Regina Lewis

PhD Student

Regina M. Lewis is pursuing her Ph.D. at the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Kentucky  

Her research intersects public policy, labor economics, health vulnerability, and social inequality related to the racial wealth gap. Regina’s research agenda seeks to explore the role of public policy in creating differential risks and burdens along racial lines to uncover how disparities accumulate in punitive outcomes and stifled economic mobility related to traditional wealth building strategies, such as: entrepreneurship, education, and home ownership.  

Regina has been invited to share her research in settings like the Kentucky Law Journal Symposium, the United in True Racial Equity (UNITE) Membership Luncheon, the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) Conference, and the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) Social Equity Leadership Conference. She has also served as a guest lecturer and policy coach. In addition to her studies, Regina works as an interdisciplinary project manager, fostering collaboration across multiple research departments.  

Prior to her time in academia, Regina served in both corporate America and the non-profit sector cultivating character and leadership development in multi-ethnic community leaders and was awarded the Bluegrass Community Foundation Neighborhood Grant to teach financial literacy.  

Regina holds a master's degree in Nutritional Sciences and received the Center for Public Anthropology Award for excellence in writing on public issues; the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for three consecutive years, the Bailey Provost Scholarship, Lyman T. Johnson Fellowship, and the William C. Parker Scholarship. She is a gratitude enthusiast, a nationally competitive strength athlete, and currently the sixth strongest amateur Strongwoman in America.