Ryan Wise, Ed.L.D.

School of Education Dean

Dr. Ryan Wise began serving as dean of the Drake University School of Education in April 2020.

Prior to his time at Drake, he was director of the Iowa Department of Education from July 2015 through March 2020. As director, Wise led with an emphasis on working together as an education system to make Iowa’s schools into places where adults can collaborate and students can thrive. He made it a priority to stay connected to Iowa schools, and visited 240 school districts statewide.

Dr. Wise was named Policy Leader of the Year by the National Association of State Boards of Education in 2017 and has worked in education at the local, state, national and international levels.

He began his career as a high school history teacher in Mississippi and Nebraska before moving to his home state of South Dakota to launch and lead Teach for America on the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations. He also worked to eliminate educational inequity around the world as one of the founding staff members of Teach for All, a global network of education entrepreneurs.

Dean Wise earned a doctorate in education leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a bachelor’s degree and teacher certification in history and social studies from Creighton University.

He lives in Des Moines with his wife, Sacha, and their two sons, Weston and Graham.

Contact Information

Email: ryan.wise@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-3829
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 234

Catherine Gillespie, Ph.D.

School of Education Associate Dean

Contact Information

Email: catherine.gillespie@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-4602
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 230

Education

B.A.: Wellesley College

M.Ed.: Lesley University

Ph.D.: University of Tennessee/Knoxville

Honors & Professional Memberships

Mary Collier Baker Distinguished Professorship, 2007-2017
Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society
Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Fulbright Scholar Selectee
Chancellor's Citation for Professional Promise in Human Ecology
Graduate Student Research Award, Department of Child and Family Studies
Clarence Kuo Outstanding Nursery School Teacher Award
Albert N. Minor Scholarship
Ruby McKeel Rives Scholarship

Prior Positions

Instructor, Middle Tennessee State University
Toddler Teacher and Student Teacher supervisor, University of Tennessee/Knoxville
ESL Teacher, Cambridge, MA and Hamm, Germany
Sixth Grade Teacher, Salem, NH

Areas of Expertise

Workplace Spirituality
Teacher Education
Eating Disorder Recovery
Early Childhood Education

Courses Taught

Introduction to Education
Doctoral Foundations and Seminar
Human Development
Foundations of Education

Sally Beisser, Ph.D.

Levitt Distinguished Professor of Education

Contact Information

Email: sally.beisser@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-4850
Address: 2507 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Education

B.A.: Iowa State University
M.S.: Iowa State University
Ph.D.: Iowa State University

Honors & Professional Memberships

Honors

Madelyn Levitt Mentor of the Year Award, 2020
The Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professorship 2017
National Association for Gifted Children Teaching for High Potential Board, 2016
Provost Ronald Troyer Research Award Fellowship, 2016
Madelyn Levitt Teacher of the Year Award, 2016
Inaugual Iowa Campus Compact Senior Faculty Fellow, 2013
Iowa Distance Learning Innovation Award, 2009
Iowa Distance Learning Point of Presence Award, 2008
Oxford Round Table Debate, University of Oxford, 2008
National Association for Gifted Children Delegation to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, 2006
Iowa Talented & Gifted Distinguished Service Award, 2004

Professional Memberships

Iowa Talented & Gifted Association (ITAG)
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
National Association for the Social Studies (NCSS)
Iowa Council of Social Studies (ICSS)
National Association for the Education in Young Childhood (NAEYC)
Delta Kappa Gamma-International Education Society
International Society for Technology in Education (SITE)
American Associate of University Professors (AAUP)

Prior Positions

Ames Community Schools Extended Learning Program (ELP)
West Des Moines Schools Extended Learning Program (ELP)
Iowa State University Doctoral Scholar and Visiting Professor

Areas of Expertise

Gifted and Talented Education
Pedagogy and Classroom Management
Service-Learning and Community Based Learning
Health and Wellness among School Administrators
Instruction Using Online Technology

Courses Taught

Curriculum and Pedagogy
Social Studies Methods
Advanced Seminar: Ethics
Doctoral Qualitative Research Methods
Creativity and Gifted Education
ITAG Conference Course for Credit
Ohio - OAGC Conference Course for Credit
FYS Courses - Make a Difference: Though Service-Learning, Money Matters: Financial Literacy Skills for College Students, Constructivist Teaching & Learning
J-Term Global Engagement: Service Learning in Belize
Honors Course - Service-Learning: Building a Legacy at Drake University

Matt Bruinekool, Ed.D.

Associate Professor

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – Author unknown

Matt Bruinekool Vita

Contact Information

Email: matt.bruinekool@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-4507
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 211

Education

BS: University of Iowa
MS: Drake University
Ed.D: Drake University

Honors & Professional Memberships

I have been a member of the faculty at Drake since 1999 and the Director of the National Rehabilitation Institute at Drake University since 2000. Prior to that I served as the Technology Director for the Region VII RCEP and CRP-RCEP (now call the Region VII TACE) where I was responsible for the development of web-based educational training. I also provided face-to-face training to administrative staff of community rehabilitation programs and state VR agency counselors and administrative staff. Before my work with the TACE I served as Project Coordinator for the National Rehabilitation Institute, and worked in the field in various settings serving individuals with disabilities.

I consult to business and industry on organizational culture, work-life balance, the multi-generational workforce, strategic planning, and the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the workplace. I consult to community rehabilitation agencies on workflow and the development of Information Management Systems to reduce overhead and improve services to individuals with disabilities.

I worked with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Iowa Workforce Development on two different system change grants that resulted in significant changes in how services are provided to individuals with disabilities within the state as well as the accessibility of services for individuals with disabilities.

