Rogéair Damone Purnell MSW, Ph.D.
4061 E Castro Valley Blvd. #469
Castro Valley, CA 94552
Phone: (510) 541-0418
E-mail: rdpconsult@gmail.com
Website: www.r-d-p-consulting.com
EDUCATION
PhD, Social Work and Social Psychology, 1996
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Dissertation: “Child sexual abuse, alcohol and drug (mis)use, and HIV vulnerability among African American
women: An exploratory study.”
MA, Social Psychology, 1993
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
MSW, Interpersonal Practice, 1991
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
BA, Psychology with Honors in Education, 1990
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
St. Paul’s School, Concord, NH, 1986
Graduated Cum Laude. Received first and second testimonial academic awards.
School Year Abroad, Barcelona, Spain, 1986
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
RDP Consulting, Oakland, CA
10/09 to present
PRINCIPAL. Provide culturally competent organizational, programmatic and research-related consulting to nonprofit, community based and focused organizations, and foundations. Consult with organizations that embrace a
social justice and equity lens to ensure increased life success for low-wealth individuals, families and communities.
Design, implement, manage and monitor program activities in ways that are user-friendly and useful to staff,
participants and of interest to funders. Services provided: theory of change and logic model development; program
design, coordination and management; formative and summative evaluation research, and report writing.
Gateway to College at Laney College, Oakland, CA
04/13 to 03/15
INTERIM DIRECTOR / DIRECTOR. Responsible for coordinating and managing one of a national network of
programs serving 16 to 20 year old Oakland residents who are at risk of leaving or who have left high school
without a diploma. Work closely with the local school district, Laney College staff and the national funder to offer
dual credit, college level courses that allow students to earn both high school and college credits. Manage budget
and program operations, monitor and inform program instruction and evaluation, oversee student recruitment,
retention and support and supervise team of instructors, counselors and administrative support staff.
The James Irvine Foundation, San Francisco, CA
04/05 to 12/09
SENIOR / PROGRAM OFFICER, YOUTH. Identified and arranged financial, technical, and evaluation support
for promising and innovative programs working to improve high school completion rates and postsecondary
opportunities for low-income youth between the ages of 14 and 24 years old. Promoted the integration of college
preparatory education and rigorous technical training in an effort to prepare youth for both college and career. Also,
informed grant making priorities and strategies, monitored existing grants, and convened clusters of grantees. Key
areas of interest included academically rigorous career and technical education, student support services, concurrent
enrollment and community colleges.
Rogéair Damone Purnell
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE – continued
MDRC, Oakland, CA
04/01 to 03/05
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE III. Worked individually and as part of a team to design, implement, and manage a
multi-year evaluation of a major initiative to improve employment and health in four low-income California
communities. Served as the key contact person for foundation staff, subcontractors and other consultants. Developed
surveys and field research protocols, managed and trained on-site evaluators, analyzed qualitative and quantitative
data and wrote reports. Responsible for arranging and monitoring subcontracts and related budgets. Also, served as
site lead for one of six community colleges participating in a national demonstration project examining ways to
increase low-income individuals’ access to and retention in post-secondary education.
Philliber Research Associates, Oakland, CA and Accord, NY
09/96 to 03/01
SENIOR EVALUATOR. Helped human service programs (e.g., family resource centers, teen pregnancy
prevention programs) design tools and instruments to evaluate their work in order to develop more effective services
and activities and to modify or eliminate unproductive ones. Drafted extensive reports containing demographic
information, describing the type and intensity of services provided, and highlighting participant outcomes. Trained
program personnel on how to use various evaluation-related protocols. Analyzed changes in program productivity
during consultations with clients. Performed literature reviews to assist clients in program comparisons and
development. Supervised data analysts and data entry personnel.
Family Assessment Clinic, Ann Arbor, MI
03/95 to 03/96
CLINICAL EVALUATOR. Conducted drug and alcohol abuse assessments including Addiction Severity Index.
Performed general psychosocial assessments. Wrote case summaries and presented cases in clinical meetings
attended by health care professionals, psychologists and social workers.
University of Michigan, School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI
05/91 to 01/96
RESEARCH ASSISTANT. Conducted pre-intervention, exit and follow-up interviews with court-referred clients
in the Women and Infants at Risk program, a residential treatment program for pregnant, incarcerated women with a
history of substance abuse.
University of Michigan, Department of Psychology, Ann Arbor, MI
TEACHING ASSISTANT. Taught class sections for Introduction to Psychology to 60 students.
09/93 to 04/94
Black Family Development, Inc., Detroit, MI
07/91 to 12/91
MSW INTERN. Formulated client service plans, completed psychosocial assessments, wrote progress reports, and
counseled families and individuals both at my office and in their homes.
