Overview of ERM Students

The graduate students of ERM are a talented and energetic group of students coming from a broad range of cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds. Currently, the ERM student body has approximately 45 students distributed across the M.S., Ph.D., and M.S./Ph.D. programs.

Culturally, the student body is highly diverse. Some ERM students are from the Greensboro area, neighboring communities within North Carolina, and numerous states across the U.S.A. Other students have come to ERM from other countries, including China, Malaysia, Kenya, Cameroon, Malawi, Peru, Taiwan, and Mauritius.

The academic backgrounds of ERM students are highly varied. While some of our students come to ERM with notable training in mathematics and statistics, many students have more applied backgrounds in areas such as psychology, education, and the health sciences. Despite this variability, all ERM students share a common interest in the fields of research methodology, applied statistics, measurement sciences, and program evaluation.

ERM students also come from a wide range of professional backgrounds. Some of our students have entered ERM after recently obtaining an undergraduate degree, while other students come to ERM with many years of experience working in professional fields such as teaching, assessment, evaluation, data management and analysis, research, and public and educational policy.

Allison Ames (PhD student since 2012)

M.S., Virginia Tech, Agricultural and Applied Economics (2005) B.S.,University of Georgia, Environmental Economics and minor in Statistics (2003)

Areas of Interest

Applied Quantitative Methods Differential Item Functioning Polytomous IRT models

Kshawna Askew (MS student since 2012)

B.S., Winston Salem State University, Chemistry and a concentration in Pre-Med (2009)

Areas of Interest

Evaluation Measurement Assessment

Daniel Bowen (PhD student since 2012)

M.A., UNC Chapel Hill, Educational Psychology Measurement and Evaluation (2011) B.S., UNC Wilmington, Operational Management and Information Systems (2001)

Areas of Interest

Differential Item Functioning Equating Standard Setting High-stakes Assessments

Jon Brasfield (PhD student since 2006)

M.A., Wake Forest University, Counseling (2005) B.A., Centre College, Anthropology (2003)

Areas of Interest

Undecided

Trae Brookins (MS student since 2011)

B.A., St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Philosophy (1995)

Areas of Interest

Assessment in Higher Education College Access and Affordability

Nurliyana Bukhari (PhD student since 2012)

M.S., University of Miami, Research, Measurement, and Evaluation (2012) B.S., Universiti Utara Malaysia, Information Technology (2009)

Areas of Interest

Language Testing Item Response Theory Computer Adaptive Testing

Aundrea Carter (PhD student since 2011)

M.S., UNC Greensboro, Educational Research Methodology (2011) B.S., Elon University, Psychology with a concentration in Educational Psychology (2008) B.S., Elon University, Mathematics with a concentration in Applied Statistics (2008)

Areas of Interest

Research and Evaluation in Community-Based and Nonprofit Organizations Evaluation of K-12 and Higher Education Programs Technology in Evaluation and Assessment Advancements in the Teaching of Research and Evaluation Methods

Katherine Ciccarelli (MS student since 2012)

B.Ed., UNC Chapel Hill, Elementary Education (2009)

Areas of Interest

Construction and Implementation of Survey Research Instruments Educational Program Assessment and Evaluation Math Education

Andrew Dallas (PhD student since 2009)

M.S., UNC Greensboro, Educational Research Methodology (2009) B.S., Bowling Green State University, Middle Childhood Education and concentrations in Social Studies, Science and Reading (2006)

Areas of Interest

Principled Assessment Development Automated Item Generation Computer-Adaptive Multi-Stage Testing (ca-MST) Item Response Theory

Lauren Fluegge (PhD student since 2009)

M.S., UNC Greensboro, Educational Research Methodology (2009) B.A., Catawba College, Psychology (2007)

Areas of Interest

Validity Both Qualitative and Quantitative Methods Scale and Assessment Development

Robert Furter (PhD student since 2012)

M.S., UNC Greensboro, Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation (2012) B.S., University of Georgia, Psychology and a minor in Statistics (2008)

Areas of Interest

Automated Test Assembly Computer Adaptive Multistage Testing Applied Statistics/Quantitative Methods

Carolyn Gilbert (PhD student since 2009)

M.S., UNC Greensboro, Educational Research Methodology B.A., California State University, Fullerton, Bachelor of Arts, Sociology Multiple Subjects K-6 Teaching Credential: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Areas of Interest

