Munroe-Meyer Institute
UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Nishank Varshney, PhD

Assistant Professor, Munroe-Meyer Institute
Child Development Program Evaluator, Munroe-Meyer Institute

402-559-7368

Nishank Varshney, PhD

Nishank Varshney, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education and Child Development at the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute. He obtained his doctorate in public affairs from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota. Varshney’s research interests focus on evaluating the short and long-term impacts of early childhood education programs with an emphasis on economic evaluation (cost-benefit analysis). Additionally, his research focuses on identifying ways of scaling up effective programs through increased public and nonprofit investments using innovative financing mechanisms such as social impact investing. Varshney conducts program evaluations for projects related to early childhood education and community well-being, with an aim to expand access to quality early childhood education for all children.

  • PhD: Public Affairs, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, 2023.
  • MA: Public Policy, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, 2018.
  • MSc: (Hons.) Mathematics, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, India, 2014.
  • BE: (Hons.) Electronics & Instrumentation, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, India, 2014.

Specialty Certifications

  • Early Childhood Policy, University of Minnesota.

Dr. Varshney provides consultation and program evaluation through the Department of Education and Child Development at Munroe-Meyer Institute.

Primary Location

    • Publications on PubMed
    • Temple, J., & Varshney, N. (2023). “Using Prevention Research to Reduce Racial Disparities in Health Through Innovative Funding Strategies: The Case of Doula Care.” Prevention Science, 1- 11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-023-01497-2
    • Varshney, N., Temple, J. A., & Reynolds, A. J. (2022). “Early Education and Adult Health: Age 37 Impacts and Economic Benefits of the Child-Parent Center Preschool Program.” Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis 13: 57–90, https://doi.org/10.1017/bca.2022.4
    • Varshney, N., Lee, S., Temple, J. A., & Reynolds, A. J. (2020). “Does early childhood education enhance parental school involvement in second grade?: Evidence from Midwest Child-Parent Center Program.” Children and Youth Services Review, 117, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105317
  • Community well-being.
  • Cost-benefit analysis.
  • Early childhood education.
  • Infant and maternal health.
  • Preschool development grant.
  • Social impact financing.
  • American Evaluation Association.
  • Association for Public Policy and Management.
  • Society for Prevention Research.
Education and Child Development Department

University of Nebraska Medical Center
Munroe-Meyer Institute
985450 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-5450

Clinic Appointments

Children sitting cross-legged on floor with teacher, iStock.
Department Services

Explore programs and services available through MMI's Department of Education and Child Development.