Dr. Cindy Reed, Director of the Truman Pierce Institute, an associate professor of educational leadership, and currently is program coordinator for educational leadership at Auburn University. She serves as a Commissioner on the Education Committee of the Governor's Black Belt Action Commission. Dr. Reed has a Doctorate in Education (1997) from the University of Pittsburgh in Administrative and Policy Studies with specialization in Educational Policy, Planning, and Evaluation. Her B.S., M.S., and administrative certification (C.A.S.) are from universities in the State University of New York system (Oswego and Cortland respectively). She had nearly 20 years experience as a public school teacher, specialist in gifted education, middle school principal, and director of collaborative programs among multiple K-12 schools and institutions of higher education before coming to Auburn University. She currently teaches courses on educational leadership and educational policy. Her research focuses on applied transformational leadership, educational policy, leadership development/preparation, and collaborative educational reform efforts.  

Chris Groccia joined the Truman Pierce Institute staff through Temporary Employment Services in September 2006.  She has over 20 years experience in education including 13 years with the federally funded Head Start Program. She collaborated with Auburn faculty to design and write a preschool curriculum that offers a global perspective balancing Chinese and Western culture and language. She served as the Missouri Head Start State Collaboration Director creating partnerships at the local, state, and federal level supporting multi-agency and private/public partnerships for preschool children and their families. 

Rosalie J. Grant-Nolt joined the Truman Pierce Institute as the Project Director for the Leadership in Action Network (LAN) and for the Leadership for Effective Academic Reform, Now (LEARN) projects in January, 2007.  Previously, she led the Financial Readiness Branch of Army Community Service, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri as the Financial Readiness Branch Chief.  She brings a variety of experience with her, including, five years in the Military Police Corps, and seven years in the field of emergency financial assistance.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and her Masters in International Relations from Troy State University.

Sheila Moore joined the Truman Pierce Institute as a graduate assistant in August, 2006.  Previously, she had worked as a Project Coordinator for Project Camp KEMET, Auburn University.  She brings over twenty-four years of experience as a K-12 teacher, school administrator, and law firm coordinator.  Currently, Mrs. Moore is enrolled as a doctoral student in the College of Education pursing the Doctorate of Education degree in Education Leadership, Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education. She received her bachelor of science degree in secondary education, social studies and her Masters in School Personnel Administration from Tuskegee(Institute) University. Her research interests include the impact of professional development on classroom instruction, administrative styles on teacher effectiveness, and personality inventories.

Linxiang  Zhu is a Graduate Research Assistant working in the Truman Pierce Institute. She is currently in a doctoral program at Auburn University in Educational Psychology with a focus on assessment and evaluation. Linxiang joined the TPI staff in August of 2006 and is involved in the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers TPI/SDE program and the Survey of Leadership in Alabama project. She grew up in China beginning her education in a rural elementary school in which she later started to teach in her mother's classroom when she was in grade 8. Linxiang enjoys teaching and her goal is to teach at both college and k-12 levels.

Brandon L. Wolfe joined the Truman Pierce Institute as a graduate assistant in January, 2007. Previously, he had served as a graduate assistant for the Center for Governmental Services, Auburn University. Currently, Mr. Wolfe is enrolled as a doctoral student in the College of Education pursing the Doctorate of Education degree in Education Leadership, Administration of Higher Education. He received both his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology along with a double minor in africana studies and political science; and later his Masters in Adult Education from Auburn University. His research interest includes University outreach as it relates to the faculty reward system.