Dr. Francesca Adler-Baeder
Principal Investigator/Project Director of AHMREI
Dr. Francesca Adler-Baeder is the AU Alumni Professor of Human Development and Family Science at Auburn University in Alabama and directs the long-running, statewide Alabama Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education Initiative, a university-community partnership. Her scholarly work is translational in nature and centers on the understanding and promotion of optimal relationship health, interpersonal competence, and family and individual resilience, with special emphasis on the experiences of racially and economically diverse couples, more vulnerable adults and youth, and structurally complex families. Dr. Adler-Baeder has worked for over two decades in the active bridging of research and practice in Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education (HMRE) through program design, curriculum and resource development, capacity-building with community partners, participatory research, and rigorous efficacy trials. She has guided hundreds of students in basic and applied research methods, facilitated new professionals’ launch of HMRE initiatives in other states, and published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and technical reports, mostly on the practice and results of relationship education for diverse populations. Her body of work in relationship education science is recognized nationally and internationally and recent awards include the AU Creative Research and Scholarship Award, the AU Faculty Outreach Award, National Council on Family Relations Fellow, Auburn University’s Distinguished Diversity Researcher, and the Association for Public and Land-Grant Universities’ Outstanding Faculty Engagement Award.
Dr. Julianne McGill
Co-Investigator/Project Manager of AHMREI
Julianne McGill, Ph.D., is an Associate Clinical Professor in Human Development and Family Science at Auburn University and the Co-Principal Investigator and Project Manager for both the Alabama Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education (AHMRE) Project and Alabama Youth Relationship Education (AYRE Project). She is a Certified Family Life Educator and is the co-author of the Couples Connecting Mindfully relationship education curriculum. Involved in the projects since 2009, she now provides day-to-day project management and directs the logistics necessary to implement all programmatic components, as well as rigorous evaluation, performance measurement, and continuous quality improvement procedures. Dr. McGill utilizes a prevention science approach to study community-based education focused on supporting healthy relationships through mindfulness and skill-based programs. She lives in Opelika, Alabama with her husband Tyler, their daughters Amelia and Tennant Lane, and their wiener dog Wylee.
Staff
Kaitlynn Adams
Program Coordinator of AYRE & AHMRE Facilitator
Kaitlynn Adams, B.S., serves as the Program Coordinator for the Alabama Youth Relationship Education Project (AYRE). She graduated from Auburn University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences and a minor in Psychological Sciences. Kaitlynn began her work with AHMREI as an undergraduate intern and has continued with the project ever since! In her role, she supports the AYRE team by developing and maintaining partnerships with participating high schools at the Lee County site and oversees program scheduling, implementation, and quality to ensure fidelity to the AYRE model. She also trains new AYRE facilitators and works closely with Auburn University service-learning students to provide training and oversee their scheduling and program delivery. She also facilitate classes through the Alabama Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education (AHMRE) project, providing adults with practical tools and skills to build healthy, strong, and lasting relationships. Kaitlynn currently resides in Tallassee, Alabama, with her husband, Austin, and their two dogs, Sadie Mae and Gus.
Leah Burke
Data Manager of AHMRE
Leah Burke, M.S., serves as the Data Manager for the Alabama Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education Project. She graduated from Auburn University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies and in 2015 with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. She enjoys working with couples and families to build both personal and relationship skills. Previously, she worked with AHMREI as both an undergraduate practicum student and a graduate research assistant. She lives in Starkville, MS with her husband and three children.
Dr. Kevin Gross
Evaluation Coordinator
Dr. Kevin Gross is a Research Associate with the Alabama Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education Initiative (AHMREI). He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and supports the initiative through research, evaluation, data-driven decision-making, and the management of day-to-day data collection and reporting efforts for the AYRE and AHMRE projects. His professional interests include strengthening families and relationships through evidence-based programs and community-focused research. Kevin lives in Auburn with his wife, Sharon, and their fur babies, Sybil, Phineas, and Isabella.
Dejah Perrier
Data Manager for AYRE
Déjah Perrier, B.S., serves as the Data Manager for the Alabama Youth Relationship Education (AYRE) Project. She earned a bachelor’s degree in human development and Family Studies from Auburn University in 2018. In her role, Déjah oversees project data management and provides technical assistance to implementation partners, educators, and project staff across the state. She supports data collection efforts in schools and offers guidance related to participant enrollment, AYRE Numbers, the AYRE Portal, surveys, reporting requirements, and data quality. In addition to her work with AYRE, Déjah assists with recruitment, marketing, and other project needs for the Alabama Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education (AHMRE) Project. She enjoys helping partners navigate project processes and ensuring data is accurate, complete, and useful for program reporting and evaluation. Déjah lives in Smiths Station, Alabama, with her husband and their two fur babies, Jaxx and Piper.
Tonya Rogers
Partner/Site Coordinator for AHMRE
Tonya Rogers, MS, CFLE, FDC is the Partner/Site Coordinator for the Alabama Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education Project and has worked with the project since 2007. She earned her Master’s Degree from Troy University and her Family Development Credential from the University of Alabama. Tonya registers participants, facilitates classes, and provides case management as needed through the adult project. She also enjoys working with Community Partners through both projects and with AHMRE Partners at Family Resources Centers around the state. Tonya, her husband, and their boys reside in Tallassee with several 4-legged friends.
Brad Thomas
Site/Partnership Coordinator of AYRE & AHMRE Program Engagement Specialist
Brad, B.S., is the Youth Site/Partnership Coordinator for the Alabama Youth Relationship Education (AYRE) Project. He obtained a bachelor’s degree from Lee University in 2006. He has worked with the project since 2012. Brad registers participants, assists with the Near Peer program, and facilitates classes. He is responsible for coordinating and supporting the implementation of youth relationship education programs across multiple community partner sites. He lives in Lanett, AL with his wife, PJ, and their 3 kids.
Teresa Sellers
Financial Manager of AHMRE & AYRE
Teresa serves as the Financial Manager for the Alabama Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education Initiative (AHMREI) and the Alabama Youth Relationship Education (AYRE) Project. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in 2003 and has been a member of the project team since 2007. Teresa resides in Auburn, Alabama, with her husband and their three children.Graduate Research Assistants
Lindsey Gump
Graduate Research Assistant
Lindsey is a School Counseling Master’s student at Auburn University and a Graduate Research Assistant for the Alabama Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education project. She got involved with the project in January of 2025 as a service-learning student, next as an intern, and now, a GRA! Lindsey obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Science in May of 2026 and loves all things HDFS. She helps train new Near Peers, facilitates and observes in the high schools, and acts as a support person for Elevate classes. Lindsey enjoys spending time at her church, rock climbing and being active, dialing in new coffee beans on her espresso machine, and spending quality time with her loved ones.