J. Michael Collins

Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin - Madison

J. Michael Collins is an assistant professor of Consumer Science and the faculty director of the Center for Financial Security at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. 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 and has been published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs and the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management. He directed the Social Security Administration Financial Literacy Research Consortium site at Wisconsin (2009-2012). He is leading 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 founded PolicyLab Consulting Group, co-founded MortgageKeeper Referral Services, lead applied research at 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, Ohio.