World Campus Education Doctorate Students Fall 2023
Profile
Tina Brackett-Wood
Tina is a Doctor of Education Student. She received a B.S. in Psychology at Northwest Missouri State University. She also received a B.A. in Sociology and M.S. in Educational Administration Higher Education at Fort Hays State University. Tina has 20 years of experience in Higher Education and currently works at Penn State Brandywine. Her interests in Higher Education include retention, marginalized student groups, transitioning to college, and faculty relationships with students and staff.
Profile
Justin Walker
Justin Walker, a distinguished leader in the realms of information technology and creative services, is renowned for his commitment to leveraging technology as a force for societal change and for creating opportunities for historically marginalized groups. With a career spanning nearly 15 years, he has dedicated his expertise to the integration and advancement of technology within Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and various non-profit organizations across the nation.
Justin is passionately devoted to assisting organizations in effectively managing and expanding their technological capabilities. His discerning insights, innovative ideas, and unique problem-solving approach make him a valuable asset. A Saginaw, Michigan native, he presently serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida. In this role, he oversees the University's Office of Technology and Information Services (OTIS) and Office of Creative Services (OCS).
Justin got his start in the tech world at an early age, working with his uncle who taught him how to repair and rebuild computers in his home-based shop. This experience paved the way for his participation in his high school FIRST Robotics Team. Over the years, he honed his skills in web development, graphic design, and coding, using them to support his undergraduate studies at Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with high honors. Subsequently, Justin earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration with dual emphases in Healthcare Administration and Non-Profit Performance Management from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, while serving as the Communications Project and Technical Specialist at his Alma Mater.
Justin stands as a multifaceted technology and media executive, actively participating in professional associations such as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), The HighEdWeb Association, Educause, The Graphic Artists Guild of America, and the HTML Writers Guild. He also holds numerous certifications from Qualys, Google, Microsoft, in addition to an Ethical and Inclusive Leadership Certificate from the Muma College of Business at the University of Southern Florida.
At the core of Justin's research passion lies the ambition to bridge the tech-equity gap for underserved and disenfranchised communities. His mission is to provide exposure and hands-on experience to individuals from diverse backgrounds. By doing so, he envisions technology evolving from a luxury that is financially out of reach and unfamiliar to many, into a catalyst that empowers individuals and entire communities. His efforts particularly target domains such as education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.
Profile
Jodi Oberfoell Harris
Jodi Oberfoell Harris the Senior Director for Organizational Effectiveness at Pennsylvania State University within Outreach and Online Education. Her team facilitates organizational effectiveness by engaging with partners and leveraging data to inform decisions, measure outcomes, and optimize strategy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Coe College and a master’s degree in Sociology from Ohio State University.
Jodi has over 20 years of experience in educational data analytics, including time spent in K-12, higher education, and a state-level position. Her early career in higher education was primarily focused on institutional research in various institutions, including a community college, a PASSHE school, and an HBCU. She also spent a decade in K-12 education analytics, working with teachers and administrators to leverage data to make progress toward the No Child Left Behind Adequate Yearly Progress goals and designing district and school performance metrics for the Ohio Department of Education. During this time, Jodi realized her role was not only to be a data expert but also an agent of change as she influenced district administrators and teachers to act upon the analytics and insight she provided.
As Jodi transitioned back to higher education at Penn State, she brought a drive to make data meaningful and influence others to act. In her current role, she collaborates with leadership to use insight from the analytics her team creates to recommend actions and improve student outcomes. Jodi’s research interests focus on the intersection of institutional research (IR) and organization development and change (OD&C) and how data leaders can serve in the role of a change agent by leveraging OD&C theories and practices to influence actions.
Profile
Amelia Drexford
Amelia Drexford received her B.S. in Psychology (Neuroscience) as well as her M.Ed. in Higher Education from Penn State University and has background in higher education and intercollegiate athletics. She has previously served as the Associate Director for NCAA Athletics Compliance at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and has been working in the same role at Penn State since 2021. Her research interests include student development, and specifically student-athlete development and the gap between identity development for student-athletes compared to their peers. Her professional goals include working in athletics administration, but also developing programs thank help integrate meaningful opportunities for growth and identity development for student-athletes in Division I programs. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, gardening, and spending time with her husband and two cats.
