University of Michigan-Flint

Terry W. Van Allen, Ph.D., J.D. is the Director of Research. Dr. Van Allen’s background includes serving as a Director of Research and Sponsored Programs in the University of Houston system and as Training Director of Administration and Grants and Contracts Officer in the State of Oregon Universities system.   He has worked for the federal government as a liaison for grants and sponsored projects at colleges and universities and in local communities. Dr. Van Allen was named as a top three federal employee in the nation for his outreach work in low-income communities and neighborhoods. The award was given by the Partnership for Public Service in Washington, D.C. where U. S. Senators and Representatives attended the ceremony.  Caroline Kennedy (daughter of President John F. Kennedy) served on the committee that selected Dr. Van Allen for the national award. Dr. Van Allen has testified twice as an expert witness for hearings held by the U.S. House of Representatives on the subject of Empowerment-Enterprise Zones and Renewal Communities.  The City of Flint and other communities have benefitted from Dr. Van Allen’s research, community outreach, and legislative impact. He has authored scholarly publications on Enterprise Zones.  His current research involves topics on Law and Economics, and Community Development.

Mary is responsible for assisting the campus community with issues regarding Human Subjects Protection and Research Compliance; and is the campus contact for training and administration of the eResearch Regulatory Management system. In her capacity, Mary works closely with the chair of the Institutional Review Board.
 
Mary earned her Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture from Michigan State University, her Master's Degree in Horticulure from Kansas State University, and an MBA from Eastern Michigan University. Additionally, Mary has received certification from The University of Michigan. 

Andre is responsible for providing project management support for faculty and staff, as well as managing the programs emphasizing undergraduate research. He is the coordinator of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, a co-coordinator of the UM-Flint Student Research Conference, and serves on the planning committees for both the Meeting of Minds Undergraduate Research Conference and the Michigan Undergraduate Research Forum.

Andre earned his Bachelors Degree, majoring in Business Administration, minoring in Math and his Masters Degree in Public Administration, both at the University of Michigan-Flint.

Maria is primarily responsible for offering varied administrative support to the staff. However, she also provides assistance to faculty and staff in SPSS, proposal editing and reviewing, and dissemination of announcements and funding opportunities.

Maria has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Saginaw Valley State University, and her MA in Public Administration. Her areas of interest are social psychology, psycholinguistics, statistics, and research methods.  Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Maria has lived in Michigan since 1997.

Lola is responsible for an assortment of clerical responsibilities, including but not limited to: managing files, answering the phone, compiling telephone directories, creating appointment schedules for the statistical consultant, assisting with data entry projects, co-coordinating New Faculty Orientation with the Thompson Center for Learning & Teaching, and assisting with Research and Creative Activity Committee meetings.

Lola earned her B.A. in Social Work, with a minor in Sociology at the University of Michigan-Flint in May 2003, with plans to further her education and professional development.