Lauren Kojola is the Operations and Finance Assistant at Institute for Policy Studies. She has worked on the Operations team since 2018. Lauren graduated from University of Maryland, College Park with a B.A. in Sociology. Her honors thesis explored social movement coalitions between labor unions and LGBTQ+ rights movements, with a focus on addressing economic inequality issues. Prior to IPS, Lauren worked as an undergraduate peer advisor in the Sociology department at UMD. She has volunteered with multiple area nonprofits, including with a local organization helping seniors in the community. Lauren’s excellent organizational skills and passion for social justice bring energy and support to IPS.