Profile
Khadyajah Jenkins
Khadyajah Jenkins is a profound and highly admired educator, scholar, intentional storyteller, influential keynote speaker, and innovative change maker. With her educational background in Agriculture, Teaching, and Intimacy she has learned how to have an empathic approach to cultivating and fostering community in both physical and digital spaces.
Most of her community-oriented storytelling and work is rooted in awareness and life experiences from her academic and professional journey.
Khadyajah is currently enrolled into Penn State Doctor of Education Program studying the intersection between education, community, and our lived experience. Her mission to be a heartfelt and empathic research scientist at the intersection of advocacy, community, education, inclusivity, social justice, and the overall well-being and harmony of all.
Beyond everything, Khadyajah teaches us to step out of fear, shamelessly share our stories, and fall deeply in love with this wild ride we call life!
Profile
Julian Morales
Julian Morales is the current Director of Local Government and Community Relations at Penn State's Office of Government and Community Relations and holds a Master of Education in Higher Education and Leadership. In his role, Morales will direct the efforts of Penn State to coordinate and collaborate with Centre Region-based local government agencies and officials, community-based organizations and constituencies, and local businesses and business associations to promote mutually beneficial outcomes on University and community initiatives.
Starting his career as a football coach at Wilkes University, his alma mater, he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration and an MBA in Marketing. Morales joined Penn State in 2015, where he has held several positions, including director of admissions for Penn State Law and director of operations in the College of Education. During his time with Penn State Law, Morales provided leadership and supervision for recruitment, communications, diversity, programming and events processes, including overseeing recruitment staff and implementing communication plans. Additionally, Morales supervised online programming and supported diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the admissions process, making recommendations for policy changes and contributing to the office’s strategic plans.
With a total of 18 years of higher education experience, he continues his passion for intercollegiate athletics by volunteering with the Penn State Athletic Director's Leadership Institute. He current lives in State College with his wife and two children.
Profile
Meeghan Hollis
My name is Meeghan (Mee-gan), my pronouns are she/her/hers, and I am a first-generation college graduate from Penn State with a B.S. focused on Biology and Psychology. I earned my Master of Education from Edinboro University and am now on this journey with each of you. I am interested in the intersections between education, community, and flourishing. I believe education can play an incredible role in helping individuals discover how to live their best lives and I want to be a part of advancing that work.
I am deeply connected to the communities I am apart of and look forward to meeting new people and building bridges among the communities we share. I enjoy spending time with my family including three kiddos (15, 12, and 9). I have been a steadfast part of the rock climbing community since the early 2000s and love to cook and break bread with others. Nature is a constant source of energy for me, and I spend a lot of time outdoors.
Profile
Brenda Martinez
Brenda Martinez received her B.A. in International Affairs from Trinity University in Washington D.C. and her Master’s in Higher Education from The Pennsylvania State University. Aligned with the work within her current role in the Office of Education & Social Equity in the College of Education, her research interests are in pre-college programming and its impacts on students’ college experience, specifically for traditionally underrepresented/marginalized populations. Additionally, she is interested in exploring the critical need for DEIB spaces, specifically within PWI’s (Predominantly White Institutions), and their impact on students.
Profile
Mike Posey
Mike Posey is an active-duty officer in the U.S. Navy and a DEd student at Penn State’s World Campus. Currently, he instructs graduate students (senior military officers and civilian equivalents) at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA. As an Assistant Professor in the Department of Military Strategy, Planning, and Operations, he teaches Military Strategy and Campaigning, Advanced Joint Warfighting, East Asia Studies, and Influence and Information Advantage courses. Previously, Mike taught at the Joint Forces Staff College as an Assistant Professor of Information Operations. As a Naval Flight Officer, Mike deployed seven times to support combat and presence operations and has flown over 2300 hours in the E-2C Hawkeye, the carrier-based “Eyes of the Fleet,” and the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
Mike holds a B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University, an MBA from the University of Florida, and master’s degrees from the Air Command and Staff College and the Army War College. He also holds graduate certificates from the Naval Postgraduate School in Information Systems and Operations and Artificial Intelligence for Military Use and a graduate certificate in International Relations from Salve Regina University. Additionally, he was part of the 2022-2023 PA Educational Policy Fellowship Program cohort.
