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Alumni Notes

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Spring 2011
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Clare  Adamus,  BA '10 (Teacher Education),  featured in the Spring/Summer 2011 New Educator for establishing a school recycling program during her internship year, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award from Keep Michigan Beautiful. Pam Frucci, B '54 (Health and Physical Education), a member of the Keep Michigan Beautiful board of directors, nominated Adamus after she read the article. Adamus currently works at Rockford Public Schools as the first sixth-grade Spanish immersion teacher.
Kristy  Walters,  BA '04, MA '06 (Special Education),  has served as an inspiration and role model to her students at Corunna Middle School. To honor her passion and commitment for education, the district named Walters the 2011 Teacher of the Year. In addition to her full-time teaching job, Walters does work with the Michigan Department of Education and is a member of several educational committees.
Kacy  Heinmiller King,  MA '04, Ph.D. '08 (Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education),  started a new job in August 2011 as director of educational services for student-athlete academic services at Florida State University (FSU). Prior to FSU, King worked at Duke University as the lead learning specialist of Athletic Academic Support.
Pamela  Eddy,  Ph.D. '02 (Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education),  Awarded a Plumeri Award for Faculty Excellence at the College of William and Mary, Pamela Eddy, was recognized for exemplary achievement in teaching, research and service. Described by her colleagues as a "rising star in the field of higher education," Eddy received a $10,000 award to advance research goals.
Linda  Petlichkoff,  MA '82 (Health and Physical Education),  Recipient of the Department of Kinesiology's Professional Achievement Award this past spring, Linda Petlichkoff is currently a faculty member in the Kinesiology department at Boise State University (BSU). During her career she has served as a secondary mathematics teacher and coach, as well as president of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. Petlichkoff co-developed The First Tee Life Skills Experience program from the World Golf Foundation and has been a faculty member at BSU for more than 20 years
Andrew  Flagel,  Ph.D. '08 (Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education),  began his new position as senior vice president for students and enrollment at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass on Sept. 1,2011. Flagel left the position of dean of admissions and associate vice president of enrollment development at George Mason University.
Thomas  Crisp,  Ph.D. '08 (Curriculum, Teaching and Educational Policy),  has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Children's Literary Assembly (CLA), an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). A current assistant professor of reading at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, he also received the Florida Reading Association's Marguerite Cogorno Radencich Award, annually honoring an outstanding teacher educator in reading.
Tina  Kerr,  Ph.D. '05 (K-12 Educational Administration),  The Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) has named Tina Kerr as the 2012 Michigan Superintendent of the Year. Kerr is superintendent of Coldwater Community Schools. She was described as a, "new-generation leader who has re-built strained relationships, set bold academic goals and energized a community around education," by William Mayes, MASA executive director, during the award presentation.
Juleen  Jenkins-Whall,  MA '04 (Teaching and Curriculum),  received the prestigious Milken Educator Award, dubbed as the "Oscars of Teaching." She is one of only 40 other secondary teachers in the nation to receive the award, which recognizes outstanding work in the field of education and includes a monetary prize of $25,000. Jenkins-Whall, a science teacher in Traverse City, Mich., was commended for her dynamic and effective teaching practices, which include the incorporation of technology in the classroom and inspiring her students in ways that not only make learning fun, but allow students to work and succeed at their own pace.

Patrick J.  Stahl,  BS '04 (Kinesiology),  is appearing as a personal trainer to weight-loss reality star Ruby Gettinger on the Style network show, Ruby, this season. The first episode aired Sunday, March 27, 2011. As a student, Stahl was a member of the university's gymnastics and diving teams; he now operates PJ Stahl Fitness, his own health and fitness consulting company in Los Angeles. pjstahlfitness.com
Denise  Newman,  Ph.D. '10 (Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education),  Montcalm Community College in Sidney, Mich. welcomed Denise Newman as its dean of students starting in November 2010. Moving from director of enrollment services at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Newman's responsibilities now include overseeing admissions, career services, counseling, records and registration.
Jeffrey J.  Rozelle,  Ph.D. '10 (Curriculum, Teaching and Educational Policy),  received an Outstanding Doctoral Research Award from the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) during the organization's conference in April 2011. Rozelle's dissertation was one of two judged by colleagues to have the greatest significance in the field of science education. His in-depth study explores the differences between pre-service science teachers' experiences in their teacher education courses and their school-based field placements. Rozelle is now an assistant professor of science education at Syracuse University.
