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Our Team

Meet the team of researchers, coaches, and collaborators from the REACH Lab at the University of Minnesota Extension, united by one goal - supporting and uplifting the WIC workforce across the country. Through research, training, and hands-on partnership, the team helps WIC staff grow, thrive, and continue making a difference for women, infants, and children.

WIC clinic staff provides nutrition education to participants at a Chickasaw Nation clinic.

About the Center

The WIC Technical Assistance and Peer Coaching (TAPC) Center is led by the Center for Research and Outreach (REACH Lab) within University of Minnesota Extension.

The REACH Center utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach integrating both Research and Outreach to support those who work with and on behalf of children, youth, and families. Through our three-fold approach, we provide empirical research that identifies and addresses key issues impacting children, youth, and families and the programs that serve them, and offer outreach and professional development through online resources.

Learn more about the historical and ongoing work at the Center for Research and Outreach (REACH).

Meet Our Team

Headshot of Mark Otto.
Mark Otto, MPA
Mark serves as the principal investigator of the WIC TAPC Center, he provides strategic leadership and oversight to all aspects of the project and coordinates efforts across the broader WIC Workforce Development Initiative and with federal partners at USDA.
Headshot of Heidi Fahning.
Heidi Fahning, PhD
Heidi is a co-PI on the WIC grant supporting the WIC TAPC Center. She provides direct supervision for the WIC TAPC Center staff and provides strategic guidance and oversight on TAPC projects.
Headshot of Lynne Borden.
Lynne Borden, PhD
Lynne is the associate dean for research and engagement for the University of Minnesota Extension and director of the REACH Lab operating the WIC TAPC Center. As a co-PI on the WIC grant supporting this work, she provides oversight and operational guidance for the project.
Headshot of Amanda Corbett.
Amanda Corbett, MPH
Amanda is a research and evaluation associate with the WIC TAPC Center. She coordinates the recruitment and engagement of Advisory Committee members and Subject Matter Experts, and researches promising practices for integrating coaches into staffing models and training materials.
Headshot of Serena Armstrong.
Serena Armstrong, MA
Serena is the technical assistance lead for the REACH Lab at the University of Minnesota Extension. Through the WIC TAPC Center, Serena leads the development and maintenance of the coaching portal, support WIC sites with coaching resources and evaluation materials, and assess both current and potential platforms, formats, and delivery methods for training WIC staff.

WIC TAPC Center 

Strengthening and supporting the WIC workforce through innovative training and coaching practices. 

Led by the University of Minnesota's Center for Research and Outreach (REACH Lab)

This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, project award no. 2024-39594-43816.

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