His research interests include how to educate adults through experiential learning and how to educate military officers through various synchronous and asynchronous means and instructional techniques. He is part of the U.S. Army War College teaching team running a pilot program, the “Blended Education Program” (BEP), which offers in-residence credit to military students who cannot move to Carlisle because of exceptional family circumstances. At Penn State, he will research how the Army and other services can best leverage blending the best of face-to-face instruction with collaborative educational technology to provide professional military education for military officers through programs like the BEP.
Mike’s hometown is Mountain View, CA. He is married (Carrie) and has two fantastic children. He loves paddleboarding, strumming his ukulele, and spending time with his family and war college colleagues. He loves audiobooks because he can listen to them while he walks his two dogs.
Profile
Justin Kimble
Justin Kimble is a current active-duty U.S. Army soldier who has earned a Regents Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in History from West Virginia University (WVU) as well as a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from WVU. His research interests include first-generation and non-traditional students and student veterans transitioning to higher learning and their overall success. These interests are attributed to his own experiences in all three realms and the pressing need to explore and understand the factors that influence others' academic transition and subsequent success in higher learning environments, with the goal of informing institutional strategies and interventions.
He has served on active duty in the Army for almost seventeen years, with the first eight years as an 11B Infantryman and three deployments overseas supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Dawn. For the past eight years, he has worked within Army recruiting operations, supporting the recruitment, assessment, and processing of individuals seeking to serve in the U.S. Army. He is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue his education even further through the Penn State World Campus Doctor of Education program.
The D.Ed. program aligns with his future plans of retiring from the Army in the next three years and then entering the higher education profession to assist others and promote positive change throughout the post-secondary education landscape.
Profile
Chelsea Miller
Chelsea Miller received a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration and Policies, with a concentration in Dental Hygiene from Pennsylvania College of Technology, and then completed her Master of Education in Workforce Education through Penn State University. Additionally, Chelsea has her Cooperative Education Certification, and is pursuing her Career and Technical Education Administration Certification. She is a CTE teacher in Dental Assisting and is a Dental Hygienist. Chelsea started the dental assisting program on her own at her local Career and Technical Education Highschool. Her path to the education field has been unique, but she has a passion for the field. Her research interests include school safety
Profile
Aneesah S. Smith
Aneesah Smith is a Queer, Christian, Cisgender, woman of color who is OUT and proud in all aspects of her life. She is a proud graduate of West Chester University (WCU), obtaining a B.S. in Health Education and M.S. in Counseling/Higher Education. She currently serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Penn State Abington. She is also a DEI Strategist, National Speaker, Activist and Social Justice Educator. Her 18 years in Higher Education have included making an impact most previously at West Chester University as the Director of LGBTQA Services, Temple University as a Health Educator and Community College of Philadelphia as the Academic Mentor Experiences Coordinator. For the last 13 years she has been traveling and speaking to all audiences with a focus on K-12 educators and college student leaders. Her workshops and keynotes include a variety of topics, but she is truly passionate about Anti-racism, intersectionality, white fragility and privilege. She is also the curriculum developer and instructor for a non-credit 15-hour “DEIB in the Workplace” certificate for Penn State Abington. This work is both personal and professional for her, transforming climates and inspiring & empowering others gives her the most joy. When not out changing the world Aneesah enjoys beach time with her son Avery and dog, KoKo.
