Kwabena Adu Adjei is a Computer Science major and Marketing minor, currently a junior at Eastern Michigan University. He is a Presidential Scholar, member of the Honors College, and actively engaged in undergraduate research. His current project, which will be presented at the EMU Undergraduate Symposium, explores how pre-trained artificial intelligence models segment autophagic bodies in yeast cells to advance cellular research.

Moe Arrington is passionate about what they can do for the future (and the prosperity) of education. It’s a vital tool, and it’s something that aligns with their values. They are a communication major and a Women’s and Gender Studies minor. They also enjoy Art Education (the basic breakdown of artists' pieces and the time periods that they came about) and creating art as a hobby. 

Andrew Batten is a senior in the B.S. in Psychology program. He is involved on campus through his Research Assistantship with the Self-regulation, Early Experience, and Development (SEED) Lab, and will be pursuing an M.S. in Applied Sports Psychology at Northern Michigan University beginnig in the Winter.

Caroline Buxton is a writer and theatre artist from Northwest Arkansas. They are dedicated to accessibility in art and media, particularly audio description.

Joshua Evan Caine-Welch is a graduate student in philosophy with an interest in artificial intelligence and ecological psychology. A driving question of Josh’s work in this context is: What is the boundary between artificial and natural ecosystems? 

Ivana Carrington is a senior studying Pre-Medicine and Biology. When she's not baking, she's invested in exploring how social perceptions of intelligence impact Black youth, especially in environments where being smart can feel like a social liability. She hopes to raise awareness about the black experience and the impact being black has on academics. 

Cassidy Cartwright is a third year graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. She currently works as a graduate assistant at the Counseling Training Clinic. She is interested in green space's impact on well-being. 

Willamina Churchill-Torres is a queer and disabled student and artist. She is dedicated to advocating for accessibility for all types of disabilities, specifically in education.

Riley Coffee graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a BA in History and Political Science. He is now enrolled in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Master's program. Riley works on campus as the Student Success Coordinator for EMU's Honors College. 

Joel Collen is a graduate student in philosophy investigating how AI may positively impact pedagogy in this new and emerging landscape. A question which is of interest to him is: how can AI’s incentivized design be understood and bypassed by the user to enhance their thinking and work?  

Bre Cosman is a second-year graduate student in the Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD) program. She is a Brehm Scholar and is completing her Master's Thesis on Instructional Partnerships in CSD. Bre is currently facilitating a Learning Community on Instructional Partnerships alongside Dr. Ginsberg and works as the Social Events Coordinator for the College Supports Program. She strongly believes that students and teachers should collaborate to enhance both the learner and teacher experiences.

Alyse David is a chronically ill and disabled student who is still learning to navigate a system built for people who are well. Beyond their identity as a disabled person, they are a poet, a fiber artist, and an insect enthusiast.  

Ben Durante is a Psychology Major and Communication Minor, and a member of the Eastern Michigan University Honors College and the McNair Scholars Program. Their current research, which will be presented at the 2026 EMU Undergraduate Symposium, explores empathy withdrawal on Reddit, focusing on community reactions toward Brian Thompson and Luigi Mangione. 

Urnisha Dutta is a first-year PhD student and a Doctoral Fellow in the Education Studies program at Eastern Michigan University. With an M.A. in English Literature, she brings experience in college teaching and tutoring. Her research interests center on educational equity and creating inclusive pedagogy to validate the lived experiences of diverse student populations. 

Sean Edwards is an actor and theatrical technician with a passion for making the theatre world a more accessible and inclusive space. He believes this starts in the classroom, where the next generation of creatives will begin to build the future of the industry.  

AnnaBelle Favre is a psychology major on a pre-Occupational Therapy track at Eastern Michigan University. She is experienced in early childhood and previously worked as a children's librarian. She is an Undergraduate Assistant at the Faculty Development Center and a News Reporter for The Eastern Echo during the week, and on the weekends, she works as a respite care worker and kid's party entertainer. AnnaBelle is also a member of the Honors College and is a Presidential Scholar.

Ashlee Frankford is a freshman at Eastern Michigan University, pursuing an Occupational Therapy Intent major. She currently serves as the Vice President of Education for EMU Hillel, is a mentor for the College Supports Program, and is a member of the Honors College. Ashlee is passionate about making a positive impact on those around her. With a passion for working with students with autism, Ashlee is especially interested in school-based occupational therapy.

