Jennifer Nguyen

Public Policy Analyst (She/her/hers) [email protected]

Jennifer produces research and analysis on state and local funding for election administration and on how federal funding decisions impact food assistance and health care in North Carolina to support advocacy for adequate and equitable public investment. Before joining the Budget & Tax Center in 2025, Jennifer held internships at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, Budget & Tax Center, and the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration.  Born in Vietnam and raised in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Jennifer’s experience as an immigrant allowed her to see the gap between the nation’s ideals of equality and justice versus the reality in the South, inspiring her commitment to racial and economic justice. She earned both her B.A. and Master’s in Public Policy from Duke University. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting, live music, and trying new recipes.  Contact me about:

  • State and Local Election Funding
  • Food Assistance and Health Care
  • Local Budgets 

Posts by Jennifer Nguyen

Blog
October 28, 2025

Mapping What’s at Stake: The Impact of SNAP on North Carolina’s Families and Local Economies

Every county in North Carolina benefits from federal food assistance.  Each month, SNAP (aka food stamps) dollars flow into every community, helping families put food on the table and keep up with rising costs. They also keep local grocery stores open, support jobs, and strengthen local economies.   That critical support is now at risk. Without…

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Blog
October 15, 2025

From paychecks to rising costs: The real impact of a federal shutdown in NC

When the federal government shuts down, even partially or temporarily, there are a number of ways in which our daily lives can be impacted — from whether federal offices and national parks remain open to whether landlords get rent or families can put food on the table. Over time, those impacts tend to get worse…

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