Profile
Lindsay Jane Miller
Lindsay is the Director of Penn State’s Conferences & Institutes, which is part of Penn State Outreach. Her career is focused on partnering with university faculty and staff to provide quality and impactful educational programming to extend the reach of the university to the local community, across the US, and beyond. These programs span a broad range of topics and audiences, from meteorology camps for children, to conferences/academies for educators, scientists, and healthcare professionals, to community and career-based learning experiences for undergraduate students. This work sparked her interest in studying the many factors that influence how people learn and how to design optimal learning experiences for every individual.
Lindsay’s goal is to use the DEd program to expand her knowledge about how Universities can provide impactful learning experiences that are mutually beneficial to the University and the community, particularly by leveraging interest, projects, problem solving, and experts/practitioners. Lindsay holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in English.
Profile
Beza Wossene
I was born in Ethiopia and moved to the States in the mid-90s during the brain drain. My family still lives in York, PA. I double majored in Political Science and Africana Studies while at the University of Pittsburgh. But graduating in 2009 was a challenge for those of us in the social sciences and so I went abroad to China to teach English for two years. It was the best experience of my life!
I returned in 2012 to complete an International Educational Development concentration at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education for my Masters. While there, I wrote an ethnographic research paper on the experiences of African families who had recently moved to the US. I would like to find a way to connect to that subject once again during this D.Ed. program. I also wrote a policy brief about how entrepreneurship is one key to battling youth unemployment in Ethiopia. I interned at World Vision, but my path veered from NGO's to higher education due to being back in the States and realizing there was a need for more professionals in the field of global education. My first position in the field at Dickinson College unveiled so many interesting ways for me to connect my academic passion with an accessible career. It was like international student success and an education abroad bootcamp. It was a small department where you could make mistakes, develop new programs, or even lead new initiatives like working with Fulbright scholars from other countries.
My current role as the Director of the Office of Global Studies at PSU Abington is an amalgamation of my previous research, my two years of curriculum creation and student-centered pedagogy in southern China, and my passion for working with diverse demographics that are new to the US. My goal is to become President of a higher education institution in Asia, Africa or Persian Gulf. There is a long road a head of me, but already from my educational research and higher education administrative leadership courses, my ideas on institutional governance and methods to use in my research has already taken more form.
Profile
Annie Moran
Before coming to Penn State, Annie Moran completed her master’s in educational strategies and gained her administrative certificate from Wilkes University. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in early childhood and elementary education with concentrations in both math and ELA. Throughout her teaching career she focused on instructional strategies in ELA with a focus on comprehension and writing in early elementary. She has been a Special Programming Director for the county providing professional development for teachers and administrators in the areas of ESL and gifted instruction, as well as literacy strategies and methods. She also provided support for districts in establishing and maintaining their own in-house cyber programs and was a mentor to their instructional coaches.
She has developed a state approved alternative pathway to special education certification for those looking to change career paths. In her current position as Literacy and Student Special Programming Director, she oversees district school board policy creation and updates, improvement of and data analysis for the school-wide MTSS process, evaluates ESL and gifted instruction programming and teachers, supervises student teachers through relationships with local universities, is the principal of the cyber program, and supports ELA curriculum development and professional development K-12. The majority of her career has been spent training educators on best practices and she looks to continue that passion as she completes her doctoral degree.
Profile
Brittany Ondish
Brittany Ondish is pursuing a doctorate in Education and is currently the Assistant Manager of Cost Analysis within the Office of Budget and Finance at Penn State. She has worked for Penn State since October 2012 in various administrative, financial, and grants management roles such as Staff Assistant, Accounting Assistant, Accountant, Proposal and Award Generalist, and Accounting Manager. She received an Associate in Specialized Business in Administrative Professional degree from South Hills School of Business & Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Saint Francis University, and a Master of Public Administration and graduate certificate in Public Budgeting and Financial Management from Penn State University.
Through her time working at Penn State, she has encountered students who struggled to pay their tuition bills and no available federal funding or scholarships to help. She also supervised students who relied heavily on their Federal Work Study appointment to provide food for themselves who have suddenly found they are no longer eligible for the Federal Work Study grant. Enrollment numbers begin to trend downward as education costs increase; meanwhile there is a push to target low- to middle-income individuals and people of color to enroll in higher education institutions but no incentive or funding to lead them to degree completion.