Priya Ghotane is a third year student of Philosophy, Psychology, and Non-profit Administration. She is passionate about understanding education as tool for social progress and hopes to study these topics through an interdisciplinary and international lens. 

Sara Havenhill is a sophomore majoring in Dietetics. She is also a member of EMU's honors college. She works at the Holman Success Center as a chemistry tutor, as well as the University Writing Center as a peer writing consultant.

Tate Henderson is a second-year PhD student in Clinical Psychology, currently researching relationships, health, and humility. His career goals focus primarily on teaching, mentorship, and research. He has spent a significant amount of time teaching and collaborating with professional educators.

Tracy Ho is a senior pursuing a bachelor's degree in Public Health with a focus on Community Health Education at Eastern Michigan University. She cares deeply about making health fair for everyone, especially children and adolescents, and loves coming up with ways to help people who do not have much access to good health care.

Nora is in her third year with the Teaching and Learning program and in her second year with the Honors College. She works with the EMU Mental Health Task force as a student assistant and has always been an advocate for mental health. She is a first generation student from the downriver area of Southeast Michigan. Nora hopes to help educators turn uncomfortable conversations into teaching moments.

Sydney Kamm is a master’s student in Communication at Eastern Michigan University. Her work investigates how communication shapes worldview and human experience, integrating existential and critical philosophy to explore how meaning and presence are lost and recovered in modern life.

Faith Keyes is an honors student at EMU and is currently enrolled in the Nursing BSN program. She is also a certified Lifeguard Instructor who combines her passion for teaching and leadership with evidence-based approaches to learning. Drawing from her experience training lifeguards under pressure and excelling in rigorous academic settings, she offers a unique student perspective on motivation, resilience, and effective classroom support. 

Priya Kothari is a visually impaired Braille user who has had a guide dog for six years. She enjoys spending time with family, riding horses, and walking. 

Ricki Alice Kreps is a senior Social Work student and member of the Honors College. Ricki works closely with the Department of Art & Design, College of Health and Human Services, the REC/IM, and Eagle Nutrition Services. Ricki’s professional practice focuses on housing, economic empowerment, and student wellness in Washtenaw County. 

Spencer Lyke is Deaf and physically disabled, using a variety of mobility aids to frolic through town and ASL as their best mode of communication. They're from southeast Michigan and can usually be found at educational conferences, running booths at craft shows, or sitting too close to the speakers at music concerts.  

Hannah Martinez is a senior psychology major with aspirations to work in mental health counseling. She enjoys reading, crafting, and taking walks with friends.

Jayce Matthews is a senior undergraduate student in the General Psychology program. Between being the secretary for the Psychology club, working in the STAR and SEED labs, and trying to survive the graduate school application process, Jayce likes to buy books he'll definitely get around to reading at some point, play video games, and watch improv comedy shows. His research interests are in chronic stress, sleep deprivation, trauma, and online extremism.

Anne McDonough is in her first semester of graduate school in speech language pathology.  She is a first generation college student and is also returning to school these last few years after having worked in the applied behavior analysis field for 15 years. 

Kye McGregor is a queer and physically disabled student at EMU. They are excited about sharing their unique perspective as a disabled college student. 

Angela Medrano is a proud mother of five and grandmother of two, with over 20 years of experience as a registered nurse. She returned to school a few years ago to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse educator. Her passion lies in guiding and inspiring the next generation of nurses through both clinical practice and education.

Brent Miller is a doctoral student in EMU's Educational Leadership program with an interest in Critical Participatory Action Research. He is also a graduate assistant for YpsiWrites, a community-focused writing nonprofit housed at EMU. Brent is passionate about adult learning and centering Ypsilanti and its residents in his work.

Eva Orlich Rojas is an international student from Costa Rica and a dedicated junior at EMU’s Honors College, passionate about science and its connection to everyday life. She is also deeply interested in social engagement and teamwork as ways to make a positive impact on our community. At EMU, she is involved with the International Student Association and Student Government, where she enjoys fostering collaboration and cultural exchange.

Nicole Ortiz-Garcia is a senior at EMU pursuing a bachelor's degree in general studies, with an Associate of Arts and Applied Science degree from Jackson Community College. She is proud to work with EMU’s CIP program as it supported her own academic and personal growth, and she is committed to advancing access to education and supporting others on similar paths. 

