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Sara Agema
Affiliate Professor
Movement Science
B.S. Psychology, Grand Valley State University
M. S. Applied Exercise Science, Concordia University Fitness and Health Promotion; -Sports Nutrition
Sara Agema has taught in the Movement Science Department at Grand Valley State University for 10 years teaching numerous Fitness, Skill and Activity and Exercise Science courses. In addition to her academic responsibilities, she is an active exercise science practitioner specializing in indoor cycling and barre fitness group exercise instruction. She holds numerous professional certifications that expand her education and practical experience. These certifications include Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C) from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Certified Human Movement Specialist (HMS) from the Brookbush Institute (BBI), Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM),
Certified Group Exercise Instructor from the American Council on Exercise (ACE Fitness), Certified Level 3 Elite and SpinPower Instructor from Mad Dogg Athletics Spinning, and Certified Master Barre Instructor from the International Ballet Barre Fitness Association (IBBFA). Additionally, Sara is a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, bringing a unique blend of athletic experience and professional expertise to her teaching and practice.
Emily Beckwith
Affiliate Professor
Writing
B.A. English, Carleton College
M.A. English Literature and Culture, Oregon State University
Ph.D. English, University of Georgia
Emily Beckwith teaches First-Year Writing (FYW) and has a research background in nineteenth-century British literature and periodical studies. Her teaching philosophy centers on cultivating communities of writers through collaborative learning. You can find two of her FYW lesson plans in Dynamic Activities for First-Year Composition and her literary scholarship in Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction. In addition to her degrees in English, she also holds a minor in German Language and Literature (from Carleton) and graduate certificates in College and University Teaching (from Oregon State) and Women’s Studies (from Georgia). When she’s not in the classroom or developing new ways to engage and support her students, you can find her reading in a cozy nook, nurturing her indoor succulent garden, planning her outdoor garden, cuddling any available dogs, watching British TV, practicing Welsh on Duolingo, and going on walks and adventures – big and small – with her husband.
Margaret ten Berge
Assistant Professor
Classics
B.A. Williams College
M.A. Tufts University
M.St. Christ Church College, University of Oxford
D. Phil. Christ Church College, University of Oxford
Margaret ten Berge brings an impressive range of interdisciplinary skills to her work as a new member of the Society, Technology, and Environment Cluster Hire. In her recently completed doctoral dissertation (“Living Standards and Market Integration in the Rural Economy of Roman Britain”) she used GIS and other digital tools to model ancient rural communities’ complex socio-economic lives in varying environmental settings. Margaret’s work breaks down the assumptions of earlier generations of scholars about the lives of Roman rural populations, examining ways in which these marginalized groups have been subject to damaging stereotypes. Current projects expand upon this work, comparing Medieval and Early Modern concepts with Roman ideas about rural labor. Margaret has taught most recently at Hope College, bringing to Grand Valley strength in active learning pedagogy and a strong commitment to the development of new undergraduate research opportunities.
Roy A. Black
Affiliate Professor
English
B.A. English Education, History Minor, GVSU
M.A. English Education, GVSU
Roy is a former high school teacher who teaches College Reading and English teaching methods courses. He has been with the English Department as an adjunct professor for 10 years and a visiting professor for the past three years. Roy’s classroom focus is on student-centered learning, and his research interests include equitable grading, autonomy-supporting teaching practices, and guiding and supporting new teachers. He has been published in the Language Arts Journal of Michigan. Roy is an active member of the Lake Michigan Writing Project, leading and participating in writing workshops, seminars, and camps. Roy is also involved in the local community theatre community, acting and directing in a variety of roles. Roy is happily married to his wife, Emily, and they have three adult daughters, Morgan, Adelyn, and Olivia.
William Bowers
Affiliate Professor
Biology
B.A. Biochemistry, Colorado College
Ph.D. Candidate in Hydrology, University of Wyoming
Originally from Utah, Will has served as a Visiting Faculty member within the GVSU Biology Department since the Fall of 2021 and is excited to transition into an Affiliate Faculty role in the Fall of 2024. Will has a wide variety of scientific experience in environmental science, healthcare, and stem cell research that he ties into his teaching and curriculum. After graduating college, he worked as a watershed field technician in Utah and eventually moved on to pursue a Ph.D. in Hydrology at the University of Wyoming. Will’s research focuses on how trees obtain water from soil, with an emphasis on developing and refining methods used to assess the variability of plant water use. His scholarship focuses on a mix of isotope chemistry, environmental science, and spatial analysis that has been published in Frontiers in Water and Hydrology and Earth Systems Sciences. Will’s research interests overlap with his passion to explore the outdoors and in his free time he enjoys biking, camping, and hiking with his wife and two dogs.
