Anneliese Spaeth is a Professor of Mathematics and Vice President for Technology at Huntingdon College. She holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Vanderbilt University (2013), with expertise in Banach Spaces and Basis Theory. Her administrative leadership includes strategic technology initiatives such as implementing Canvas LMS, Campus Café SIS, and expanding campus WiFi. She served as Department Chair (2014-2019) and pioneered the Applied Mathematics major. Her research focuses on Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL), RUME, Basis Theory, Harmonic Analysis, and Quantization Algorithms. She contributes to the Journal of Inquiry Based Learning in Mathematics editorial board and actively publishes in mathematics education and pure/applied mathematics. Notable achievements include NSF Fellowship recognition and multiple honor society memberships. Her professional service includes roles with AACTM, AMS, and MAA. Technical interests encompass Python programming and educational technology innovations.
Ray Rosas is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY. His research focuses on writing studies, the rhetoric of health and medicine, and issues of racial and social justice in education. He holds a Ph.D. in English from Penn State (2023), an M.A. in English from Penn State (2019), and a B.A. in English from the University of Arizona (2017). Education: Ph.D., English, Pennsylvania State University, 2023 M.A., English, Pennsylvania State University, 2019 B.A., English, University of Arizona, 2017 His research interests include Black and Latinx literacies, writing program administration, and the U.S. opioid epidemic. His work has been published in WPA: Writing Program Administration , Composition Studies , and Rhetoric of Health and Medicine . He is currently under contract for a book titled Claiming Writerly Agency: New Visions of Black and Latinx Excellence in Higher Education with Colorado State/Utah State University Press. No scientific awards are listed in the provided information. His advising and grant activities are not detailed here, but his book project highlights ongoing scholarly contributions to understanding marginalized communities' educational experiences through a rhetorical lens.
Janine Larmon Peterson is a Professor of History at Marist College, serving as Director of the Honors Program and Coordinator of Medieval and Renaissance Studies. She holds affiliations with Fordham University’s Center for Medieval Studies as an Affiliated Scholar and edits Medieval Europe for the Database of Religious History. Her roles include faculty advisor for Phi Alpha Theta, Marist’s LGBTQ+ Ally, and coordinator of the Medieval and Renaissance Studies Minor. Dr. Peterson teaches courses on medieval witchcraft, gender, and cultural contact, alongside First Year Seminars. Education: BA and MA in Medieval Studies from Fordham University; PhD in History (Medieval and Cultural History) from Indiana University. Her career also includes roles in IBM’s Outsource Department, academic administration, and non-profit management. Research Interests: Focus on challenges to institutional church authority, heresy, gender/sexuality, and cultural interaction in late medieval Italy. Key themes include disputed sanctity, marginalized groups, and religious dissent. Publications: Her work spans monographs, journal articles, and digital humanities projects, emphasizing late medieval Italy’s religious and social dynamics. Notable works include Suspect Saints and Holy Heretics (2019) and contributions to Past & Present and Viator . Awards: Includes NEH Summer Stipend, Bernadotte Schmitt Grant, and John Tracy Ellis Dissertation Award. Recognized for service at Marist with a Special Recognition Award. Service & Leadership: Organized conferences on the Albigensian Crusade and medieval undergraduate symposia. Served on committees for the Hagiography Society and Society for Medieval Feminist Scholarship. Demonstrates commitment to pedagogy through innovative teaching methods and academic advising. Affiliations: Editorial roles at Hortulus and the Database of Religious History. Active in professional societies like the Society for Italian Historical Studies and the American Catholic Historical Association.
Jennifer Smith is a Professor and Chair of the Department of English at North Central College. She holds additional administrative roles as Director of General Education and Career Initiatives and Coordinator of the First-Year Seminar-Writing program. Her research focuses on 19th-21st century American literature, narrative theory, gender studies, and comparative ethnic approaches. She earned her Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. from Indiana University and Ball State University respectively. Her major scholarly work includes the book The American Short Story Cycle (2018) and essays in Pedagogy , Meridians , and others. Current projects explore gender and new media in contemporary literature, including an upcoming essay in The Literary Taylor Swift . Her writing spans academic articles, book chapters, and public-facing blogs. Teaching interests include multicultural American literature, creative writing, and first-year composition courses. Professional service includes roles in curriculum development and pedagogical innovation. Her work has been recognized through shortlisting for the 2019 David D. Anderson Award for Midwestern Literary Studies.
