Terri M. Manning, Ed.D. - Director of The Center for Applied Research

Dr. Manning spent 10 years at the university level where she taught graduate classes in research methods, assessment, and program evaluation.  She has been an outcome evaluation trainer for United Way, Area Research Chair for the Charlotte Chamber, president of the North Carolina Community College Planning and Research Organization, and has worked on many community-based research projects in the areas of literacy, workforce development, early childhood education and mental and physical health.  She is the organizer of the Annual Best Practices in Institutional Effectiveness Conference/Institute.  Currently she is working with the Lumina Foundation to help at-risk college students improve their opportunities for success in college and is a national speaker on the millennial generation. 

(Click here to view Dr. Manning's Vitae)

Dawn Coleman, MA - Senior Research Analyst

Dawn works primarily in the area of program evaluation of school-based programs, particularly in the field of adolescent health and at-risk behaviors.  Previously, she was a contract manager and grants administrator with the Florida Department of Health working with youth programs around the state, providing them with technical assistance and grants research.  Since joining The Center, she has implemented a survey of former Piedmont Courts residents for the Charlotte Housing Authority, evaluated cultural education programs at area independent schools, and is currently evaluating multiple programs targeting at-risk youth in a rural, low-income area of North Carolina. 

Jennie Ann Cole, MA - Senior Research Analyst

Jennie Ann has a background in qualitative and ethnographic research methods.  She recently joined the Center from the UrbanMinistryCenter where she worked in development and grants management for non-profits and government agencies.  Her research background is in homelessness and housing policy, ethnographic research, qualitative research and visual art as activism and alternative communication. She has been involved in numerous academic research projects and public art projects geared towards social justice. These projects have ranged from ethnographic studies of the blind population in Chicago, IL to wall murals developed by the homeless and depicting pictographically daily experiences of homeless life.  Currently she is working with the Charlotte Housing Authority to survey participants of the Moving to Work program and to conduct a quality of life study for residents affected by the Hope VI grant and HUD’s revitalization efforts of the Belmont Community.

Jerry Landry, BA - Research Assistant

Since joining the Center, Jerry has worked on a variety of business databases including major employers and manufacturers in the Charlotte region as well as in Wake County. He has also provided assistance with research for pre-exhibit development for the Levine Museum of the New South and a report on the state of bio-business in the Charlotte region.

Lynn Williams, AAS - Administrative Specialist

Lynn provides technical expertise for Center projects.  She works with several software packages to create databases, presentations, and on-line and paper surveys. Lynn worked on the database of major employers and the regional database of manufacturers and metalworking firms.  She is currently working on the graduate follow-up survey for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  

Denise Wells, MS, is experienced in designing on-line and mail survey instruments.  She has administered numerous surveys of students and faculty for Central Piedmont Community College.  She also trains and assists staff of college programs in survey research. Denise also facilitates SWOT analysis and focus groups for various areas of the college.

Bobbie Frye, MA, has expertise in sociological and educational research particularly in the areas of the homeless, unemployed and social policy.  She is proficient using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Recent projects for the center include a study of current “Millennial” college students and a client assessment for Smart Start of Mecklenburg County.

Paul Earls, BS, provides the technical expertise for the Center.  With a degree in information technology and extensive experience with database management and SAS programming, Paul provides valuable technical support for the Center.

Lesley Shroyer, BS, is administrative support staff member.  Leslie does phone calling for the Center, works on various projects and surveys.