Nikelina Brott
Affiliate Professor
Mathematics
Nikelina started teaching at GVSU in 2001. She graduated with a master’s degree in mathematics from Albania University. She has taught multiple courses at GVSU and Davenport University and really enjoys her role as a teacher. Nikelina enjoys family time with her husband and their two children. Her favorite quote is: "Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think" - Albert Einstein
Paolo Campus
Affiliate Professor
Psychology
B. S. Cognitive Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome
M. S. Cognitive Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome
Ph.D. Behavioral Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome
Paolo Campus is a behavioral neuroscientist who teaches behavioral neuroscience, introductory psychology, and research methods in psychology. His research has been published in the Journal of Neuroscience, Psychopharmacology, eLife, and Biological Psychiatry, among others. Paolo is a member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Psychological and Brain Sciences, and a review editor for the Behavioral Endocrinology section of the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. He is a husband and father to three children, Ellie, Remi, and Caden.
Marianne Hoffmeister Castro
Assistant Professor
Visual and Media Arts
B.F.A. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
M.F.A. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA,
Marianne Hoffmeister Castro is a Chilean multidisciplinary artist and educator. Her work proposes a critical examination of the representation of nature and nonhuman animals in the contemporary Western world. Working with drawing, installation, film, experimental writing, and editorial practices, she investigates inherited narratives of instrumentalization, and objectification that underlay dominant modes of capture and othering of the animal. Through her artistic research, she explores the possibilities of non-anthropocentric storytelling strategies to reimagine new modes of relation, modes of seeing, and iconographies of empathy with nonhuman domains in times of existential and ecological crisis.
Viviane Corrêa Santos
Assistant Professor
Chemistry
B.S. Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais
M.A., Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais
Ph.D. Biochemistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais
Viviane Corrêa Santos’ research is centered on finding new treatments for Chagas Disease, a Neglected Tropical Disease endemic to the American continent. She is also interested in studying the role cysteine proteases play in Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas Disease. Her scholarship has been published in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Scientific Reports, Chemical Biology & Drug Design, among others. Viviane was born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Joshua Daniel
Affiliate Professor
Statistics
B.S. Mathematics, Lake Superior State University
M.S. Applied Statistics, Western Michigan University
Josh started tutoring at LSSU and fell in love with helping others learn math. He went on to get a Master’s in Statistics from WMU. He has taught at ITT Tech, Lansing Community College, Lake Michigan College, Miami University, and Grand Valley State University, mostly focusing on Statistical courses, but also taught pre-algebra to Calculus 2. His research has been on how the brain remembers information and has been working on multiple ways to introduce these to the classroom setting. While at home, Josh enjoys his garden, painting, and staying healthy (in food and exercise). Josh is a proud husband to his wife, Sara, and a dad to their daughter, Lily.
Reece Elling
Affiliate Professor
Geology
B.S., Geology, Grand Valley State University (May 2016)
Ph.D., Earth and Planetary Sciences, Northwestern University (June 2022)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Plate Tectonics
- Continental Rifting
- Geophysics
- Gravity Modeling
- Paleomagnetic Data
Conducted scientific research into failed continental rifting events to understand their possible evolution paths in succeeding, or failing to succeed, to volcanic passive margins. I primarily focused on North America’s Midcontinent Rift, and interpreted gravity, magnetic, and seismic data from the surrounding region to build subsurface models to understand its formation. I'm interested in how comparing the evolution of failed and active rifts around the world can provide insight into how and why continents break apart.
Combined geophysical models with paleomagnetic data compilation and global plate modeling to provide insight into the plate tectonic evolution of North America, specifically the collisions involved with the assembly of Rodinia. I'm interested in utilizing this 1.5-billion-year global plate reconstruction to build apparent polar wander paths and analyze how directional changes, or cusps, within them might be linked to major tectonic events such as collisions of rifts.
