Friday Institute Leadership Team

Dr Carla C. Johnson

Executive Director and Associate Dean

As executive director of the Friday Institute and associate dean at NC State’s College of Education, Dr. Carla Johnson provides strategic direction and leadership for the Friday Institute, including developing and sustaining multi-disciplinary collaborations with faculty members within the College of Education, across the university and with external entities to enhance the breadth and depth of the Friday Institute’s impact in North Carolina and beyond. Previously, Dr. Johnson was a special advisor to the dean…

Arnita T Adams

Director of Finance and Business

Arnita Adams joined the Friday Institute team in January 2014 and is responsible for the management, oversight and structure of the fiscal operations. She has a BBA in accounting from Campbell University and is a Certified Research Administrator. Arnita has been with NC State University since 2003. She has worked for the following departments: Crop Science, Statistics, and Materials Science and Engineering. Before coming to the Friday Institute, Arnita worked for the Office of Contracts…

Phillip A Emer

Senior Director Technology Programs

Phil Emer has spent more than 25 years working at the intersections of data communications, research, academia and business – splitting time between the public and private sectors. In the private sector, Phil worked as an engineer with IBM, as a technology executive with venture-backed Carolina Broadband and as a technology director with not-for-profit MCNC. In the public sector, Phil directed voice, video, and data communications at NC State University and now serves as Director…

Dr Dave Frye

Senior Director for Computer Science Initiatives

Dave Frye has spent the last 15 years helping to develop strategic, broad-scale initiatives and next-generation education systems that will prepare students for the rapidly changing world in which they will live. In his current role as Senior Director for Computer Science Initiatives, he works at the intersection of policy, research, and practice to expand opportunities and broaden participation in Computer Science (CS), both in North Carolina (NC) and nationally. Dave plays a leadership role…

Dr Gail Jones

Professor

Dr. Jones is a professor of science education. Her teaching focuses on science teacher preparation and research in teaching and learning science. Dr. Jones’ research focuses on learning science in a variety of sociocultural contexts. Her research examines how a number of subgroups learn, including gender, minorities and students with visual impairments. Recently Dr. Jones has conducted a series of studies that examine nanoscale science education. She directs the Innovations in STEM Education Research Group…

Dr Jose A Picart

Professor of Education and Executive Director, WPPS

Dr. Jose Picart serves as Professor of Education and Senior Faculty Fellow at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. In this capacity, he leads several programs that seek to facilitate increased and focused community outreach and engagement by faculty, students and staff at North Carolina State University. He also serves as the Executive Director of The Wake Promise. The Wake Promise is a cross-sector community collaborative with the mission to increase the number of low-income youth…

Dr Mark J Samberg

Assistant Director, Technology Operations and Development

Mark Samberg is the Assistant Director for Technology Operations and Development at the Friday Institute. In this role, he works with project teams at the Institute to identify, select, and implement technology solutions that support their work and the mission of the Friday Institute. Additionally, Mark conducts research and outreach in the areas of online and hybrid learning environments, K-12 IT infrastructure and K-12 IT policy, digital and open educational resources, and computer science/computational thinking…

Marjorie Santoro

Assistant Director

Marjorie Santoro has been on the Friday Institute team since 2008. As Assistant Director, Marj directly supports the Executive Director and is the primary point of contact on all matters pertaining to the Friday Institute. She also serves as Human Resources Director, leads the events management and administrative teams, and provides operational oversight for the facility. Marj has been with NC State since 2003. She is a Troy State University graduate with 20+ years of…

Dr Hiller A. Spires

Professor

Dr. Spires currently serves a Professor and Senior Research Fellow, and was also the founding director for the Friday Institute. She joined NC State University’s College of Education in 1987 after receiving her Ph.D. in Literacy Education from the University of South Carolina. For her cumulative work in the area of literacy and technology, Dr. Spires received the International Reading Association Award for Outstanding Writing in the Field of College Reading. She has also received…

Dr LaTricia Walker Townsend

Interim Director of Evaluation Programs

Dr. LaTricia Townsend is the Interim Director of Evaluation Programs for the Evaluation Team at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University. Her current projects include: Leandro Action Plan: Ensuring a Sound Basic Education for All North Carolina Students, NSF ADVANCE Adaptation Grant: Targeting Equity in Access in Mentoring (TEAM) Evaluation, and Exploring a Model for Murphy-Meisgeier Type Indicator for Children (MMTIC®) in Schools in Wake County. She is also an…

Dr Eric N Wiebe

Professor

Dr. Wiebe is a professor in the Department of STEM Education at NC State University and Senior Research Fellow at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. Dr. Wiebe works on many different facets of STEM education, including the design and evaluation of innovative uses of computing technologies in STEM instructional settings, the use of multimedia tools for teaching and learning, and student engagement and persistence in STEM career pathways. Specific research programs include the use…

Dr Mary Ann Wolf

Director of the Professional Learning and Leading Collaborative (PLLC)

Mary Ann Wolf, Ph.D., has 15 years of experience in education and education technology. Mary Ann has worked closely with federal, state and local education leaders; policy-makers; and organizations on connecting policy and practice for innovative education reform, digital learning and instructional practices. Mary Ann developed and co-facilitated the Digital Learning Transition MOOC for Educators through the Friday Institute at NC State University and the Alliance for Excellent Education. She is also the lead researcher…