Amber Stephenson, Ph.D.
C: 717-778-1237
228 West Imperial Drive
Aspers, PA 17304
amber.stephenson@temple.edu
H: 717-677-7637
EDUCATION
Ph.D.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
January 2013
Administration and Leadership Studies (ALS)
Dissertation: “The Effect of Brand Identification on Alumni Donor Behaviors”
M.P.H.
West Chester University, West Chester, PA
May 2005
B.S.
Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA
May 2003
Health Care Administration
Thesis: “Cultural Competence in the Healthcare Workplace”
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Director/Senior Research Associate
July 2013 – Present
Temple University - Nonprofit Evaluation, Services & Training (NEST), Harrisburg, PA
 Co-created online International Nonprofit Training & Leadership (INTL) certificate program with the
Temple Japan campus to launch January 2015.
 Manage all research, evaluation, capacity-building, and training activities conducted by Temple NEST.
Determine appropriate research design for all projects based on client needs. Statistically analyze data
and create reports for funding agencies.
 Secured over $270,000 in grants/contracts to date, with 3 offering 4 year renewals; authored grants, and
through close analysis of an existing grant located additional funding that increased Temple’s portion by
$165,000. Allocated work flow for projects like $576,000 organizational capacity building grant, etc.
Elicit new business through networking channels and community partnerships such as$65,000 contract
for prevention program evaluation, $11,000 organizational capacity building contract, $8,000 tri-county
United Way community assessment, and $34,000 PDE program contract.
 Recruited by Temple College of Public Health to participate in SAMHSA multi-year research grant as
research and data consultant.
 Supervise three master’s level full-time professionals, two master’s level consultants, and one volunteer
with an MBA.
Adjunct Instructor
Alvernia University, Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Program, Reading, PA
 Research Methods
 Social Theory
January 2015 – May 2015
August 2014 – December 2014
Adjunct Instructor
Temple University, College of Education & GenEd Program, Harrisburg, PA
 Interpersonal Communications – AOD0836
 First Year Seminar II
 First Year Seminar
Program Analyst
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Harrisburg, PA
August 2014 – December 2014
January 2014 – May 2014
August 2013 – December 2013
January 2008 – July 2013
 Primary analyst for the SelectPlan for Women federal demonstration waiver. Analyzed state-wide
women’s health data to determine abnormalities and program usage. Developed data collection
instrument for annual recipient survey. Orchestrated survey implementation, coordinated the processing
methodology, and managed the statistical analysis of the results. Extracted, analyzed, and evaluated
statistical data for the PA Children with Disabilities annual report for the Senate and House of
Representatives. Reviewed federal/state legislation and policy to assess potential impact on programs.
Contractor – Data Analyst
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Dixon Center, Harrisburg, PA
May 2011 – October 2011
 Entered, cleaned, analyzed, and summarized US National Guard training seminar survey data. Conducted
factor analysis and other statistical techniques to find patterns of response. Summarized participant
reactions to seminars and facilitators. Generated report containing the results of the analysis.
Graduate Assistant– Web Maintainer/Grant Writer
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Dixon Center, Harrisburg, PA
September 2009 – May 2012
 Rejuvenated website by regularly updating with fresh information. Wrote $1,000 marketing materials
grant; created pamphlets and additional media for Research Training Center (RTC). Located funding
opportunities. Prepared grant narratives for sponsored research projects. 10 hr/week.
Community Education Specialist
Survivors, Inc., Gettysburg, PA
August 2007 – December 2007
 Designed curriculum for 8 week (64 hour) Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Counselor training course
including itinerary, handbook, and instructional materials. Demonstrated prevention information in 7
county school districts. Maintained relationships with various contacts for collaborative efforts.
House Operations
Hampshire College, Amherst, MA
August 2006 – June 2007
 Managed the daily operation of residence hall service area. Supervised 9 paraprofessional staff members,
maintained student records, handled staffing, scheduling, key distribution, facility maintenance, and safety
code monitoring. Maintained $4,000.00 facility budget and $8,000.00 programming budget.
PUBLICATIONS
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Stephenson, A. L. & Yerger, D. B. (2014). Optimizing alumni engagement: The effect of brand
identification on alumni donation behaviors. International Journal of Education Management, 28(7).
765-778.
Stephenson, A. L., & Bell, N.M. (2014). Motivation for alumni donations: a social identity perspective
on the role of branding in higher education. International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector
Marketing, 19(3), 176–186.
Stephenson, A. L. & Yerger, D. B. (2014). Does brand identification transform alumni into university
brand advocates? International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, 11, 243–262.
Stephenson, A. L. & Yerger, D. B. (2014). The role of satisfaction on alumni perceptions and
supportive behaviors. Services Marketing Quarterly, 37(1), forthcoming.
Bell, N.M., & Stephenson, A. L. (2014). Variation in motivations by running ability: Using the theory
of reasoned action to predict attitudes about running 5K races. Journal of Policy Research in
Tourism, Leisure and Events, 6(3), 231-247.
Stephenson, A.L. (2013). The role of organizational identity in the YMCA rebrand of 2010.
Sociological Perspectives, 29(1), 101-119.
