Staff

James Paul, PhD

Director of State Education Opportunity

Download Headshot

James Paul is AFPI's Director of State Education Opportunity. In this role, he executes a comprehensive state-level strategy to expand educational freedom, empower parents, and promote excellence in K–12 education. His experience spans effective nonprofit advocacy, influential academic research, and successful policy implementation in state government. Before joining AFPI, James served as Executive Director of the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board, where he oversaw the launch of the state’s charter school sector and led the implementation of a $12 million federal Charter Schools Program grant. He earned his PhD in Education Policy from the University of Arkansas, where his innovative dissertation offered one of the first empirical analyses of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K–12 and higher education. James is passionate about education policies that uphold parental authority, limit the influence of distant bureaucrats, and instill a love of country in the next generation of American students.

Written by

Reset

Topics

Type

More Staff

See All Staff

Governor Phil Bryant

Senior Advisor

Matthew Burtell

Senior Policy Analyst, AI and Emerging Technology

Kayleigh Kozak

Senior Manager, America Combats Trafficking and Child Exploitation Initiative

Michael Shires

Vice Chair of Education Opportunity

Join The
Movement



By providing your information, you become a member of America First Policy Institute and consent to receive emails. By checking the opt in box, you consent to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Text STOP to opt-out or HELP for help. SMS opt in will not be sold, rented, or shared. View our Privacy Policy and Mobile Terms of Service.