Katlyn Riggins is the Director of Policy at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University, where she leads the Institute’s federal policy strategy and engagement in Washington, D.C. In this role, she works to strengthen IVMF’s presence among policymakers, federal agencies, and national stakeholders, advancing policies that support the economic, educational, and social well-being of the nation’s service members, veterans, and military families.

She brings over six years of experience in higher education policy, federal relations, and coalition management. Prior to joining the IVMF, she served as the Government Policy and Data Associate at the American Council on Education (ACE), where she supported the Government Relations team and coordinated several national coalitions, including the Student Aid Alliance, Double Pell Alliance, and Strengthening Institutions Roundtable. In this capacity, she led advocacy campaigns, organized Hill meetings, and analyzed federal proposals on student aid, institutional accountability, and budget reconciliation.

Her work has centered on ensuring access to higher education as the nation’s great equalizer, particularly for underrepresented and military-connected populations. She is deeply committed to bridging research, data, and policy to inform decisions that expand opportunity and economic mobility.

Katlyn received her Master of Public Policy from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Texas A&M University.