I have been the Project Director for 5 Rehabilitation Services Administration Long Term Training Grants and in collaboration with Dr. Stensrud have secured over $7,000,000 for Drake University to provide scholarships to individuals interested in working in the state-federal sector of the Rehabilitation Counseling profession after graduation.

I currently serve on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Rehabilitation Administration, am President of the Iowa Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Association, and a board member of the Iowa Rehabilitation Association. I am a past president of the Iowa Rehabilitation Association and the Job Development Job Placement Division of the Iowa Rehabilitation Association.

Areas of Expertise

My research agenda builds on the history of the National Rehabilitation Job Placement/Job Development Institute at Drake. Established in 1976 the Institute established the first Job Placement MS degree program in the country. In 1992, Drake faculty published “Demand-side job development: A model for the 1990s,” that revolutionized the frame of reference of rehabilitation counseling professionals. Today my colleagues and I continue to conduct research that evolves the demand-side model. I have focused on utilizing a sector-based model and building social capital within sectors through social networking.

Tied closely to the employment of individuals with disabilities is my interest in working to continually improve the quality of services that our state-federal rehabilitation program and its partners provide to individuals with disabilities so higher quality employment outcomes can be achieved.

Courses Taught

The courses I typically teach are: Introduction to Counseling, Disability Policy and the ADA, Human Resource Fieldwork, Advanced Placement, Rehabilitation Administration, Program Evaluation, Strategic Planning, and Internship. I feel that my purpose as a professor is not to tell students what to memorize and regurgitate in the course assessments but rather to give them opportunities to open their minds, think, learn, experience, and grow as professionals. I believe that in order to be successful and enjoy your professional life you must develop a passion for it, and my role is to help students find and grow their passion. Without passion it is difficult to have a positive impact on the profession and the individuals with disabilities we assist need people who want to positively impact the world in which they live. Students in my courses spend a significant amount of time in the field connecting classroom dialogue with real world experience.

Tom Buckmiller, Ph.D.

Professor of Education

Contact Information

Email: thomas.buckmiller@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-4989
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 203

Education

B.A.: Mount Marty College
M.A.: Iowa State University
Ph.D.: Penn State University

Honors & Professional Memberships

Principal, Sacred Heart Elementary (PreK-4) and Middle School (5-8), Yankton, SD; Board Member of South Dakota Christian Schools Association

Areas of Expertise

Native American education, nature of technology in education, non-public schools, critical pedagogy

Courses Taught

The Needs of Diverse Learners; Educational Management; Research, Evaluation, Planning and Measurement; Leadership and the Profession; Professional and Personal Seminar; Clinical I & II

Greg Carenza, Ed.D.

Faculty Affiliate

Contact Information

Email: gregory.carenza@drake.edu
Phone: 515.987.3595 x2807
Address: 2507 University Avenue Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Education

B.S. Iowa State University

M.S. Iowa State University

Ed.S. Drake University

Ed.D Drake University

Areas of Expertise

Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
K-12 Curriculum Director (Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment)
Educational Leadership
Program Evaluation and Assessment

Courses Taught

Program Evaluation and Assessment

Leah Shepard-Carey, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Education - Graduate Studies

Contact Information

Email: leah.carey@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-3697
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall,121

Education

B.A. College of Saint Benedict

M.A. University of Minnesota- Twin Cities

Ph.D. University of Minnesota- Twin Cities

Honors & Professional Memberships

Honors

Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship- University of Minnesota (2020-2021)
Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) Fellow, University of Minnesota, 2019-2020
2018 Graduate Student Award-American Association of Applied Linguistics
TESOL International Association Research Mini-Grant Award, September 2018
Curriculum & Instruction Outstanding Graduate Student Research Paper Award: Equity in Education, University of Minnesota, 2019-2020

Professional Memberships

American Educational Research Association (AERA)
American Association of Applied Linguistics (AAAL)
TESOL International
Literacy Research Association

Prior Positions

Adjunct Faculty at The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University
Invited Instructor for Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition Summer Institutes
English as a Second Language Teacher (K-12 schools)
Bilingual Head Start Teacher

Areas of Expertise

Leah's research and teaching spans the areas of language and literacy education. She is interested in culturally-sustaining approaches to education, multilingualism, and elementary literacy for younger multilingual children. She also focuses on critical approaches to teacher education. Her research has been featured in The Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, Linguistics and Education, TESOL Quarterly, and TESOL Journal.

Courses Taught

Urban Trends in Literacy Education
Educational Research
Methods of Linguistic Differentiation for English Language Learners
Interdisciplinary Literacy
Various ESL and World Language education courses

Crista Carlile, Ed.D.

Faculty Affiliate

Contact Information

Email: crista.carlile@drake.edu
Phone: 515.371.1595
Address: 2507 University Avenue Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Education

B.S. Kansas State University

M.A. Viterbo University

Ed.D. Drake University

Areas of Expertise

Standards Based Grading Practices
School and District Leadership
Systems Thinking and Continual Improvement
Assessment Literacy

Courses Taught

Theory, Research, and Leadership

Jill Johnson, Ph.D.

Professor

Contact Information

Email: jill.johnson@drake.edu
Phone: 515.271.3992
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 132

Education

B.A., M.A., University of Iowa

Ph.D., University of Minnesota

Honors & Professional Memberships

Honors

Director of Graduate Programs, Teaching and Learning
Coordinator of Educational Programming in Ghana
West Des Moines School Board vice President

Professional Membership

International Literacy Association (ILA)
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Prior Positions

Iowa State University

Areas of Expertise

Comprehension
Social Emotional Learning
Literacy Conferences
Elementary Writing Instruction
Early Childhood Literacy Development

Courses Taught

Effective Teaching
Reading Research and Theory
Writing Research and Theory

Robyn Cooper, Ph.D.

Professor / Director of Doctoral Program / Chair Leadership & Counseling Dept.

