Sample projects

Nicolle Parsons-Pollard, Ph.D.

Criminal Justice
L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

Nicolle Parsons-Pollard, Ph.D., conducted a literature review related to truancy for Richmond Public Schools. The review included information about juvenile delinquency as related to truancy, root causes of truancy, best practices of other regions and included models for parent and family interventions. This report enabled RPS to have up-to-date and relevant academic research that would assist the organization in building a stronger truancy-abatement program.

Melissa Abell, Ph.D.

Social Work
College of Humanities and Sciences

Melissa Abell, Ph.D., worked with the Virginia’s Human Services Training Center to evaluate the effectiveness of a new program called the Consumer Provider Training Program. The program offers adults living with serious mental illnesses an opportunity to be trained to work in the field of mental health. Abell developed a plan to evaluate program effectiveness in terms of skills development, therapeutic effects, job placement and retention. She was then able to secure additional funding to complete the evaluation program that she had developed after obtaining approval from the IRB.

Robin Lacks, Ph.D.

Criminal Justice
L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

Robin Lacks, Ph.D., assisted the Richmond Police Department in developing a police cadet program that is targeted to Richmond City high school seniors who are interested in careers as sworn police officers. The students who are accepted into the cadet program will gain invaluable experience as it relates to policing in the City of Richmond and will begin and continue their post secondary education through a partnership with VCU that will lead the cadets to matriculate through the criminal justice program. Lacks developed the cause flow for the cadets, recruitment of cadets, and assistance in preparing the cadets for the college application process. The entire educational aspect of the program will be coordinated through Lacks’ office.

Tracy Ryan, Ph.D.

School of Mass Communications
College of Humanities and Sciences

Tracy Ryan, Ph.D., worked with three undergraduate students to conduct research on the target audience for Elegba Folklore Society’s outreach and education plans. This project focused on the local community and tourism, attitudes toward cultural differences, and awareness of EFS’s programming. A marketing plan was developed that included a SWOT analysis, marketing strategic plan and a series of promotional material templates such as fliers, public service announcemesnts and press releases.

Susan Wilkes, Ph.D.

Grace Harris Leadership Institute

Susan Wilkes, Ph.D., worked with the American Red Cross Greater Richmond Chapter to help design and facilitate meetings between service agencies to explore the formation of collaborative partnerships. She also worked with the Red Cross to develop an internal plan to increase the availability, access and resources of Red Cross services and programs to meet the needs of the Hispanic community.