Our Experience

Merit Research was established in 2000 by Suzy McCausland and Cindy Friesen. Brittany Sale joined Merit Research in 2005 broadening our data collection and report writing processes adding a personal prospective of service-learning. Larry Fletch joined Merit Research in 2007 to expand our training and technical assistance capability. We became part of the 501(c)3 non-profit Merit Partners in 2007 and continue the research and training component of our work with Merit Partners as the Merit Research Institute.

Professional Staff

Suzy G. McCausland, Director of Research. Merit’s Senior Researcher, Suzy McCausland, began work in evaluation and assessment at Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory in 1985. She was Director of Program Development and Evaluation for Educational Service District 112, an agency with an annual rate of business of over $30 million, before founding Merit Research. Suzy has a doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies and a master’s degree in Education.

Cindy J. W. Friesen, Manager. Cindy’s strength is in supporting clients as an “in-house” evaluator to develop data-collection tools, manage databases, write reports, and ensure that programs meet the requirements of state and federal grantors. In this work, Cindy’s degree in Communications and her strong analytical and computer skills help programs effectively manage data and present findings. Cindy manages the flow of our work and business affairs.

Larry C. Fletch, Director of Training. Larry is a nationally recognized presenter, trainer, and author with a focus on Service-Learning, Civic Engagement, Community Action, Student Engagement, and the Civic Mission of Schools. Publications include The Roadmap to Civic Engagement, Testing for All Walks: Standards Based v. Standardized Testing, A Call to Action: Civic Engagement and Service-Learning, a series of six High Impact Project Manuals, and a number of training workbooks and planning resources.

Brittany E. Sale, Researcher. Brittany joined Merit in 2005 after serving a year in AmeriCorps helping plan and facilitate Service-Learning projects in a local school district. As part of an honor’s Bachelor’s degree in psychology Brittany completed an original thesis that she presented at the 2004 Western Psychological Association Conference. She has experience working directly with high-risk children and teenagers, and has advanced training in database development and statistical analysis software programs.

E-mail us at info@meritresearch.org or visit our contact page to schedule an initial meeting to discuss your program.