Contact Information

Email: robyn.cooper@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-4553
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Education

B.S.: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
M.Ed.: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Ph.D.: Iowa State University

Areas of Expertise

Research Methodology; Youth and Adult Development; Epistemic Development; Wellness; Underrepresented populations in STEM; Leadership; and Campus Environments.

Courses Taught

Quantitative Research Methods, Advanced Quantitative Research Methods, Doctoral Foundations Seminar, Dissertation Seminar, Philosophies & Epistemologies of Education; Data Analysis in Educational Research: Educational Psychology for Teaching and Learning, Assessment of Learning, Educational Research Methods, and Student Development & Learning Theories.

Michael Couvillon, Ph.D.

Professor of Education

Contact Information

Email: michael.couvillon@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-4690
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 130

Education

B.A.: University of Nebraska-Kearney
M.Ed.: University of North Texas
Ph.D.: University of North Texas

Prior Positions

Drake University – Des Moines, IA (Associate Professor of Education)
Richardson Independent School District – Richardson, TX (Behavior Specialist)
Region 10 Education Service Center – Dallas, TX (Behavior Specialist)
Father Flanagan’s Boys Home – Omaha, NE (Teacher and Consultant)

Areas of Expertise

Emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD), functional behavioral assessments and behavior intervention plans, policy and standards on the use of time out seclusion, and juvenile justice.

Courses Taught

Introduction to Special Education, Introduction to Behavior Disorders and Learning Disabilities, Methods and Strategies for Exceptional Learners, Evidence Based Interventions for Students with Behavior Disorders and Learning Disabilities, Applied Behavior Analysis and Positive Behavioral Supports and Interventions, Characteristics of Students with Mild Disabilities, Consultation and In-Service Training, Professional Seminar in Special Education

Ashley Delaney, Ph.D.

Adjunct Instructor, Education Teaching and Learning

Contact Information

Email: ashley.delaney@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-4803
Address: 2507 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Education

M.S. Ed in Gifted Education – Drake University

Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Iowa State

Honors & Professional Memberships

National Association for the Education of Young Children
National Council for Teachers of Mathematics
School Science and Mathematics Association
National Science Teachers Association
Association for Mathematics Teacher Educators
Iowa Governor’s STEM Council Scale-Up Reviewer
AAAS Making Our CASE Scholar

Courses Taught

Introduction to Gifted Education

Bengu Erguner-Tekinalp, Ph.D.

Professor of Education

“What do you first do when you learn to swim? You make mistakes, do you not? And what happens? You make other mistakes, and when you have made all the mistakes you possibly can without drowning - and some of them many times over - what do you find? That you can swim? Well - life is just the same as learning to swim! Do not be afraid of making mistakes, for there is no other way of learning how to live!” Alfred Adler

Bengu Erguner-Tekinalp Vita

Contact Information

Email: bengu.tekinalp@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-2170
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 217

Education

BS: Middle East Technical University, Turkey
MS: Middle East Technical University, Turkey
PhD: Auburn University

Honors & Professional Memberships

I have served various state, national and international counseling organizations. I have served on the boards of Iowa School Counselors Association, Iowa Talented and Gifted Association, and Iowa Safe Schools. I have also taken leadership and board membership roles in North American Society of Adlerian Psychology, Theory and Research co-chair, American Counseling Association, International Committee; Counselors for Social Justice Ethics and Human Rights committee. I have also involved in various State initiatives and programs such as Iowa State of Education, Social Emotional Learning taskforce advisory, Iowa (formerly Iraqi) Refugee Support Project board member and Iowa Latino/a Education task force. I am on the editorial board of Journal of School Counseling, Journal of Happiness Studies, Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance. I have counseling experiences at various settings including university counseling center, a center for traumatized children and adjudicated adolescents as well as elementary and middle school settings.

Areas of Expertise

My research agenda evolves in three interconnecting areas of research: cross-cultural counseling, positive psychology and school counseling. I have conducted research and published journal articles and book chapters and books in resilience, happiness, gratitude, positive interventions, school counseling, and multicultural counseling and diversity. With an overarching humanistic orientation, my guiding theoretical orientation in practice and research is Individual (Adlerian) Psychology. Recently, I have been developing my expertise and research focus on mindfulness and contemplative practices, especially the applications in K-12 and higher education. Combining Adlerian concept of social interest and encouragement with mindfulness practices, I am working on identifying how we can overcome the perceived barriers (cultural, political, personal) and find ways to connect with “others” (actually other “me”s) to have a more heartful presence and full connection with other beings in life.

Courses Taught

The courses I typically teach are: Counseling Diverse Populations, Methods of Counseling, Theories of Counseling, Assessment in Counseling, Introduction to Counseling, Human Development and Life Span Issues. My main philosophy of teaching is setting a safe environment of exploring and letting ourselves strive for learning, not perfection. Teaching is my element! I enjoy being in the classroom, exploring, discovering, and learning with my students. I enjoy learning and trying new strategies as I strive to be more present for my students, to be more understanding, to be more caring, to share my knowledge and insight; and to create a better learning experience for my students. I approach teaching holistically. Learning is not only a cognitive process but it is also physical, emotional and spiritual. For this reason, I took many approaches to learning in the courses that I teach. We write poems about our lives. We interview and try to connect with people whom we deem impossible to connect. We force ourselves to try something different, try to do things out of our comfort zones. We administer and take different psychological tests, including an IQ test, to develop empathy for how it feels to take a psychological test. We role-play counseling sessions. We experiment with different techniques from different theories. We have a simulation where students make and sell paper bags to understand survival in poverty conditions. In my courses we analyze cognitively and connect emotionally. We enjoy learning.

Shelley Fairbairn, Ph.D.

