Meggs to lead Women + Girls Research Alliance

February 26, 2020
Categories: Faculty/Staff Tags: Academic Affairs, Faculty and Staff News

Michelle Meggs is the new executive director of the Women + Girls Research Alliance (W+GRA), an organization that works collaboratively with faculty, students and the community to provide opportunities for research and education on policy issues affecting women.

Meggs, whose diverse background includes work in academia, the nonprofit sector and ministry, envisions the W+GRA becoming the place for scholars across the state and nation to come together to advance gender equity and social mobility.

“I believe research should have legs. The objective of the Women + Girls Research Alliance is to share research and put that research to work by empowering local leaders to carry on this work to make a lasting impact,” Meggs said.

As W+GRA executive director, Meggs seeks to connect community organizations doing work on the ground with University researchers whose work relates to women’s health, economic security, employment, civic and political engagement and violence against women.

“Our partnership with W+GRA is critical as it lends evidence-based information for so many girl-focused organizations. It helps us make a stronger case that investing in girls builds stronger families, a stronger workforce and stronger, more inclusive communities,” said Angela Woods, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council. “Dr. Meggs brings an exceptional background that is steeped in research, community partnerships and advocacy. I look forward to her leadership.”

Meggs holds a Doctor of Arts in Humanities with a concentration in Africana Women’s Studies from Clark Atlanta University and a Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University. Her bachelor’s degree is from Johnson C. Smith University.

The Women + Girls Research Alliance was founded in 2006 as a community-based organization and integrated into UNC Charlotte in 2010 to provide greater access to faculty researchers.

Registration is open for the VISION 2020: Women + Girls Research Alliance Research and Education Symposium to be held April 15 at UNC Charlotte.