Linda Barnes is an Adjunct Instructor of Developmental Writing at Northland College, which announced its closure at the end of the 2024–25 academic year. She holds a Master of Arts in Education-Reading from Meredith College (Raleigh, NC), a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY). Her career spans over 15 years in non-profit program management and 15 years in education, including teaching developmental reading and English at a North Carolina community college and high school-level instruction. She has also administered teen parenting programs, services for homeless families, and worked with seniors. Her professional focus includes adult education methodologies, as evidenced by her master’s thesis on using a book club model in developmental reading courses. Barnes is a Peace Corps volunteer alumni (Philippines, early 20s) and strongly aligns with Northland College’s environmental mission. She teaches English 110 and actively engages in community-oriented activities such as dragon boat racing, cross-country skiing, and hiking. No scientific awards, grants, or lab affiliations are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Dr. Deborah Thigpen is a Visiting Professor at Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication (SJGC), where she teaches courses in reporting, public relations, and strategic communication. With over 40 years of professional experience, she combines academic instruction with a career in journalism, public relations, and entrepreneurship. Her roles include advising the SJGC’s Journey magazine and co-advising the NABJ Student Chapter. Thigpen also leads Thigpen & Associates, Inc., a PR and marketing firm, and has consulted for organizations like NASA, the EPA, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Education: Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Bowling Green State University (1978) Master of Arts in Organizational Management, University of Phoenix (2005) Doctor of Management, University of Phoenix (2011) Executive Training: Amos Tuck School of Business (Dartmouth College), Boston University, Kent State University Research & Interests: Thigpen focuses on journalism ethics, public relations strategies, and mentoring entrepreneurs, particularly African American women. She emphasizes storytelling to empower communities and has contributed to initiatives like the “Empowering Entrepreneurs” workshop and the Small Business Administration programs. Awards & Recognition: National Minority Small Business Person of the Year (SBA) Top 10 Women Business Owners in Northeast Ohio (NAWBO) Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Community Leadership Advising & Grants: Thigpen mentors non-traditional adult learners and has participated in programs like the Upward Bound Leadership Initiative. She advocates for diversity in media and entrepreneurship through collaborations with organizations like the Plank Center for Public Relations. Labs & Teams: She supports SJGC’s Writing Lab and partners with the Small Business Institute, fostering student engagement in real-world PR campaigns and community outreach.
Clay Motley, Ph.D., serves as Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). He holds a Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of South Carolina, along with an M.A. and B.A. in English Literature from Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky, respectively. His scholarship focuses on Southern US culture, particularly its popular music and religious influences, with a current emphasis on Clarksdale, Mississippi’s music history and the Mississippi Delta region. Dr. Motley has led honors programs and colleges at three universities since 2004 and has taught courses such as The History of Rock n' Roll and Life in Peru . He has published in journals like Southern Cultures and Religions , and his work appears in essay collections like Walking the Line: Country Lyricists and American Culture . His grants include a National Endowment for the Humanities Common Heritage Grant ($8,760) and a National Endowment for the Arts Art Works Grant ($86,152). His research interests span blues, country, and rock music history, alongside topics like masculinity, religious identity, and cultural authenticity. He is a member of the National Collegiate Honors Council and the Society for the Study of Southern Literature, and has presented at conferences like the International Conference on the Blues and the Music of the South conference. Dr. Motley is currently writing a book-length study on Clarksdale’s music history and frequently engages in public scholarship related to the Mississippi Delta’s cultural heritage.
Melanie Smith serves as a faculty member in the Education Department at Hannibal-LaGrange University (HLGU), where she has taught since fall 2014. Prior to joining HLGU, she accumulated twelve years of practical K-12 experience as both a classroom teacher (10 years) and elementary principal (2 years), emphasizing service-oriented education aligned with the university's Christian mission. Educational Background: Doctoral Student in Curriculum and Instruction with Language, Diversity & Literacy Studies Concentration, Texas Tech University (Present) Education Specialist in Administration, William Woods University (2010) Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, University of Missouri-Columbia (2003) Bachelor of Science in Education, University of Missouri-Columbia (2002) Her research centers on collaborative literacy development and evidence-based early intervention strategies, exploring how social dynamics influence reading proficiency in diverse learners. Current work examines summer learning loss mitigation and family engagement frameworks to strengthen literacy outcomes in elementary settings. Scientific Recognition: Co-recipient of International Reading Association’s Outstanding Literacy Unit award (2013) for research on persuasive writing in zoological contexts Presented evidence-based literacy practices at International Reading Association Convention (2013) As an active member of the International Literacy Association and Missouri State Teachers Association, Smith bridges academic research with classroom application. Her teaching philosophy integrates faith-based service principles with contemporary literacy pedagogy, particularly through community outreach initiatives connecting HLGU students with local school systems.
Dr. Tracie Stewart is a Professor of Psychological Science at Kennesaw State University (KSU), specializing in intergroup relations and organizational change. Her research focuses on unconscious bias reduction strategies in workplaces and educational settings. She holds a PhD in Psychological Sciences from Purdue University and a BA in Psychology from Hendrix College. Her research interests include social cognition, mindful pedagogy, and applying psychological insights to organizational dynamics. Dr. Stewart has published over 30 journal articles and book chapters, with recent work emphasizing long-term bias reduction interventions and inclusive education frameworks. She has received notable awards including the 2010 APA Outstanding Teaching Award and the 2021 RCHSS Outstanding Teacher Award. As a fellow of the Society of Experimental Social Psychology, she has contributed editorial roles to journals like Basic and Applied Social Psychology. Her external funding includes grants from the Russell Sage Foundation and the Wayne F. Placek Award. Dr. Stewart designs evidence-based bias awareness programs for federal agencies and organizations, including the U.S. Social Security Administration. She advocates for first-generation college students, drawing from her own background as a first-sibling, first-generation scholar. Teaching courses like Research Methods and Applied Social Psychology, she emphasizes inclusive pedagogy and student mentorship.
Autumn Fair is an Associate Professor of Business Administration at Lancaster Bible College, combining academic expertise with strategic consulting experience. She serves as Founder and CFO of LYNN SQUARED® Consulting, specializing in guiding small businesses and entrepreneurs. Her work emphasizes community empowerment, faith-based leadership, and advancing women in business. She holds an MBA and is completing a Doctor of Business Administration (expected Fall 2025). Education: DBA (expected Fall 2025) MBA, Lincoln University, PA BS, Business Administration, University of Phoenix, AZ AA, Business Administration and Management, HACC, PA Her research focuses on leadership development, gender equity in business roles, and faith integration in organizational practices. Notable works include Let Her Be Light and explorations of generative AI's impact on business operations. She advocates for mentorship programs to empower women in non-traditional careers. Awards: Distinguished Public Servant Award – City of Harrisburg Teaching specialties include Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Human Resource Management. She actively mentors entrepreneurs and contributes to community outreach initiatives aligning with LBC's mission. Current projects involve advancing sustainable business practices through faith-based frameworks.
Deborah Mutnick is Professor of English at Long Island University (LIU) Brooklyn, serving as Co-Director of LIU Brooklyn Learning Communities and Assessment Fellow within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Her career spans decades of scholarship in composition studies, basic writing, and community-engaged pedagogy, with significant contributions to educational equity and digital humanities. Her educational foundation includes a B.A. from the University of Michigan, M.F.A. from the University of North Carolina, and Ph.D. from New York University. Mutnick's research centers on rhetoric and composition, literacy, basic writing, oral history, and digital humanities. She pioneers university-community partnerships through projects like The Pathways to Freedom Digital Narrative Project, which maps civil rights histories using GIS technology. Her current work critically examines the relevance of the 1930s Federal Writers' Project to contemporary America, emphasizing public writing and spatial justice. Her publication trajectory reveals a consistent focus on empowering marginalized writers while evolving toward digital spatial narratives. Early work established foundational critiques of basic writing programs, later shifting to digital ethnography and community storytelling that bridges academic scholarship with grassroots activism. Her distinguished awards include the W. Ross Winterowd Award for Writing in an Alien World and competitive grants from NEH and Puffin Foundation. NEH Digital Humanities Startup Grant for 'The Pathways to Freedom Digital Narrative Project' Puffin Foundation Grant for 'Our Legacies: Who We Are, Where We’re From,' 2004 Puffin Foundation Grant for 'Plainfield Project,' 2000 W. Ross Winterowd Award, 1997 Finalist, CCCC James Berlin Memorial Dissertation Award, 1995 As an external reviewer for CUNY writing programs and editorial board member for Science & Society and Journal of Basic Writing , Mutnick shapes national discourse on composition studies. Her NEH-funded Pathways project exemplifies her grant-driven approach to merging academic research with community needs through digital mapping and oral history. She directs The Pathways to Freedom project team and serves on the Prospect Lefferts Gardens Neighborhood Association board, creating infrastructure for sustained university-community collaboration where students co-create digital narratives with civil rights activists.
Nicole Neitzey is the Assistant Director of the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery (CISR) at James Madison University and serves as the program manager/grants officer. She is an adjunct professor in the Political Science department, teaching courses on proposal writing and project management within the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Public Policy and Administration (PPA) programs. Her professional experience spans over two decades, including roles as technical editor and managing editor for The Journal of ERW and Mine Action . Education: Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts in Technical and Scientific Communication from James Madison University (2002), specializing in online publications, and a Master of Public Administration (2015) from JMU, with a concentration in nonprofit management. She is affectionately referred to as a “Double Duke” due to her dual JMU degrees. Research and Professional Projects: She has led or managed numerous high-impact projects, including the Study on the Aging Underwater Munitions , Pathways to Resilience Program (Lebanon) , and Consortium for Complex Operations Portal Review . Her work often intersects international aid, humanitarian demining, and organizational grant management. She has also supported the U.S. Department of State’s CD-ROM project and multiple Senior Managers’ Courses. Grants and Advising: As grants officer, she oversees grant lifecycle management and has mentored teams in proposal development. Her expertise bridges academic teaching and applied project execution in public administration and international development.
Louise Wetherbee Phelps is a Professor affiliated with Old Dominion University, recognized for her contributions to Writing Program Administration (WPA), visual rhetoric, and higher education leadership. She founded the Syracuse University Writing Program (1986–1993), emphasizing inquiry-based curriculum design and collaborative organizational structures. Her work bridges academic administration and scholarly practice through innovative uses of mapping and visual rhetoric to reframe institutional dynamics. Research Focus: Phelps’ scholarship centers on reimagining academic leadership, curriculum development, and the role of visual thinking in administrative contexts. She advocates for holistic approaches to writing programs, integrating theory, practice, and publication across diverse stakeholders. Her conceptual frameworks include spiral curricula, matrix models of faculty work, and design-based administration strategies. Key Contributions: Developed strategic planning frameworks for writing programs as dynamic, inquiry-driven communities. Pioneered visual rhetoric in WPA practice, using diagrams and boundary objects to mediate administrative and scholarly discourse. Championed equitable faculty work models through MLA Commission on Professional Service initiatives. Explored leadership as a non-hierarchical, distributed practice in feminist academic contexts. Publications & Presentations: Over three decades, Phelps has authored influential works on WPA praxis, feminist pedagogy, and institutional critique. Her 2002 chapter *Turtles All the Way Down* redefined leadership through metaphors of fractal patterns and design thinking. Key addresses include her 2003 keynote on *Administration as a Design Art* and 1996 MLA Commission reports on faculty work reconfiguration. Teaching & Mentorship: While no advisees are explicitly listed, her work has profoundly influenced generations of WPAs through pedagogical frameworks and institutional critique methodologies.
Lee F. Peoples is the Frederick Charles Hicks Professor of Law and Associate Dean of Library and Technology at the Oklahoma City University School of Law. He holds a B.A., M.L.I.S., and J.D. from the University of Oklahoma, with additional studies at Åarhus University (Denmark) and Universiteit Utrecht (Netherlands). His research focuses on comparative law, technology’s impact on legal research, and judicial processes. He teaches advanced legal research and co-founded the Legal Information and Technology eJournal on SSRN. Administrative roles include Interim Dean (2017-2018), Law Library Director (since 2010), and Director of International Programs responsible for the innovative Certificate in American Law Program. Education: B.A., M.L.I.S., J.D. from University of Oklahoma Professional Affiliations: American Association of Law Libraries, Association of American Law Schools; chairs Midtown OKC Association Teaching: Leads Norick Municipal Law Research Clinic and co-teaches Law Practice Technology Key Initiatives: Founded the Certificate in American Law Program and co-developed OCU Law Library Research Guides Research interests explore intersections of technology and law, including AI’s role in legal education, judicial citation practices, and internet’s influence on legal processes. Over 39 publications span books, articles, and book chapters analyzing negligence law across U.S. states, intellectual property, and legal technology. Advisory and grants activities include roles in professional organizations and urban development boards. The Norick Municipal Law Research Clinic reflects his commitment to applied legal education and community engagement.
Mike Martinez Jr. is a Professor and Director of the Sarita Kenedy East Law Library at St. Mary’s University School of Law. He holds a J.D. (2000) from St. Mary’s and an M.S.I.S. (2005) from the University of Texas at Austin, along with a B.A. (1996) from UT Austin. His work focuses on legal research methodologies, law library innovation, and integrating information technology into legal education. As Director, he oversees strategic library initiatives to enhance faculty and student support. He teaches Legal Research and Writing, supervises independent student writing projects, and manages the Dean’s Research Fellows program. Martinez also coordinates externship training and leads workshops for students and alumni. His research emphasizes cost-effective legal research strategies, millennial learning dynamics, and diversity in legal education. Notably, his 2011 article on cost-effective research won the State Bar of Texas’ Best Feature Story award. He has presented widely on topics like library adaptation to digital trends and fostering inclusive academic environments. Martinez previously served as Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (2020-2021), demonstrating leadership in institutional strategy. His professional contributions span library management, curriculum development, and bridging gaps between legal education and practice.