Professor

Shelley Fairbairn, Ph.D., is a veteran English as a second language (ESL) teacher and an associate professor in the Drake University School of Education in Des Moines, Iowa. Her teaching foci include preparing pre-service teachers to design effective lesson plans and assessments for K-12 students and empowering both pre- and in-service teachers to meet the needs of English language learners through linguistically and culturally responsive practice. Prior to joining the Drake University School of Education faculty, Dr. Fairbairn concurrently taught English as a second language courses for the Drake University International Center and served as a K-12 ESL teacher in two Des Moines area school districts.

Dr. Fairbairn’s international experience includes three years of teaching English as a foreign language in Jakarta, Indonesia and one year of teaching ESL and ESL certificate courses at the Regional Language Centre in Singapore. More recently, she has conducted teacher professional development sessions and workshops in China, Canada, and across the U.S., often with Stephaney Jones-Vo, co-author of Differentiating Instruction and Assessment of English Language Learners: A Guide for K-12 Teachers (Caslon Publishing) and Engaging English Learners through Access to Standards (Corwin). Her scholarly work has focused primarily on effective assessment and instructional practices for ELLs, but is moving into the realm of equine-assisted learning.

Contact Information

Email: shelley.fairbairn@drake.edu
Phone: 515.271.1954
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall, 107

Education

B.M.E., M.A., Oral Roberts University

Ph.D., University of Iowa

Amber Graeber, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership

Contact Information

Email: amber.graeber@drake.edu
Phone: 515.271.2618
Address: 2507 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps 204

Education

BA: Drake University
BSE: Drake University
MEd: University of Washington, Seattle
MEd: Iowa State University
PhD: Iowa State State University

Prior Positions

Instructional Coach, Roosevelt

Areas of Expertise

Curriculum and Instruction
Assessment
Social Justice Leadership
Teaching and Le
Project-Based Learning
Leading Second Order Change

Courses Taught

Personal and Professional Assessment Seminar
Leadership and the Profession
Instruction and Learning
School and Community in a Diverse Society
Planning Research, Measurement and Evaluation
Clinical I & Clinical II
Introduction to Qualitative Research

Sheila Grebert, EdD

Adjunct Instructor, Leadership

Contact Information

Email: sheila.grebert@drake.edu
Phone: 515.271.2054
Address: 2507 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Honors & Professional Memberships

Member of the Association for Talent Development (ATD)

Prior Positions

Currently the Director of Learning and Development at Principal and an employee of Principal for 16 years in various training and development roles
Prior to working at Principal, Sheila was a certified athletic trainers at Mercy Des Moines Sports Medicine for 6 years

Courses Taught

Performance Consulting
Understanding Self and Others
Organizational Politics and Influence

Matthew Hayden, Ph.D.

Professor of Education Director, SOE International Programs

Contact Information

Email: matthew.hayden@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-3040
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 115

Education

B.A., M.A., University of St. Thomas; M.A., M. Phil., Ph.D., Teachers College-Columbia University

Areas of Expertise

Ethics, moral philosophy, moral psychology, philosophy of education, sociology of education, educational psychology, cosmopolitan education, international education, early adolescent psychology, ethics of testing and assessment, morality of schooling, global citizenship, influence of educational philosophies and philosophy of human nature on teaching.

Courses Taught

Doctoral Seminar in Foundations in Education; Global Citizenship (Honors); Theories, Isms, and Folderol (Honors); Secondary Special Methods in Social Studies; Educational Psychology; Foundations in Education; Cyprus: Centuries of Globalization, Culture, and Education (J-Term Travel Seminar); Kosovo: Repairing and Rebuilding (Travel Seminar)

Carol Heaverlo, Ph.D.

Faculty Affiliate

Contact Information

Email: carol.heaverlo@drake.edu
Phone: 515.294.8876
Address: 2507 University Avenue Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Education

B.S. Mount Mercy University

M.S. University of Northern Iowa

Ph.D. Iowa State University

Areas of Expertise

Qualitative Research
Program Evaluation and Assessment
STEM Development
Adult Learning
Organizational and Leadership Development
Emotional Intelligence
Organizational Diversity and Inclusion

Courses Taught

Qualitative Research Methods
Advanced Qualitative Research Methods

Todd Hodgkinson, Ph.D.

Professor

Contact Information

Email: todd.hodgkinson@drake.edu
Phone: W 515.271.4565 C 303.594.0924
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 125

Education

B.A., University of Iowa
M.A., University of Northern Colorado
Ph.D., University of Iowa

Honors & Professional Memberships

National Council of Teachers of English
American Association for Teaching and Curriculum
National Association for Gifted Children
Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted - SENG

Prior Positions

English Language Arts Teacher and Gifted and Talented Coordinator in the public school setting for over 12 years
Affiliate Faculty, Regis University, Denver, CO
Adjunct Faculty, Kirkwood Community College, Iowa City IA

Areas of Expertise

Curriculum theory and design
Literacy education
Gifted education
Public school reform

Courses Taught

Foundations of Education
Writing Instruction for Intermediate/Secondary Grades
Early Adolescent Growth and Development
Teaching in the Middle School
Methods of Teaching in Secondary Schools
Methods of Teaching English Language Arts
Effective Teaching I
Foundations of Gifted Education
Development and Administration of Gifted Programs
Practicum in Gifted Education

Casey Holmes, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Teaching and Learning

Contact Information

Email: casey.holmes@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-4850
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall

Education

B.A., M.A.T., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Ph.D., North Carolina State University

Honors & Professional Memberships

Honors

2020 Graduate Student Association Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching
2019 National Technology Leadership Initiative (NTLI) Fellowship Award

Professional Memberships

National Council for the Social Studies
College & University Faculty Assembly
American Educational Research Association
Iowa Council for the Social Studies

Areas of Expertise

Social studies education
Secondary teacher education
Critical citizenship education
Media literacy

