2025- In year two of its Aviation Technology program evaluation, a student interview process was added alongside faculty interviews. Feedback from both students and faculty remained consistent with year one, resulting in no program changes. Evaluators recommended implementing a tutoring program for incoming students to strengthen basic math skills and adding test prep classes for second-year students to support learning and test readiness.
2024- The Institute conducted an evaluation of the Aviation Technology program from inception to date, which included a synthesis and analysis of program outputs, electronic surveys, faculty interview, instructor course evaluation surveys, student grades, retention, and exit data.
2024- The Institute provided research on staff and faculty’s experience with neurodiverse students. Additionally, data was gathered from enrolled students. The purpose was to assess Johnson’s history and capacity to serve this population. The Institute created a program and service matrix of existing offerings.
2020- The Institute conducted an impact study of Johnson College on the regional economy – including added human capital from 2015 through 2019. The research assessed the roles of the college’s operations and graduates in the community and regional workforce. Insight into this five-year impact may also inform marketing, recruitment, fundraising, grants, and administrative efforts.
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.