lakin, T., Reynolds, J. (2022). Racial/ethnic differences in accelerated credit and inequalities in college outcomes. Paper presented at the annual conference of the Southern Sociological Society, Birmingham, AL.

Nix, A., Bertrand Jones, T., You, J., Daniels, H., Hu, X., Hu, P., & Hu, S. (2021). Developmental education reform in Florida: The evolution of implementation. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Remote.

Dorris, J., Moreno Luna, A. Y., Riordan, S., Chambers, A., & Daniels, H. (2021). Does the starting point matter? Analyzing bachelor’s degree attainment for adult students by institutional type. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Remote.

Daniels, H. (2020). Other duties as assigned: How do school counselors allocate their time? Paper accepted to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association. (Conference cancelled due to COVID-19).

Nix, A., Daniels, H., Hu, P., Bertrand Jones, T., & Hu, S. (2020). The community’s college: The role that Florida State Colleges play in their local communities. Paper accepted to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association. (Conference cancelled due to COVID-19).

Brower, R., Daniels, H., Hu, P., Bertrand Jones, T., & Hu, S. (2019). We can do this thing together: Well-being, meaning, and intergenerational learning among Florida College System students. Paper presented at the Annual Association for the Study of Higher Education Conference, Portland, Oregon.

Brower, R., Nix, A., Daniels, H., & Hu, X. (2019). A pedagogy of preparation: Incorporating practices from developmental education into college-level coursework in community colleges. Paper presented at the annual meeting of American Educational Research Association.

Brower, R., Bertrand Jones, T., Hu, S., Park-Gaghan, T., Nix, A., Rahming, S., Harrison, J, & Daniels, H. (2017). “I have eighth graders doing better work than you”: Understanding and promoting self-determination in underprepared community college students. Paper presented at the Annual Association for the Study of Higher Education Conference, Houston, Texas.

Podcasts

Kopko, E., Daniels, H., & Ganga, E. (2023). The benefits of using multiple measures assessment to bump students into college-level courses. Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness. https://postsecondaryreadiness.org/podcast-benefits-of-multiple-measures-bump-students/

Webinars

Daniels Sarica, H., Monahan, T., & Anderson, M. (2024). Funding recovery: Exploring Higher Education Emergency Relief funds at community colleges. Accelerating Recovery in Community Colleges Research Network, Community College Research Center. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK9NNsZ7DnM&t=1s

Data Visualizations

Teaching

Courses Taught

First-Year Experience (FYE 1220)
Georgia Southern University

Teaching Assistant

Educational Administration and Organizational Practice (EDA 6061)
Florida State University

Introduction to Policy Studies in Education (EDA 5641)
Florida State University

Laboratory of Practice 2 (EDA 6108)
Florida State University

Outcomes Assessment in Higher Education II (EDH 5079)
Florida State University

Qualitative Data Analysis (EDF 6479)
Florida State University

Contracts or Grants that Supported Research Efforts

Brock, T. (2022–2026). Evaluation of the professional learning resources of the REL Northwest toolkit for using technology to support postsecondary student learning. Funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Total award: $1,350,581.

Edgecombe, N., & Zachry, E. (2021–2025). Expanding the adoption of multiple measures assessment and building the research base. Funded by the Ascendium Education Group. Total award: $2,300,000.

Park-Gaghan, T. J., & Mokher, C. G. (2021–2025). Exploring co-requisite developmental education models. Funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Total award: $1,500,000.

Barnett, E., Kalamkarian, H., & Frank, K. (2021–2024). Understanding the support networks of first-generation college students. Funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Total award: $1,696,979.

Edgecombe, N., & Mayer, A. (2020–2023). Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness (Long-term follow-up award). Funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Total award: $2,000,003.

Hu, S., Park-Gaghan, T. J., Bertrand Jones, T., & Perez-Felkner, L. (2017–2019). Center for Postsecondary Success Florida measurement and evaluation partnership. Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Total award: $1,100,000.

Hu, S., Tandberg, D. A., Park-Gaghan, T. J., Bertrand Jones, T., & Mokher, C. G. (2016–2021). Evaluation of Florida’s developmental education redesign. Funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Total award: $3,283,265.

Certifications and Trainings

2024
Summer Research Training Institute on Cluster-Randomized Trials, Institute for Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education

2022
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Human Subjects Research Certificate

2020
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Data Institute Participant

Data Analysis Software

Professional Association Memberships

American Educational Research Association (AERA)
Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE)
State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO)

Service and Leadership

2020–Present
NCES Data Institute Applicant Review Panel

2020–2021
Vice President, Leadership, Education, Activism, and Research Network (LEARN), Florida State University

2019–2021
Student Representative, Department Advisory Council, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, College of Education, Florida State University

Awards, Grants, and Scholarships

2020–2021
Hebert J. Reese Endowed Graduate Fellowship in Educational Leadership

2019–2021
Council on Research in Education Travel Award

2019–2021
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Travel Award

2018–2020
George Aker Scholarship Fund

2018–2021
Congress of Graduate Students Academic & Professional Conference Support Grant