Director, REL Appalachia,
Dr. Patricia Kannapel

Director, REL Appalachia, Dr. Patricia Kannapel

As director, Dr. Patricia J. Kannapel leads the development of research studies and plans and executes technical assistance and dissemination activities to meet education needs in the REL Appalachia region. Prior to becoming director, Kannapel served the REL as a senior research scientist and as alliance coordinator of its Kentucky College and Career Readiness Alliance (KyCCRA).

Kannapel possesses more than 25 years of experience conducting qualitative research on K-12 school improvement projects. She has acted as lead researcher on numerous projects in Kentucky, and served as a research team member on large-scale research projects across the United States. She also has been an adjunct faculty member at Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY.

Kannapel received her M.Ed. from the University of Louisville and M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky.