Faculty Spotlights
Explore the expertise and contributions of Kent State University’s distinguished faculty. Through innovative teaching, groundbreaking research, and leadership across diverse fields, these educators shape the academic experience. Discover how their work in areas like public health, user experience design, music education, and disability studies drives student success and community impact.
Related Blog Posts
Technology is reshaping education—and at Kent State University, faculty like Dr. Jiahui Wang are leading the way. As an Assistant Professor of Educational Technology, Dr. Wang is dedicated to helping students and teachers harness the power of technology to create more engaging, effective learning environments.
At Kent State University, preparing future special educators goes far beyond teaching techniques—it’s about inspiring passion, resilience, and lifelong dedication. Few embody this spirit more fully than Dr. Andrew Wiley, a leader in special education and a champion for students and teachers alike.
Dr. Bradley J. Morris is a Developmental Cognitive Scientist whose research program includes basic research in cognitive development and its application in designing effective PreK-12 STEM instruction. His research focuses on the development of Scientific and Mathematical reasoning and Motivation. The goal of his research program is to identify the mechanisms underlying children’s reasoning (e.g., strategy acquisition) and motivation (e.g., praise type) using a variety of experimental methods (e.g., eye tracking) and computational modeling.
Dr. Tricia Niesz’s journey in education began with aspirations of becoming an elementary school teacher. However, her fascination with the intersection of culture, society, equity, and justice led her to pursue a deeper exploration of these themes. Now a faculty member in Kent State University’s Cultural Foundations Master of Education Online Master’s Degree program, Dr. Niesz shares insights into this unique academic path and its impact on students and communities.
The College of the Arts at Kent State University is pleased to announce Katie Mazanetz as the Academic Recruitment and Retention Director working on the online Master of Music in Music Education program.
Mary Ann Devine is a Professor at Kent State University in the Cultural Foundations and Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management programs and also directs the Disability Studies and Community Inclusion Graduate Certificate program, an online graduate certificate focused on inclusive practices and accessibility.
In today’s interconnected world, where cyber threats are constantly evolving, there is a growing demand for professionals who can understand and address both the technical and social aspects of cybercrime. Kent State University is excited to announce its new 100% online Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology, one of the few programs in the U.S. that combines information technology with criminology to meet the needs of this rapidly expanding field.
The Kent State University’s Alternative Licensure Professional Development Institute (ALPDI) program is intended for teachers holding an Alternative License. ALPDI provides ODHE-approved coursework leading to eligibility to advance to an Ohio 5-year Professional License.
Elizabeth “Lisa” Testa is an associate professor in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Studies at Kent State University. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate coursework on teaching and learning, as well as English education and literacy courses. She works closely with many local K-12 partners, providing opportunities for pre-service teachers to gain clinical field experiences in secondary schools. Her research interests include studying teacher education and pre-service teachers’ conceptions of teaching writing.
He is an Associate Professor in the Evaluation and Measurement program within the College of Education, Health and Human Services at Kent State University. He is also the program coordinator for the online Master of Education degree in Research, Measurement, and Statistics.
Dr. Astrid N. Sambolín Morales is an Assistant Professor in Kent State Online’s 100% Online Master of Education degree in Cultural Foundations. She received her PhD in Educational Equity and Cultural Diversity from the University of Colorado Boulder and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research provides a more nuanced picture of the agency, resistance, and empowerment enacted by displaced Puerto Rican m(others) in the U.S., and her work was funded by several grants, including the University of Colorado Natural Hazards Center, the BUENO Center for Multicultural Education, the URBAN Research Network, and the NAEd Spencer Foundation.
Felesia McDonald, ’14 is an adjunct instructor in the iSchool, teaching courses in the 100% Online Master of Science in User Experience. McDonald is also the Sr Manager UX Design at Optum, a branch of UnitedHealth Group.
As one of the newest faculty members in the iSchool, Professor Dong Whi Yoo is encouraging students to see the potential of interdisciplinary research.
Kelsey Pytlik serves as an adjunct professor for the Kent State University School of Information, teaching courses in UX, UX principles and concepts, principles of interaction, and more.
Watch Dr. Daniel Hawes speak to Sage Publications about a paper he presented at the American Political Science Association conference in Montreal 2022. The paper also won the Herbert Kaufman Best Paper award from the Public Administration Section in 2023.
Justin serves as Executive Director for Career Exploration & Development at Kent State University and has experience in career counseling, academic advising, career exploration, development, staff development, and leadership.
Author: Katherine Jurak, Kent State University
Growing up in Akron, Sarah Labovitz, D.M.A., was surrounded by music. Her dad sang to the radio. Her mom played guitar. Her siblings excelled in music. She excelled in music. With a lengthy list of accomplishments across numerous states, she recently returned to “the heart of it all” as the new director of the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at Kent State University.
More than 60,000 Cleveland residents identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.1 To better understand these residents’ needs, the Kent State University College of Public Health (CPH) launched the Greater Cleveland LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment project in March. The LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland serves as the primary community partner, and the Cleveland Foundation is providing financial support.
Benjamin Lorenzo is an associate professor of music and the Director of Bands at Kent State University’s Glauser School of Music, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, teaches conducting, and provides leadership for university bands. He also teaches a summer elective for the Online Master of Music in Music Education.
Dr. Herbert (Butch) Marshall is an Assistant Professor for the Online Master of Music in Music Education.
Meet Dr. Lee. She is an assistant professor in the School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration within the College of Education, Health and Human Services at Kent State University. She’s also the program coordinator for the online Master of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
You may have already received some emails and phone calls from her!
Kent State University’s College of Public Health (COPH) faculty are engaged in community-based, relevant research and public health programs, continuing the tradition of excellence and service that began when Kent State was founded as a public research university in 1910. In this post, we introduce you to three of the COPH professors who are actively engaged with their communities and their students, and with advancing knowledge in their areas of expertise.
I am a professor and the associate dean for Research and Global Affairs. I teach undergraduate, master, and doctoral-level courses. Most courses I teach focus on applying theory to developing, implementing, and evaluating community-based public health programs. I direct doctoral dissertations and advise MPH students. In my role as associate dean, I facilitate the research enterprise in the College, including pre and post-award activities, research compliance, and serve on university research-related committees. In addition, I develop research projects with other institutions abroad, faculty and student exchanges, and promote faculty and student research.
Diane Petrella, dean of the College of the Arts, announced that professor and Vocal Area coordinator Timothy Culver would serve as the Interim Director of the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music effective July 1, 2022.
Dr. Wendy K. Matthews, the Program Coordinator for the Online Master of Music in Music Education, shares her ideas for motivating your ensemble in her blog post for the National Association for Music Education.
Dr. Wendy K. Matthews, the Program Coordinator for the Online Master of Music in Music Education, shares her ideas for music games for your beginning ensembles in her blog post for the National Association for Music Education.