Shelly Coles, joined the staff of the National Institute for Literacy in February 1998. She is the Program Staff Assistant for the Learning Disabilities Project - Bridges to Practice and The Partnership For Reading. In this capacity, Ms. Coles assists the Program Directors in administering and managing their programs and contracts. Ms. Coles has worked in both the federal government and private sector, having held positions with the U.S. Department of State, National Research Council and the National Governors' Association.