The mission of the Center for Applied Research (CFAR) is to establish mutually beneficial relationships with community organizations that provide curricular and co-curricular opportunities for students to develop knowledge and skills related to empirical research and expand professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.
The Center for Applied Research (CFAR) serves as a campus resource to benefit student learning, facilitate course development, expand professional development opportunities for faculty and staff, and establish mutually beneficial relationships with community organizations.
CFAR began in the Fall of 2012 when funding was obtained through the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
The primary activities of the Center involve the quantitative and qualitative performance of empirical research. The CFAR provides a valuable resource for research and data collection and analysis for both the campus and Westmoreland County, by working with other institutions/organizations who are pursuing grants and in need of independent evaluators.
“CFAR allows faculty to work on applied projects that have a direct impact on improving the University or the local community. It is particularly rewarding to see the initial impact produced by our interactions with Pitt-Greensburg and community organizations."
- Jonathan Vallano, PhD (Former CFAR Director)
Current Projects
- Aliquippa School District STEM Evaluation »
- Blackburn Center Partnership »
- Community Arts and Reintegration Project in Westmoreland County »
- Excela Health Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) »
“CFAR provided me with a great opportunity to expand my research skills and knowledge of multiple fields.” Speaking about a past project, he continued, “While manufacturing falls under the scope of business, it is interesting to be researching topics outside my scope of studies. CFAR provided me with an experience of which few other students have the chance to be a part, and it will prepare me for my future career.”
- Scott Szypulski, Financial Research Administrator, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Former CFAR Research Assistant
CFAR Affiliated Faculty and Staff
| Name | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| Geoffrey L. Wood, PhD | Associate Professor of Sociology Director of CFAR |
geoff.wood@pitt.edu |
| Neelima Bhatnagar, PhD | Assistant Professor of Information Science | bhatnagr@pitt.edu |
| Victoria Causer | Instructor of Statistics | vdc5@pitt.edu |
| Sheila Confer, EdD | Director of the Academic Village; Part-time Instructor, Theatre Arts | sec10@pitt.edu |
| Courtney DeCarlucci | Manager, Foundation and Corporate Relations | pggrants@pitt.edu |
| Jessica Ghilani, PhD | Associate Professor of Communication | jlgst83@pitt.edu |
| Pilar Herr, PhD | Associate Professor of History | pmh3@pitt.edu |
| Timothy Holler, PhD | Associate Professor of Criminal Justice | tjh67@pitt.edu |
| Olivia S. Long, PhD | Associate Professor of Biochemistry | OSL5@pitt.edu |
|
Assistant Professor of Public Policy & Communication |
drm153@pitt.edu | |
| Ronald Ott | Director of Healthcare Management | rho5@pitt.edu |
| John Prellwitz, PhD |
Associate Professor of Communication |
jhp15@pitt.edu |
| Ewa Rudnicka, PhD |
Assistant Professor of Business |
rudnicka@pitt.edu |
| Jonathan Vallano, PhD |
Associate Professor of Psychology |
jov15@pitt.edu |
| Frank Wilson, PhD |
Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs |
fdw@pitt.edu |