Diversity Issues and Testing Equity and Social Justice

Michael Graham (MS student since 2010)

B.S., NC State University, Math & Science Education (1996)

Areas of Interest

Undecided

Shureka Hargrove (PhD student since 2011)

M.S., NC Central University, Mathematics (2009) B.S., Saint Augustine’s College, Computer Science (2005)

Areas of Interest

Assessment Development and Item Development Program Evaluation

Shufen Hung (PhD Student since 2011)

M.A., Vanderbilt University, Economics (1990) B.A.,Feng Chia University, Finance & Taxation (1987)

Areas of Interest

Undecided

Adrienne Loffredo (PhD student since 2011)

M.A., High Point University, Nonprofit Management (2011) B.A., UNC Greensboro, Psychology (2004)

Areas of Interest

Undecided

Fu Liu (PhD student since 2011)

M.A., University of Georgia, Research, Evaluation, Measurement, and Statistics (2008) B.A., University of Northeast Forestry University in China, English (1996)

Areas of Interest

Multidimensional Item Response Theory Diagnostic Measurement Bayesian Estimation Computerized Adaptive Testing Test Equating

Xiao Luo (PhD student since 2011)

M.S., UNC Greensboro, Educational Research Methodology (2011) B.A., Beijing Normal University, Psychology (2008)

Areas of Interest

Computer Adaptive Testing Computerized Adaptive Multistage Testing Polytomous IRT Models Multidimensional IRT

Jia Ma (PhD student since 2010)

B.S., Emporia State University, Chemistry (2007)

Areas of Interest

Item Response Theory Assessment Engineering Computer Adaptive Testing

Keshia Martin (MS student since 2011)

M.Ed, UNC Greensboro, Higher Education Administration (2005) B.A., Wake Forest University, Communication and Sociology (2001)

Areas of Interest

Culturally Responsive Evaluation, Higher Education Assessment

Janet Mayer (MS student since 2007)

M.S., UNC Greensboro, Food and Nutrition Science (2000) B.S., St. John’s University, Computer Science (1979)

Areas of Interest

Community Health Assessment

Bruce McCollaum (PhD student since 2012)

M.S., UNC Greensboro, Educational Research Methodology (2012) M.A., The University of New England (Australia), Applied Linguistics (2006) B.A., The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Psychology (1994)

Areas of Interest

Cognitive-Linguistic Testing and Test Construction Assessment in Higher Education Teaching and Assessment Language Testing Computer Based Testing and Test Assembly Item Banking

Thomas McCoy (PhD student since 2011)

M.S., Clemson University, Mathematical Sciences (2004) B.S., UNC Asheville, Applied Mathematics (2001)

Areas of Interest

Structural Equation Modeling Instrument Development Methods for Categorical Data

Christine Meyer (MS student since 2011)

B.A., Emory & Henry College, Elementary Education (2008)

Areas of Interest

Program Assessment and Evaluation Quantitative and Qualitative Methods

Tala Mirzaei (PhD student since 2012)

M.S., University of Malaya-Kuala Lumpur-Malaysia, Applied Statistics (2008) B.S., Shahid Beheshti University-Tehran-Iran, Statistics (2005)

Areas of Interest

Assessment and Measurement Item Response Theory Structural Equation Modeling Equating and Scaling

Gilbert Ngerano (PhD student since 2012)

M.S., UNC Greensboro, Educational Research, Measurement and Evaluation (2012) B.Ed., Kenyatta University, Secondary Education (1995)

Areas of Interest

Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Computer-based Testing Construction of Survey Research Instruments Item Response Theory

Elizabeth Reilley (PhD student since 2012)

MBA, UNC Greensboro, Business Administration (2011) B.A., Guilford College, Philosophy and Community and Justice Studies (2004)

Areas of Interest

Institutional Research Program Assessment and Evaluation (specifically college access issues involving low income and potential first generation college students) Structural Equation Modeling Practical Application of Statistics

Kurt Reutter (PhD student since 2009)

M.S., UNC Greensboro, Educational Research Methodology (2009) B.A., Oberlin College, History (2003)

Areas of Interest

Item Response Theory Polytomous Item Response Theory Computer Adaptive Testing Statistics

Jonathan Rollins (MS student since 2011)

