National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Center Faculty Affiliates

Alesia Moldavan
Assistant Professor
amoldavan@georgiasouthern.edu

Alesia Mickle Moldavan, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Science Education in the College of Education at Georgia Southern University. She teaches elementary mathematics and science methods courses. She taught for several years as a mathematics instructor at diverse Title I schools in Georgia. Additionally, she served as a STEM Saturday Enrichment program instructor. She has experience leading STEM professional development focused on ethnomathematics, technology, and robotics. Her research interests include equitable teaching practices, culturally responsive pedagogy, and the use of digital technology in teacher education. Her recent work focuses on developing innovative curriculum in teacher education that promotes cultural awareness, teacher well-being, and STEM justice-oriented advocacy.

Alexandra J. Reyes
Associate Professor, College of Education
areyes@georgiasouthern.edu

Dr. Alex Reyes is an Associate Professor in the College of Education at Georgia Southern University and serves as the ESOL Endorsement coordinator. Alex prepares pre-service and in-service teachers to work with culturally and linguistically diverse students to increase equity and access. She draws on her diverse experiences working in P-12 education, non-profit organizations, and higher education (in Connecticut, Arizona, North Carolina, and Georgia) to direct her service and scholarly interests. These interests focus on the intersections of language, culture, and identity, and how they inform learning experiences for bi/multilingual and other marginalized communities in informal and formal settings.

Allison Griswold
Public Health Program Associate, Emory University
allison.griswold98@gmail.com

Allison Griswold, MS, serves as a Public Health Program Associate at Emory University’s within the Georgia Memory Net program. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Education and Promotion from Georgia Southern University, and a Master’s of Science in Health Informatics from Mercer University. Currently pursuing her Doctorate in Public Health with a focus on Epidemiology & Biostatistics at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. She explores research topics including geodemography, injury, violence reinjury, firearm injury, and structural racism among minority and underserved populations.

Anne Valauri
Assistant Professor, Birth to Kindergarten Teacher Education, Elementary and Special Education
avalauri@georgiasouthern.edu

Anne Valauri, PhD., is an Assistant Professor of Birth-to-Kindergarten Teacher Education and Elementary and Special Education at Georgia Southern University on the Savannah campus. Her research interests include humanizing and decolonizing family engagement and teacher education, with a focus on restorative justice. She also does work around teacher education and play that seeks to disrupt the preschool to prison pipeline. Before coming to Georgia Southern, she spent several years as a teacher/researcher at an early childhood center in the U.S. Midwest with a large immigrant population of diverse regional origin.

April Garrity
Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders
agarrity@georgiasouthern.edu

April Garrity, Ph D, Ccc-Slp, Cdp Is Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus. She Teaches Courses in Neurogenic Communication Disorders, Dysphagia, and Research Methodology. Her Interests Include Life Participation and Quality of Life Among Individuals with Neurogenic Communication Disorders, and The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Specifically Service-Learning and Trauma-Informed Educational Practices.

Bryan Lee Miller
Professor
blm2@clemson.edu

Bryan Lee Miller Is the Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies for The College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences and Professor in The Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice at Clemson University. His Work Has Evaluated Drug Use, Deviant Peers, and Drug Treatment. He Is the Founding Director of The Clemson University Center for Criminal Justice and Social Research, Served as 49th President of The Southern Criminal Justice Association, Past Chair of The Drug and Alcohol Research Section of The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, and Is an Associate Editor of The American Journal of Criminal Justice.

Caitlin Brady
Assistant Professor
cbrady@georgiasouthern.edu

Caitlin M. Brady, Ph.D., Is an Assistant Professor in The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Georgia Southern University. Her Research Interests Include Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Delinquency, and Mental Health Among Justice-Involved Individuals and Practitioners. She Received Her Doctorate in Criminal Justice from The University of Central Florida in 2020. While There She Worked on A Federally Funded Grant Focused on A Mobile Crisis Response Program for Youth. She Obtained Her Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and A Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from The University of Mary Washington.

Christine Wacta
Professor
cwacta@georgiasouthern.edu

Dr. Wacta’s Work Focuses on Reconciling Urban & Natural Ecology with Its Counterpart Human Ecology to Rehabilitate the Innate Human Connection with Our Environment. Dr. Wacta Is Working on Real and Virtual Experience Platform, Paa (platform as Service) to Include _ Spatial Definers of Human Experience, _ Human Habitus and Interactions, _ Spatial Cognition and Mental Representation of Space, _ Virtual Memory Projection in Time, Space Surface and Depth, _ Real-Time Dashboard of Ephemeral Spatiotemporal Events with Instant Feedback Stored in A Geo-Info Hub. Dr. Wacta Is Currently Leading Multi-Disciplinary and Cross-Curricular Learning Activities Through the Involvement of Multiple Fields to Varying Degrees on The Same Continuum Within the Undergraduate Start-Up Research Group She Started at Georgia Southern University with Gsc@gsu.