Rachel Fetterley
Affiliate Professor
Movement Science
Rachel Fetterley is an Affiliate Professor in the Health and Physical Education (HPE) program at Grand Valley State University. For the past three years, she served as a visiting professor and continues to contribute to both HPE and PCKET majors. Additionally, Rachel is the coach of the Grand Valley Elite Dance Team. Before her work at GVSU, Rachel gained 17 years of classroom teaching experience, adeptly covering diverse content in multiple grade levels. Her career is dedicated to promoting health, movement, and social-emotional learning, with a strong emphasis on cultural competence. Rachel’s creative approach ensures that all students feel seen, heard, and valued. Outside the classroom, Rachel enjoys a fulfilling life in Grand Haven with her husband, Jarrid, and one of their children, Lulu. Daughter Chase and son Jude are adults, and she enjoys spending time together often as a family. She loves traveling, reading, cooking, spending time outdoors with family and friends, and engaging in
bodybuilding.
Sydney Garlitch
Affiliate Professor
Psychology
B.S. in Psychology, Grand Valley State University
M.A. in Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Sydney Garlitch is a GVSU alumnus. She received graduate training in cognitive psychology where her research focused on episodic memories and how such memories are updated once information has changed. In addition, her research examined the relationship between attention and memory, and age- related differences in memory performance. After graduate school, she was an Assistant Professor at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. She taught a variety of classes focused on cognition, development, and research methods. Teaching has become her full-time focus, and she is excited to be back at Grand Valley. Outside of work, she is married, has a dog named Grover, and is expecting a baby girl in October.
James Hallas
Affiliate Professor
Mathematics
Ph.D. Mathematics, Western Michigan University
B.S. Mathematics & English: Creative Writing, Western Michigan University
Jamie Hallas is an affiliate faculty of instruction teaching a variety of early mathematics courses. He has taught mathematics at the college level since starting graduate school in 2017. His current professional interests lie in understanding how current research in learning science can support the development of effective instructional techniques in mathematics. His mathematical research background is in graph theory, having investigated new colorings and dominating functions in graphs. He is originally from Greenville, MI, and considers the West Michigan area home. In his spare time, Jamie enjoys reading books, listening to podcasts, and working out at the gym.
Stuart Jones
Executive Director
Robert B. Annis Water Research Institute
Starting Winter 2025
Ph.D. Limnology and Marine Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Dr. Stuart Jones is an ecologist who seeks to understand how human interventions impact the physical, chemical, and biological interactions occurring in lakes. His work extends our fundamental understanding of aquatic ecosystems and addresses the environmental challenges that plague freshwaters globally. Jones and the members of his lab make use of long-term observations, comparative surveys, whole-ecosystem experiments, and mathematical models to understand what regulates lake water quality and food web productivity, improve the management of recreational fisheries, and identify climate feedback mediated by lakes. Jones earned his Ph.D. in Limnology and Marine Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, followed by a postdoctoral research position at Michigan State University's W.K. Kellogg Biological Station. After fourteen years on the faculty of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame, he is the incoming Executive Director of the Annis Water Resources Institute at Grand Valley State University in Muskegon, MI. Jones is a fellow of the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography and a recipient of their Raymond L. Lindemann Award. He is involved in the leadership of academic journals published by both the Ecological Society of America and the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography. In addition to his research, Jones is an award-winning and innovative educator and leads multiple community engagement activities focused on scientific literacy and recreational fisheries.
Kayla (Pyper) Van Kampen
Affiliate Professor
Chemistry
A.S. Chemistry and Mathematics, Cottey College
B.S. Chemistry, Abilene Christian University
Ph.D. Materials and Inorganic Chemistry, University of Michigan
Kayla (Pyper) Van Kampen is an affiliate faculty in chemistry. After a visiting position at Hope College and Grand Valley State University, she is now an affiliate at Grand Valley. Over her eight years of experience, she has focused on honing her teaching skills in and out of the classroom, which
are reflected in her high teaching evaluations. She has also been involved outside of the classroom on campus as the faculty advisor of a student organization. She appreciates helping students during office hours and utilizing her certified life coaching skills. She is on the board of the nonprofit Talking Dog Films, and outside of work, she enjoys playing music in her cover band, volleyball in the summer, weightlifting, and mountain biking.