Courses Taught

Student Development & Learning Theory
Methods of Teaching in Secondary Schools
Secondary Social Studies Teaching Methods
Elementary Social Studies Teaching Methods

Jiyung Hwang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Special Education

Contact Information

Email: jiyung.hwang@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-1821
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 105

Education

B.A. in Early Childhood Education, Daegu University, South Korea

B.A. in Early Childhood Special Education, Daegu University, South Korea

M.A. in Special Education, Seoul National University, South Korea

Ph.D. in Special Education, University of Missouri, Columbia

Areas of Expertise

Evidence-based intervention and assessment in reading and mathematics for students including those with learning disabilities
Tiered intervention and assessment practices within integrated multi-tiered systems of support for students with academic, social-emotional, behavioral needs
Pre- and in-service teacher preparation including professional development and instructional coaching

Courses Taught

Introduction to Special Education
Methods and Strategies for Exceptional Learners
Evidence Based Interventions for Moderate/Severe Learning Disabilities
Assessment, Diagnosis & Evaluation in Special Education

Michelle Krogulski

Associate Professor and Director of Student Teaching

Contact Information

Email: michelle.krogulski@drake.edu
Phone: 515.271.1890
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 113

Education

B.S., Iowa State University

M.A., Viterbo University

Jerrid Kruse, Ph.D.

Professor of Education; Collier Baker Endowed Professorship

Contact Information

Email: jerrid.kruse@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-3912
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 131

Education

B.A., Augustana College

M.A.T., Iowa State University

Ph.D., Iowa State University

Areas of Expertise

Science teacher education; natures of science & technology instruction; epistemological belief instruction.

Courses Taught

Advanced Qualitative Research Methods; Technology and Organizational Leadership; Inquiry and the Natures of Science, Technology, & Engineering; Methods of Engineering and Technological Design; Elementary Science Methods; Secondary Science Methods; Educational Technology; Educational Psychology.

Kevin Lam, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Urban and Diversity Education Director of the Social Justice in Urban Education Concentration

Contact Information

Email: kevin.lam@drake.edu
Phone: 515.271.2324
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 123

Education

B.A., University of California-Los Angeles

M.A., California State University-Los Angeles

Ph.D., University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign

Honors & Professional Memberships

Honors

2016 Critics’ Choice Book Award Recipient (for Youth Gangs, Racism, and Schooling: Vietnamese American Youth in a Postcolonial Context), American Educational Studies Association
2013 Committee on Scholars of Color in Education, Early Career Scholars Fellow, American Educational Research Association

Professional Memberships

American Educational Studies Association
American Educational Research Association

Areas of Expertise

Vietnamese/Asian American Youth
Youth Violence
Critical Theories of Racism
Critical Pedagogy
Urban Education
Cultural Studies
Political Economy

Courses Taught

Critical Theory and Pedagogy (independent study)
Critical Theories of Racism (independent study)
Applications for Teaching in Urban Schools
Cultural Proficiency II
Cultural Proficiency I
Urban Education and Immigration (honors)
Social Context of Urban Schools (honors)
Youth, Culture, and Society (honors)
Foundations of Education
Perspectives on Race, Ethnicity, and Gender

Tonia Land, Ph.D.

Professor

Contact Information

Email: tonia.land@drake.edu
Phone: 515.271.2321
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 127

Education

B.S., M.S., Ph.D., Iowa State University

Honors & Professional Memberships

Department Chair, Teaching and Learning

Professional Membership

Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
American Educational Research Association

Prior Positions

Elementary School Teacher

Areas of Expertise

Mathematics Education
Technology Education

Her recent interests include supporting pre-service teachers in their reading of curriculum materials and developing teachers’ capacity to be responsive to children’s mathematical thinking.

Courses Taught

The Teaching of Mathematics
Educational Technology
Mathematical Practices Equity in Mathematics Teaching
Algebra and Geometry for Elementary and Middle School
Measurement and Statistics for Elementary and Middle School
Academic Research and Writing

Wade Leuwerke, Ph.D.

Professor

Contact Information

Email: wade.leuwerke@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-3943
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 213

Education

BA: Gustavus Aldolphus College
MS: Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
PhD: Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Honors & Professional Memberships

I am a member of the Behavioral Sciences Licensure Board in the state of Iowa. I have experience working with federal agencies providing executive and career coaching. I have worked with career development companies to examine the effectiveness and impact of their assessment tools. I also have experience working with colleges and universities to examine issues around student retention, student success, and career development while also working with programs to explore and document program effectiveness.

Areas of Expertise

I am currently working on the role of noncognitive factors in student success in school and college. Along with colleagues I developed the Student Strengths Inventory, a measure of noncognitive factors predictive of academic success and retention in college. The SSI has been used at dozens of institutions across the country and in Canada to identify at risk students and to then guide programming to support those students to be successful in college. I am currently working on a student success textbook for first year students to help them develop skills and attitudes to persist and graduate from college.

I have been researching and writing about different aspects of career development for my entire career. This work has included the influence of technology in the provision of career counseling, the role and use of computer based career development tools, measures of career development outcomes, and the ethics of online career counseling. I have also conducted research with students and colleagues at Drake University on the roles, responsibilities, and perceptions of professional school counselors. Career development is one of three areas of emphasis in the practice of school counseling, positioning counselors to have a tremendous impact on the college and career readiness of their students.

Courses Taught

I regularly teach Methods of Counseling, Ethics for Counselors, College and Career Readiness, School Counseling Internship and Mental Health Counseling Internship. I strive to create meaningful learning experiences in class. This often occurs when students read before class and we use class time for discussion and projects. In Ethics for Counselors we explore ethical dilemmas and students work on a large project to explore the complexities of ethical dilemmas through a simulation of bringing ethical charges against a counselor for ethically questionable behavior. In Human Growth and Development students create an individual and follow their development throughout the lifespan. In Methods and Internship students practice their counseling skills and bring in real world counseling experiences from internship to discuss and build their skills through discussion with classmates.