University of Michigan, Center for the Study of Youth Policy, Ann Arbor, MI
05/91 to 07/91
PROJECT CONSULTANT. Assisted in compiling two resource manuals for community-based youth-focused
initiatives. This activity was supported by the Kellogg Foundation.
University of Michigan, Family Development Project, Ann Arbor, MI
01/91 to 06/91
MSW INTERN. Conducted in-home assessments with families of children with cancer and sickle cell; recruited
new clients and conducted structured telephone follow-up interviews with families to determine how effectively
they coped with stress.
PRESENTATIONS
Strengthening Student Success Post-conference Session, The RP Group. Presenter (with Darla Cooper &
Priyadarshini Chaplot. “(Re)designing for Student Success: Applying Lessons and Resources from Student Support
(Re)defined & Completion by Design.” 2014.
Statewide Collaboration: Early & Middle College High Schools & Dual Enrollment Programs, California
Community College Chancellor’s Office. Presenter (with Jill Marks): “Dual Enrollment: National & State.” 2014.
Research and Planning (RP Group) Group for California Community Colleges, Strengthening Student Success
Conference. Presenter (with Darla Cooper, Kelley Karandjeff, & Eva Schiorring): “Student Support (Re)defined:
From research to action on your campus.” 2013.
California Community College Chancellor’s Office, Student Success & Support Program Conference,
Sacramento, CA. Presenter (with Darla Cooper): “Student Support (Re)Defined: Facilitated Student Panel – Student
Perspectives on Their Success.” 2013.
Rogéair Damone Purnell
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PRESENTATIONS – continued
California Community College Success Network, LINK VII, Berkeley, CA. Presenter (with Rob Johnstone):
“Student Support (Re)defined.” 2013.
Umoja Conference. Riverside, CA. Presenter (with Darla Cooper): “(Re)defining Student Support for Success.”
2012.
Research and Planning Group for California Community Colleges' Strengthening Student Success
conference, Orange County, CA. Presenter (with Darla Cooper): “(Re)defining Student Support for Success.” 2012.
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, Sacramento, CA. Presenter (with Joelle Gomez): “Negotiating
Across Cultures: Creating Safe Spaces.” 2011.
Research and Planning Group for California Community Colleges, Strengthening Student Success
Conference, San Francisco, CA. Presenter (with Kay Mahar): “Sharing Data Across Systems” and “Making Data
Meaningful.” 2011.
Western Region of the National Council on Black American Affairs, Fullerton, CA. Panelist: “Understanding
Development: How to Approach & Garner Resources to Support Community Colleges and Community College
Districts.” 2009.
Center for Non-Profit Success Fundraising Summit, San Francisco, CA. Panelist: “Discussion and dialogue with
Private Foundation Grantmakers.” 2009.
Community Partners, Los Angeles, CA. Panelist: “Meet the Grantmakers.” 2009.
California Community College Funders’ Group, San Francisco, CA. Co-organizer: “The impact of federal and
state budget situations on California community colleges.” 2009.
Grantmakers for Education Members’ Briefing, San Francisco, CA. Planning Committee Member: “Smoothing
the Transition from High School to Higher Education: Strategies to Promote College Success.” Panel Moderator:
“Research: What We Know About College Success.” 2008.
Strengthening Student Success conference, San Jose, CA. Panel Moderator: “Integrating Student Services with
Learning Communities in the SSPIRE Initiative.” 2007.
College Board Dream Deferred conference, Los Angeles, CA. Panelist: “The morning after Michigan: Can
community colleges enhance African-American student access to the Baccalaureate in a post-affirmative action
nation?” 2007.
Development Executives’ Roundtable, San Francisco, CA. Panelist: “The changing face of philanthropy:
Engaging communities of color in asking and giving.” 2007.
Southern California Grantmakers, Los Angeles, CA. Panelist: “Access to college: California’s crisis.” 2006.
Community College League of California, Anaheim, CA. Panelist: “Opening Doors to success for community
college students.” Annual convention, 2004.
California Community College CalWORKs Association, Berkeley, CA. Panelist: “Opening Doors: Testing
innovations in community colleges serving nontraditional students.” Northern California drive-in conference, 2004.
West Coast Meeting on the Evaluation of Community Initiatives, The Hewlett Foundation, Menlo Park, CA.
Panelist: “California Works for Better Health: Building alliances for better jobs and healthier communities.”
Sponsored by the Aspen Institute Roundtable on Community Change, 2004.
Evidence into Practice and Practice into Evidence – UK/USA, Leeds Castle, Maidstone, England. Panelist: “New
models of practitioner-based learning: Blending various evidences bases to guide a new initiative: A case study of
the California Works for Better Health Initiative.” Organized/sponsored by the Aspen Institute Roundtable on
Community Change, The Kings Fund, and The Rockefeller Foundation, 2004.
Rogéair Damone Purnell
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PRESENTATIONS – continued
CalWORKs Partnership Summit, San Diego, CA. Panelist: “Opening Doors to Self-Sufficiency: Increasing
retention in postsecondary education.” Presentation at annual conference of CalWORKs partners, 2003.