Laura Jean Kerr
Affiliate Professor
Sociology
B.S. Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi
M.S. Sociology, Mississippi State University
Ph.D. Sociology, Mississippi State University
Laura Jean Kerr’s research examines social factors, including policy and place, in shaping education experiences and health outcomes. Her recent work has appeared in Educational Studies, Social Sciences, Praxis: A Writing Center Journal, and Community Development. Laura Jean earned a master’s and PhD in Sociology from Mississippi State University. She earned a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi and an associate degree from Meridian Community College. Before returning to complete her doctorate, Laura Jean worked in education research, with significant time in career and technical education assessment as a research associate, analyst, and project manager. Her areas of interest are education, health, policy, and place. She brings these interests together mostly through food research, including in her dissertation which examined
the frequency and duration of food insecurity experiences among Mississippi community college students.
Courtney Kowalczyk
Affiliate Professor
Psychology
B.A. Psychology and Special Education, Grand Valley State University
M.Ed. Early Childhood Development and Education, Grand Valley State University
M.S. Clinical Psychology, Walden University
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Walden University
Courtney Kowalczyk is a limited-license psychologist and former special education teacher. She began her career within the public-school environment as a special education teacher and teacher consultant. For the past 15 years, she has worked in private practice as a pediatric psychologist, where her day-to-day work has focused on the evaluation and treatment of mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions. Courtney’s research interests include the parent- child relationship, pediatric mental health, and neurodevelopmental disorders. She is a co-author of Learning as We Grow, a text written to support individuals with disabilities in the educational environment. When she is not in the classroom or working with clients, Courtney enjoys spending time with her husband and two teenage sons.
Angelina Kolomoytseva
Assistant Professor
Statistics
B.S. Mathematics with a specialization in Teaching Mathematics, Kuban State University
M.B.A. Western Illinois University
M.S. Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics, Western Illinois University
Ph.D. candidate in Applied Statistics, The University of Alabama (expected December 2024)
Angelina Kolomoytseva is a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Statistics at The University of Alabama, and expects to complete her degree in December 2024. Her research interests include computational statistics, cluster analysis, and finite mixture models. Her work has been
published in the Advances in Data Analysis and Classification (ADAC) international scholarly journal. Angelina gained hands-on experience at Mount St. Joseph University, where she developed reports and conducted statistical analyses on student activity and performance in online courses. She also contributed to data analysis projects in the Institutional Research & Planning department at Western Illinois University, analyzing student enrollment data and developing predictive models. She has received several awards for her teaching, including the Outstanding Statistics Teaching Assistant Award and the Jeff Kurkjian Teaching Award. Angelina is committed to advancing the
field of statistics through her teaching and research.
Jennifer Lawrence
Affiliate Professor
Chemistry
B.A. Chemistry, College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN
Ph.D. Physical Chemistry, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Jennifer Lawrence started her career as a volunteer math and science teacher at Mount Carmel High School in Belize. After returning to the U.S. and earning her Ph.D., she worked as an Adjunct Faculty member at Grand Rapids Community College for 20 years, teaching a variety of general chemistry courses and labs. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Chris, and their 5 kids.
Yue Liang
Assistant Professor
History
Ph.D. Binghamton University, State of New York
Fields: Environmental (Disaster) History; Science, Technology, and Medicine; Modern East Asia
Yue Liang is an environmental historian specializing in modern East Asia, with a particular interest in environmental technology, control, disasters, diplomacy, and disaster memorization. Her doctoral research focuses on the 1954 Yangtze River flood, utilizing texts, interviews, and materials to examine both the management of the disaster as a tangible event and the nuanced construction and utilization of disaster narratives. Liang's research interests are Environmental Technology, Public Health and Pandemics, Disaster Diplomacy, the Cold War, and Public history, and Memory.
David M. Linden
Affiliate Professor
Writing
B.A. English-Specialization in Writing, University of Michigan-Flint
M.A. English-Composition & Rhetoric, University of Michigan-Flint
Dave Linden began teaching First Year Writing at Grand Valley in the Fall of 2020 during the heart of the COVID pandemic—teaching his first two semesters at GV exclusively over Zoom. Since then, he has also taught multiple sections of Business Communication at GV. Dave further specializes in Technical Writing, Writing for STEM, and Scholarly Writing in Healthcare and Nursing. A former Writing Center Tutor, he is a staunch advocate for the work and impact of university writing centers and their consultants. Dave has been married to his wife Kris for 35 years, and they have three adult children, Calvin, Margaux (Mar-go), and Joel—who is a GV alum and former Laker football player. Dave is also a proud Papa to granddaughters Macie and Addison, with a third granddaughter due in early October.
