2024- The Institute conducted a procurement needs assessment as well as local capacity to develop programs and services to support institutions and small business in this area. This included workshops, training sessions, webinars, and certification programs like the procurement academy. Topics ranged from understanding the procurement processes, bidding techniques and best practices, compliance requirements, and sustainable business practices.
2020-2022- The Institute conducted an annual economic impact study and evaluation of this investment in downtown Reading. Reading CollegeTowne is a strategy and model for championing economic redevelopment in downtown Reading. Through partnerships and collaborations with the City of Reading and local businesses and organizations, Alvernia serves as a strategic enabler for strengthening the local economy downtown. In the first year, 2020 The Institute identified key metrics that measure change or improvement in downtown Reading. These included but were not limited to general income and demographic information, business data, and commercial property information, and tax data. The Institute prepared an asset map of the project area. For years 2 and 3, The Institute worked with a group of Alvernia students to procure the necessary data and information. The Institute provided instruction to the students on data collection and analysis specific to the project. The Institute accompanied the students in the field.
Dr. Jolene Carey-Pace joined The Institute Team in 2021 as a Research Analyst. In 2023, she was named Senior Research & Policy Analyst. 
Sarah, a former Institute intern, joined The Institute in April 2021 as a Research Assistant. She started her new role as a Research Analyst in January 2024. 
Ooms is responsible for all facets of research, organizational strategy, and management. Ooms is an active principal investigator in all Institute research. Ooms has been nationally recognized as a leader in regional economic development. She turned that skill into a research institute to help other regions develop and prosper. Her strategic skills have allowed The Institute to expand its services to the private and non-profit sectors for research and analysis in community health needs assessments, strategic planning, market and feasibility studies, and economic impact analysis.
Jill Avery-Stoss joined The Institute in June 2018 to fill the newly-created role of Research, Data, Intern & Administrative Coordinator. She assists with the collection and management of data for purposes of ethical and efficient analysis. She visits partner campuses to market The Institute’s internship opportunities, and participates in event-planning logistical activities as well. In 2021, Jill was promoted to Director of Operations to reflect the diversity in her job description and the additional marketing and communication functions she successfully mastered in 2020. In 2022, Jill was named Chief Operating Officer after expanding into both research and administrative management functions. Jill is taking on project management, fundraising, and other executive leadership functions of the organization. In 2024, Jill Avery-Stoss assumed the role of President of The Institute, effective January 2025.