CalWORKs Partnership Conference, San Diego, CA. Panelist: “Supporting CalWORKs students at California
community college: An exploratory focus group study.” Presentation at annual conference of Cal-WORKs partners,
2002.
PAPERS AND PUBLICATIONS
Purnell, R. (2014). A guide to launching and expanding dual enrollment programs for historically underserved
students in California. Berkeley, CA: Research and Planning Group for California Community Colleges in
collaboration with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the San Joaquin Delta Community
College District, Stockton, CA.
Cooper, D., Purnell, R., Schiorring, E., Booth, K. and Karandjeff, K. (2013). Action guide: Exploring Ways to
Strengthen Student Support at Your College. Berkeley, CA: Research and Planning (RP Group) for California
Community Colleges.
Purnell, R. and Hays, B. (2013). Ensuring equitable access and success: A guide to assessing and mitigating
disproportionate impact in student success and support programs. Sacramento, CA: California Community Colleges
Chancellor’s Office.
Booth, K., Cooper, D., Karandjeff, K., Large, M., Pellegrin, N., Purnell, R., Rodriguez-Kiino, D., Schiorring, E.,
and Willett, T. (2013). Using student voices to redefine support: What community college students say institutions,
instructors and others can do to help them succeed. Berkeley, CA: The Research and Planning Group for California
Community Colleges.
Schiorring, E. and Purnell, R. (2012). Literature Review Brief: Establishing the context for an examination of
student support. Berkeley, CA: The Research and Planning Group for California Community Colleges.
Purnell, R. and Teng, S. with Warrier, S. (2012). Cultural competency in California’s domestic violence field:
Ensuring access to DV services for all Californians. Oakland, CA: RDP Consulting.
Purnell, R. and Poe, D. (2010). Oakland Workforce Investment Board: A scan of the current workforce landscape.
Oakland, CA: Oakland Workforce Investment Board.
Purnell, R. and Blank, S. with Scrivener, S. & Seupersad, R. (2004). Support success: Services that may help lowincome students succeed in community college. New York, NY: MDRC.
Nelson, L. & Purnell, R. (2003). Supporting CalWORKs students at California community colleges: An exploratory
focus group study. New York, NY: MDRC.
Interprofessional Education Consortium. (2001, December). Evaluating interprofessional education programs:
Volume II. Supported by the Stuart Foundation, San Francisco, CA.
Interprofessional Education Consortium. (2001, July). Defining the knowledge base for interprofessional education:
Volume I. Supported by the Stuart Foundation, San Francisco, CA.
Boyd, C., J., Hill, E., Holmes, C., & Purnell, R. (1998). Putting drug use in context: Life-lines of African American
women who smoke crack. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 15(3), 235-249.
Mowbray, C. T., Oyserman, D., Lutz, C., & Purnell, R. (1996). Women: The ignored majority. In L. Spaniol (Ed.),
Psychological and Social Aspects of Psychiatric Disability. Boston, MA: Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation.
Purnell, R. (1991). “Cocaine exposed babies and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS): Policy
implications for the health of African American children.” In DABSW policy paper series Vol. II: Strengthening the
African-American family. Detroit: Association of Black Social Workers.
Rogéair Damone Purnell
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HONORS AND AWARDS
45 Faces of A Better Chance, New York, NY. 2008.
Selected by A Better Chance, an organization working to increase the number of people of color who are assuming
positions of responsibility and leadership, as one of 45 prominent alumni who exemplify the organization’s mission.
MDRC Diversity Council, Oakland, CA, 2002-2004.
Elected by colleagues to serve as the regional office representative to MDRC’s Diversity Council. Also, chosen by
Council members to serve as co-chair.
Rackham Graduate School Dissertation/Thesis Grant, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 1995.
University of Michigan Substance Abuse Center Pre-Doctoral Fellow, Ann Arbor, MI, 1994–1996.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Training Grant.
Rackham Graduate School Travel Grant, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 1993.
Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Black Social Workers, Detroit, MI, 1991.
Awarded honorarium to complete a policy paper examining HIV and African-American Women for local
conference.
Teagle Foundation Scholarship, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 1990-1995.
Rackham Graduate School Merit Fellowship, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 1990-1994.
Firestone Medal for Excellence in Research for Honors Project in Education, Stanford University, Stanford,
CA, 1990.
Completed thesis examining correlates of academic achievement for African American youth entitled, “Educational
excellence, multiculturalism, and self-concept: Critical issues for African American education.”
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND BOARD MEMBERSHIPS
Youth UpRising – (www.youthuprising.org) – Board Member / Chair – (2008 – 2012)
Destiny Arts Center – (www.destinyarts.org) – Board Member – (2005 – 2010)
REFERENCES
Available upon request