Leadership Team

Dr Hiller A. Spires

Interim Director, Friday Institute

Dr. Spires currently serves as the Interim Executive Director and was also the founding director for the Friday Institute; she has been a Senior Research Fellow since 2006. 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…

Dr Dave Frye

Associate Director

In 2003, Dave Frye joined the team tasked with establishing and opening the Friday Institute. In his current role as Associate Director, Dave focuses on organizational development, strategic directions and new initiatives for the Friday Institute. Dave also leads our communication, financial and IT teams; designs collaborative work spaces for Friday Institute research teams; and works with staff and researchers to develop creative, effective and efficient technology and financial and operational systems that advance the…

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

Director of Technology Planning and Policy

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 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 Technology Innovations Lead at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at NC State University. In this role, he works with project teams at the Friday Institute to identify, select and implement technology solutions that support their work and the work of the Friday Institute. Mark brings 12 years of public school experience, primarily in northeastern North Carolina as as a math teacher, instructional coach, technology director and software developer. Mark holds…

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 LaTricia Walker Townsend

Interim Director of Evaluation Programs

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…