Dee Liston
Professor
listond@georgiasouthern.edu

Delores D. Liston, Ph.D., Lcsw Is a Professor of Curriculum and Foundations at Georgia Southern University. Her Research and Teaching Interests Focus on The Application of Philosophical, Ethical and Feminist Understandings to Education. She Has Recently Published on Topics Such as Trauma-Informed Pedagogy, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy and The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. She Is Co-Editor of The International Journal for The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.

Eric Landers
Associate Professor, Special Education
ericlanders@georgiasouthern.edu

Eric Landers Is an Associate Professor in Elementary and Special Education and The Chair of The Southeast Conference on School Climate. His Research Expertise Is Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, Bullying, and Mtss.

J. Mitchell Miller, Ph.D.
Presidential Professor
miller.mitch@icloud.com

Dr. Miller works with criminal justice agencies in the areas of program evaluation & offender treatment for juveniles and adults, specifically substance abuse awareness and prevention, treatment intervention at junctures of early onset of substance misuse and delinquency, and family treatment court programming all toward justice system diversion and increased connections to treatment. One of the nation’s most funded social scientists, he is the current Editor of the American Journal of Criminal Justice, an Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Fellow, and an American Society of Criminology Oral History Project Inductee, a FBI National Academy Instructor, and a proud former President of the Southern Criminal Justice Association.

Jacob Erickson
Assistant Professor
jherickson11@gmail.com

Dr. Erickson’s Research Interests Revolve Around Drug Use, Identity, and Decision-Making. He Has Published Multiple Works Concerning Drug Use, Production, and Juvenile Delinquency. He Is the 2022 Mac Namara Award from The Acjs for His Publication “meth Cooking as A Job: Identity and Dirty Work”.

Jarvais Jackson
Assistant Professor, Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, Elementary
jarvaisjackson@georgiasouthern.edu

Dr. Jarvais Jackson, Ph.D., Is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy at Georgia Southern University. He Earned His Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning from The University of South Carolina, with A Focus on African Diaspora Literacy Instruction. Dr. Jackson’s Career Spans Teaching in Elementary and Middle School Classrooms, and Directing the Center for The Education and Equity of African American Students. His International Engagement Includes Fulbright-Hays Group Abroad Studies in Ghana, Nigeria, and Barbados. He’s a Prolific Author with Publications on Black Education, Equity, and Afrocentric Pedagogies.

Kristen Carroll
Assistant Superintendents of Schools for The Columbia County School System
klwshine@yahoo.com

Kristen Leigh Carroll, Ed.D Is One of The Assistant Superintendents of Schools for The Columbia County School System in Augusta, Georgia. She Holds a Doctorate from Georgia Southern University as Well as An Educational Specialist from Augusta University, a Master’s Degree from Augusta University, and A Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from The University of Central Florida. in Addition, She Holds a Math Endorsement, English for Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement, and The Teacher Support Specialist Endorsement. She Has Served Over 18 Years in Public Education as A Principal, Assistant Principal, Instructional Specialist, and Teacher. Her Research Agenda Is Focused on Educator Self-Efficacy and Preparedness to Work in High Poverty Schools. Her Research Is Intended to Find Ways to Better Prepare Teachers and Leaders in The Areas of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Differentiation, and Assessment in Order to Support Student Achievement and Encourage Success for All Students Within the Public Education System.

Kristen Dickens
Associate Professor in The Counselor Education Program at Georgia Southern University
kdickens@georgiasouthern.edu

Kristen Dickens, Ph.D., Lpc, Acs, Ncc Is an Associate Professor in The Counselor Education Program at Georgia Southern University. Her Research Interests Include Leadership Preparation, Specifically in The Areas of Counselor Education and Preparation, Multicultural Competence, and Issues in Counselor Education. She Has Experience Working in A Variety of Clinical Settings, Including University Counseling Centers, Inpatient Treatment Centers for Eating Disorders.

Kristin Lloyd
Assistant Professor
klloyd2@clemson.edu

Dr. Kristin Lloyd Is an Assistant Professor in The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice at Clemson University. Dr. Lloyd Earned Her Ph.D. in Criminology from Florida State University in 2021, and Is a Proud 3-Time Fsu Alumna. Her Research Focuses on Victimization of Vulnerable Populations (such as Lgbtq+ Youth and Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth) and Social Support in A Life-Course Context. Dr. Lloyd’s Research Has Appeared in Journals Such as Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Journal of School Violence, and Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology.

Kristina M. Patterson
Assistant Professor, Public Administration
kpatterson@georgiasouthern.edu

Dr. Patterson Received Her Ph.D. in Public Policy from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. a Former High School Teacher, She Also Holds a Master of Arts Degree in History from Virginia State University and A Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from The University of Virginia. Her Primary Research Interests Focus on Opportunities for The Development of Civic Identity, Skills, and Knowledge, Particularly for Youth from Historically Marginalized Groups. She Also Conducts Research in Education Policy with A Focus on Improving Educational Outcomes for Economically Disadvantaged Students. Dr. Patterson’s Mixed Methods Research Seeks to Be Community Driven, Involving the Voice of Those Most Impacted by The Work at Every Stage of The Research Process.

