The Merze Tate Grant and Innovation Center serves as a strategic hub for advancing research, fostering innovation, and supporting the pursuit of external funding within Western Michigan University’s College of Education and Human Development. The Center is dedicated to empowering faculty, staff, and students through comprehensive support in grant development, collaborative research initiatives, and the cultivation of innovative projects that enhance educational practice and human development. By facilitating partnerships and promoting scholarly excellence, the Center plays a vital role in driving the college’s mission and expanding its impact locally, nationally, and globally.
Mission
The Tate Grant and Innovation Center is committed to promoting research, innovation, and grant and contract acquisition in the College of Education and Human Development at Western Michigan University by:
- Proposing initiatives, developing policies and helping administer policies regarding the center’s mission.
- Providing recognition to those who excel in research, innovation, and grant and contract acquisition.
- Providing funds to facilitate research and grant writing.
- Facilitating connections with external partners.
- Developing and disseminating materials related to the college’s research, innovation, and grant and contract acquisition.
Vision
To become the research and development arm of the college widely recognized by both internal and external stakeholders.
In the news
Tate Center Internal Grant Recipients
Advisory Committee
The following advisory committee members for the Tate Grant and Innovation Center at Western Michigan University come from different areas within the university.
Dr. Stephanie Burns
Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology
Sept. 1, 2024 – Aug. 31, 2027
Dr. Regina Garza Mitchell
Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology
Sept. 1, 2024 – Aug. 31, 2027
Dr. Wendy O'Connor
Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies
Sept. 1, 2025 – Aug. 31, 2028
Dr. Meredith Reinhart
Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies
Sept. 1, 2025 – Aug. 31, 2028
Dr. Jianping Shen
Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology (Frostic Endowed Chair)
Ex Officio
Ms. Denise Wheatley
Office of Research and Innovation (Associate Director, Research and Sponsored Programs)
Ex Officio
Ms. Meghan Wilkinson
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Sept. 1, 2025 – Aug. 31, 2028
Dr. Jiabei Zhang
Department of Human Performance and Health Education
Sept. 1, 2024 – Aug. 31, 2027
Policies + Forms
Research Centers
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy provides a forum for quality, evidence-based research with sound scholarship, knowledge, skills and best practices from the field for scholars, clinicians, policymakers, educators, program administrators and family advocates.
McGinnis Reading Center
The clinic provides individualized, evidence-based reading and writing instruction for K–8 students, supports future educators through supervised practicum experiences, accepts school and family referrals, and offers affordable, high-quality services led by trained professionals in a structured, diagnostic clinical setting.