Abby Kinch

Dr. Abby Kinch serves as Vice President of Research at Student Veterans of America, where she oversees all research initiatives, including strategic impact analyses, annual surveys, and knowledge management. Under her leadership, SVA’s research team evaluates program effectiveness and conducts collaborative studies on veterans’ economic and cultural transitions, ensuring evidence-based insights drive organizational strategy, advocacy, and policy influence. Dr. Kinch frequently presents SVA’s research to Congress, the Administration, state governments, higher education institutions, and other stakeholders, positioning SVA’s findings at the forefront of national policy discussions.

In addition to her role at SVA, Dr. Kinch is an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida’s School of Information, teaching data analysis, information strategy, and decision-making and is currently writing a nonprofit management course for the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Previously, she created the U.S. Intelligence Studies program at Florida State University, where she trained students in intelligence analysis.

Dr. Kinch holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy from Florida State University, with research focused on programs supporting student veterans in higher education. Her expertise spans institutional, state, and national levels, making her a recognized leader in the field. She also holds advanced degrees in Public Administration and Asian Studies and undergraduate degrees in Chinese Language and Culture and Linguistics, reflecting a broad academic foundation for her leadership in research and strategy.

Research Interests:
• Behavioral economics and decision-making
• Strategic management and information strategy
• Veteran Critical Theory in applied policy
• Moral linguistics and pragmatics