Kristen Hengtgen is a policy lead for college and career readiness on the pre-K–12 policy team at The Education Trust. She focuses on policies and practices that advocate for educational equity and increased access to and success in rigorous, culturally sustaining coursework that prepares students of color and students from low-income backgrounds for college, career, and beyond.

Prior to joining EdTrust, Hengtgen worked as a senior researcher at the Florida College Access Network. She has also worked as an academic advisor at Indiana University.

A native of metro Detroit, Hengtgen holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Indiana University Bloomington, a Master of Education in history and philosophy of education from Indiana University Bloomington, and bachelor’s degrees in history and secondary education from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor.