Faculty
Faculty
RN to BSN
Kacie Altom, Associate Professor
"My career as an educator began when I had the opportunity to teach clinical for an instructor that went to a conference. I loved it from day one, and I knew that I wanted to continue to influence future nurses to be the best they could be and to do the best they could do for their patients."
Dr. Kathryn Flannigan, Assistant Professor
"I love watching students grow and experience that 'ah-ha' moment."
Dr. Brinda McKinney-LeGrand, Associate Professor
"I started teaching to help people fulfill their dream of becoming a nurse and making a positive impact on healthcare."
Dr. Elizabeth Seaton Nix, Associate Professor
"We need competent nurses, and I want the next generation of nurses to be as outstanding as the generations that taught me."
M.S. IN SPORT ADMINISTRATION
Dr. David LaVetter, Associate Professor, Program Coordinator
"My father was an educator. He was my role model, and an excellent instructor. He showed interest and value in every one of his students for over 36 years. This is what I'm striving to do throughout my career."
B.S. IN STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
Holly Kathleen Hall, Associate Professor
"I love every aspect of the college teaching profession: delivering the materials to students in a way they can understand, working with them one-on-one to develop career goals, and getting to research topics that are of interest to me."
Dr. Manu Bhandari, Assistant Professor
"Our best teachers are sometimes our harshest critics. One should learn from the mistakes teachers point out and continually improve."
Dr. Po-Lin Pan, Associate Professor
"I wish to build supportive relationships with my students and help them to be successful based upon such supportive relationships."
M.S. IN EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES
Dr. Jeonghee Choi, Associate Professor
"While pursuing higher education, I had met a few inspiring teachers and educators who were passionate and caring about their field and students. I wanted to pass on such passion and energy to future teachers and educators."
Dr. Joanna Grymes, Associate Professor
"I loved school and kept going—ending up with a doctoral degree in Family and Child Development. At that point, university teaching seemed the best option—and it has been an excellent journey!"
MSE AND ED.S. IN READING
Dr. Dixie Keyes, Professor
"Passion provides the persistence you need to get through new learning experiences. Find the hook, the relevance, or the connection you need when working on various assignments so your engagement pulls you toward success in the end."
Dr. Karen Kleppe Graham, Associate Professor
"I am in academia because I want to support teacher candidates and in-service teachers in becoming the best educators they can possibly be."
Dr. Ryan Kelly, Professor
"Embrace the complexity, strive to connect as many units of thinking in as many ways as you can, and push yourself to reflect and synthesize."
BACHELOR OF GENERAL STUDIES
Dr. Blair Dean, Professor
"I want students to learn and develop the skills, knowledge and competencies to living a healthy and physically active life."
Courtney Bracy, instructor, A-State online BGS program
"I enjoy my time with my students and feel gratified when I can pass my knowledge and experiences on to them or assist them in any way. There is nothing like seeing a previous student succeed in their career and enjoy their happy life!"
Dr. Paul Finnicum, Professor and Department Chair
"In any profession, communication, time management and organizational skills are critically important."
MSE Higher Ed
Dr. Rick Stripling, Director/Associate Professor – Master Science in Higher Education
Be adaptable to change, stay current on many facets of higher education, know your brand, professionally surround yourself with positive influencers. Develop your vision and strive for it every day.
ED.D. IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Dr. Timberly L. Baker, Associate Professor
"Be prepared to be challenged, to grow, to learn."
Dr. Ibrahim Duyar, Professor of Educational Leadership
Embrace challenges, take initiative and be receptive to input from others to grow personally and professionally!
MSE IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Dr. Nicole Covey, Associate Professor
"I personally love going to school and I wanted to help students enjoy it too!"
Dr. Annette R. Hux, Associate Professor
"I want to make sure the educators in the courses continue to be successful in their careers by building on the knowledge they have. The learners will be able to take the project-based learning activities and go out in the field and apply the skill in a productive manner."
Dr. Natalie Johnson-Leslie, Associate Professor
"The information [students] learn will be practical and relevant to their teaching and administrative careers."
Dr. Helen Claire "Jackie" McBride, Professor
Most courses make additional resources available to students who want to learn more; take advantage of those resources and learn more than you are required to know.
MSE SPECIAL ED. INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALIST K-12
Dr. Jacques Singleton, Associate Professor
"I want my students to learn the unique skills to be not only an educator but a special educator."
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
Dr. Alexandr M. Sokolov, Assistant Professor
"I always wanted to become a teacher. It is my lifelong dream."
MSE Educational Leadershi
Dr. Judi Jenkins, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership
It is okay to take time to think before making a decision. Not all decisions school leaders make have to be immediate.
MSE & Ed. S. for Building-Level Programs in Curriculum, Special Education, Gifted & Talented, and the Principalship
Dr. Lee-Anne Oros, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Director for Building-Level Curriculum & Instruction Program
Future educational leaders should embrace and practice integrity, critical thinking, resilience and a growth mindset to help those in their school community thrive.
MSE IN GIFTED, TALENTED, AND CREATIVE
Dr. Julie Lamb Milligan, Professor and Program Director
"I wish for my students to be prepared to be facilitators and administrators of gifted, talented and creative education."
M.S. IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Joseph Richmond, Department Chair
"My career as an educator began when I had the opportunity to teach clinical for an instructor that went to a conference. I loved it from day one, and I knew that I wanted to continue to influence future nurses to be the best they could be and to do the best they could do for their patients."
Dr. Lorenzo D. Sanchez, Adjunct Faculty
"The DPEM program will provide students with the right skill sets to be successful in their current and future careers in disaster/crisis management."
Amy Hyman, Assistant Professor
"[I want my students] to think for themselves, to be able to view topics through different lenses and to believe in their own success."
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