Following his doctoral degree in Educational Administration at the University of Michigan in 1993, Dr. Fries became the principal of Avondale Middle School in Auburn Hills, Michigan. In 2001, Avondale Middle School became a Blue Ribbon Exemplary School under Dr. Fries’ leadership. In 2002, Dr. Fries became Deputy Superintendent of Avondale Schools where he held the positions of Special Education Director, Community Education Director and K-12 Curriculum Director. In 2007 after beginning his tenure-track professorship at EMU, Fries began an extensive research project examining the consequences of the new Michigan Merit Curriculum and its ultimate effects on high school graduation rates.