Kristin  Gunckel,  Ph.D. '08 (Curriculum, Teaching and Educational Policy),  was awarded a National Science Foundation grant. Now an assistant professor of Teaching, Learning, and Sociocultural Studies at University of Arizona, she is working on a project, Reasoning Tools for Understanding Water Systems, that will provide middle school teachers tools to help students develop environmental science literacy and become informed citizens about 21st-century water issues.
Michael  Hawks,  MA '88 (College & University Administration),  Governor Rick Snyder appointed Michael Hawks to an eight-year term on Eastern Michigan University's Board of Regents. He is currently a partner of Governmental Consultant Services, Inc., a legislative consulting firm in Lansing.
Cynthia S.  Johnson,  Ph.D. '83 (College Student Personnel),  died after a long illness on January 6, 2011. Johnson served as one of the founders of the California State University, Long Beach's (CSULB) Student Development in Higher Education program after serving on the faculties at University of Maryland and Columbia University. Her emphasis on creating cohorts of diverse students who would learn from each other was an example other programs at the university emulated. She retired from CSULB in 1996. During her career, she was also a leader in the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), serving as president in 1980–81, receiving the Esther Lloyd Jones Professional Service Award in 1995, the Presidential Service Medallion in 2005, and being awarded the ACPA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.
Marybelle Chase  Rockey Keim,  Ph.D. '72 (Higher Education),  a professor of higher education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, died in January 2011 after battling cancer. She served as a faculty member at Virginia Tech and University of Missouri–Kansas City before moving to SIU. She was a prolific author and dedicated advisor for more than 400 master's and doctoral candidates. During her career, Keim was a founding member of the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), an executive council member for the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and served twice as president of the Council for the Study of Community Colleges.
Hortense  Canady,  MA '77 (College Student Personnel),  One of the most significant figures of the civil rights movement in Lansing, Mich., Hortense Canady, died on Oct. 23, 2010 at age 83. Canady was the first black person elected to the Lansing School District Board of Education and was later recalled from the position for her efforts to desegregate the schools. She was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.
Brian  Davis,  Ed.S. '00 (K–12 Educational Administration),  The Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) named Brian Davis as the 2011 Superintendent of the Year. Selected by a panel of Michigan's education stakeholders, the Holland Public Schools leader was recognized for his leadership in exploring new learning models, increasing accountability and gaining support for repair and renewal of district facilities. Davis also becomes a finalist for the National Superintendent of the Year award. Here, MASA Executive Director William H. Mayes (right) visited the Holland Public Schools Board of Education meeting in November 2010 to present Davis (left) with the award.
Leah  Wasburn-Moses,  Ph.D. '05 (Special Education),  assistant professor of educational psychology at Miami University (MU), began a new program at the institution bringing together at-risk high school students with teacher candidates and other MU students. Miami Connections gives education majors the opportunity to mentor and tutor local 9th and 10th graders on campus. Wasburn-Moses currently serves as program manager in addition to co-instructor for the corresponding mentoring course. Giving high school students a glimpse at college life, and college students the opportunity to impact the local community, the program provides career and technical education without cost to the participants. Early research shows an increase in academic grades for program participants.
Rudy  Hobbs,  BA '98 (Elementary Education), MA '02 (K–12 Educational Administration),  was elected state representative for Michigan's 35th House District in November 2010. Hobbs, a Democrat, taught in southeastern Michigan before serving on the Southfield Public Schools board and getting involved in state politics, which included working as a policy advisor to Lt. Gov. John Cherry.
Michelle  Rzepka,  BS '05 (Kinesiology),  is one of the newest teachers at Adrian College in Adrian, Mich. Rzepka trained and competed with the U.S. Olympic Women's Bobsled team after finishing her master's at McNeese University in exercise physiology. Now back in the classroom, she is teaching Principles of Fitness as part of the sports and physical fitness program in the Exercise Science/Physical Education department at Adrian College.
Anne  Hooghart,  Ph.D. '05 (curriculum, teaching and educational policy),  has been named dean of Siena Heights University's Graduate College. Previously she served as director of Graduate Teacher Education at Siena Heights and as a teacher of Japanese language and culture. She also serves as vice president of the board of the Japanese-American School of South East Michigan.
