Maria McCollester

Political Scientist

Pittsburgh Office

Education

Ph.D. in political science, Boston College; M.P.A. in public administration, University of Pennsylvania; B.A. in political science, Indiana University of PA; B.A. in history, Indiana University of PA

One Page Bio

Overview

Maria McCollester (she/her) is a political scientist at the RAND Corporation. McCollester's educational and professional experience coalesces around institutional and organizational development, coordination, and governance, especially within the U.S. federal government and military, legislative, legal, policy, and regulatory analysis, and historical research. Her broad research interests include public administration and governance, environmental policy, national and homeland security, bureaucracy, and the legislative process. Prior to coming to RAND, McCollester completed her Ph.D. in Political Science at Boston College. Her dissertation research focused upon the development of of the United States' federally protected public land system and its connection to presidential and Congressional power. Preceding and during her time at Boston College, McCollester worked for a number of governmental agencies and non-profit organizations, including as a policy analyst with the Government Accountability Office.

Research Focus

Selected Publications

McCollester, Maria, Michelle E. Miro, and Kristin Van Abel, Building Resilience Together: Military and Local Government Collaboration for Climate Adaptation, RAND Corporation (RR-3014-RC), 2020

Ligor, Douglas C., Shawn D. Bushway, Maria McCollester, Richard H. Donohue, Devon Hill, Marylou Gilbert, Heather Gomez-Bendaña, Daniel Kim, Annie Brothers, Melissa Bauman, Barbara Bicksler, Rick Penn-Kraus, and Stephanie J. Walsh, Criminal History Record Information Sharing with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency: Education and Training Materials for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Partners, RAND Corporation (RR-A846-1), 2022

Edwards, Kathryn A., Maria McCollester, Brian Phillips, Hannah Acheson-Field, Isabel Leamon, Noah Johnson, and Maria C. Lytell, Compensation and Benefits for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Workers: A Comparison of the Federal Government and the Private Sector, RAND Corporation (RR-4267-OSD), 2021

McGovern, Geoffrey, Maria McCollester, Douglas C. Ligor, Sheng Tao Li, Douglas Yeung, and Laura Kupe, The Role of Intellectual Property in U.S. Homeland Security, RAND Corporation (RR-3039-DHS), 2019

Publications

Report
Options for Improving Strategic Utilization of the Air Reserve Component for Sustained Active-Duty Missions
The authors analyze how statutes, personnel policies, and resource policies constrain how Air Reserve Component personnel are utilized to perform frequent or long-term active component operational requirements.
Sep 19, 2022
Report
Criminal History Record Information Sharing with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency: Education and Training Materials for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Partners
This report presents materials to facilitate more effective and efficient criminal history record information sharing with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, which performs federal background investigations.
Sep 7, 2022
Report
Independent Evaluation of the Transportation Working Capital Fund: Assessment and Recommendations to Improve Effectiveness and Efficiency
The authors assess the financial viability and current structure of the Transportation Working Capital Fund, which funds U.S. Transportation Command operations, and recommend ways to restructure the fund to improve its effectiveness and efficiency.
Mar 25, 2021
Report
Compensation and Benefits for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Workers: A Comparison of the Federal Government and the Private Sector
The authors compare salary, benefits, and employment for federal and private-sector workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). They analyze data, present findings on STEM and non-STEM workers, and make recommendations.
Jan 19, 2021
Report
Building Resilience Together: Military and Local Government Collaboration for Climate Adaptation
After examining the role of collaboration in military and local government climate resilience planning, the authors conclude that such collaboration improves capacity to address climate change and identify attributes of effective joint planning.
Apr 28, 2020
Report
The Role of Intellectual Property in U.S. Homeland Security
Researchers assessed intellectual property (IP) support at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components and found underused opportunities but also issues that expose programs to substantial risk.
Sep 19, 2019
Report
Promoting Joint Warfighting Proficiency: The Role of Doctrine in Preparing Airmen for Joint Operations
This report describes the differences and similarities between Air Force and joint doctrine and identifies ways to increase doctrinal alignment. It also evaluates the potential role of doctrine in increasing airmen's joint warfighting proficiency.
Aug 16, 2018