CAREI Leadership
Kim Gibbons Kim Gibbons
- CAREI Director
- 612-625-9751
- kgibbons@umn.edu
Kim Gibbons, Ph.D., currently is the Director of the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement at the University of Minnesota. Prior to that, she was the Executive Director of the St.

Kim Gulbrandson Kim Gulbrandson
- Associate Director of Effective Practices and Evaluation
- 612-625-1209
- kgulbra@umn.edu
Kim Gulbrandson, Ph.D., is the Associate Director of Effective Practices and Evaluation at CAREI. Her role spans the Literacy, MTSS and Research Cores, and she supports evaluation endeavors.

Nicole Kendall Nicole Kendall
- Operations
- 612-625-7240
- nkendall@umn.edu
Nicole is the Operations Admin for the Center of Applied Research and Educational Improvement(CAREI) at the University of Minnesota. Nicole has worked as an insurance specialist, recruiter, technology support, administrative assistant.
Nicole Morrell Nicole Morrell
- Department Administrator and Director of Research Operations
- 612-624-2600
- morre006@umn.edu

Kathy Ryder Kathy Ryder
- Associate Director of MTSS
- she/her/hers
- 612-625-1288
- kryder@umn.edu
Kathy Ryder is a Research Associate at the University of Minnesota's Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement, supporting the state of Minnesota and districts in implementing Minnesota's Multi-tiered System of supports framework.

Ben Silberglitt Ben Silberglitt
- Product and Business Development Architect
- he/him/his
- (612) 626-3351
- bsilby@umn.edu
Silberglitt has 30+ years of experience in education, ranging from: teaching preschool and higher education; to leading school districts in their use of data and technology; to working in the public and private sector in product management,…

Wendy Stuttgen Wendy Stuttgen
- Associate Director of Literacy
- 612-625-1297
- stuttgen@umn.edu
Wendy Stuttgen, Ed.S., NCSP is Associate Director of Literacy for CAREI. She is also a certified Minnesota Department of Education sponsored facilitator for Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) and serves on the state and…

Ellen Swanson Ellen Swanson
- Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives
- 612-625-1311
- swansone@umn.edu
Ellen Swanson currently serves as the associate director of strategic initiatives for CAREI at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Kate Tindall Kate Tindall
- Director of Marketing and Communications
- she/her/hers
- ktindall@umn.edu
Award-winning marketer and communicator with a decade of experience in higher education, non-profit, and private sectors. Master’s degree in business administration.
Alisha Wackerle-Hollman Alisha Wackerle-Hollman
- Associate Director of Translational Research
- 612-624-3943
- wacke020@umn.edu
Early childhood, assessment & data-driven decision making

CAREI Strategic Development
Nicole Morrell Nicole Morrell
- Department Administrator and Director of Research Operations
- 612-624-2600
- morre006@umn.edu

Ben Silberglitt Ben Silberglitt
- Product and Business Development Architect
- he/him/his
- (612) 626-3351
- bsilby@umn.edu
Silberglitt has 30+ years of experience in education, ranging from: teaching preschool and higher education; to leading school districts in their use of data and technology; to working in the public and private sector in product management,…

Ellen Swanson Ellen Swanson
- Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives
- 612-625-1311
- swansone@umn.edu
Ellen Swanson currently serves as the associate director of strategic initiatives for CAREI at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Kate Tindall Kate Tindall
- Director of Marketing and Communications
- she/her/hers
- ktindall@umn.edu
Award-winning marketer and communicator with a decade of experience in higher education, non-profit, and private sectors. Master’s degree in business administration.
CAREI Research Operations
Marci Exsted Marci Exsted
- Research Coordinator
- she/her/hers
- 612-624-0998
- exstedm@umn.edu
Community Participatory Research Criminal Legal System Issues Access and Equity Qualitative Methods

Nicole Kendall Nicole Kendall
- Operations
- 612-625-7240
- nkendall@umn.edu
Nicole is the Operations Admin for the Center of Applied Research and Educational Improvement(CAREI) at the University of Minnesota. Nicole has worked as an insurance specialist, recruiter, technology support, administrative assistant.
Nicole Morrell Nicole Morrell
- Department Administrator and Director of Research Operations
- 612-624-2600
- morre006@umn.edu

Laura Sergeant Laura Sergeant
- Research Coordinator
- 612-625-8442
- serge016@umn.edu
Early childhood and substance use disorders

Literacy
Alicia Anderson Alicia Anderson
- Literacy Project Coordinator
- she/her/hers
- 612-626-7120
- akanders@umn.edu

Michelle Beauvais Michelle Beauvais
- Literacy Specialist
- she/her/hers
- 612-625-1138
- beauvais@umn.edu
Michelle Beauvais is a PreK-12 Literacy Specialist at the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) at the University of Minnesota.