Maureen Stobb
Associate Professor of Political Science
mstobb@georgiasouthern.edu

Maureen Stobb is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Georgia Southern University. She received a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Texas at Dallas, a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame, and a B.A. in Political Science from the College of New Jersey. Dr. Stobb’s research focuses on the use of law and courts to address pressing policy problems, primarily those related to immigration and citizenship. She is particularly interested in the impact of law and legal systems on vulnerable populations, including migrants, youth, women, and minorities. Her research has been published in outlets such as American Political Science Review, Policy Studies Journal, and Law and Policy.

Pamela Wells
Associate Professor, Leadership, Technology, and Human Development
pwells@georgiasouthern.edu

Pamela C. Wells, Ph.D., Lpc, Ncc, Acs Is an Associate Professor in The Department of Leadership, Technology, and Human Development at Georgia Southern University. She Specializes in Counselor Education, More Specifically, Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her Research Focuses on Mindfulness, the Influence of Social Media on Mental Health and Wellness, and Best Practices when Working with Non-Clinical Professionals and Mental Health (eg Teachers, School Administrators). Working with Nyar Helps Dr. Wells Combine Her Interests and Passions.

Regina Rahimi
Professor, Middle and Secondary Education
rrahimi@georgiasouthern.edu

Regina Rahimi, Ed.D. Is a Professor in The Department of Middle and Secondary Education at Georgia Southern, Armstrong Campus. Her Recent Research Interests Involve Clinical Models in Teacher Preparation; Trauma-Informed Practice; and Graduate Educational Practices. Her Books Include: Pervasive Vulnerabilities: Sexual Harassment in Schools, Peter Lang; Promoting Social Justice Through the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Indiana Press; Exploring Sel in Diverse Academic Settings, Ig Global.

Shainaz Landge
Associate Professor of Bio Chemistry and Chemistry
slandge@georgiasouthern.edu

Dr. Shainaz Landge Is an Associate Professor in The Department of Bio Chemistry, Chemistry, and Physics (statesboro Campus). She Has Been an Active Leader in The Promotion of Undergraduate Research in The Chemistry Department by Pioneering the Freshman Research Initiative (fri) Program at The College Level and The Vertically Integrated Projects (vip, Director) Program at The University Level. Her Passion Lies in Bringing Steam Research Hands-On Activities to K-12 Students. Dr. Landge’s Research Interests Are in The Area of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, and Chemical Education. in Her Spare Time, She Likes to Read, Write, and Watch Movies.

Summer Pannell
Associate Professor
summer.pannell@sfasu.edu

Dr. Summer Pannell Currently Serves as Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Stephen F. Austin State University and As Director of The National Institute for Restorative Discipline. She Has Over Two Decades of Experience as An Educational Leadership Faculty Member and P-12 Administrator and Teacher. During Her Tenure as Principal, She Received a Champion of Change Award for Her School Closing Achievement Gaps and Served on Collaborative Committees to Develop Statewide Principal and Teacher Evaluation Systems. Dr. Pannell Holds Superintendent, Principal, and Teacher Certification in Multiple States and Is a Certified Trainer in Restorative Discipline Practices, Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner (nlp), and Behavior Threat Assessment.

Tamerah Hunt
Professor
thunt@georgiasouthern.edu

Dr. Tamerah Hunt Received Her Ph D in Kinesiology from The University of Georgia. She Currently Works at Georgia Southern University as An Associate Professor and The Graduate Program Director for The Ms in Kinesiology, Concentration in Athletic Training. as A Athletic Trainer, She Has Worked at Every Level of Sports. as A Researcher, She Focuses on Youth Concussion Examining the Intersection of Mental Health and Socioeconomic Status in Incidence, Management and Recovery Outcomes. Dr. Hunt Has Secured Numerous Grants, Published Across Concussion and Brain Injury Research and Has Given Numerous Presentations Regionally, Nationally and Internationally.

Virginia Wickline
Associate Professor, Psychology
vwickline@georgiasouthern.edu

Virginia (ginger) Wickline (associate Professor of Psychology): Her Teaching Interests Include Service-Learning in Psychology; Career, Ethics, and Professional Development; Study Abroad/away Workshops; Special Topics in Diversity; Research Design & Analysis; Abnormal Psychology; Clinical Psychology; and Introduction to Psychology. Her Recent Research and Service Focuses on Many Aspects of Relationships, Including Nonverbal Communication and Acculturative Stress. She Also Conducts Research on The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (so Tl) – Particularly Service-Learning, Intercultural Competence, and Study Abroad Students. She Is a Member of The University System of Georgia’s High-Impact Practice (hip) Implementation Team and A Member of The Wexford (ireland) Faculty Development Program.

Steven Tolman
Associate Professor of Educational Leadership
stolman@georgiasouthern.edu

Steven Tolman is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Georgia Southern University. His previous roles include serving as a HE/SA graduate program director and 12 years as a student affairs administrator in Residence Life, Student Conduct, and Student Life. He holds a Doctorate from Rutgers University, a Master’s from Texas Tech University, and a Bachelor’s from Central Michigan University. The primary strand of his research agenda explores the professional preparation of college and university administrators.