Student Loan Initiative

Janette Barbosa works with Pew’s student loan initiative, advancing the team’s overall research objectives, translating research into policy, and engaging with external stakeholders and audiences. Before joining Pew, Barbosa worked with public school and state officials and managed multiple complex policy-to-practice projects with a consistent eye toward diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. She also previously worked with diverse students in and out of the classroom in K-12 and higher education. Barbosa holds a bachelor’s degree in American studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in higher education from Harvard University.

Richa Bhattarai works with Pew’s student loan initiative, focusing on its overall research objectives. She serves as the primary quantitative analyst for veterans’ higher education borrowing and supports the project’s work on default, repayment, and servicing. Before joining Pew, Bhattarai worked in the youth workforce development sector, supporting high school students in gaining professional experience and building their post-high school plans. Bhattarai holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from St. John’s College and is pursuing a master’s in public policy from George Mason University.

Scott Brees leads Pew’s efforts to examine the scope and scale of veterans’ student loan debt, as well as the factors that may explain student veteran borrowing in spite of a generous Post-911 GI Bill. This research informs policymakers and other stakeholders about the unique challenges that veterans face and help find evidence-based solutions to their high levels of education debt. Before joining Pew, Brees served for 20 years as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy. Brees holds a bachelor’s degree in foreign service from Georgetown University and a master’s in political science from the University of Kansas, which he obtained before joining the Navy. After leaving the Navy, he earned a master’s in public policy and a certificate in survey methodology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Brian Denten works with Pew’s student loan initiative, focusing on student loan repayment and servicing policies. He previously worked on Pew’s financial security and mobility team. Before joining Pew, Denten interned with the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors and the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth. Denten holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a master’s in public administration from American University.

Shelbe Klebs works with Pew’s student loan initiative, building partnerships to improve the student loan repayment system. Before joining Pew, Klebs was an education policy adviser at Third Way, concentrating on higher education accountability and transparency policies. She also had internships with the Alliance for Excellent Education, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the College Board, and the National College Attainment Network. Klebs holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Central Michigan University and a master’s in public policy from George Washington University.

Ilan Levine works on Pew’s student loan initiative, advancing the team’s research, outreach, and engagement objectives. Levine facilitates the project’s work on student loan default while supporting other key priorities, including repayment and servicing. Before Pew, he worked in consulting and at postsecondary institutions. Levine holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Union College and a master’s degree in education from Harvard University.

Lexi West works on Pew’s student loan initiative, translating the team’s student loan repayment research into policy objectives. She previously worked on Pew’s student borrower success and student loan research teams. Before joining Pew, West was a research analyst at the American Enterprise Institute, working on higher education finance and student loan servicing. She also held fellowships with the Podesta Group and with the Delaware General Assembly. West holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Delaware.