Associate Policy Analyst
Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh is an Associate Policy Analyst with MPI's U.S. Immigration Policy Program, where she focuses on the U.S.-Mexico border, including analysis of trends in border arrivals, migration at and between ports of entry, migrant processing, and the role of NGOs in border communities.
She comes to MPI after three years in San Diego, conducting research and working with asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Previously, Ms. Putzel-Kavanaugh interned with the Bipartisan Policy Center, the office of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and Al Otro Lado. Prior to her work as a researcher, she was a 7th and 8th grade teacher.
Ms. Putzel-Kavanaugh holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Assumption College and a master’s of peace and justice degree from the University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, where she focused on human rights, immigration, and corruption.