ADVANCE at WSU Research Team

The ADVANCE Research program provides:

dissemination and evaluation of ADVANCE at WSU Social Science Research Grants
collection of National Science Foundation indicator data
development and dissemination of ADVANCE grant-related social science research (e.g., Collaborative on the Academic Careers in Higher Education [COACHE] survey dissemination, data collection and analysis, and results dissemination; WSU chair’s interviews)
evaluation of the ADVANCE at WSU programs and dissemination of those research results

Amy Wharton

Director, College of Arts and Sciences, WSU Vancouver; Professor of Sociology

Dr. Amy S. Wharton, co-PI on the NSF ADVANCE at WSU Institutional Transformation grant, has primary responsibility for the ADVANCE at WSU research effort. This includes coordination of the ADVANCE Research group, collection of NSF Indicators, and oversight of WSU’s participation in the faculty COACHE survey. She also assists with implementation of the ADVANCE Leadership Initiative.

Lena Le

Director, Department of Social and Economic Sciences Research Center

With a Ph.D. in Natural Resources, an MS in Statistics, and an MBA, Dr. Lena Le is well suited for a leadership role as SESRC’s Director. Dr. Le has over 15 years’ experience applying quantitative and qualitative methods to social science research related to tourism, recreation, public land management and other fields. Dr. Le was appointed Director in May of 2014, having previously served as Director of the Park Studies Unit at the University of Idaho, overseeing survey projects for the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and other land management agencies. Dr. Le serves one of SESRC’s principal investigators, oversees the management of all projects, and is responsible for ensuring that clients’ goals are met within budget and on schedule.

Kelly Ward

Department Chair & Professor, Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling Psychology

Dr. Ward is a professor of higher education and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling Psychology. She is an active member of the ADVANCE at WSU Research Team. In her work with the Department Chair Project, Dr. Ward has explored gender-equity initiatives at WSU. She also conducts research into the ways female faculty manage the demands of work and family life. Her other research interests include career development among junior faculty and campus and community engagement.

ADVANCE at WSU Lighty Building, Room 190F P.O. Box 641061 Pullman, WA 99164-1061

509-335-9739 Contact Us