B.S., Concord University, Secondary Education: Biological Sciences (9-Adult) (2010) Content Certification: Concord University, General Science (5-9) (2010) B.S., Concord University, Biology Liberal Arts (2010)

Areas of Interest

Item Response Theory Models including Time Parameters R Programming Language Simulation Studies Model-Fitting

Kelli Samonte (PhD student since 2012)

M.A., James Madison University, Psychological Sciences and concentration in Quantitative (2012) B.A., UNC Wilmington, Psychology (2010)

Areas of Interest

Measurement Statistics Multilevel Modeling

David Scales (PhD student since 2008)

M.S., UNC Greensboro, Educational Research Methodology (2008) B.S., University of New Mexico, Psychology (1997)

Areas of Interest

Mixed-Methods Research Reading and Literacy Teaching Methods Principled Item Design Validity Cross-Disciplinary Research Standard Setting

Shuying Sha (MS student since 2012)

M.S., Peking University, Cognitive and Developmental Psychology (2004) B.A., Beijing Normal University, Philosophy (2001)

Areas of Interest

Assessment and Measurement Cognitive diagnostic Modeling Item Response Theory Mixed method research Methodology

Cecilia Sisk (PhD student since 2010)

M.S., University of Minnesota, Human Resources Management and a concentration in Minority Groups Job Mobility and Discrimination (2007) B.A., Salem College, Psychology and Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Business Administration (2002)

Areas of Interest

Methodological Issues in Large-Scale Assessments Equivalence of Item Difficulties Across International Assessments Estimation of Linking Errors Across Changing Populations

Lucas Stern (PhD student since 2011)

M.S., UNC Greensboro, Educational Research Methodology (2011) MAT, UNC Chapel Hill, Mathematics Education (2006) B.A., UNC Chapel Hill, Mathematics (2005)

Areas of Interest:

Computer Adaptive Testing Item Response Theory

Davie Store (PhD student since 2009)

M.S., UNC Greensboro, Educational Research Methodology (2009) B.S., University of Malawi, Science (1998)

Areas of Interest

Undecided

Emma Sunnassee (MS student since 2011)

Graduate Certificate, UNC Charlotte, Gerontology (2010) B.S., UNC Charlotte, Psychology and minors in Sociology and Gerontology (2009)

Areas of Interest

Program Assessment and Evaluation: Methods and Application Measurement: Psychometrics, Computer Adaptive Testing, Language Testing

Cheryl Thomas (PhD student since 2010)

M.Ed, University of West Indies, Education (2006) B.Ed, University of West Indies, Education (1995)

Areas of Interest

Undecided

Dana Turner (MS student since 2012)

M.S., UNC Charlotte, Public Health (2009) B.S., Campbell University, Biology (2007)

Areas of Interest

Instrument Development Program Evaluation Health Education Research

Lindsey Varner (MS student since 2011)

B.A., Wake Forest University, Psychology and minor in Spanish (2007)

Areas of Interest

Evaluation of K-16 Educational Programs Theory and Application of Mixed Methods Application of Statistical Methods in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Bradley Ungurait (PhD student since 2009)

M.S., Vanderbilt University, Molecular Biology (2003) B.S., Tennessee Technological University, Secondary Education concentration in Biology (1993)

Areas of Interest

K-12 Measurement Evaluation

Xinrui Wang (PhD student since 2010)

M.S., UNC Greensboro, Educational Measurement, Evaluation and Statistics (2010) B.S., Beijing Normal University, Psychology (2008)

Areas of Interest

Computer Adaptive Testing Diagnostic Measurement and Modeling Multidimensional IRT

Fei Zhan (PhD student since 2011)

M.S., UNC Greensboro, Educational Research Methodology (2011) B.A., Soochow University, Business English (2005)

Area of Interest

Item Response Theory

Stacey Zimmerman (MS student since 2011)

M.S., NC Agricultural & Technical State University, Mathematics Secondary Education (1997) B.S., NC Agricultural & Technical State University, Mathematics Secondary Education (1993)

Areas of Interest

Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Computer-based Testing

Student Forms and Handbooks

Handbooks and forms that apply to all ERM graduate students are listed below. You can click on the link to download the document.

Handbooks and forms associated with the M.S. degree are listed below. You can click on the link to download the document.

Handbooks and forms assocaited with the Ph.D. degree are listed below. You can click on the link to download the document.