Mary A. Trankel, Ph.D.
Professional Resume

Education
The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana:
Ph.D. in Sociology, June 1991.  Graduate GPA 3.83.  Areas of concentration during Ph.D. work: Criminology; Applied Research; Social Psychology; Complex Organizations.
M.A. in Sociology, concentration in Criminal Justice, Dec 1987.
Carroll College, Helena, Montana:
B.A. in Sociology, with minor in Criminal Justice, June 1980. Magna cum laude, GPA 3.79.

Skill Set
I have a strong and diverse background in research, writing, editing, and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data. Strengths include analytical skills and the ability to research and write about new concepts very quickly—summarizing technical information in non-technical terms without changing its essential meaning. I learn new technical skills and software programs very quickly, and constantly strive to challenge my own learning potential. I have used multiple database, spreadsheet and statistical software programs to create technical reports, charts, graphs and presentations. Successful completion of these tasks requires strong skills in mathematical reasoning, problem solving, planning, decision-making, and consistent attention to detail.

The wide variety of consulting activities I have completed attests to my flexibility and the speed with which I can acquire new technical skills and knowledge. These experiences have helped me hone my ability to work as a team member, manage conflict effectively, and maintain effectiveness under pressure. During a five-year contract for a statewide evaluation of child abuse prevention programs in Montana, I hired and supervised over 40 employees, and provided individual, classroom and telephone-based training and technical assistance to multiple clients. Teaching experience includes college-level courses in sociology, social psychology, criminology, and research methodology. My extracurricular activities include 20 years as a ballroom dance instructor. These activities have helped me refine my oral communications and interpersonal skills, as well as my ability to analyze problems and change my presentation approach on-the-fly in order to clearly explain complex topics to individuals and groups with divergent learning styles.

I have over 10 years of experience creating relational database management systems for government, non-profit and business clients, and have written multiple training manuals. These systems include interactive reports based on complex SQL query statements that run automatically so that clients can create graphical user-friendly reports at the click of a button.

I have a passion for technology, and continually read technical bulletins and teach myself new technical skills by reading and applying the information from reference and training manuals. Through this type of self-motivation and initiative I created static and database-driven Web sites with Macromedia Dreamweaver; created and modified graphics and photographs using Adobe PhotoShop and Adobe Illustrator; developed brochures and flyers using Microsoft Publisher; and developed e-learning materials using Cold Fusion and Flash. I administer my own local area computer network (LAN) and virtual Web server.

As a result of my background in criminology and three previous jobs in the criminal justice system, I have successfully passed criminal background checks as well as personality profile tests.

Advanced Capabilities:
Quantitative (statistical) analysis
Qualitative (text-based) analysis
SPSS – Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
Research Methods, including Program and Organization Evaluations
Relational Database Programming & Design Concepts
MS Access - Relational Database and VisualBasic
PHP Web development using MySql Database
Paradox for Windows - Relational Database
MS Visual FoxPro – Relational Database
MS Word – Word Processing
MS PowerPoint
MS Outlook
MS Outlook Express
MS Publisher – desktop publishing
Excel - Spreadsheet
WordPerfect and WordPerfect Office 2000 Professional
QuattroPro Spreadsheet
Macromedia Dreamweaver and Allaire HomeSite– HTML/Web Site Design
Macromedia Dreamweaver MX and Macromedia HomeSite+ – database driven Web applications
Adobe PhotoShop and Illustrator – Photo/Graphics Editing and Design
Adobe Acrobat – creation of PDF documents
Crystal Reports – advanced courses through New Horizons Computer Learning Center (Dec 2001)
Peachtree Complete - Accounting Program
University programming courses in Java, Basic, Unix, and Oracle
Self-study and use of Red Hat Linux on my own operating system
Experience with IBM AIX and Unix servers in an enterprise level organization
MS Windows 3.x
MS Windows 95
MS Windows 98
MS Windows 2000

• Developed text graphics, informational brochures, business cards, and Web site pages and graphics for Skyline Recording Studio, Mullan Meadows Assisted Living Center, and Health Habits.
• Web site and e-commerce development for the Western Montana Fair, including a shopping cart system that allowed users to purchase fair and concert tickets online.
• Web site development and writing/editing content of Web pages for Decorative Industrial Plating in Helena, Montana.
• Conducted Internet research, competitive market analyses, and survey research.
• Developed relational database programs.
• Five-year statewide evaluation of child abuse prevention programs in Montana.
• Conducted community surveys in MT, ID, and WY regarding death & dying issues.
• Conducted community assessment survey for public service recipients.
• Statistical analysis, report writing and proposal writing.
• Needs assessment surveys and feasibility studies.
• Region-wide evaluation of administration services within the USDA Forest Service (Region 1).
• Program evaluation of two sex offender treatment programs.
• Data analysis for Intravenous Drug User Education Project and co-authoring professional paper.
• Program evaluation of a jobs training program for recipients of AFDC.
• Statistical analysis of Loan Portfolio for new businesses.
• Conducted change of venue surveys for court trials.
• Conducted market surveys for profit & nonprofit businesses.
• Developed and presented specialized workshops on diverse training topics, including group dynamics and computer technical skills.

