Featured Educator of the Month
November Featured Educators
Congratulations to the 2025 Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award Recipients
Tracy Dodson, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CEN, Associate Professor, Nursing, Kent Campus
Tracy M. Dodson, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CEN, is an associate professor in the College of Nursing on the Kent Campus, where she coordinates 鈥淧rofessional Issues and Evidence-based Practice鈥 and 鈥淣ursing of Adults Across the Lifespan.鈥 A Certified Emergency Nurse with more than a decade of clinical and teaching experience, Dodson blends innovation, empathy and evidence-based practice to prepare compassionate, competent nurses. She designs creative tools, including simulation rubrics and AI-generated case studies, to bridge theory and practice. Her award-winning teaching - honored with multiple Platinum Teaching Awards and the Daisy Faculty Award - emphasizes active learning, technological innovation and mentorship.
Jessica Leveto, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Sociology, Ashtabula Campus
Jessica A. Leveto, Ph.D. is an associate professor of sociology at 麻豆果冻 at Ashtabula. A scholar of social psychology, identity and emotions, her teaching centers on relational trust, belonging and transformative learning. Leveto has been recognized with multiple awards for innovation and equity in education and serves on the editorial board of Teaching Sociology. Her research and public scholarship focus on supporting parenting students, fostering inclusive learning environments and advancing pedagogies of care. Through her teaching, mentorship and community leadership, she empowers students to transform challenge into purpose and connection into lasting impact.
Tina Patel, MA, MFA, Associate Professor, Interior Design, Kent Campus
Tina Patel, MA, MFA, is an associate professor of interior design in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design on the Kent Campus. Her teaching, research and scholarship focus on empathetic, participatory and socially engaged design that advances equity, inclusion and well-being. With professional experience in global design firms and extensive community-based collaborations, Patel bridges research, practice and pedagogy. Her studios address issues such as neurodiversity, social justice and sensory well-being, empowering students to use design as a catalyst for change. A certified NCIDQ and LEED Green Associate, she integrates empathy, critical inquiry and activism into design education and professional practice.
James Redfearn, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, Kent Campus
James Redfearn, Ph.D., is an associate professor of biological sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences on the Kent Campus, where he teaches anatomy, physiology, microbiology and cell biology. With a Ph.D. in physiology, his teaching emphasizes active learning, metacognition and belonging to improve student engagement and performance. Drawing from his research in cellular physiology and experience in biosafety and public health, Redfearn designs evidence-based, technology-integrated learning environments. His approach blends concept mapping and formative assessment to help students build confidence, think critically and connect biological concepts to clinical applications. He is committed to fostering inclusive, student-centered learning in the life sciences.
Congratulations to the 2025 Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award Finalists
Hayley Arnold, Ph.D.
Samantha Bonaduce, DNP, RN, CNE
Jean Engohang-Ndong, Ph.D.
Matthew Holm, DMA
Susan Kunkle, Ph.D.
James Winter, MFA
Past Featured Educators
Lauren Copeland: Associate Professor, Fashion Design & Merchandising | Kent Campus
Missy Higgins-Linder: Associate Lecturer, Art Education| Kent Campus
Brandie Nelson: Graduate Student, Biological Sciences | Kent Campus
Logan Eisenhart: Lecturer, College of Nursing | Stark Campus
Martha (Marty) Daniels: Associate Professor, College of Applied and Technical Studies | Stark Campus
Tasim Musa Al-Naimi: Graduate Student, Modern and Classical Language Studies | Kent Campus
Kerri Lochmueller: Associate Lecturer, Mathematics | Ashtabula Campus
Martha Merrill: School of foundations, Leadership and Admin. | Kent Campus
Mary Russell: Professor, Biological Sciences | Trumbull Campus
Shayna Sharpe: Graduate Assistant, English | Kent Campus
Sheren Farag: Academic Program Director & Assistant Professor, Horticulture Technology | Salem Campus
Beverly Reed: Professor, Mathematical Sciences | Kent Campus
Tony Dallacheisa: Lecturer, Department of English | Tuscarawas Campus
Tuyet Pham: Senior Lecturer, Mathematical Sciences | Kent Campus
Felix Kumah-Abiwu: Associate Professor, Africana Studies | Kent Campus
Danielle French: Ph.D. Candidate, English & Honors College | Kent Campus
Ann Martinez: Associate Professor, Department of English | Stark Campus
Danielle Gruhler: Professor, Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies | Kent Campus
Ana Wetzl: Assistant Professor, English | Trumbull Campus
Patrick Dillon: Associate Professor, Communication Studies | Stark Campus
Ambre Emory-Maier: Assistant Professor, Theatre and Dance | Kent Campus
Hayley Arnold: Associate Professor, Health Sciences | Kent Campus
LaToya Littles: Lecturer, Information Technology/Cybersecurity | Salem Campus
Jeremy Foust: Graduate Student, Psychology | Kent Campus
Scott Tobias: Assistant Professor, Lifespan Dev & Educational Sciences | Stark Campus
Rebecca Frazier: Lecturer, Nursing | Twinsburg, Geauga, Kent Campuses
Ikram Toumi: Assistant Professor, School of Communication Studies | Kent Campus
John Dunlosky: Professor, Psychological Sciences, Director of SOLE Center | Kent Campus
Jessica Leveto: Associate Professor, Sociology & Criminology, College of Arts & Sciences | Ashtabula Campus
Syed A. M. Shihab: Assitant Professor, College of Aeronautics and Engineering | Kent Campus
Elizabeth "Liz" Wagoner: Assistant Professor, College of Arts and Sciences | Kent Campus
Jennifer Mapes: Associate Professor, College of Arts and Sciences | Kent Campus
Vicumpriya "Vic" Perera: Associate Professor, College of Arts and Sciences | Trumbull Campus
Sarah Andreas: Assistant Professor, Business Management Technology | Tuscarawas Campus
Gina Zavota: Professor, Philosophy | Kent Campus
Kathleen Dwinnells: Associate Professor, College of Nursing | Trumbull Campus
Adam Lockwood: Assistant Professor, Lifespan Development & Educational Sciences | Kent Campus
Ryan Ballestero: Assistant Professor, Department of Accounting | Kent Campus
Jasmine Hines: Assistant Professor, Music Education | Kent Campus
Adrienne Erby: Assistant Professor, School of Lifespan, Development and Educational Sciences | Kent Campus
Eric Taylor: Associate Professor, Earth Sciences | Stark Campus
Sorina Ailiesei: Assistant Professor, English | Geauga Campus
David Hacker: Professor, Geology | Trumbull Campus
Jamie McCartney: Associate Professor, Lifespan Development and Education Sciences | Kent Campus
Donald Gerbig: Associate Professor, Biological Sciences | Tuscarawas Campus
Catrina Palmer Johnson: Assistant Professor, Department of Management | Kent Campus
Joshua Stacher: Associate Professor, International Relations | Kent Campus
Serena Loftus: Assistant Professor, Accounting | Kent Campus
Shelley Marshall: Associate Lecturer, Information Technology | Ashtabula Campus
Jeremy Williams: Assistant Professor, Department of Geology | Kent Campus
Vaneet Kaur: Assistant Professor, Department of Management | Stark Campus
Linda Piccirillo-Smith: Senior Lecturer, Africana Studies | Kent Campus
John-Michael Warner: Assistant Professor, Art History | Kent Campus
Christie Bartholomew: Assistant Professor, Psychology | Trumbull Campus
Loubna Bilali: Assistant Professor, Modern and Classical Language Studies | Kent Campus
James Seelye: Associate Professor, Department of History | Stark Campus
Daniel Dankovich: Lecturer, Biological Sciences | East Liverpool Campus
Uma Krishnan: Professor, Department of English | Kent Campus
R.Z. Zhang: Assistant Professor, Department of Accounting | Kent Campus
Amy Damrow: Assistant Professor, Foundations, Leadership and Administration | Stark Campus
Rekha Sharma: Associate Professor, Communication Studies | Kent Campus
Greg Tinkler: Associate Professor, Biological Sciences | Kent Campus
Jean Engohang-Ndong: Associate Professor, Biological Sciences | Tuscarawas Campus
Ruth Leslie: Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry | Kent Campus
Karen Mascolo: Associate Professor, College of Nursing | Kent Campus
Marie Gasper-Hulvat: Associate Professor, Art | Stark Campus
Chi-hua Chiu-Groff: Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences | Kent Campus
Helen Piontkivska: Associate Professor, Biological Sciences | Kent Campus
Tina Bhargava: Associate Professor, College of Public Health | Kent Campus
Sharon Sciartelli: Professor, Psychology | Kent Campus
Robin Joynes: Professor, Psychology | Kent Campus
Andrew Barnes: Associate Professor, Department of Political Science | Kent Campus
Jennifer Black: Assistant Professor of Dance | Kent Campus
Tamara Honesty: Assistant Professor of Scenic Design | Kent Campus
Joe Ortiz : Professor, Department of Geology | Kent Campus
Jakyung C. Seo: Associate Professor of Lighting Design | Kent Campus
Stephanie Smith: Associate Professor, Media and Journalism, Communication Studies | Kent Campus
Richard Ferdig : Professor, Research Center for Educational Technology, Education, Health and Human Services | Kent Campus
Enrico Gandolfi: Associate Professor, Research Center for Educational Technology, Education, Health and Human Services | Kent Campus
Rachael Blasiman: Associate Professor, Department of Psychology | Salem Campus
Jeff Huston: Professor, Health Sciences | Kent Campus
Jill Kawalec: Professor and Division Head, Preclinical Sciences and Director of Research, Education, College of Podiatric Medicine | Kent Campus
Wendy Tietz: Professor, Accounting | Kent Campus
Zhiqiang (Molly) Wang: Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry | Geauga Campus
Nicole Willey: Professor, English | Tuscarawas Campus
Please consider sharing an inspiring teaching story for us to consider for an upcoming Featured Educator of the Month.
Do you have a colleague that is doing something wonderful related to teaching and learning? Maybe they have designed a great activity for students, go above and beyond supporting students, provide mentorship to students or other faculty or maybe they are leading efforts to improve teaching and learning beyond their classroom. Nominate yourself or your colleagues for us to consider. Featured Educators are highlighted on our website below and within our monthly newsletter.