Walter Cook joined The Skillman Foundation as the Learning & Impact manager in December 2025. He brings over 15 years of experience in Michigan educational policy, including over a decade focused specifically on the city of Detroit.

Before joining the Foundation, Walt served as senior director of research and data science for the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD). There, he built and led a team responsible for providing Superintendent Vitti with actionable insights on key strategic initiatives.

Prior to his time with DPSCD, Walt spent four years at Wayne State University’s Detroit PEER research center where he co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on topics such as chronic absenteeism, school choice, and student mobility. His deep commitment to Detroit families is rooted in his nonprofit work at Excellent Schools Detroit, where he helped design and manage a citywide school dashboard and supported the local advocacy for the creation of DPSCD and return of a locally elected school board. He also worked for New Detroit where he provided data support to the Coalition for the Future of Detroit Schoolchildren. Walt holds a bachelor of arts in political science from U.C. Davis, a master of arts in economics from Michigan State University, and a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from Wayne State University.

He lives in Troy with his wife of over 20 years, their seven-year-old daughter, and three cats. Outside of work, Walt is active in local politics, enjoys applying sports analytics to his fantasy sports leagues, and is the volunteer treasurer of the nonprofit Troy Youth Assistance.

Areas of expertise:
Data analysis, education policy, and program evaluation

How I can help partners:
Building capacity to fully leverage data and research to inform strategic decision-making

A quote that describes my outlook:
“Set your course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship.” — General Omar N. Bradley