Abigail Seldin head shot

Abigail Seldin

Abigail Seldin is a start-up founder, former corporate executive, and philanthropic leader focused on improving access to public benefits in the United States. Her track record includes deep collaborations with federal and state agencies to shape policy and make regulatory changes concerning public transit, Head Start, SNAP, and federal financial aid.

Abigail’s most recent grant, focused on scaling Head Start preschools at community colleges, earned the endorsement of The Washington Post’s Editorial Board in 2023. As CEO of the Seldin/Haring-Smith Foundation (SHSF), she has directed 50+ grants across multiple subject areas, including economic and social mobility, civil liberties, and children’s welfare.

In addition to grant-making, Abigail’s track record at the Foundation includes building coalitions and mission-driven corporate partnerships. She led a coalition of 20 industry associations, advocacy groups, and colleges to co-create SwiftStudent, the leading digital tool for students seeking financial aid appeals. With 90,000+ users since its 2020 launch, SwiftStudent has been promoted by six state governments and numerous colleges as a core resource for students and counselors. Abigail led a partnership with Getty Images to improve stock photo representation of today’s college students, resulting in 1200+ new images.

Abigail is also co-founder of the Civic Mapping Initiative, a research center within the Foundation identifying “last mile” transit expansion opportunities to support smart infrastructure planning and workforce development. CMI’s maps have been featured in media outlets across the country, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and NPR Marketplace, and inspired active bipartisan legislation. Recent research projects beyond mapping include breaking the story on sex trafficking in higher education in 2021, a project that resulted in front-page coverage from USA Today and substantial state regulatory changes.

Abigail's experience outside public policy includes co-founding and selling a tech start-up, studying at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and parenting two children. She currently serves on the boards of Open Campus Media, New DEAL Leaders, and the Association of American Rhodes Scholars.

In the News

Featured
“Head Start centers in community colleges can change the child-care equation”
“Head Start centers in community colleges can change the child-care equation”
“One Flat Tire Away From Dropping Out’: Why Transit to Community Colleges Matters”
“One Flat Tire Away From Dropping Out’: Why Transit to Community Colleges Matters”
“One-third of Virginia community colleges lack close public transit connections”
“One-third of Virginia community colleges lack close public transit connections”
“Advocates push for transit connections to Georgia’s two-year colleges”
“Advocates push for transit connections to Georgia’s two-year colleges”
“Community college students without cars face transportation challenges”
“Community college students without cars face transportation challenges”
“How a rural community college makes sure its students get to their classes, one car at a time.”
“How a rural community college makes sure its students get to their classes, one car at a time.”
“Transportation barriers hurt Wisconsin community college students. One group is mapping out the problem mile by mile.”
“Transportation barriers hurt Wisconsin community college students. One group is mapping out the problem mile by mile.”
“Community college students without cars face transportation challenges, especially during Orange Line shutdown”
“Community college students without cars face transportation challenges, especially during Orange Line shutdown”
“Are community colleges accessible enough to students without cars? A national group tracks proximity to public transportation.”
“Are community colleges accessible enough to students without cars? A national group tracks proximity to public transportation.”
"Limited public transit keeps some college students from graduating. Here's how schools can help”
"Limited public transit keeps some college students from graduating. Here's how schools can help”
"A PATH to Greater Transit Access”
"A PATH to Greater Transit Access”
"New Toolkit To Combat Sex Trafficking At Massage Schools”
"New Toolkit To Combat Sex Trafficking At Massage Schools”
"Massage schools across the US are suspected of ties to prostitution and selling fake diplomas. Many remain open.”
"Massage schools across the US are suspected of ties to prostitution and selling fake diplomas. Many remain open.”
“Student Financial Aid Packages Don’t Account for Pandemic’s Economic Blow”
“Student Financial Aid Packages Don’t Account for Pandemic’s Economic Blow”
“You Still Have Time to Ask Colleges for More Financial Aid”
“You Still Have Time to Ask Colleges for More Financial Aid”
"Didn't Get Enough Financial Aid For College? You Can Ask For More Money”
"Didn't Get Enough Financial Aid For College? You Can Ask For More Money”
“What Does a College Student Look Like? Stock Images From the Quad Are Getting an Update”
“What Does a College Student Look Like? Stock Images From the Quad Are Getting an Update”
‘It’s not just double duty, it’s triple duty’: Student-parents prepare to juggle college, work and childcare this fall
‘It’s not just double duty, it’s triple duty’: Student-parents prepare to juggle college, work and childcare this fall
"For Aspiring College Students, Pandemic Has Created 'Debilitating' Uncertainty"
"For Aspiring College Students, Pandemic Has Created 'Debilitating' Uncertainty"
“How to Ask for More Financial-Aid"
“How to Ask for More Financial-Aid"
"Colleges Brace for Student Aid Appeals as Virus Slashes Incomes"
"Colleges Brace for Student Aid Appeals as Virus Slashes Incomes"
"New website launches to help college students appeal financial aid decisions"
"New website launches to help college students appeal financial aid decisions"
"Financial-Aid Appeals Are Mysterious. This Tool Was Built to Simplify Them."
"Financial-Aid Appeals Are Mysterious. This Tool Was Built to Simplify Them."
"As colleges brace for financial aid appeals, there’s a new tool to help students file them"
"As colleges brace for financial aid appeals, there’s a new tool to help students file them"
"Students Need More Financial Aid Than What They Applied for. A Free New Tool Can Help."
"Students Need More Financial Aid Than What They Applied for. A Free New Tool Can Help."

Editorials

College Abacus