CCBCE - STAFF PROFILE
Dr. Elvia R. Krajewski-Jaime
Director
Dr. Elvia R. Krajewski-Jaime is professor of Social Work and Director of the Center for Community Building and Civic Engagement at Eastern Michigan University. The Center recently received funds from the Department of Justice to formally establish the Center within Eastern Michigan University. Dr. Krajewski-Jaime also directed the Community Outreach Partnership Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan, for which they received funds from HUD. Dr. Krajewski-Jaime's professional interests also include cultural competence in the health and human services, particularly with the older and pre-teen populations in the Latino community of Detroit. She has authored and co-authored numerous articles, chapters in books, monographs, training manuals both in English and Spanish, and has written numerous grants. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, a master's degree in Social Administration from Temple University, and a Doctoral degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
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Peggy Wiencek,
Research Director, Applied Research Center
Co-Director, Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Communities
Peggy Wiencek received a M.A. in Sociology from Eastern Michigan University in 1984. She served as a lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminolgy from 1982 to 1995. Since 1984 Ms. Wiencek has been a member of the research staff at the Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Communities where she is currently Director of the Applied Research Center. As the Center Director, she manages the Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) lab. She has managed dozens of research projects and directed numerous applied studies and evaluations. Her research includes studies of foster care quality, assessment of the safety and stability of children in foster care placements, evaluation of the system of care in juvenile justice and evaluation of community studies including the Community Outreach Partnership Center. She has presented broadly at professional conferences on methodologies for conducting applied research and evaluation studies.
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John Benci, D.C.,
Research Associate
Dr. John Benci assists Proff.Wiencek with evaluation and provides technical support to project staff, partners and fellows. Dr.Benci received his D.C. from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1980, practicing in Michigan over twenty two years. Assisting institute staff since 1997, he has contributed to evaluation, training development and crime reporting projects via Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI), web based surveys, Database management, statistical analysis as well as videotape and sound recording. Dr.Benci also has a B.S in biochemistry from Michigan State University with extensive coursework in psychology on both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Kim Rankins
Senior Secretary, Administrative Assistant
Kim Rankins is the administrative assistant for the Center for Community Building & Civic Engagement. Her duties include training, supervising students and maintaining a professional work environment at the Institute. Kim is responsible for monitoring budgets and keeping financial records in working order. She also assists the Center Director and other staff in writing grants to ensure sustainability of projects at the center.
Kim Rankins is pursuing a B.S. degree from EMU in Business, Management, Marketing,Technology and Education. She has an applied science degree with a major in Administrative and Medical Administrative Technology from Washtenaw Community College.
Rhea Janelle Cooper
Graduate Assistant
Rhea Janelle Cooper is a graduate assistant for the Community Building and Civic Engagement. Her responisbilities include editing the Newsletters, conduct data searches, organize meetings and update data needed. She also assists in the coordination of the Community Leadership Fellows Program, TeenBiz, as well as the Strengthening Organizations Building Communities initiative.
Rhea is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in Mental Illness and Chemical Dependency. She is also planning to pursue a graduate certificate in nonprofit management and plans to graduate in April of 2007.
Megan L Bigalke
Graduate Assistant
Megan L. Bigalke is a graduate assistant for the Center for Community Building and Civic Engagement. She is responsible for assisting in evaluation projects that include data collection and data entry. she also assists with the planning and organization of projects such as TeenBiz and the Strengthening Organizations Building Communities initiative. Megan is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology through the Department of Special Education and plans to graduate in April 2008.
Pramodh Vakati
Graduate Assistant
Pramodh Vakati is a graduate assistant at Center for Community Building and Civic Engagement. His responsibilities include updating and maintaining the website of the center, assists in preparing brochures, newsletters and other promotional information. Pramodh is the in-house computer expert responsible for upkeeping all center's computers and resolving all technological problems in computers, printers and scanners.
Pramodh is currently pursuing his master's degree in Computer Science from Eastern Michigan University. He holds a Bachelors of Technology degree from Jawaharlal Technological University in India.
Past Staff :
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Dr. Jeffrey Schulz
Program Director, Community Leadership Fellows Program
Dr. Schulz has been a member of the EMU faculty since the Fall of 2001. Prior to his arrival at EMU, he was employed as an Assistant Professor at Mississippi State University. While a member of the Mississippi State faculty, Dr. Schulz taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in Health Education and Health Promotion. He also served as director of a branch grant of the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi, a statewide coalition focusing on tobacco use prevention and cessation. Dr.Schulz was named the Mississippi Health Educator of the Year in 1990.