Debra Mishak, Ph.D.

Adjunct Instructor, Teaching and Learning

Contact Information

Email: debra.mishak@drake.edu
Phone: 319-321-0084
Address: 2507 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Education

B.A. Vocal Performance and Pedagogy, The University of Iowa
M.A. Counselor Education, The University of Iowa
Ph.D. Curriculum and Supervision, The University of Iowa

Honors & Professional Memberships

American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
American Counseling Association
American School Counseling Association
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Blommers Research Fellow Recipient, The University of Iowa
Iowa School Counseling Association
Iowa Talented and Gifted Association (board member)
National Association for Gifted Children
Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Delta Kappa, The University of Iowa
World Council for Gifted Children

Courses Taught

Practicum in Gifted Education

Claire Muselman, EdD

Assistant Professor of Practice in Leadership, Human Resources, and Organizational Behavior

Dr. Claire Muselman serves as Assistant Professor of Practice in Leadership and Organizational Behavior in the Zimpleman College of Business and Co-Director of the Leadership Development Master of Science program at Drake University. With nearly two decades in the insurance industry, she's become a transformative force in workers' compensation and risk management, pioneering initiatives like the Workers' Recovery Unit, the Workers' Compensation Center of Excellence, and The Transitions. Her influence extends to co-hosting the acclaimed podcast ADJUSTED, a claims podcast, as well as creating content for various media outlets, including WorkCompCentral, the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) and WorkersCompensation.com.

Dr. Muselman's focus on empathetic, emotionally intelligent leadership at Drake University fosters well-being and growth, reflecting her commitment to educating future leaders. Her additional roles as Dean of Workers' Compensation for the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance's Claims College and Faculty for Work Comp College highlight her impact on the educational landscape.

Beyond academia, Dr. Claire actively advocates for inclusivity, diversity, and community service through her work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Educational Program Developer for Broadlawns Medical Center, and Advisory Board Member for the Paramedics Program at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). Her unwavering dedication and profound insights continue to shape the industry and inspire those striving for positive impact, making her an invaluable asset to Drake University and the broader field.

Contact Information

Email: claire.muselman@drake.edu
Phone: 515.271.2620
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 219 and Aliber Hall 344

Education

B.A. - University of Iowa

M.P.A. - Drake University

Ed.S. - Drake University

Ed.D. - Grand Canyon University

Areas of Expertise

Leadership
Business Strategy
Human Resources
Organizational Behavior
Insurance & Risk Management

Stephanie Oppel, PhD

Adjunct Instructor

Contact Information

Email: stephanie.oppel@drake.edu
Phone: 515.271.2054
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Education

B.A.: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

MPA: Drake University

Ph.D.: Drake University

Areas of Expertise

Civility
Employability Skills
Career Pathways in Career and Technical Education
Education Theory

Courses Taught

Philosophies and Epistemologies of Education
Doctoral Seminar
Organizational Politics and Influence

Kathy Paul

Adjunct Instructor, Online Learning School of Education

Contact Information

Email: kathy.paul@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-2736
Address: 2507 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Education

M.S. in Ed. Psychology with Gifted Endorsement - University of Nebraska

Honors & Professional Memberships

Extended Learning Program coordinator for Johnston Community Schools for over 25 years
Staff Development leader in differentiation
Presenter at NAGC, ITAG and other state and local districts
Received certificate for Professional Achievement from NAGC
Recipient of ITAG Distinguished Service Award

Courses Taught

Curriculum & Assessment of Giftedness
Administration of Gifted Programs
Challenging the Young Gifted Child

Randal Peters, Ed.D.

Associate Professor, Educational Administration

Contact Information

Email: randal.peters@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-2082
Address: 2507 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Education

BS: Grand Canyon University
MS: Indiana University
EdD: Drake University

Honors & Professional Memberships

Board of Directors, Higher Education Representative/Chair, Legislative Committee Member for Iowa Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (IASCD)
Iowa Competency-Based Education Collaborative (Design Team/Peer Review Committee Member and Chair, Higher Education Subcommittee)
Iowa Representative, Higher Education Summit--National Center for Innovation in Education
Member, Iowa Council and National Council of Professors of Educational Administration
Member, American Educational Research Association
Member, National Wellness Institute
Member, Academy of Management
Associate Editor, Journal of Health, Wellness, and Society
Associate Editor, Journal of Sport and Health

Areas of Expertise

School and community wellness initiatives/impact of physical activity on cognition and student achievement, standards-based assessment and grading practices, competency-based education and personalized learning, systems leadership and continual improvement, functions and structures of Educational Service Agencies, sustainability of parochial school models

Courses Taught

Advanced Leadership; Professional and Personal Seminar; Leadership and the Profession; School and Community in a Diverse Society; Managing Schools; Clinical Seminar I & II; Advanced Systems Thinking; Curriculum and Evaluation; Foundations of Education; Models, Theories and Instructional Strategies; Professional Certification Seminar I & II

Karen Rieck, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CCP, GRP, AINS

Adjunct Instructor

Contact Information

Email: karen.rieck@drake.edu
Phone: 515-556-5776
Address: 5400 University Ave West Des Moines, IA 50266

Office:

Education

BA: MidAmerica Nazarene University

 MBA: MidAmerica Nazarene University

Honors & Professional Memberships

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa — Board member (since 2018)

Greater Des Moines Partnership

Talent Development Board Member (since 2019)
Advisory Board for GDMP Fellowship Program (since 2018)

Iowa Association of Business & Industry

Business Horizons Board Member and volunteer (since 2005)

