CognitiveGenesis : Who Is Involved

Who Is Involved

CognitiveGenesis is the first North American Division (NAD) study to assess Adventist academics in elementary and secondary schools. Researchers at La Sierra University, in conjunction with the North American Division Office of Education (NADOE) and the cooperation of all nine unions (districts) in the NAD, will undertake a multi-year project. This research initiative will document the academic achievement of approximately 30,000 students in the NAD and examine the various factors that are related to achievement.

Working together, the CognitiveGenesis Project at La Sierra University and the NADOE will gather information from surveys of teachers, administrators, students, and parents about factors that are related to academic achievement, including uniquely Adventist ones. These survey responses along with the standardized test results for students in Grades 3-9 and 11 will provide the basis for establishing an accurate documented picture of elementary and secondary Adventist academic achievement. This information will be collected over a multi-year period, beginning fall of 2006.

The following people were selected to oversee and direct the CognitiveGenesis project and to represent the diversity of the Adventist education system and church. They also provide the project with various areas of expertise from: Teaching, Curriculum, Social-Cultural Perspectives, Research and Statistics:

CognitiveGenesis Research Team

Robert J. Cruise, Ph.D., CognitiveGenesis Research Team, La Sierra University
Elissa Kido, Ed.D., Project Director, La Sierra University
Jerome Thayer, Ph.D., Director of Center of Statistical Services, Andrews University

CognitiveGenesis Executive Committee

Larry Blackmer, M.A., Vice-President, North American Division
Hamlet Canosa, Ed.D., Vice President of Education, Columbia Union Conference
Robert J. Cruise, Ph.D., CognitiveGenesis Research Team, La Sierra University
Elissa Kido, Ed.D., Project Director, La Sierra University

CognitiveGenesis Advisory Committee

Larry Blackmer, M.A., Vice-President, North American Division
Kelly Bock, Ed.D., Director of Education, Pacific Union Conference
Kathy Bollinger, M.Ed., Associate Professor of Education, Union College
Ian Bothwell, Ed.D., Professor of Education, Atlantic Union College
Paul Brantley, Ed.D., Assistant Vice President, Florida Hospital
Hamlet Canosa, Ed.D., Vice President of Education, Columbia Union Conference
Robert J. Cruise, Ph.D., CognitiveGenesis Research Team, La Sierra University
Debra Fryson, M.A., Associate Director of Education, Southern Union Conference
Bailey Gillespie, Ph.D., Director, Hancock Center for Youth/Family Ministry
Edwin Hernandez, Ph.D., Professor, University of Notre Dame
Elissa Kido, Ed.D., Project Director, La Sierra University
Linda Koh, Ed.D., Director of Children's Ministries, General Conference
Charles McKinstry, J.D., Director, Trust Services, Southeastern California Conference
Jose Vicente Rojas, M.A., Director, Volunteer/Young Adult Ministries, General Conference
Ella Simmons, Ph.D., Vice President, General Conference
Jerome Thayer, Ph.D., Director of Center of Statistical Services, Andrews University