Dr. McHugh serves as the Executive Director of the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community and Faculty for the College of Arts and Sciences.  She works to create social change through critical, compassionate and creative partnerships that address local injustices and inequities.  She has worked for more than two decades on community engagement, restorative justice, and other initiatives.

Mr. Stanley Earley serves as the Director of the Urban Research Initiative. Mr. Earley previously worked for Prince George’s County in the Office of Management and Budget from 1996 to 2003, rising to the Director position, then Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Budget, Finance, and Administration for Prince George’s County. Mr. Earley later returned to Dayton, Ohio, to become the Assistant City Manager, eventually becoming Deputy City Manager. In early 2016, Mr. Earley became the Chief Budget Officer for Howard University. In 2017, Mr. Earley returned to Prince George’s to again serve as Director of the Office of Management & Budget. 

Ms. Ndeye Thiome serves as the Urban Research Initiative Graduate Assistant 2025-2026. Ms.Thiome recently obtained her Masters of Public Administration from the University Of Dayton. With a deep understanding of political systems and excellent researching and community engagement skills, she has leveraged her knowledge and skills to drive positive change on a local & global scale. 

Ms. Jomantas served as the Director of the Urban Research Initiative.  She has worked for more than three decades in education, human services, behavioral health, housing development and nonprofit and public administration. She completed planning projects and training across Ohio and has presented at national conferences. She is the primary or co-author of $120 million in grants, awards, plans and contracts. 

Ms. Kayla Lenahan was an intern for the Urban Research Initiative. She graduated the University of Dayton with a Bachelors in Accounting and a Non-Profit and Community Leadership certificate in December 2022 and a UD's Masters of Professional Accountancy Program, in December 2023. She had been involved with the Fitz Center from summer 2020 as an AmeriCorps member, and then as the AmeriCorps Liaison for UD Community Corps through Spring 2022.

Ms. Alexandra Cline was an Urban Research Initiative Graduate Assistant. She finished her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in December 2023. She then earned her UDs Master of Public Administration (MPA) in December of 2024. Ms.Cline was an active member in the UD community with many notable involvements including the Residential Housing Association (RHA) for 4 years and student relations coordinator for The Ethos Center.