Women Lead Change

Greater DSM Area Metro Women Connect – Chair (on Executive Committee since 2017)

American Heart Association – Board member (since 2020)

Areas of Expertise

Human Resources
Strategic Leadership
Strategic Planning

Courses Taught

MSLD 201: Understanding Self and Others
SHRM Certification Course

Schares Stephanie

Adjunct Instructor, Education Teaching and Learning

Contact Information

Email: stephanie.schares@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-2736
Address: 2507 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Education

B.A., Iowa State University

M.S., Lewis and Clark University

Honors & Professional Memberships

Recognition of Excellence distinction from Education Testing Services in 2010

Prior Positions

6-8th grade Language Arts Teacher in Titonka, Iowa
Worked in Portland Public School district (in Oregon) in a variety of capacities: coach, tutor, middle and high school counselor, online credit recovery teacher, summer and night school adviser, mentor, ACT prep coordinator
Currently serving at Ames Community School district as 7th and 8th grade Humanities Extended Learning Program Teacher and Ames High Assistant Track Coach

Courses Taught

Social and Emotional Issues of the Gifted Learner

Chuck Sengstock, EdD

Adjunct Instructor, Leadership

Website

Contact Information

Email: chuck.sengstock@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-2184
Address: 2507 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Education

BA: Iowa Wesleyan University
MA: The University of Northern Iowa
EdS: Drake University
EdD: Drake University

Honors & Professional Memberships

Executive Board Member and Treasurer, United States Distance Learning Association, 2015-present
Member and Past President, Iowa Association for Communications Technology, 1990-2012
Winner - United States Distance Learning Association, Impact Award, 2020
Winner - United States Distance Learning Association, Best Practices Award, 2012
Winner - Iowa Distance Learning Association, Innovator Award, 2009

Areas of Expertise

Distance Learning
Educational Technology planning and production
Curriculum Development
Higher Education Administration

Courses Taught

MSLD 207: Inspiring and Involving Others

Molly Shepard, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Practice in Leadership and Organizational Behavior

Contact Information

Email: molly.shepard@drake.edu
Phone: 515.271.2361
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 219 and Aliber Hall 342

Education

B.A.: Central College

MBA: Loyola University Chicago

Ph.D.: Drake University

Areas of Expertise

Leadership Theory and Applications
Cultural Competency
Program Evaluation and Assessment
Systems Thinking and Continual Improvement
Research Methods
Study Abroad Programming

Courses Taught

Leadership Development: Understanding Self and Others
Leadership Development: The Psychology of Happiness
Ethics and Leadership
Research Methods
Theory, Research, and Leadership
Globalization
Concepts and Applications of Learning Analytics
Needs Analysis and Evaluation
Leadership at Sea (J-Term)
Perspectives in Education from Finland (J-Term)

DeDe Small, Ph.D.

Professor of Education

Contact Information

Email: dede.small@drake.edu
Phone: 515.271.3059
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 129

Education

B.S., Creighton University

M.S., University of Nebraska-Omaha

Ph.D., University of Minnesota-Minneapolis

Honors & Professional Memberships

International Literacy Association
ILA Special Interest Group - Children's Literature and Reading
National Council of Teachers of English Children's Literature Assembly
Literacy Research Association

Areas of Expertise

Diversity in Children's Literature
Reader Response Choice
Reading Motivation
Text Complexity

Courses Taught

Literature of Childhood and Youth
Communicative Arts in the Elementary Classroom
Language and Literacy
Reading in the Content Area
Today's Children's Literature

Robert Stensrud, Ph.D.

Professor

The introduction into any profession involves learning the language of that profession and the critical thinking skills to reason with that language. This is especially true of the counseling profession because our language so permeates the popular culture that everyone thinks they can be counselors. Beyond that, the Internet is awash with information and the ability to critically search and select relevant information has become an essential skill. My intention is to introduce students to the language of our profession and the lived experiences of the people we serve. From that, I expect students to develop the critical thinking skills to understand how to work effectively with any clients they encounter regardless of their heritage of situation.

Robert Stensrud Vita

Contact Information

Email: robert.stensrud@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271-3061
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 201

Education

BA: Wartburg College
MA: University of Northern Iowa
EdD: Drake University

Honors & Professional Memberships

I have worked in the field of counseling and disability for over 30 years as a counselor, consultant, and professor. A substantial aspect of my experience has involved working with people with serious and persistent mental illness and all of the related educational, treatment, legal, and vocational issues they confront. I have consulted to private and public organizations regarding organizational change, program evaluation, and quality improvement.

Areas of Expertise

I have conducted research on disability since 1977. My focus has evolved and included disability in higher education and public institutions, disability and the health care delivery system, and disability employment. My interest is in understanding the pervasive impact of disability on individuals and families and how it can be addressed through systemic interventions that do not perpetuate stigmatizing stereotypes. My current research focuses on social network analysis and the development of social capital as a way for people with disabilities to improve their integration into work and community settings.

