Bios

Jeri Childers
Jeri Childers, fellow, Virginia Tech's Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement, conducts research, publishes, presents, and practices in engaging university and community leaders in institutional and civic change. Childers created The Engagement Academy for University Leaders, which has won awards for its innovation and quality. From that original program, a portfolio of programs continues to grow to build capacity for institutional and community engagement. Childers in collaboration with leaders in their fields develops public and customized contract programs for post-secondary institution, as well as, public sector organizations such as hospitals, non-profit organizations, and local, state, and federal government agencies. Dr. Childers is an affiliate faculty member of Virginia Tech’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Higher Education Program.

Diane M. Doberneck
Diane M. Doberneck, Ph.D. is a researcher at Michigan State University's National Collaborative for the Study of University Engagement and an adjunct assistant professor in the Liberty Hyde Bailey Scholars Program. At NCSUE, she supports professional development for community engagement, including Tools of Engagement (undergraduates), MSU Graduate Certification in Community Engagement (graduate students), Engaged Scholar Speaker Series (faculty, community members), and Community Engagement Workshops (international scholars). She can be reached at connordm@msu.edu.

Beth P. Velde
Dr. Beth Velde is the Director of the Engagement Outreach Scholars Academy (EOSA), Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy and Assistant Dean in the College of Allied Health Sciences at East Carolina University. In her role as Director of EOSA, Velde developed and implemented a strategic action plan that included a logic model and 5 year fundraising plan for community engagement.

James Woodell
James Woodell is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Higher Education at Penn State, and also serves as assistant director for TRE Networks, an organization supporting university efforts in regional engagement. His research is focused on the role of higher education in regional and economic development. Before starting his doctoral work, Jim's career spanned 20 years in educational media and technology, continuing education, and distance learning. Jim received a Master of Education degree from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University.