Meet Our Staff

Nancy L. Harper, Ph.D.

Executive Director of the ALERT Laboratories
Professor of Organizational and Health Communication (ret.)
Former Dean of Social Sciences at Grand Valley State University

Dr. Harper has 34 years experience as a university faculty member, including 17 years in university administration. She has served as Director of Human and Mass Communication at Rutgers University, Assistant and Associate Dean for Outreach and Finance at the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts, Chair of the Department of Communication at Duquesne University, Dean of Social Sciences and Director of Alcohol Education, Research, and Training at Grand Valley State University.  She has authored books on communication theory and on applied communication, e.g., the unique "clusters" approach to academic and career advising. 

Dr. Harper has also conducted research and published monographs on these topics and on applied organizational and health communication. She specializes in the study of persuasive communication, especially in preventing underage drinking and drug use, intervention and recovery from Substance Use Disorders, including Addiction.

Shannon Welsh

Communications Consultant
Masters of Education from Grand Valley State University (GVSU)
Masters of Communication (pending thesis completion) from GVSU

Mr. Welsh has been active in the prevention and wellness field since 2003. He specializes in prevention programming, media development and writing for all mediums.

Donald "Tex" Bryant

Project Evaluator
Masters of Education from Michigan State University
Masters of Applied Statistics from Western Michigan University
Certified Quality Engineer from American Society of Quality

Mr. Bryant retired from teaching high school mathematics in 2004. Wanting to make a difference in his environment using mathematics, he now offers consulting to healthcare providers who want to dramatically improve patient health, improve the bottom line, and make work more rewarding. Bryant Statistical Consulting

Geoff Stevens, LMSW

STARR Program Coordinator
Masters of Social Work from Western Michigan University

Mr. Steven's focuses on adolescent and family therapy. His training is founded on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with an emphasis on enhancing motivation to change.  He facilitates the STARR (screening, testing, and referral for recovery) program of the ALERT Labs.

Carla Jackson

Outreach Theatre Director
B.A. in Music and Theatre from Olivet College

Ms. Jackson has nine years of secondary public school teaching experience with a focus on Theatre Arts, Music, and Peer Education.

Her professional experience includes working with Peer Educators re. mentoring and listening for a Safe Schools and Healthy Students grant, Language Arts instruction, Radio-Television, Speech, and Film, and Directing Musical/Theatrical Performances.