Douglas Stilwell, Ed.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor

Contact Information

Email: doug.stilwell@drake.edu
Phone: 515-271- 3726
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Education

B.A. Buena Vista University
M.S. Northwest Missouri State University
Ed.D. Drake University

Honors & Professional Memberships

Honors

2018 Iowa High School Athletic Association Administrator Award
2011 Drake School of Education Alumni Award

Professional Membership

American Society for Quality Member
Iowa Quality Center Board Member

Prior Positions

Superintendent Urbandale Community School District
Associate Superintendent/Director of Human Resources Urbandale Community School District
Elementary Principal West Des Moines Community School District
Elementary Teacher West Des Moines Community School District
Elementary Teacher Storm Lake Community School District
Elementary Teacher Estherville Community School District

Areas of Expertise

Systems thinking and leadership
Continual improvement
Organizational trust
Impact of fear in the workplace

Courses Taught

Personal and Professional Assessment Seminar
Leadership and the Profession
Organizational and System Behavior
Instruction and Learning
Clinical Experience I and II
Systems Thinking
Advanced Leadership

Lynn Roth Taylor

Adjunct Instructor, Education Teaching and Learning

Contact Information

Email: lynn.rothtaylor@drake.edu or lynnrothtaylor@gmail.com
Phone: 757.270.3880
Address: 2507 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311 516 Oak Grove Road Norfolk, VA 23505

Office:

Education

B.A. History and English – Holy Names University, Oakland, California
M.S. Gifted Education and Early Childhood – University of California at Los Angeles, Old Dominion University, and graduate studies at University of Virginia

Honors & Professional Memberships

Taught elementary, middle and high school students in California for 14 years
Taught in Dr. Barbara Clark’s University Enrichment School for five years
Taught in Dr. Carolyn Callahan’s UVA Summer Enrichment School for Gifted 5 years
Adjunct Professor at the University of Virginia for 15 years teaching the Virginia Gifted Endorsement Series
“Teacher of the Year” three times while teaching special populations and 2e gifted students
Gifted and Talented specialist for the Norfolk Public Schools for 20 years
Presented at the World Council Gifted for Gifted Talented Conference in Barcelona on the Identification and Needs of Special Populations of Gifted Children
Interim Senior Coordinator for Gifted Programs Norfolk Public Schools, Virginia
Research interests include giftedness, 2e gifted students and the emotional needs of the highly gifted
Member of the Virginia Association of Gifted VAG, National Association of Gifted Children NAGC, and World Council for Gifted and Talented Children WCGTC

Courses Taught

Special Populations of Gifted Students

Jennifer Thoma, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Contact Information

Email: jennifer.thoma@drake.edu
Phone: 515.271.2599
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 119

Education

B.A., Wartburg College

B.A., University of Northern Iowa

M.Ed., Viterbo University

Ph.D., Iowa State University

Honors & Professional Memberships

American Educational Research Association (AERA)
International Reading Association (IRA)
Literacy Research Association (LRA)
National Staff Development Council (NSDC)
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Prior Positions

Elementary Instructor, Ankeny Community Schools
Elementary Instructor and Supplemental Reading Coach, Des Moines Public Schools
K-5 Instructional Coach, Ankeny Community Schools

Areas of Expertise

Literacy
Early Childhood
Technology Integration in a Professional Learning Community

Courses Taught

Introduction to Elementary Reading
Literacy Assessment and Instruction II
Curriculum in Early Childhood
Balanced Literacy

Jim Verlengia, Ed.D.

Adjunct Instructor, Leadership

Contact Information

Email: vincent.verlengia@drake.edu
Phone: (515) 499-6490
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Education

BA: University of Northern Colorado
MA: Adams State College
Ed.S: Drake University
Ed.D: Drake University

Honors & Professional Memberships

Walt Whitman Society of Outstanding Educators, 2004
Leadership Iowa 2000 Cohort, 1999-2000
Outstanding Alumni Award, Drake University School of Education, 1998
IAMLE (Iowa Middle Level Educators) Middle School Administrator of the Year, 1997
Recipient of Governor Terry Branstad's Civilian Life Saving Award, 1989

Areas of Expertise

Leadership Development
Coaching
Change Leadership
Mediation
Culture Building
Strategic Planning

Courses Taught

Leading Change

Jesse Wilcox, Ph.D.

Adjunct Faculty

Contact Information

Email: jesse.wilcox@drake.edu
Phone: 515.271.3697
Address: 2507 University Avenue Des Moines, IA 50311

Office:

Education

B.S., M.A.T., Ph.D., Iowa State University

Honors & Professional Memberships

Honors

2016 Outstanding Academic Advisor Award Awarded by Grand View University
2011 Excellence in Science Teaching Award Awarded by the Iowa Academy of Sciences
2007 Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award for New Teachers Awarded by the National Science Teachers Association

Professional Memberships

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Iowa Academy of Science (IAS)
Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE)
International History, Philosophy and Science Teaching (IHPST)
North Central Association for Science Teacher Education (NC-ASTE)
National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST)

Prior Positions

Assistant Professor of Education Grand View University, Des Moines, IA

Areas of Expertise

Nature of Science
Teacher Induction
Epistemological Beliefs
Research-based Pedagogical Decision-making
Pre-service and In-service Teacher Education
Elementary Science Teaching
STEM Education

Courses Taught

Problem-based Learning
Effective Teaching II
Culturally Proficient Capstone
Engineering and Technological Design
Introduction to Education
Elementary Science Methods
Secondary Science Methods
Science Methods & the Nature of Science
Essentials of Effective Instruction
Critical Issues in Teacher Leadership
Student Development and Learning Theory

Lindsay Woodward, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Contact Information

Email: lindsay.woodward@drake.edu
Phone: 515.271.3006
Address: 2702 Forest Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311

Office: Collier-Scripps Hall 117

Education

B.A., M.A.E., Truman State University
Ph.D., Iowa State University

Honors & Professional Memberships

2019 Drake Sabbatical Research Fellow
2016 Research Excellence Award, Graduate College, Iowa State University
2014 Teaching Excellence Award, Graduate College, Iowa State University
American Education Research Association
International Literacy Association
Literacy Research Association
National Council of Teachers of English

Areas of Expertise

My areas of interest involve adolescent literacy and technology in literacy education. My research focuses on the potential of digital tools to support effective literacy instruction, especially when situated in professional development for teachers. I am also interested in the nature of reading in digital spaces, particularly how secondary students locate and make sense of conflicting information. My work has appeared in such journals as the American Educational Research Journal, Reading Research Quarterly, and Teachers College Record.