Eric McCluskey
Affilate Professor
Biology
B.S. Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
M.S. Life Sciences, Indiana State University
Ph.D. Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University
Eric McCluskey is a conservation biologist who teaches courses on environmental science, wildlife ecology, and landscape ecology. Ultimately, he wants students to leave his classroom enthusiastic about problem-solving and critical thinking so they can effectively tackle the ecological challenges their generation has inherited. His childhood passion for reptiles has been a major influence on his career path. Now, his research aims to address conservation needs for threatened reptile species using a combination of spatial and molecular tools. He currently collaborates with
biologists from the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, and John Ball Zoo on several research projects in Michigan. These projects focus on improving landscape connectivity for the federally threatened eastern massasauga rattlesnake and several rare turtle species.
Karen Meppelink
Affiliate Professor
Mathematics
M.A. Mathematics Education; Western Michigan University B.S. Mathematics; Michigan State University
Karen Meppelink is a former high school mathematics and physics teacher who has enjoyed teaching algebra and trigonometry courses at GVSU for the past several years. A longtime resident of West Michigan, Karen likes to travel the United States with her husband and two daughters visiting many National Parks in recent years.
Josephine Mitchell (Josie)
Assistant Professor
Chemistry
B.S. Chemistry, Grand Valley State University
Ph.D. Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Josie joins GVSU from Kalamazoo College, where she served as an assistant professor in Chemistry and Biochemistry since 2022. Her research investigates biochemical processes in vivo by manipulating proteins using CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering in Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies). Her work has been published in Protein Science, Journal of Biological Chemistry, PLoS Genetics, Microscopy and Microanalysis, and Methods in Molecular Biology. During her time at UW-Madison, she completed the Delta Teaching Certification and the WISCIENCE Research Mentor Training and received several awards for research, teaching, and service. Josie especially enjoys exploring science with community members through science outreach. Beyond the classroom and lab, you can find her spending time with family, exploring the world with her toddler, being outdoors, and doing art, particularly oil painting and science graphic design.
Amory Orchard
Affiliate Professor
Writing
B.A. Rhetoric and Writing, Ball State University
M.A. English Studies, Ball State University
Ph.D. English Studies, Ball State University
Amory Orchard is originally from Muncie, Indiana, known as the home of Garfield the Cat, glass Ball jars, and the Middletown sociological studies. Aside from teaching first-year writing, she has also taught courses in editing and writing, histories of text technologies, digital design, and writing center tutoring. Her research focuses on academic labor and explores how stakeholders perceive inclusive pedagogies within educational settings. Her work was recently published in Exploring the Teaching of Writing in Online and Hybrid Spaces. When she's not writing, Amory enjoys birdwatching, going on long hikes, and trying out new air fryer recipes.
Blair Stein
Assistant Professor
History
Ph.D. History of Science, University of Oklahoma
M.A. History of Science, University of Oklahoma
M.A. History, Queen's University (Kingston, Ontario, Canada)
B.Jour, Journalism, Carleton University (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
"I am a historian specializing in the intersections between technology, modernity, and place. My first book, North Stars in Modern Skies: Technologies and Environments at Trans-Canada Air Lines, is under contract with McGill-Queen's University Press. In it, I trace how Trans-Canada Air Lines (now Air Canada) created, maintained, and eventually subverted paradigms of modern Canadian nationalism through its public-facing materials. That is, the way the airline explained and justified its technological choices to the Canadian public reveals a lot about the settler Canadian sense of place and identity in the mid-twentieth century. Before coming to GVSU, I was part of the Department of Humanities and Social Science at Clarkston University in northern New York, where I taught history of technology, history of science, environmental history, and first-year writing. I've been very active in developing and studying the first-year experience as well as incorporating the humanities in engineering education. I'm a dog person, a bit of a gym rat, and an avid crafter - I've been known to keep crochet projects in the office to keep my hands busy!"
Tierney Powell
Assistant Professor
English
B.A. English Literature, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
M.A. English Literature, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
Ph.D. English Studies, University of Illinois, Chicago
Tierney Powell specializes in multicultural American literature and critical theory, but her training also includes global Anglophone literature., Her dissertation tackles a fascinating and also very relevant topic for today: the post-apocalyptic pandemic genre that depicts the disintegration of the global supply chain, critical infrastructures, and urban public transportation based on Colson Whitehead's novel Zone One. She has been a high school paraeducator, teacher, and graphic designer, and her forthcoming article "(Re) mapping the Colonial City: Joy Harjo's Composite Poetic in New Orleans" will appear in an edited book. Tierney is an avid gardener and grows pumpkin and native plant species outdoors and propagates pothos and other plants indoors. She also enjoys taking her pup, a bichon poodle rescue named Cheezit, on long walks and to the dog park.