Client List

• Triple-I of Colorado, Inc.
• Decorative Industrial Plating, a metal finishing business in Helena, Montana (letter of recommendation)
• Skyline Recording Studios, Missoula, Montana
• Clayton Floyd Insurance Agency, an independent agency in Missoula, Montana
• Community Youth Justice Council, Great Falls, Montana
• Family Support Network, Billings, Montana
• Cascade County Health Department, Great Falls, Montana
• Hi-Line Home Programs, Inc., Glasgow and Sidney, Montana
• Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services, Child & Family Services Division, statewide evaluation of child abuse prevention programs (letter of recommendation)
• Missoula Demonstration Project, Quality of Life's End (letters of recommendation from Dr. Ira Byock and Dr. Kaye Norris)
• Child & Family Advocacy Center, Blackfeet Reservation, Montana
• Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Nation
• Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation
• Department of Social Work, The University of Montana
• Montana Association of Area Agencies on Aging
• Rural Institute on Disabilities, The University of Montana
• USDA Forest Services, Region I, Administrative Services Division
• Pine Hills Youth Correction Facility in Miles City, Montana
• Missoula City-County Health Department
• Options Unlimited, sponsored by Women's Opportunity Resource Development
• Women's Economic Development Group (WEDGO)
• Missoula Community Business Incubator (MCBI)
• Blaine County Jail, Chinook, Montana (jail feasibility study)
• Missoula City-County Public Library (user needs assessment study)
• Elderphone Project of the Department of Aging Services
• Missoula Housing Authority

Previous Work History
Licensed Private Investigator in the State of Montana, 1986-1994. One year for a local Private Investigation Agency, then self-employed d/b/a Trankel Research & Investigations.
Missoula Life Skills Pre-Release Center, Missoula, MT, 1982-1983. Corrections Counselor at a halfway house helping inmates from the State Prison develop a parole plan.
Boulder County Sheriff's Department, Boulder, CO, 1981. Deputy Sheriff, Boulder County Jail.

Teaching Experience
THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA, Missoula, Montana:
January 1991 through June 1991:
Adjunct Professor:  Group Process and Applied Social Research, Social Work Dept, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812.
September 1984 through June 1988:
Teaching Assistant, UM Sociology Department: Principles of Sociology, Social Problems, and Sociology of Deviance.  Tutored students in Social Statistics and Business Statistics.
SALISH-KOOTENAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Pablo, Montana:
Fall 1986 and Spring 1987:
Visiting Professor:  Developmental Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, and Social Psychology.

Achievements and Honors
Twice awarded Bertha Morton Scholarship for outstanding graduate work:  in 1986 and 1988.  Receipt of this award placed me in the top 5% of all graduate students at The University of Montana.
Received Award of Excellence for a professional paper presented at The University of Montana's "Graduate Development Day Conference," Missoula, Montana, April 1987.
Presented Professional Paper, Pacific Sociological Assn Conference in Las Vegas, NV, April 1987.

Publications and Papers
1999 "Black and White and Shades of Gray: A Portrait of the Ethical Professor," Ethics and Behavior, 9(3), pp. 243-261, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc., Mahwah, New Jersey.

1996-1998 Technical Assistance Briefs: Developing a Sound Program Evaluation, Program Evaluation Components, Planning Overview for Evaluating Home Visitation Efforts, Definitions of Research Terms, Developing a Survey Instrument, Techniques to Increase Survey Response Rates, Commonly Asked Questions About Research Procedures, Sample Evaluation Plan.

1998 Key contributor, Healthy Families America "Community Planning and Site Development Guide," a technical manual on comprehensive outcome evaluations for child abuse prevention programs.

1991 "Examination of Empowerment and Rape Myth Acceptance Among Male Adolescents in a Sex Offender Treatment Program," doctoral dissertation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.

1991 "AIDS Education for Rural IV Drug Users in Montana," by Mary Birch and Mary Trankel, Human Services in the Rural Environment, Autumn 15 (2), Eastern Washington University Journal, Cheney, WA.

1988 "Women in Law Enforcement," a research study involving in-depth interviews with female and male police officers, sheriff deputies, highway patrol, and probation officers in Montana.

1988 "Differences in Aggressiveness Between Female and Male Lead Characters in Television Crime Dramas," by Trankel, Summers, Fowler and Buskirk. Currently under review for publication.

1987 "A Content Analysis of Aggression Performed By Lead Characters in Prime-Time Crime Dramas," by Trankel, Summers, Fowler and Buskirk, professional paper presented at the Pacific Sociological Association Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada in April 1987.

1987 "A Behavioral Inventory for Identifying Types of Aggression," professional paper, Graduate Development Day Conference, The University of MT, Missoula, April 1987. Award for "best use of theory."
1985 "Intergenerational Transmission of Values: A Data-Based Reassessment," by McBroom, Reed, Burns, Hargraves and Trankel, Social Psychology Quarterly, Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 150-161.

1980 "Emotional Stresses of Childhood and Adolescence as a Basis for Future Coping Efficacy," undergraduate honors thesis, Carroll College Library Document, Helena, Montana.