Works Submitted for Publication & Works in Progress
Stephenson, A.L. (2014). Seeking evidence-based program status: A noble quest or impractical
plight? Manuscript submitted for publication.
~ Stephenson 2 ~
Stephenson, A. L., Heckert, D. A., & Yerger, D. B. (2014). College choice and the university brand:
Exploring the consumer decision framework. Manuscript submitted for publication.
Stephenson, A. L., & Yerger, D. B. (2015). How first-year college student expectations shape brand
identification. Manuscript in progress.
Stephenson, A. L. (2015). The impact of rapid technological advances on nonprofit organizational
identity. Manuscript in progress.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS & LECTURES
Program Evaluation. International Nonprofit Training & Leadership Program (online), Temple
University Harrisburg, PA, October, 2015 (forthcoming).
Making an Impact: Leadership Development and the Branch Campus Model Worldwide, Panel
contributor at International Leadership Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, November,
2014.
Seeking Evidence-based Program Status: A Noble Quest or Impractical Plight? ARNOVA Annual
Meeting, Denver, CO, November, 2014.
Program Evaluation. Nonprofit Management Training Program, Temple University Harrisburg, PA,
November, 2013.
The Role of Leadership in Change. Panel contributor at the Pennsylvania Sociological Society Annual
Meeting in Schuylkill Haven, PA, October, 2012.
Organizational Identity and the Rebranding of the YMCA. Lecture presented at the PASSHE Research
Symposium in Harrisburg, PA, April, 2012.
SelectPlan for Women. Presentations given at Bureau of Policy, Analysis and Planning Meetings in
Harrisburg, PA, Year 2 in December, 2010; Year 1 in March, 2010; Evaluation Plan in June, 2009.
Health Insurance and Student Satisfaction Rates. Poster presented at the Academy Health Annual
Research Meeting in Boston, MA, June, 2005.
Cultural Competence in the Healthcare Workplace. Poster presented at the College of Physicians of
Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA, May, 2005.
HONORS & AWARDS
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Most expedited completion of the ALS Ph.D. program to date, Indiana University of Pennsylvania – 2013
Nominated Attendee Governor’s Leadership Conference for Women, Bureau of Policy, Analysis &
Planning – 2011
Phi Kappa Phi honors organization inductee, Indiana University of Pennsylvania – 2011
23rd Annual Doctoral Fellowship Award, Indiana University of Pennsylvania – 2010
State Health Improvement Plan Research Competition 3rd Place, Department of Health – 2005
Susan B. Cotrell Leadership Award, Ursinus College – 2003
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Academy of Management (AOM), International Leadership Association (ILA), Association for Research on
Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA), Pennsylvania Sociological Society
~ Stephenson 3 ~
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
Certificate in Virtual Teaching (Temple University, 2014), STATA, SPSS, MyStat, Access, Excel, Word,
Publisher, Power Point; CMS, NVU; Qualtrics, Moodle, D2L, Banner; WebEx
TEACHING INTERESTS
Management, organization theory, leadership theory, organizational culture and identity, interpersonal
communications, nonprofit management, program evaluation, program planning, sociology of consumerism,
and quantitative, qualitative, and survey research methods
CAMPUS SERVICE & LEADERSHIP
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Masters of Nonprofit Management Planning Committee, Member, Temple University
Doctor of Management Planning Committee, Curriculum Designer, Temple University
Masters of Public Policy Planning Committee, Member, Temple University
Hiring Committee, Chair, Research Associate (three vacancies)
Hiring Committee, Member, LAN Administrator, Temple University
PA Department of Aging Grant Program, Reviewer, Temple University
Phi Kappa Phi honors organization, Vice President, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Safe Space Committee, Founding Member, Western New England University
2015 –
2013 –
2013 –
2014
2013 – 2014
2013 – 2014
2011 – 2012
2005 – 2007
AUTHORED GRANT PROPOSALS & CONTRACTS
Year
2015
Amount
$163,302
INTL Program
Project
Funder
PA Department of Community and
Economic Development
Dauphin County Department of Drug
and Alcohol Services
The Foundation for Enhancing
Communities
Adams County Community Foundation
Outcome
Pending
2015
$22,000
Central PA Addictions Conference
2014
$25,000
Early Education Evaluation
2014
$39,375
County Needs Assessment
2014
$40,000
Nonprofit/NGO Management
Collaboration
Adolescent Sexual Health Initiatives
United States – Japan Foundation
Funded
2014
$25,955
2014
$428,589
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Funded
National Institute of Justice
Not funded
$220,000
Adult Financial Exploitation: A
Perpetrator Analysis
Adult Financial Exploitation
2014
National Institute on Aging
Not funded
2014
$4,000
INTL Program
Temple University International Affairs
Not funded
2014
$8,000
Tri-county Community Assessment
United Way of the Capital Region
Funded
2014
$34,381
Adolescent Sexual Health Initiatives
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Funded
2013
$11,008
Curriculum Evaluation
Family Health Councils of Central PA
Funded
2013
$65,000
Evaluation Services
Dauphin County Department of Drug
and Alcohol Services
Funded
~ Stephenson 4 ~
Funded
Funded
Funded