Nancy Boyd Nancy Boyd
- Literacy Specialist
- 612-625-1168
- nblum@umn.edu

Abby Fangel Abby Fangel
- Literacy Specialist
- 612-625-1194
- afangel@umn.edu

Peggy Haapoja-Toussaint Peggy Haapoja-Toussaint
- Literacy Program Assistant
- 612-626-7118
- phaapoja@umn.edu

Nichole Hughes-Bourgoin Nichole Hughes-Bourgoin
- Literacy Specialist
- 612-625-1218
- nhughesb@umn.edu
Nichole Hughes-Bourgoin is a Literacy Specialist for the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) at the University of Minnesota.

Allison Koneczny Allison Koneczny
- Literacy Coordinator
- 612-625-1232
- akonecz@umn.edu

Karen Lee Karen Lee
- Literacy Specialist
- 612-626-7144
- karenlee@umn.edu

Kate Mayer Kate Mayer
- Literacy Specialist
- she/her/hers
- (612) 624-0835
- kmayer5@umn.edu
Kate Mayer is a literacy specialist with over twenty years of experience as an educator, devoted to advancing evidence-based literacy practices.

Nicole McKevett Nicole McKevett
- Assistant Director of Implementation
- 612-626-7110
- nmckevet@umn.edu
Nicole M. McKevett, PhD, is the Assistant Director of Implementation at the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) at the University of Minnesota, where she provides technical assistance, training and research related to…

Mariah Mercil Mariah Mercil
- Assistant Director of Literacy
- 612-626-0409
- mjmercil@umn.edu
Mariah Mercil is the Literacy Implementation Lead for the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement at the University of Minnesota.

Erin Nemetz Erin Nemetz
- Literacy Operations Specialist
- she/her/hers
- 612-624-9039
- eanemetz@umn.edu
Erin Nemetz is a Literacy Specialist for the Center of Applied Research and Educational Improvement at the University of Minnesota. She has worked as an elementary education teacher, school administrator, and adjunct professor.

Holly Pfeiffer Holly Pfeiffer
- Literacy Specialist
- 612-625-1261
- hollyp@umn.edu
Holly Pfeiffer is a Literacy Specialist with the University of Minnesota's Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI).

Jessica Qian Jessica Qian
- Literacy Specialist
- 612-625-1315
- jqian@umn.edu

Sara Rist Sara Rist
- Literacy Specialist
- 612-625-1277
- serist@umn.edu

Maggie Rowan Maggie Rowan
- Literacy Specialist
- she/her/hers
- 612-624-9051
- mrowan@umn.edu
Maggie Rowan is a PreK-12 Literacy Specialist at the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) at the University of Minnesota. Maggie also supports implementation of the recently passed READ Act legislation.

Suzanne Russell Suzanne Russell
- Literacy Specialist
- 612-624-0923
- srussell@umn.edu
With a doctorate in curriculum and instruction and over 18 years of experience in different facets of the educational industry, Suzanne Russell specializes in data-based decision-making with the goal of maximizing student growth as the driving…

Wendy Stuttgen Wendy Stuttgen
- Associate Director of Literacy
- 612-625-1297
- stuttgen@umn.edu
Wendy Stuttgen, Ed.S., NCSP is Associate Director of Literacy for CAREI. She is also a certified Minnesota Department of Education sponsored facilitator for Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) and serves on the state and…

Missy Weldy Missy Weldy
- Literacy Project Coordinator
- She/Her/Hers
- (612) 624-0485
- mweldy@umn.edu
Missy Weldy brings a diverse professional background to her role as literacy project coordinator for CAREIALL. She has a master of education from the University of Minnesota along with 15 years of experience in Bloomington Public Schools.

Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
Bess Casey Wilke Bess Casey Wilke
- Research Associate
- 612-626-1366
- bwilke@umn.edu

Kim Gibbons Kim Gibbons
- CAREI Director
- 612-625-9751
- kgibbons@umn.edu
Kim Gibbons, Ph.D., currently is the Director of the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement at the University of Minnesota. Prior to that, she was the Executive Director of the St.

Daniel Knewitz Daniel Knewitz
- MTSS Support Specialist
- 612-626-7111
- dknewitz@umn.edu
Dan Knewitz is an experienced educator who specializes in the training and implementation of evidence-based frameworks of support in education.

