Current Scholars
2024 Spring/Fall Teaching Scholars
Mark Dalman
Podiatric Medicine, Kent Campus
My name is Mark Dalman and I am an Associate professor in the division of Pre-Clinical Sciences at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. I graduated from Miami (Of Ohio) with a bachelors in Zoology, Masters in Environmental Science from University of Akron, and a PhD in Integrative Bioscience (at the intersection of Molecular biology and computer science) from University of Akron. I did my postdoc in Dr. Tara Smith’s lab (KSU-CPH) in molecular epidemiology. My current research is focused on leveraging genomics, such as whole genome sequencing to 16s/ ITS microbiome sequencing to SNP arrays to RNA post translation editing to answer genotypic and phenotypic associated questions. Recently, I published a study on MC1R SNPs associated with analgesic response in redheaded individuals and currently working on a grant from the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention to identify RNA editing patterns as biomarkers. As with any curious researcher, I am also focused on understanding new and novel ways to teach medical knowledge and barriers to success. I enjoy Ohio State football and watching our three kids develop before our eyes.
Sheren Farag
Horticulture, Salem Campus
Dr. Sheren Farag is the director and assistant professor of Horticulture program at Kent State University. She received a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Alexandria University, Egypt, followed by a post-graduate professional degree in integrated planning for rural development and environmental management from Lleida University and Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza in Zaragoza, Spain. In 2014, Dr. Farag received her Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering from Seville University, Spain, where she worked with a research group specialized in developing irrigation strategies for fruit trees, especially olives, almond, and citrus, using plant-based automatic measurements and participated in publishing the research findings in peer-reviewed journals and national and international conferences. In 2016, Dr. Sheren was awarded an international postdoctoral fellowship from the American Association of University Women to do her postdoctoral research at Texas A&M university, USA. In 2021, she obtained a Master of Business Administration from Quantic School of Business and Technology, Washington, D.C., United States. For more than 9 years, Dr. Farag held several research positions at various research institutions such as the Natural Resources and Agrobiology Institute in Seville, Spain; Citrus Center-Texas A&M University-Kingsville; and Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension-Texas A&M University. Her research focused on irrigation and soil management, crop physiology, horticulture production and using drones for precision agriculture. In 2018, she began her teaching career in numerous specialized agricultural and horticultural courses, including horticulture food crops, agribusiness, precision agriculture, and others. Due to her passion for modern technologies in agriculture, specifically unmanned aerial vehicles or commercially known by drones, she became a certified remote pilot from the Federal Aviation Administration. Afterward, she worked as an instructor and trainer for training professionals and startups on using drones. Given the hands-on nature of the horticulture field, Dr. Farag’ teaching philosophy focuses on innovative student-centered pedagogy, emphasizing active learning that fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills through strategies like collaborative, project-based, and experiential learning. Dr. Farag is dedicated to ensuring that they participate in the learning process by applying real-world contexts to enhance retention. Her main goal is to prepare students to perform as highly skilled professionals in horticulture.
Kayon Hall
Foundation, Leadership and Administration, Kent Campus
Dr. Kayon A. Hall (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs in the College of Education, Health and Human Services (EHHS). Prior to completing her doctoral work, Dr. Hall worked for over ten years in higher education administration, primarily in career development, undergraduate research and sponsorship, and graduate education.
Dr. Hall's research calls attention to immigration and the geopolitical factors that impact the lives of diasporic Black students. As a scholar-practitioner, she uses critical and liberatory frameworks to address her research endeavors: (1) the educational experience of Black immigrant collegians; (2) the educational experiences of collegians who are both Black and undocu/DACAmented; (3) im/migration in higher education; and (4) anti-Blackness in higher education.
Dr. Hall is actively engaged in national and professional service. Currently, she serves as the Co-Chair for the Association for the Study of Higher Education's (ASHE) Presidential Commission on Undocumented Immigrants and an appointed representative of the ASHE Strategic Workgroup on Entities. She is also an active member of the American College Personnel Association and American Educational Research Association. Dr. Hall also serves on the editorial boards of the Journal for Student Affairs Research and Practice, the Journal for College Student Development, and the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education.
Sonya Irving
School of Teaching, Learning & Curriculum, Kent Campus
My name is Sonya E. Irving. (Sonya is pronounced with a short “o” sound, so it rhymes with Tonya.) I earned a B.B.A. from Howard University (1997), an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education (2007), and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2014). My professional experience prior to Kent State includes teaching at a vocational school for teenage girls, a PK-6 elementary school, a 6-12 secondary school, and undergraduate courses at UIUC. I have been at Kent State since 2013. At KSU I teach mathematics methods courses in the School of Teaching Learning and Curriculum Studies across several different programs: Early Childhood Education, Middle Childhood Education, Adolescent & Young Adult Education, and Curriculum & Instruction. I also teach the seminar course for Middle Childhood Education student teachers. I am interested in ways to support students who have had negative experiences with mathematics to develop a growth mindset that allows them to engage in productive struggle. I am also interested in assessment and feedback that encourages students to work towards mastery of content with less of a focus on grades.
Elizabeth Kenyon
Social Studies Education, Kent Campus
Elizabeth Kenyon is a citizen, mother, and scholar. She strives for a world in which we can see each other’s full humanity, care for one another, and live in better partnership with the planet. As an associate professor at Kent State, she teaches future teachers and those interested in social studies education. Her scholarship has focused on anti-racism in teacher education, global citizenship, and more recently, climate change education. As a part of her citizen and academic endeavors she has recently started exploring the challenges and possibilities of garden-based learning in public elementary schools. She gets to parent to audacious and inspiring young people (ages 7 and 9) and enjoys baking, running, and digging in the dirt.
Mary Russell
Biological Sciences, Trumbull Campus
My name is Mary Russell. I am a professor in the department of Biological Sciences at KSU Trumbull where I have been since 2003! I teach a variety of courses including the foundational courses (Biological Foundation and Biological Diversity), and courses in microbiology and genetics. I obtained my PhD in microbiology from The Ohio State University. Then, I carried out postdoctoral research at the Cleveland Clinic and that work I carried over to my lab at KSU Trumbull. Since I am located at a regional campus, I have had the incredibly rewarding experience of mentoring undergraduate students in my lab. Recently I became a Belongings Champion. Participation in this program has made me aware of the positive impact instructors can have on students in areas in addition to pedagogy!
Liz Wagoner
English, Kent Campus
My name is Liz Wagoner (all pronouns). I am an Assistant Professor of English, and I have been teaching at Kent State for 20 years now. I teach AFS College Writing I and II courses for the CommUNITY Lab program, a Freshman Honors Colloquium sequence themed “Science Fiction: Science Fact,” and the occasional creative writing and literature course.
I have my Ph.D. with an emphasis in American Literature Post-1945 from Kent State University, and for my dissertation, I developed a reading methodology for the multimodal novel. My pedagogical interests include Inquiry-based learning, Writing to Learn, Anti-Racist Pedagogy, First-Generation students, Belonging, and Universal design to increase access to course activities for neurodiverse students.
In my free time, I collect hobbies like they’re going out of style, but a few constants include reading (especially haunted house or ghost novels), creative writing, climate change gardening, experimenting with beans, and watching movies and tv series to discuss with family and friends.