Gianna Pryor
Affiliate Professor
Mathematics
B.S. Mathematics, Edward Waters College
M.A. Mathematics, Jacksonville University
Before joining the team at Grand Valley State University, Gianna was a high school math teacher and math coach. She spent a few years in the middle school classroom as well, but high school was where she thrived. Gianna is originally from Grand Rapids, MI but resided in Florida for the past 13 years and has finally returned within the last year to continue to grow in the field of education. She is a mother to one daughter, Kylie. She is also a proud dog mom to Kenzie.
Gabrielle Redfeild (Gabby)
Affiliate Professor
Mathematics
B.S. Mathematics for Secondary Education, Saginaw Valley State University
Ph.D. Mathematical Sciences: Collegiate Mathematics Education, Central Michigan University
Gabby has taught mathematics in K-12 learning centers, secondary classrooms, and at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She enjoys teaching general education mathematics courses and mathematics education courses. Her research focuses on math anxiety in undergraduate students. Gabby also enjoys getting involved with departmental and university-wide programs to help improve student and faculty experiences. She has served on committees relating to program development and accessibility. Outside of work, Gabby enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and dogs. You can find her hanging out on a pontoon all summer long and playing board games and card games throughout the winter.
Kristin Reeves
Assistant Professor
Visual and Media Arts
B.F.A. Fine Art Photography, Ball State University
M.F.A. Art & Technology, University of Florida
Kristin Reeves is an interdisciplinary artist who stages live expanded cinema performances, exhibits electronic and lens-based artworks, and collaborates in professional theater productions. Her creative research interests include the historical use of media across clinical and art spaces. She invented new editing and material processes to reflect a contemporary understanding of trauma for her live feature-length show Bodies for Strength and Power to express visual narratives of injury and resilience. She earned her B.F.A. at Ball State University and her M.F.A. at the University of Florida. Her work has been exhibited in venues such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, The Centro Cultural de Espana CDMX, Mexico City, Mexico, European Media Arts Festival, Osnabruck, Germany, Impakt Festival, Utrecht, Netherlands, CROSSROADS, San Francisco, CA, Ann Arbor Film Festival, MI, The Boiler, Brooklyn, NY and Steppenwolf Theater, Chicago, IL. Her work has recently been published in Analog Cookbook and Found Footage Magazine.
Chelsea Ridge
Affiliate Professor
Mathematics
M. Ed. School Counseling, Grand Valley State University
B.A. Mathematics & Spanish for Secondary Education, Hope College
Chelsea Ridge is a former program manager for the Regional Math & Science Center (RMSC) at GVSU. During her twelve years at the RMSC, she enjoyed facilitating mathematics professional learning opportunities with teachers, managing programming for local K-12 students, and directing the Region 12 Science Olympiad. Before joining the RMSC, Chelsea enjoyed teaching middle and high school mathematics and Spanish. Her publication and presentation history are focused on mathematics education in grades K-12. She will be teaching math education courses for pre-service teachers. She loves spending time outside with her family, baking, and reading a good novel.
Zachary Salander
Affiliate Professor
Psychology
B. S. Neuroscience, University of Michigan
M. S. Developmental Psychology, University of Massachusetts
Ph.D. Developmental Psychology, University of Massachusetts
Zach Salander is a developmental psychologist who teaches introductory psychology and research methods courses. Zach’s current research interest focuses on the anxiety that students may experience when taking college statistics courses.
Carrie Ann Sharitt
Assistant Professor
Biology
B.A. Biology and Secondary Education, Columbus State University (GA)
PhD Biology, Miami University (OH)
Carrie Ann Sharitt is a former middle and high school science teacher. Her research covers the role of fish in nutrient cycling, inquiry-based science instruction, and student views on science practices. Her scholarship has been published in Ecology and American Biology Teacher. Carrie Ann is a member of the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) and the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), and she is a Biology instructor at the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program. Carrie Ann enjoys reading and attending live theater as well as traveling with her spouse, Kyle, and spending time with her senior dog, River.
