Holman headshot

Emerson Fellow

Daron Holman

22nd Class, 2015-2016

Daron is from Fayetteville, North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in mathematics. Daron was a part of the inaugural class of UNC Bonner Leaders, a program that supports intensive undergraduate community service and social justice activities. As a Bonner Leader, Daron conducted community-based research and created a curriculum that educated residents about community history in the Chapel Hill area. He also managed the program of 49 Bonner Leaders and 13 community partners as a Bonner Senior intern.

Field placement: United Way of King County

Seattle, Washington

Daron analyzed three years’ worth of data gathered from United Way of King county’s Free Tax Preparation Campaign to determine the extent to which the Earned Income Tax Credit is lifting UWKC tax filers above the federal poverty line. He also worked to implement two new pilot programs focused on connecting low-income adults to job training and helping tax filers save a portion of their refund. Daron also conducted the initial research to support United Way’s new strategy of supporting low-income community college students.

Policy placement: The Urban Institute

Washington, D.C.

Daron worked with the Metropolitan and Housing Communities Policy Center to support their Teens and Food Insecurity work. He conducted a literature review to support the creation of youth empowerment programming and organizing a program evaluation of Oregon’s Urban’s Teen Centered Food Program, which addresses issues related to food insecurity among teenagers living in public housing.

Publications