J. Michael Collins
Assistant Professor
Email: jmcollins@wisc.edu
Office: 4208 Nancy Nicholas Hall
Department of Consumer Science
School of Human Ecology
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Nancy Nicholas Hall
1300 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-262-0369 or 608-616-0369
J. Michael Collins is faculty director of the Center for Financial Security at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is a faculty affiliate of the UW-Extension, Cooperative Extension, the Institute for Research on Poverty, and the La Follette School of Public Affairs. Collins studies consumer decision-making in the financial marketplace, including the role of public policy in influencing credit, savings and investment choices.
His work includes the study of financial capability with a focus on low-income families. He directed the Social Security Administration Financial Literacy Research Consortium site at Wisconsin (2009-2012). He is currently involved in studies of mortgage foreclosure and family well-being supported by the John D and Catherine T. MacArthur foundation, financial counseling supported by the Annie E. Casey foundation, and emergency savings policies for the C.S. Mott Foundation.
Collins brings nearly a decade of applied experience to his research. He founded PolicyLab Consulting Group, a research consulting firm working with national foundations and government agencies, and co-founded MortgageKeeper Referral Services, an online database for mortgage servicers and counselors. He also worked for NeighborWorks America (Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation) and the Millennial Housing Commission.
He holds a Masters from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, a PhD from Cornell University, and a BS from Miami University (OH).
Research & Creative Endeavors
Michael Collins is faculty director of the Center for Financial Security at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is a faculty affiliate of the Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, the Institute for Research on Poverty, and the La Follette School of Public Affairs. Collins studies consumer decision-making in the financial marketplace, including the role of public policy in influencing credit, savings and investment choices. His work includes the study of financial capability with a focus on low-income families.
Engagement
Providing financial workshops and training for education and helping professionals; designing and implementing financial capability for Head Start, Child Protective Services, low-income Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and related programs. Support for Coop Extension educators.
Publications / Exhibitions
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State Mortgage Foreclosure Policies & Lender Interventions: Impacts on Borrower Behavior in Default with Ken Lam and Christopher E. Herbert in Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, Vol. 30, No. 2, 216-232 (2011)
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Comparing Foreclosure Counseling Policies in the US and UK with Michael Orton in Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis, Vol. 12, No. 4, 413-434
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Financial Education and Counseling-Still Holding Promise with Collin O'Rourke in Journal of Consumer Affairs Volume 44, Issue 3.
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Exploring the Design of Financial Counseling for Mortgage Borrowers in Default Journal of Family and Economic Issues. 28(2), 207-226.
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How Good is the GFE? Housing Policy Debate Vol. 21, No. 4, September 2011, p. 565-583
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Mortgage Mistakes? Demographic Factors Associated with Problematic Loan Application Behaviors Journal of Family and Economic Issues (23 September 2011), pp. 1-14
Website(s)
- Building Bucks. An educational series focused on Financial Education Resources.
- Financial Briefs. Financial Education Lunchtime Learning Topics
- Financial Coaching. A resource for those interested in learning more about coaching, and a forum for those who are already practicing coaching in their communities.
- Foreclosure Prevention. A resource to help homeowners understand what they can do when they fall behind on mortgage payments, and how to prevent their situation from getting to that point.
- Tough Times. A resource to help people make sound financial choices in tough times.
Education
- Education, B.S., Miami
- Public Policy, M.P.P., Harvard - John F. Kennedy School of Government
- Policy Analysis, Ph.D., Cornell