She wishes to focus on these issues and what institutions can do to increase their enrollment numbers and degree completion, specifically for low- to middle-income and people of color, as well as make higher education more attainable and affordable for everyone.
Profile
Katherine Preston
Katherine Preston earned her B.S. in Elementary Education (K-6) from Penn State University and her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (STEM Concentration) from George Mason University. As a Doctor of Education student in Penn State’s D.Ed. program, Katherine has a research interest in teacher recruitment and teacher retention in the context of today’s social and educational climate. Currently, Katherine is a 5th grade teacher, and she enjoys incorporating what she learns through her studies into her practice.
Profile
Elizabeth Raff
Elizabeth Raff is a passionate and enthusiastic educator who sparks excitement and creativity in classrooms. She serves as the Elementary Learning Facilitator in the Penn Manor School District, supporting teachers across seven elementary schools to improve instruction and student achievement. Before her current role, she spent over a decade in the classroom as a 4th and 6th grade elementary school teacher.
Most recently, Elizabeth was named the 2022 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. In her role, she travels Pennsylvania and the nation, meeting and collaborating with education stakeholders, advocating for the profession by working with legislators, supporting pre-service teachers, and learning from her national state teacher of the year cohort.
Elizabeth received her Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Messiah University, a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Penn State University, and is currently completing her Doctorate of Education from Penn State University. Her research interests include adult learning theory, professional learning design, and organization development and change. Elizabeth resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband and their two children.
Profile
Heather Shuey
I've had a non-traditional career path that has led me to my current position. I began my higher education at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania while concurrently serving in the Army National Guard. After two years, I decided to prioritize my military career and temporarily left college to accept a state active duty position. While on active duty, I made the commitment to complete my Bachelor's degree, balancing this with my responsibilities as a parent to two children. I eventually graduated from Immaculata University in Pennsylvania with a degree in Human Performance Management.
After 13 years in the Army, life changes prompted me to leave my military career behind. I faced the challenge of finding a new career path and chose to return to academia to pursue a Master's degree. During this time, I worked as an HR Generalist at a manufacturing plant. In 2017, I graduated with a Master's degree in Human Resources and Employment Relations from Penn State World Campus.
My background as an Army instructor reinforced my passion for training and development, and my belief in lifelong learning. I decided to transition into a career in Higher Education. Shortly after completing my Master's degree, I was offered the position I currently hold at Penn College. I now serve as the Senior Director of Employee Success and Title IX Deputy Coordinator in the People & Culture (HR) department. My primary responsibilities revolve around employee performance and development, and my Title IX duties involve investigating matters related to sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, harassment, and discrimination. I collaborate closely with our Provost, Student Affairs, and various other campus offices to manage day-to-day operations.
I believe that this step in my career will not only better serve the College but also prepare me to eventually become an instructor in Human Resources after I conclude my HR practice.
In my leisure time, I enjoy spending quality time with my children. My son is a high school senior, and my daughter recently graduated with a degree in Welding from Penn College as she navigates her path in the world.
Profile
Caitlin Teti
Caitlin Teti is the director of the Eberly College of Science Office of Science Outreach, where she provides strategic direction for Eberly’s outreach programs and inspires the next generation of scientists through authentic STEM experiences, student mentorship, and innovative learning opportunities for all ages. In addition, she also works for the NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium and coordinates their outreach efforts across the state of Pennsylvania. She graduated with a master's in ecosystem management in 2021 and a bachelor's in geoscience in 2017, both from Penn State. Before her current position, she was an on-site director for Penn State's "Outdoor School", an environmental education camp for 5th graders. Caitlin chose her field towards the end of her undergraduate career when she realized she enjoyed talking about rocks more than she liked studying them; she's now grateful she has a career where outreach is her job one hundred percent of the time. She first became interested in science because her dad inspired her to always be curious about the world around her, a lesson she tries to share with her outreach participants.