Elizabeth Spinner
Affiliate Professor
English
B.A. from Michigan State University
M.A. from Michigan State University
Ph.D. from Western Michigan University
Beth Spinner is a former middle and high school English teacher who teaches English Education and reading courses. Her research is centered on preparing and supporting secondary English teachers in creating curriculum and instruction that encourages their students to use reading and
writing for social justice. She also looks at children’s and young adult literature and how it can be used in socially just ways. Beth’s work has been published in journals and book chapters as well as presented at many state and national conferences. She currently serves as the college section co-chair of the Michigan Council of Teachers of English as well as the co-chair of state representatives for the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE. She enjoys reading, running, and traveling with her family. They love camping along Michigan’s beautiful great lakes during the summer.
Demetria Thomas
Assistant Professor
Music, Theater, and Dance
B.A. Grand Valley State University
M.F.A. University of Houston
Demetria Thomas earned a BA at Grand Valley State University, and her MFA from the University of Houston Professional Actor Training Program. Regional credits include Eunice in A Streetcar Named Desire at American Players Theatre, Chicken and Biscuits at Farmers Alley, Doubt at New Stage Theater, Mistress Page in Merry Wives of Windsor at Michigan Shakespeare Festival, Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing and Gertrude in Hamlet both at Houston Shakespeare Festival. Television credits include guest appearances on Chicago Fire (NBC Universal) and as a series
regular on APB (Fox TV). Directing credits include Our Lady of 121st Street at the University of Houston, and Boeing Boeing at Hope Repertory.
Demetria is a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity (AEA).
James Thompson
Affiliate Professor
Music, Theater, and Dance
Originally hailing from Missouri, Dr. James Thompson is dedicated to the expansion of the flute repertoire, His dissertation research on the flute music of Nicolas Bacri won the National Flute Association’s (NFA) Graduate Research Competition. James gave the American premiere of Bacri’s Concerto pour Flute in 2017. He holds degrees from Truman State University, Illinois State University, and Ball State University. Before joining the
faculty at GVSU, he taught at Ball State University, Earlham College, and Taylor University, and served as Education Coordinator for Orchestra Indiana. As an orchestral musician, he has been a concerto soloist with the New Chicago Chamber Orchestra, the Southern Illinois Symphony, the Ball State University Symphony Orchestra, and the Illinois State University Symphony Orchestra. James currently holds the 3rd Flute & Piccolo chair with Symphony of the Lakes (Indiana) and has performed with regional orchestras across the Midwest.
Ying Wang
Affiliate Professor
Psychology
B.S. Engineering, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications
M.S. Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University
Ph.D. Developmental Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Ying Wang is an educator and researcher with a background in developmental psychology, focusing on language development in children with autism, multilingual cognitive development, and positive education. With a wealth of experience in teaching and research across prestigious institutions, her scholarly work has been published in Developmental Psychology, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Child Development Perspectives, among others. Her passion for teaching extends beyond the traditional classroom, incorporating the latest research in both neurotypical and neurodiverse groups. She is a proud wife, daughter, and mom to humans Ron and Harry and her dog Hagrid.
Shalom Yabilsu
Assistant Professor
Visual and Media Arts
MDes Communication Design, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
PgDip Education, National Teachers; Institute, Nigeria
PgDip Marketing, Veritas University, FCT, Nigeria
B.A. Fine Arts, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
As a Nigerian multidisciplinary designer, researcher, and educator whose scholarship and creative work focus on how design can serve as a catalyst for social justice and change, she believes that effective design is rooted in purpose and can be used to generate equitable and sustainable solutions for people, communities, and the world. Shalom is passionate about exploring the speculative, interdisciplinary, and collaborative intersection of design with pedagogy, community, public health, emergency, and African history. She has exhibited and presented her work at notable exhibitions and conferences nationally and internationally.
Wenzin Zhao
Assistant Professor
Visual and Media Arts
B.A. Visual Communication and Design, Yancheng Teachers University, Jiangsu, China
M.F.A. Graphic Design and Visual Experience, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
Wenxin Zhao was born and raised in China. She has a strong passion and curiosity for design and a desire to use design to solve problems. She has been exploring how different mediums, as well as forms, can be used to build a more meaningful human narrative. The artist's work involves graphic design, printmaking, photography, bookmaking, textile design, installation, video production, and more. Zhao holds a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication and a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and Visual Experience.