Staff | Rankin & Associates Consulting, LLC

In Memoriam: Alphonso W. Grant

Alphonso W. Grant Dr. Alphonso Walter Grant, an assistant professor in the University of Arkansas School of Art, passed at only 50 years of age in early December. He will be deeply missed by all of us at Rankin & Associates. In tribute to him, we would like to remember a few his many contributions.

Dr. Grant was a scholar, teacher, and mentor to many. He started at UA as an art education professor in 2017, arriving from Penn State University, where he earned a dual-title doctorate in Art Education and African American and Diaspora Studies. Dr. Grant was a W.E.B. Dubois and John Dewey Scholar and won an outstanding teaching award as a graduate assistant at Penn State. With a wide variety of academic interests, Dr. Grant held affiliate positions in three other UA departments: African and African American Studies, Political Science, and Gender Studies.

Alphonso earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Henderson State University, and his biography posted on UA's website lists several jobs he held previously, including with the New York City Department of Health Young Men's Survey program. He was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

In addition to his scholarship, Alphonso was a valued member of our R&A family. His passion for social justice was realized in his “theory to practice.” His background in student life combined with his research background provided his focus group participants with a “safe” place to share their experiences. Alphonso’s collegiality, his contagious smile, and his support of all of us made him a valued member of our team.

Alphonso will be remembered by his R&A family for his soft-spoken words of wisdom, his kindness, and how much he deeply cared for this work. He is missed.

Sue Rankin

Principal and Chief Executive Officer

Emil L. Cunningham

Senior Executive Associate

Stefani Bjorklund

Executive Associate & Senior Research Associate

Genevieve Weber

Executive Associate & Senior Research Associate

Dan Merson

Executive Associate & Senior Research Associate

Kadian McIntosh

Executive Associate & Senior Research Associate

Julie A. Del Giorno

Executive Associate & Senior Research Associate

Mitsu Narui

Research Associate - Qualitative & Quantitative Analyst

Jason DeRousie

Research Associate - Senior Data Analyst

Becky Crandall

Research Associate - Senior Data Analyst

Christina Turner

Research Associate - Data Analyst

Rodney P. Hughes

Research Associate - Data Analyst

Stephanie Danette Preston

Research Associate - Qualitative Analyst

Alexandrea “Alex” Davenport

Research Associate - Qualitative Analyst

Jordan S. West

Research Associate - Qualitative Specialist

Becky Sanford DeRousie

Research Associate -Qualitative Analyst

Sonia Jimenez

Research Associate - Qualitative Analyst

Emily Niemann

Research Associate - Qualitative Analyst

Jason Garvey

Research Associate - Qualitative Analyst

Antonio Duran

Research Associate - Qualitative Analyst

Sara Haefeli

Research Associate - Qualitative Analyst

Esperanza Anaya

Research Associate - Qualitative Analyst

Nathalia Jaramillo

Research Associate - Qualitative Analyst

Katrina Alford

Research Associate - Quantitative Analyst

Laura Kovach

Research Associate - Title IX & Sexual Assault Consultant

Lissa Ramirez-Stapleton

Research Associate - Qualitative Specialist

Kenjus T. Watson

Research Associate - Qualitative Specialist

Annette Marie Hestres Garcia

Research Associate - Qualitative Specialist

Carl "Kip" Sorgen

Research Associate - Qualitative Specialist

Marcela Ramirez-Stapleton

Research Associate - Qualitative Specialist

Rob Freer

Research Associate - Qualitative Specialist

Rheya Neabors

Research Associate - Qualitative Specialist

Gabriel Reif

Research Associate - Qualitative Specialist

Nancy Wong

Research Associate - Qualitative Specialist

Dian Squire

Research Associate - Qualitative Specialist

Jean-Pierre Laurenceau-Medina

Research Associate

Janet Brubaker

Research Associate - Technical Editor

Maryann Stassen

Research Associate - Technical Editor & Quantitative Analyst

Kristine Subasic Nichols

Research Associate - Technical Editor

Sarah G. F. Klyberg

Research Associate - Technical Editor

Lindsay Kowalski

Research Associate - Technical Editor

Ginger Oppenheimer

Research Associate - Technical Editor

Allison Subasic

Executive Assistant & Survey Design

Samantha Wallace

Chief Financial Officer

M.A. Ladd

IT Specialist

Michael Rauch

Director of Technical Operations

In Memoriam: Alphonso W. Grant

Alphonso will be remembered by his R&A family for his soft-spoken words of wisdom, his kindness, and how much he deeply cared for this work. He is missed.

I have appreciated very much my opportunities to work with Dr. Rankin as a consultant. Her commitment to research-based campus climate assessment produces sound and usable results. At the same time she is willing to accommodate client suggestions and respond to client questions promptly and appropriately. Her enthusiasm for improving the campus climate provides clients with positive energy - in addition to consultant expertise - for their campus-based efforts to create inclusive environments.

Sandra Holbrook, Ph.D.
Director Emerita
North Dakota State University

Sue Rankin is not only an expert researcher, she is a passionate one, whose commitment to diversity has led her to not only ask the tough questions but to answer them. Her survey on LGBT issues on our campus was the match that fueled the fire. Within two years we moved from essentially no LGBT resources on campus to the administration funding a LGBT Office.

Sue Rankin has perfected the art of assessing campus climates through her nationally recognized consulting firm. A skilled researcher in her own right, Dr. Rankin and her associates are a full service firm from questionnaire construction to data analysis.

Linda A. Mooney, Ph.D.
Department of Sociology
East Carolina University

When the Texas A&M School of Law decided to conduct its first-ever climate survey, we thought we could do it ourselves. Then we came to our senses and sought expert help. Dr. Rankin's step-by-step guidance through the months-long process of designing and implementing the survey and interpreting the results has been invaluable. She brought to the table the experience, insight, and know-how derived from hundreds of surveys and years of studying and writing the relevant literature. When I say we could not have done it without her, I mean it in the most literal sense.

John F. Murphy
Associate Instructional Professor of Law
Texas A&M School of Law

It was a pleasure to work with Dr. Sue Rankin and her associate Dr. Genevieve Weber. They worked closely with our dedicated College committee and took great care to ensure the climate study accurately reflected our institution and its needs. We trusted the Rankin & Associates process and thousands of College community members participated in the survey. We now have extensive and valuable data with which we will shape the future of our campus.

Danielle Dimitrov, Esq.
Director, Diversity and Compliance/Chief Diversity Officer
The College of Staten Island

Celebration of diversity and inclusivity are treasured values at West Chester University, but we hadn't taken the opportunity to assess our success and challenges until we committed to conducting a campus-wide survey of climate. Dr. Rankin's approach to the survey development and implementation, bringing all concerned constituencies to the table, was the perfect approach to ensuring wide participation in the survey. ...It is obvious that the campus is engaged; there are conversations everywhere, and the ideas for action are pouring in.

Darla Spence Coffey, PhD, MSW
Associate Provost
West Chester University (PA)

I highly recommend campuses engage Rankin & Associates for campus climate studies. Dr. Rankin brings the experience and insights needed to successfully guide a campus through a critical institutional process. She understands how to best engage campus stakeholders and how to help a campus identify and speak to their unique needs during survey development and in post-survey communications. Sue was a true partner in this process – while it was clear this was our process, we always felt that Sue proactively offered the support and knowledge needed for our campus committee to conduct this study and she was incredibly communicative throughout all phases of the project.

Nariah Broadus
Director, Innovation and Growth
Tuck School of Business
Dartmouth College