Who We Are
Our Mission
The Excellence Project is founded on the belief that high-potential students from traditionally disadvantaged backgrounds are an untapped source of talent, that if cultivated, can change the world. The organization aims to investigate effective ways to identify and support these students and to promote policies that will help them reach their potential.
Research
We produce timely research on the issues impacting our brightest learners – especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This research informs our future advocacy strategies.
Advocacy
We advocate for changes to public policy that will help our brightest students succeed. We write and advance legislation that encourages more students to be identified and eliminates the barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
Our Team
Founder & CEO
Joshua Dwyer
Joshua has worked in education throughout his career – as a practitioner, both at the high school and university level; as a program manager at a small non-profit; and as a director at a think tank.
In his previous position as the Government Affairs and Policy Director at Empower Illinois, Joshua wrote and lobbied for four bills: a state tax credit for teachers’ out-of-pocket expenses, a $100 million tax credit scholarship program, a bill that required school districts to use best practices to identify high-potential students, and a statewide acceleration policy that requires school districts to allow high-potential students to enter school early, take above grade level classes, skip grades, or graduate early.
Joshua earned his BA in Political Science at the University of Vermont, his MPP at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, and his MSJ at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.