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Planning and Research Staff
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Alicia Simmons, M.S.W., Ph.D., Executive Director Phone: 256-782-8145 \| E-mail: asimmons@jsu.edu Dr. Alicia Simmons holds a B.S. degree from JSU with a major in sociology and minors in social work and gerontology. She earned her masters in social work at the University of Michigan, with concentrations in administration, research, and evaluation. She completed her Ph.D. in social work from the University of Georgia. Dr. Simmons has served as a consultant to several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where she directed the grant review system for child and family service agencies for more than eight years. She also supervised national conferences for the Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, and other federal clients. Dr. Simmons has served on national research projects focused on the quality of Head Start; managed child abuse prevention programs; facilitated strategic planning initiatives, and most recently completed secondary analysis of grandparent-foster caregivers using a national data set. Dr. Simmons taught graduate and undergraduate courses at the University of Michigan and the University of Georgia.

DeLane Hodge, Secretary to the Executive Director Phone: 256-782-8144 \| E-mail: chodge@jsu.edu

Lynn Garner, Project Manager Phone: 256-782-8159 \| E-mail: lgarner@jsu.edu Ms. Garner has over eight years of experience working with government contractors. She worked for Science Applications International Corporation at the Center for Domestic Preparedness, a Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency. Additionally, she developed Microsoft Project Plans and maintained an Integrated Master Schedule for the Department of Defense, Anniston Army Depot's transition to the Logistics Modernization Program. Other large-scale projects managed by Ms. Garner include curriculum development, revision, and the renewing of the Center for Domestic Preparedness' continuing education application. Ms. Garner earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication and her Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Jacksonville State University. Additionally, she has completed several continuing education courses through the Emergency Management Institute and Defense Acquisition University.

Tienhan Ma, Coordinator of Assessment Phone: 256-782-5109 \| E-mail: thma@jsu.edu Tienhan Ma was recently promoted from the position of research assistant, which she held since July 2004. She has a BA degree from Suchow University and a MA degree from the University of Mississippi. Ms. Ma, a native of Taiwan, moved to Jacksonville with husband Stan and son, Andrew in May 1990, and came to work in the Office of Assessment at JSU in September 1998.

Allison Newton, Coordinator of Proposal Development Phone: 256-782-5108 \| E-mail: anewton@jsu.edu Ms. Newton holds a B.S. degree in Geography from The University of North Alabama with a minor in English. She earned her Master's Degree in Public Administration at Jacksonville State University, with a concentration in Environmental Science. Prior to joining the office of Planning and Research in 2010, Ms. Newton served as an adjunct faculty member at JSU from 2006-2010 teaching Human Geography and World Regional Geography. Before teaching, Ms. Newton served as the Associate Director for The National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE), a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to promote and celebrate geographic learning. She currently serves as an Executive Board Member for the NCGE. Before moving into the world of higher education, Ms. Newton worked in private enterprise for 10+ years. Ms. Newton is active with the National Geographic Society's State Geographic Alliance Network. She supports the performance of Alliances by supporting legislative efforts at the national and state level, providing assistance with grant writing, and assisting with the development of strategic planning within the Alliances.

Kim Presson, Coordinator of Institutional Effectiveness Phone: 256-782-8142 \| E-mail: kpresson@jsu.edu Ms. Presson began working at JSU in February 2005. She came to JSU from ITC DeltaCom as a Coordinator for Government and Industry Relations where one of her many duties was the monthly downloading and reporting line, cost, and customer data to the FCC and State Public Service Commissions. Before working at DeltaCom, she worked as in Human Resources and was a Secretary in the Anniston Division of Alabama Gas Corporation. Since coming to JSU she has worked in the Registrar's Office and the Child Development Center. Ms. Presson has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Office Administration from Troy University and an MPA in Business Administration from Jacksonville State University.

John Rosier, Director, Institutional Research and Assessment Phone: 256-782-8157 \| E-mail: jrosier@jsu.edu John Rosier has a B.S. degree in Computer Information Systems and a M.S. degree in Computer Systems and Software Design from Jacksonville State University. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama. John began his career at JSU in 1999, in the Department of Information Technology as a computer programmer. From 1999 to 2008, he has held several positions in the Application and System Support group; he has been a part of several large projects that included Y2K, development of a mainframe testing environment, and was part of the Sungard Banner technical implementation team. He has extensive experience with Oracle, IBM midrange and mainframe platforms and their operating systems. He joined the Office of Planning and Research in September 2008.