TRI is excited to welcome new staff members.

Dr. Serra Acar has joined the Evaluation & Research Group (ERGo) working on projects with an early childhood/early learning focus. She has been the Principal Investigator on several studies at the University of Oregon including  “A State Analysis of Early Interventiona/Early Childhood Special Education Programs in Oregon” and “Prediction of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire”. Serra has presented at numerous national and state conferences and is very involved with the Division of Early Childhood within the Council on Exceptional Children (CEC) and served on the planning committee for this Summer’s Early Childhood Inclusion Institute. Serra received her doctorate from the University of Oregon in Early Intervention.

Lacey Davis has joined TRI's Center on Early Learning as an Early Childhood Project Specialist. Lacey is a 2013 graduate of WOU in Community Health Education with a Human Biology minor.  She was involved with the Student Enrichment Program, Sigma Alpha Pi (National Society of Leadership and Success), and volunteered for WOU's Food Bank.  Most recently, Lacey has been working as a laboratory assistant with Salem Hospital.  While a student at WOU, she worked as an inventory specialist and computer lab attendant with University Computing Services.

Dr. Carol Leitschuh has joined us as a visiting Fellow and will be exploring grants and contracts related to early childhood, assessment and evaluation, especially relating to infant/toddler movement.  She has recently moved to Oregon from Minnesota.  Carol is a Fulbright Scholar specializing in early childhood movement for children with atypical and typical movement patterns. Her international expertise is brought to focus in both theory and practice to readily be used across cultures and family contexts. For very young children, movement experiences are seen as critical in addressing positive developmental trajectories and avoiding cumulative risk. Dr Leitschuh’s expertise is in assessment and evaluation.

Kathleen McDonnell has joined TRI's Center on Early Learning as an Early Childhood Specialist.  Kathleen comes to TRI from the OSU Child Development Center where she was Acting Director during the summer months. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Oregon State University and an Oregon Initial Teaching License with an ESOL endorsement in Early Childhood/Elementary. Kathleen has both U.S. and international teaching experience focusing on special needs and disadvantaged students. Her academic interests include mathematics, science, English, geography, and reading. She has been a teacher and a guest lecturer in early childhood development and education courses at Oregon State University.