Since his arrival at EMU, Dr. Schulz has taught undergraduate courses in Health Education. He currently serves as Graduate Coordinator of Health Education and has recently headed the development a new Master’s degree in Health Education that began in 2005. Dr. Schulz is professionally active and has published and presented scholarly work related to a multitude of health issues ranging from tattooing and body piercing to violence prevention. His work has been displayed by the American School Health Association, the American Association for Health Education, the American College Health Association, the Society for Public Health Education, and Community- Campus Partnerships for Health. Currently, he is The Associate Dean of the College of Health & Human Services and serves as a member of the Washtenaw County Health Improvement Plan Coordinating Committee. Dr. Schulz possesses both experience and passion for working side-by-side with community agencies on efforts to identify and address common goals.
Mr. Scott Fiedler,M.S.
Graduate Assistant
Mr. Scott Fiedler was a graduate assistant with the Community Leadership Fellows Program housed at the Center for Community Building and Civic Engagement. He is responsible for assisting the Director of the Fellows Program with the smooth operation of this program. His responsibilities involve the planning, development, and implementation, of bi-weekly meetings, arrangements of visits to agencies across southeastern Michigan, and to arrange for research activities such as focus groups, data collection, data entry and report writing. In addition, he also was co-editor of the Center’s quarterly Newsletter.
Mr. Fiedler graduated in 2005 with a masters degree in Social Work, with a concentration in the mental illness and chemical dependency. He holds a baccalaureate degree in social work from Saginaw Valley State University.
Prashanth Vakati , M.S.
Graduate Assistant
Mr.Vakati worked at Center for Community and Building and Civic Engagement from January 2004 through december 2005 as a graduate assistant. He was the in-home computer expert maintaining all computers in operating condition also, he maintained the website of the department, assisted in preparing brochures, newsletters and other promotional materials.
Mr.Vakati has a master's degree in Computer Science from Eastern Michigan University in 2005. He holds a Bachelors of Technology degree from Jawaharlal Technological University in India.
Ms. Diana B. Krajewski, M.A
Research Assistant
Ms. Krajewski holds a masters degree in American Literature from the university of Leiden, The Netherland and an undergraduate degree in Creative Writing with a minor in Political Science from Eastern Michigan University. She is a recipient of the “Recognition of Excellence” scholarship and has consistently been on Eastern Michigan University Dean’s list. She has published several articles in the Eastern Echo, “La Voz Latina,” an Ann Arbor newspaper, and in the World College and Organization of Latino Social Workers Newsletters. In February 2001, Ms. Krajewski presented a paper entitled “Linking our Generations: A Mother-Daughter Conversation” at the Women’s Day conference sponsored by Michigan State University. Also, mentored by Ms. Peggy Wiencek, she presented results of the first year COPC Evaluation at the March 2003 Undergraduate Symposium at Eastern Michigan University. Ms. Krajewski also does volunteer work with the Latino Alumni Chapter, and volunteered in Spring 2003 for six weeks, at the Oncology Unit of the Children’s Hospital in Morelia, Mexico.
Ms. Krajewski worked as a Research Assistant in the Center for Community and Building and Civic Engagement from November 2001 to August 2004. She was intimately involved in the evaluation of the Center by collecting data, data input and data analysis, as well as participating in the COPC Project Directors’ and Advisory Commision meetings.
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Mr. Rodney Lake , M.A
Graduate Assistant
Mr. Lake was a Graduate Assistant for the Community Outreach Partnership Center from september 2003 through August 2005. He worked on numerous projects and activities which included Organizing the COPCs' Project Directors, Advisory Commision, EMU/Ypsilanti Community Meetings, Tracking Budget for COPC & Intergenerational Projects & Supervising Intergenerational projects with elders and youth from both local high schools.
Mr. Lake holds a Masters degree in Criminology from Eastern Michigan University and is pursuing his Doctoral studies in Political Science at Wayne State University. He holds a Baccalaureate degree in Criminal Justice from Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama.
Dr. Rebecca Martusewicz
Program Director, Community Leadership Fellows Program
Dr. Rebecca Martusewicz was the Director of the Community Leadership Fellows Program. She has been a faculty member in the Social Foundations Program in Teacher Education since 1988. Dr Martusewicz's teaching is focused on schools in a multicultural society, sociology of education, gender and education and teaching for social and ecological justice. Her scholarly work has focused on ethics and education, and most recently on grassroots activism as ecojustice education in Detroit. In 2004 she became a faculty fellow in the Community Leaders Fellowship program to further her work with Public Art Workz and their work to revitalize the Old Redford neighborhood in Detroit through the arts and community gardening. The opportunity to become Director of the CLFP expanded her work to yet another level.
Go to CCBCE Agency Partners
Go to Center for Community Building and Civic Engagement (CCBCE)
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