Michelle Marchant-Wood Michelle Marchant-Wood
- MTSS Support Specialist
- 612-625-1256
- mmarchan@umn.edu
Michelle Marchant-Wood is currently a Research Associate at University of Minnesota at the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement.

Alisia Moutry Alisia Moutry
- MTSS Support Specialist
- 612-626-7146
- amoutry@umn.edu
Alisia Moutry, Ph.D., is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She received her Bachelor of Science in Special Education with an emphasis on Learning Disabilities (K-9) from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1990.
Rachel Roesslein Rachel Roesslein
- MTSS Support Specialist
- she/her/hers
- 612-625-1284
- rroess@umn.edu
Rachel Roesslein is a Research Associate at the University of Minnesota's Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement.

Kathy Ryder Kathy Ryder
- Associate Director of MTSS
- she/her/hers
- 612-625-1288
- kryder@umn.edu
Kathy Ryder is a Research Associate at the University of Minnesota's Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement, supporting the state of Minnesota and districts in implementing Minnesota's Multi-tiered System of supports framework.

Chad Schmidt Chad Schmidt
- MTSS Support Specialist
- he/him/his
- 612-625-1293
- chadschm@umn.edu
I am thrilled to be a part of the CAREI team and look forward to making a positive impact in the areas of partnership, professional learning, research, evaluation, and MTSS implementation.

Courtney Wheeler Courtney Wheeler
- Assistant Director of MTSS
- 612-625-1325
- wheelerc@umn.edu
Courtney E. Wheeler, Ph.D., is the Assistant Director of MTSS at CAREI at the University of Minnesota, where she provides technical assistance, training, and conducts research around the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework.

Amy Williamson Amy Williamson
- MTSS Support Specialist
- she/her/hers
- 612-624-0931
- ajo@umn.edu
Amy Williamson is the former deputy director of the Iowa Department of Education, where she had the opportunity to lead Iowa’s education community during the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Program Evaluation
Kim Gulbrandson Kim Gulbrandson
- Associate Director of Effective Practices and Evaluation
- 612-625-1209
- kgulbra@umn.edu
Kim Gulbrandson, Ph.D., is the Associate Director of Effective Practices and Evaluation at CAREI. Her role spans the Literacy, MTSS and Research Cores, and she supports evaluation endeavors.

Molly Illes Molly Illes
- Research Associate
- 612-626-7114
- milles@umn.edu

Sara Kemper Sara Kemper
- Research Associate
- 612-624-7235
- skemper@umn.edu
Sara Kemper, Ph.D., is a former 5th grade teacher who is passionate about reimagining schools to foster high-quality and equitable learning environments.

Josh Royes Josh Royes
- Research Associate
- 612-625-2817
- jroyes@umn.edu
Josh Royes’ background includes more than 8 years of professional experience working as a statistician, data scientist, and organizational consultant.

Translational Research
Jaime Ballard Jaime Ballard
- Project Manager
- 612-624-7230
- jeballard@umn.edu
Child development and trauma

Marci Exsted Marci Exsted
- Research Coordinator
- she/her/hers
- 612-624-0998
- exstedm@umn.edu
Community Participatory Research Criminal Legal System Issues Access and Equity Qualitative Methods

Anne Larson Anne Larson
- Research Associate
- 612-624-7236
- lars4959@umn.edu
Early intervention and caregiver coaching

Nicole Morrell Nicole Morrell
- Department Administrator and Director of Research Operations
- 612-624-2600
- morre006@umn.edu

Meg Olson Meg Olson
- Research Associate
- she/her/hers
- 612-626-3288
- mols@umn.edu
School mental health and MTSS
Alyssa Parr Alyssa Parr
- Research Associate
- 621-624-7237
- akparr@umn.edu
Racial equity and developmental science

David Quinn David Quinn
- Rodney S. Wallace Associate Professor for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning
- dquinn@umn.edu
David M. Quinn is Rodney S. Wallace Associate Professor for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development at the University of Minnesota.

Laura Sergeant Laura Sergeant
- Research Coordinator
- 612-625-8442
- serge016@umn.edu
Early childhood and substance use disorders

Mengchen Su Mengchen Su
- Research Associate
- 612-624-6366
- sum@umn.edu
Whole child education and equity

Alisha Wackerle-Hollman Alisha Wackerle-Hollman
- Associate Director of Translational Research
- 612-624-3943
- wacke020@umn.edu
Early childhood, assessment & data-driven decision making