Jodie A.  Galosy,  Ph.D. '05 (Curriculum, Teaching and Educational Policy),  has joined the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation (KSTF) as senior program officer for research. Galosy directs research activities that inform KSTF's cornerstone Teaching Fellowships program, which provides five-year fellowships to teachers of high school mathematics and science early in their careers. Galosy joins KSTF from the University of California, Davis, where she was assistant director for teacher professional development and evaluation in education at the Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology. (Information courtesy of Dentsu Communications.) www.kstf.org

Jonathon  Selbig,  Elementary education '07,  was named Outstanding Educator of the Year for 2009–10 at Eagle County Schools in Eagle, Colo. He teaches third grade at June Creek Elementary School.
Maria  Villalobos-Buehner,  Ph.D. '09 (higher, adult and lifelong education),  is now an assistant professor of Spanish and world language education at Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J.
Susan  Scully-Hill,  MA '88, Ph.D. '96 Rehabilitation counseling,  received the alana Diversity Award from the African-, Latino/Hispanic-, Asian- and Native-American (alana) Network at Assumption College in Worcester, Mass. She is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Human Services and Re-habilitation Studies.
Michael I.  Samulak,  Elementary education '96,  is the author of A is for Africa, a children's book and coloring book published by Trafford Publishing. Samulak, whose book recently received a silver medal from the Mom's Choice Awards, has been an educator and youth minister for over 15 years. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio.
Matthew  Militello,  MA '97, Ph.D. '04 K–12 educational administration,  is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies at North Carolina State University. He recently co-authored his second book, Principals Teaching the Law: 10 Legal Lessons Your Teachers Must Know, published in August by Corwin Press.
Alexander  McNeece,  BA '98 (elementary education), MA '04 (curriculum and teaching),  recently published his third book, Read to Me, Daddy: My First Football Book published by Ferne Press. McNeece is an award-winning elementary school principal in Garden City, Mich.
Donna L. M.  Malaski,  MA '00 (student affairs administration),  The National Academic Advising Association (nacada) selected Donna to receive the Outstanding Advising Award (Primary Role category) in 2010. Malaski serves as an academic advisor in the Human Resource Development department at Oakland University.
Debra  Johanning,  Ph.D. '05 (curriculum, teaching and educational policy),  received an Early career grant from the National Science Foundation to study teaching practices that engage students in algorithmic thinking. She is an associate professor of mathematics education at University of Toledo.
Peter C.  Gorman,  BA '87 (elementary education),  Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, a large North Carolina school system led by Superintendent Peter C. Gorman, was one of five school districts named as finalists in the Broad Prize for Urban Education. The $2 million award honors urban districts that are making the nation's greatest progress toward improving student performance and reducing achievement gaps.
Melinda  Sharp Dickinson,  BA '73 (elementary education), MA '85 (curriculum and instruction),  The Lansing School District presented Melinda Sharp Dickinson with the Elsie A. Maile Outstanding Elementary Teacher Award in April 2010. The award recognizes an extraordinary elementary teacher and comes with an unrestricted cash award. Dickinson teaches fifth grade at Sheridan Road School in Lansing, Mich.
Julie A.  Chapin,  Ph.D. '03 (higher, adult and lifelong education),  MSU Extension recently named Julie A. Chapin as director of the new MSU Extension Institute for Children and Youth. She provides leadership for statewide educational programming in four focus areas: academic success; career exploration and workforce preparation; leadership and civic engagement; and community-capacity building around positive youth development.
M. Patricia  Cavanaugh,  MA '82 Reading instruction Ph.D. '90 Curriculum, teaching and educational policy,  received the Faculty/Staff Community Service-Learning Award from the Michigan Campus Compact. As an English professor at Saginaw Valley State University, Cavanaugh coordinates many volunteer programs that encourage college students—particularly future teachers—to enhance learning for local children. In addition, she recently received a federal grant to help secondary teachers and principals prepare their students for the writing they will do in college.
Sian  Beilock,  Ph.D. '03 (kinesiology and psychology),  is the author of a new book and related blog about why people often fail to perform their best when the stakes are high. Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting It Right When You Have To is published by Simon & Schuster. Learn more about Beilock, an associate professor at University of Chicago, at sianbeilock.com.
Deborah  Loewenberg Ball,  BA '76, MA '82, Ph.D. '88 (curriculum, teaching and educational policy),  was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the National Board for Education Sciences, which provides guidance to the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education. Ball is dean of the University of Michigan School of Education. Her appointment was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in June.

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