Leo Simonetta
Director of Research
email: Simonetta@artsci.com
phone: 410 377-7880 x14
Leo Simonetta is one of the most experienced survey research professionals working in higher education today. His work has been cited in the New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, CNN, AP and Reuters wire stories, and numerous other media outlets as well as in academic journals in fields ranging from education, political science and psychology to travel and tourism. Leo joined the Art & Science Group 1998 and currently oversees all of the firm’s research operations.
Education
- Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University, Psychology (Social Psychology). Named Outstanding Social Psychology Graduate Student.
- M.S. Virginia Commonwealth University, Psychology (Social Psychology with concentration in Industrial/Organizational Psychology)
- B.S. Virginia Commonwealth University, Business: Marketing
More About Leo
After abandoning a promising career as a professional student at Virginia Commonwealth University Leo started his professional life as the Assistant Professor and Polling Director at the Applied Research Center of Georgia State University. As the Center’s first Polling Director, Leo was responsible for managing the Survey Research Unit as well as client contact, contract negotiation, budgeting, report writing, results presentation and data analysis. His clients at the Center included: the City of Atlanta, the State Department of Transportation, the State Department of Education, the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Atlanta Journal/Constitution, NIH, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and numerous others.
After leaving Georgia State University, Leo became Director of the Survey Center for the Institute of Policy and Social Science Research at the University of New Hampshire where he revitalized the survey research operation. There he oversaw major research studies for the New Hampshire Department of Justice, NIMH, New Hampshire Public Radio, the CATO Institute, The Manchester Union Leader and the American Cancer Society – NH. Leo’s proudest moment in New Hampshire was when The Manchester Union Leader characterized him as a “shill” for the Governor as a result of state wide poll on education funding (this event prompted him to buy multiple copies for framing).
Leo is a frequent participant on AAPORnet (the American Association for Public Opinion Research listserv) and has been an AAPOR member since 1994. His research has been featured in numerous peer reviewed academic journals in subject areas ranging from Psychology to Travel and Tourism. Leo is a voracious reader and he has well-informed knowledge and opinions on virtually any topic.
