Team Members
Bryan Hains - Director
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Dr. Hains is the Director and Co-Founder of the Community Innovation Lab. As a Professor in the Department of Community & Leadership Development at the University of Kentucky, his research focuses on the intersection of human emotion and cognition and its impact on human learning specifically within the context of community learning and development. Dr. Hains continually explores innovative and creative ways to address contemporary community issues.
Kristina Hains
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Dr. Kristina Hains is an Associate Professor and Leadership Development Specialist for Extension in the Department of Educational Leadership Studies at the University of Kentucky. As a co-founder of the Community Innovation Lab, she also provides direction for community engagement and leadership development innovations associated with the lab. Dr. Hains’ research interest focuses on leadership and change from a more holistic perspective – with implications at the community or organizational level.
Jeff Fugate
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Jeff Fugate is an Associate Professor in the UK School of Architecture, where he co-leads Studio Appalachia and Studio Louisville. Fugate has a two-decade career in community development prior to joining academia. His current research interests lie at the intersection of community-engaged design solutions for contemporary social and climate-related challenges. Prior to joining the University, Fugate led the Lexington Downtown Development Authority, where he successfully implemented multiple public space and community development projects. Fugate holds degrees from the University of Kentucky and MIT.
Ryan Hargrove
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Dr. Hargrove is an Associate Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Kentucky. Building a research program grounded in design thinking and metacognition, Dr. Hargrove has continued to pursue the development of innovative teaching methods. This area of research, encompassing design education and creative thinking, is now being recognized as a critical component in the advancement of design thinking needed to meet the challenges of the present and future.
John C. Hill
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Dr. Hill is a Survey Project Coordinator for the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute. His research focuses non-formal education, and the nuances associated with leadership influence within local communities which foster positive community change. Dr. Hill’s passion resides in his aspirations to improve the lives of individuals across the Commonwealth of Kentucky by partnering with like-minded individuals and organizations who share the same vision.
Dan Kahl
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Dr. Kahl is a Cooperative Extension Specialist and Associate Professor in the Department of Community and Leadership Development at the University of Kentucky. He is a trained facilitator for strategic planning, public forums, team building and community coaching. His interests include community engagement strategies, and the development and maintenance of shared leadership in communities.
John Nash
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
John Nash is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership Studies at the University of Kentucky and the founding director of the Laboratory on Design Thinking in Education, or dLab. John is a specialist in the application of human centered design in education. He teaches a range of courses on design thinking, school technology leadership, and school reform. His current research agenda focuses on the methods to design and prototype innovations in education.
Neil Knobloch
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
Dr. Neil Knobloch is a professor of Agricultural Sciences, Education and Communication at Purdue University and is chair for PK-12 Engagement in the College of Agriculture. His research improves our understanding of developing future scientists to engage with K-12 audiences, and demonstrates learner-centered teaching strategies increase student motivation and engagement in agricultural STEM education.
Brad Olson
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Brad Olson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community and Leadership Development at the University of Kentucky. His teaching and research focus on the use of face-to-face and mediated communication in community contexts. Specifically, he is interested in using communication to help community stakeholders promote non-formal education, social interaction, and pro-social behavior (e.g. volunteerism and civic/political engagement).
Beth Rous
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Beth Rous is Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership Studies and Research and Policy Associate at Human Development Institute (HDI), at University of Kentucky. Dr. Rous’ research expertise focuses on the intersection between policy and leadership to support local and state program development, specifically in the areas of accountability, cross-sector collaboration, inclusion, professional development and transition/school readiness. Since 1990, she has secured over $97 million in federal and state grants/contracts.
Craig Talmage
HOBART AND WILLIAM SMITH COLLEGES
Dr. Craig Talmage serves as an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. He teaches courses on economic principles, quantitative tools, social innovation, and entrepreneurship theory. He seeks to empower community members, faculty, staff and students through the development of knowledge regarding entrepreneurship.
Rong Wang
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
Rong Wang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human and Organizational Development (HOD) at Peabody College, Vanderbilt University. Her research examines cross-sector alliances to deliver collective solutions to complex social issues, with a focus on the collective impact model and network approaches. A majority of her research projects focus on the intersection of technology, networks, and social impact
Loren Wood
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
Loren Wood is Co-founder of Impaktfel and the Founder of Dine For Good. Initially practicing as a customer-centric marketer with more than a decade of work experience, Loren has spent the last few years focused on tackling wicked social problems, leveraging best practices and techniques at the intersection of community-led development, human-centered design, market research and Scrum methodologies.
Dr. Jeff Young
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Dr. Young spent 20 years as a County Extension Agent serving urban and suburban communities and ten years as a District Director, Director of County Operations, Director for Extension Human Resources (Interim) and currently as Director for Urban Extension. Dr. Young earned an MPA and Ph.D. from the University of Louisville focusing on leadership and organizational development in higher education and a BS in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky.
Student Fellows
ANALIESE MITCHELL
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
AnaLiese (Ana) Mitchell is a second-year master's student at the University of Kentucky in the Department of Community and Leadership Development. She is a department-appointed Graduate Teaching Assistant. Ana's research focuses on Appalachian women and feminist issues, examining how higher education can improve the Quality of Life for individuals and communities.
REBA PRATHER
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Reba is a Graduate Student at the University of Kentucky. She received her Undergraduate degree at the University of Kentucky in Community, Leadership, and Development with minors in Ag Economics and Animal Science. Reba has been involved with numerous youth development organizations such as 4-H and enjoys working with youth as well as being an advocate for the livestock industry. Reba’s research will be forced on studying youth development in the livestock industry during her time here at UK.