Professor Dr. William Elliott

Biography

William Elliott III is a Professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work and the Director of Doctoral Programs. He is a leading researcher in fields such as college savings accounts, college debt, and wealth inequality. With roots in a small steel mill town in Pennsylvania, Elliott's work examines the individual beliefs and cultural values surrounding college funding, student debt, and systemic patterns of poverty that influence educational justice. He has been active in researching college savings account programs and is conducting studies in Oakland, California, New Mexico, San Francisco, Indiana, and Maine. His scholarly contributions include publications in prestigious journals such as the Economics of Education Review and the Journal of Poverty. Elliott's recent book, 'Making Education Work for the Poor: Potential Children’s Savings Accounts,' showcases his expertise and commitment to addressing systemic inequalities in education financing. He believes that college education, when equitably funded, can act as a great equalizer in a society marked by significant wealth disparity.

Research Interests