While pursuing her doctorate in education, Caitlin plans to learn more about the effects of authentic science experiences outside of the traditional classroom setting. Caitlin’s research interests are focused on the longitudinal impacts of informal science outreach programs on various stakeholders, such as participants and seasonal staff. She’s excited to discover the long-term impact specific programs are truly having on the lives of those they serve. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, doing anything outside, reading, and hanging out with her two cats, Perry and Chewie.
For collaboration requests or to learn more, please feel encouraged to connect with Caitlin on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinteti) or visit her website (caitlinteti.com).
Profile
Michelle S. Weber-Colón
Michelle S. Weber-Colón is a National Board Certified educator with a Bachelor of Science in Spanish Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology with 20+ years’ experience. Michelle is a proud Penn State alumna and served as Multicultural Affairs Director for Student Government, along with being a member of the Commission of Racial and Ethnic Diversity (CORED) charged by the President of Penn State.
Her previous roles include the Coordinator of Student Programs, Character and Leadership development at Milton Hershey School where she had the opportunity to hold a supervisory role in developing and implementing student leadership curriculum, activities and a mentor program for over 600 students and staff.
Having been born in Spain and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico Michelle acquired a unique skill set to understand the complexity of Student Engagement within diverse educational communities. Michelle’s current position as Associate Director to Student Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of Student Engagement is to provide leadership and support to a team of exceptional staff supporting diverse student populations at Penn State Harrisburg.
Through her studies Michelle is interested in continuing to explore DEIB practices and their impact on marginalized students in order to increase student retention rate, achievement, and success.
Profile
Shelby Wieners
Shelby is a current educator focusing on community, student accountability, restorative practices, and crisis management in the residential living environment.
Shelby earned her B.S. degree in Animal Sciences and an M.Ed. in Counseling and College Student Affairs before working at several large, state institutions across the United States while pursuing her specialties and developing and honing her skills. After 12 years away, Shelby returned to Penn State in her current capacity.
An avid learner, Shelby is excited to continue her work as a scholar-practitioner in this program in order to reduce barriers and increase access for students and to continue pushing for equity-minded policies and processes. She is interested in the intersection of law and higher education, coupled with the ideas and themes of community and restorative practices.
Profile
Teresa Michelle Brown
After nine years as a middle and elementary teacher, I’m now the Mathematics Curriculum Specialist at Intermediate Unit 1 in Southwest Pennsylvania. In my school support role, I serve up to twenty-five school districts across three counties: Fayette, Washington, and Greene. As part of broad-scale school improvement support, I consult with districts to analyze student achievement data with respective to qualitative pedagogical factors and am responsible for the design of teachers' professional development including hands-on workshop development and delivery.
My journey in education began in my youth; for nearly as long as I’ve been a student, I’ve been a teacher. After years of youth mentoring in various capacities throughout my adolescence, pursuing my Pennsylvania teaching certification in grades 4-8, mathematics and science from California University of PA was a logical next step.
My current research interests are as diverse and complex as my professional responsibilities; I’m deeply fascinated by children’s early numeracy progressions and the many dynamic factors of the K-12 school system that affect how and to what extent children progress along this trajectory. Of additional interest, I’m curious as to how teachers’ resilience and grit in their own mathematics and instructional practices impacts their students’ grit and sequential learning of mathematics.
I’m now deeply passionate about building students’ (and teachers’!) positive dispositions in mathematics and spreading the word that everyone is a math person.
Despite having a permanent back condition from a traumatic injury in my teens, I'm an obsessively competitive strength athlete who is nationally ranked in powerlifting and now training for my first strongman competition!
Profile
Mary Budinsky
Mary Budinsky earned her B.A. in English with a minor in Communication, Arts, and Sciences from Penn State University and her M.A. in Professional Writing and Editing from West Virginia University. She has over a decade of experience working in higher education.
