Our Researchers

Cheyenne was previously a teacher at Emma Elementary School in Asheville, NC where she collaborated with Paul on lots of “outside the box” creative projects with their students.

Her passion is continuously learning from, and inspiring kids, to make the world a better place through research and positivity. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University. She also has a master’s degree in Urban Education, with a certificate in Anti-Racist Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Cheyenne takes the lead on our educator wellness research, and she and Paul co-coordinate our research on positive childhood experiences.

She enjoys cooking, writing poetry, reading, cuddling with her animals, and kayaking with her partner in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, former lands of the Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East) and S’atsoyaha (Yuchi) people.

Paul was previously a teacher at Emma Elementary School in Asheville, NC. Before that he co-founded The Center for Participatory Change. Paul has a PhD in Social Work from UNC-Chapel Hill. He has a lot of experience with qualitative, participatory, and community-based research, and looks forward to imagining new, innovative forms of research (e.g., emergent research) with Cheyenne.

Paul is involved in all aspects of of our research: positive childhood experiences, educator wellness, and volunteering and wellness.

Blair has worked in both banks and entrepreneurial small business settings. She has a BS in Business Management from NC State University and a MBA from Meredith College.

Blair takes the lead on our research on volunteering and wellness.