A message from Penny Gordon-Larsen, Vice Chancellor for Research
Dear colleagues,
I’m pleased to announce that Jessica Grant will serve as interim director of the Odum Institute for Research in Social Science. This appointment marks an important milestone in Odum’s history, as Grant will be the first woman to lead the institute in an interim or permanent capacity. She is currently the associate director of research and director of the Certificate in Survey Science for the institute.
As interim director, Grant be responsible for overseeing research, outreach, and grant-development activities of the institute. She will continue to build strong, collaborative relationships with departments, schools, and other centers and institutes on campus, as well as institutions and organizations outside the University. Grant will also have primary responsibility for the day-to-day activities of the institute as well as representing Odum at inter-institutional and campus level meetings.
Prior to joining the Odum Institute, Grant worked within RTI International’s Survey Research Division for over 13 years, her most recent role being a research survey scientist and administrative manager in the Public Health and Clinical Research program. She has expertise in quantitative and qualitative modes of data collection and has worked extensively managing survey research projects for federal and state government agencies, universities, private organizations, and foundations.
Grant received an MA in sociology at Fayetteville State University while working as the survey research center coordinator at Fayetteville State’s Research Center for Health Disparities. She received a BA in sociology and women’s studies from UNC-Chapel Hill.
At this time, we also thank Todd BenDor for serving as director of the institute since 2018. He will be taking on a new role as chair of the Department of City and Regional Planning within the College of Arts and Sciences. His new position and Grant’s appointment are effective July 1.
Please join me in welcoming Jessica to this new role.