Mary currently serves as the Learning Center Coordinator at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus and is a certified Group Exercise instructor with a love for leading Zumba® classes. She received the 2019 Penn State Fayette Staff Excellence Award and the 2014 Penn State Fayette Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award. She is a graduate of the 2018-2019 Fayette Leaders Academy, where a small group of Fayette County, PA, professionals from a variety of industries gather to enhance leadership, teamwork, networking, and project management skills and to develop and implement a community service project.
Mary enjoys helping students work toward their academic goals and connecting students with academic leadership opportunities. In addition to coordinating campus tutoring and offering individual academic coaching sessions for students, Mary plans and participates in campus student success programs including but not limited to peer mentoring, student-athlete academic achievement, and the summer bridge program. She enjoys engaging in interdepartmental collaboration to generate these programs, which harness the expertise of campus colleagues and demonstrate staff commitment to students and their success. By genuinely caring for our students and taking the time to get to know them, we can better help them work through challenges that they encounter along the way to achieving their academic and career goals.
Through students’ stories shared in academic coaching meetings about the many factors affecting their focus on academics—personal, financial, social, medical, mental health, and otherwise—Mary witnesses the increasing and extensive need to cultivate students’ holistic well-being and development. That attentiveness to the whole student helps to create a safe, supportive space for learning where students can become better positioned to implement new learning strategies, enhance their mindset, improve focus on classes, and maximize their college experience. To that end, Mary is interested in research connected to the impact of students’ well-being on their academic success through exploring topics such as incorporating trauma-informed pedagogy and strategies for mindfulness, self-care, and wellness into higher education academic and cocurricular programming.
Profile
Catherine M. Esposito
Catherine is pursuing a doctoral degree in education. She researches how students construct and experience a sense of place in online learning environments, and her work bridges the philosophical and practical understandings of place. She is also interested in exploring the impact of play and playful learning in higher education, specifically in online contexts such as virtual worlds. Catherine holds a master’s degree in TESOL from New York University and a master’s degree in International Higher Education from Boston College. She currently serves as the Instructional Design Team Lead in Penn State’s IT Learning and Development.
Profile
Maria Ferlick
I grew up in Duryea, PA., and currently live in Natick, MA. I attended Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA and completed a BA in Psychology with a minor in Environmental Studies. I also completed a M.S.Ed. in Severe Special Needs Education through a partnership program with NECC and Simmons College and have a professional teaching license in Severe Special Needs Education (N-22) and hold a graduate certificate in ABA through Endicott College, and am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). I am also a Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst in Massachusetts.
My current role is the Director of Clinical Operations at a company that provides crisis prevention and intervention training to schools, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. that supports individuals who might engage in challenging behavior. I am a full-time trainer for the program and I travel across the country and to Canada. I also supervise about 50% of the company’s employees from hiring and onboarding to ongoing training to fidelity checks. I am a part of the leadership team so I also have responsibilities growing the company, communicating with other departments, and more.
I am excited to meld my background in Applied Behavior Analysis and Organizational Behavior Management with Organizational Development and Change and Adult Education. My areas of interest include effective training for adults and creating meaningful system-wide supports and change within an agency.
When I am not traveling for work, I enjoy traveling with my very supportive husband Brian. This year we were able to visit Spain, Portugal, Hawaii, and Maine. We have a dog named Emma and two cats- Molly and Earl.
Profile
Christine King
Christine King is an educational consultant who started teaching at the middle school level in 1993 as a Teach for America Corp member. She is the founder of CKingEducation, an educational consulting company serving K - 12 schools in the area of mathematics. She has been a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and staff developer. In her current role as an educational consultant, Christine supports schools and districts in stretching teacher pedagogy, deepening content knowledge, and thinking about how to integrate technology effectively. She is the author of several books including: The Digits Game, No Naked Numbers, Test-Savvy Math, and 12 Strategies for Understanding Word Problems. Christine passionately believes in the rights, roles, and responsibilities of children to become partners in the educational process of their own learning. Christine looks at coaching as an opportunity to give teachers permission to rediscover their curiosity as to how their students learn best and make deliberate moves toward helping students uncover their voice and abilities to reason. Christine holds a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Media from the Math, Science, and Technology Department at Teachers College, Columbia University.