Trinity Perkins is a junior at Eastern Michigan University, studying Criminology and Criminal Justice and pursuing a career in law enforcement, specifically in the FBI. She has minors in Sociology and Public Law and Government as well. Trinity is also a member of the Honors College and a McNair Scholar and is a Student Worker at the Faculty Development Center.

Grace Perry is a graduate student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program. After school, she plans to be a speech-language pathologist for kids with autism. A fun fact about her is that she has a pet bunny named Sookie. 

 Raj Rahman is a junior pursuing a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Psychology with a minor in Communication. He plays a key role in the Driving Possibilities initiative at EMU’s STEM Education Institute, a major Toyota-funded program dedicated to sustainable STEM education. In this capacity, actively engages K-12 students with STEM activities on campus to foster early interest in science and technology. Raj also demonstrates leadership on campus as a Student Government Senator and an Executive member of the Psychology Club.

Tiffany Reicosky received a BA in Musical Theatre and Dance Performance from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She is facilitating an Instructional Partnership learning community and completing her Master's Thesis on Instructional Partnerships in CSD and Special Education with Dr. Sarah Ginsberg. 

Khalli Rice is a junior psychology major with a minor in social work, focused on developmental psychology and mental health. As a SEED Lab research assistant and a team member of the university's Mental Health Task Force, she applies hands-on experience to support wellness initiatives and engage in empirical research on campus. 

Austin Sims is a senior psychology (behavioral concentration) major graduating this spring. He aspires to become a sports psychologist and apply to graduate school. 

Aaron Schwieterman is a senior psychology (behavioral concentration) major, graduating this fall. He is a part of the honors college and is planning to apply to continue his studies at graduate school. 

Rylee Seguin is a first-year presidential scholar at Eastern Michigan University, studying Secondary Science Education. Rylee is passionate about promoting learning environments that empower all students to succeed. Outside the classroom, she volunteers with The Community Family Life Center, supporting youth programs in the Ypsilanti community.

Stephen Thompson is an Honors Sophomore at Eastern Michigan University, and is on track to double major in Anthropology. Throughout his whole life, he has been fascinated with the cultures of the world around me, and would find himself enticed in history books and encyclopedias. He discovered Anthropology as a discipline in his freshman year and found it perfect for him, as well as the perfect skillet he can use in my career to make the world a better place.

George Walewski is a neurodiverse student who is ready to speak about how the way Reacting to the Past has impacted him.

Kirby Williams is a BSW student at Eastern. As a future social worker, they find that there is always a time to grow their understanding of diversity. Upon graduation, they look forward to working at the macro level to ensure that our social work values are upheld. 

Jenelle Yarmoluk is a graduate student working toward a master’s degree in social work. She works with Eastern Michigan University’s College in Prison program and Returning Citizens Fellowship where she assists students both on campus and at EMU’s satellite campus housed within the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility. 

Olivia Allen is a Lecturer in the CMTA Department, a Teaching Artist in the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor Area, and a Director, Producer, and Practitioner of Theatre for Young Audiences. As an educator, she focuses on the creation and inclusion of participatory activities, project-based inquiry, and student-led dialogue.

Sydney Batchelder obtained her PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She previously completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Vermont where she studied behavioral pharmacology of drug use and addiction processes. Dr. Batchelder is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at EMU, where her research revolves around behavioral and systemic interventions for health disparities among underserved populations. She teaches courses on health psychology, research methods, and applied behavior analysis.

Amy Bearinger is a senior lecturer in the School of Communication, Media & Theatre Arts, where she teaches courses including Foundations of Speech Communication, Gender Communication, and Intercultural Communication. Amy also coordinates EMU’s annual Undergraduate Symposium, a showcase of student research and creative work. A passionate advocate for student success, Amy encourages her learners to harness the potential of confident, receiver-oriented, intentional communication.

Robert Carpenter is a professor of education and psychology who teaches assessment, evaluation, developmental psychology, motivation, and quantitative research at Eastern Michigan University. His research foci are culturally adaptive assessments, privacy in the digital panopticon, and the effects of privatization on the American higher education system.

Anne Casper regularly teaches courses in Introductory Biology and Genetics at EMU. Her undergraduate research students work on projects both in education and in DNA repair.

Margeaux Claude is an American artist from Minneapolis, MN. She holds a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute, and an MFA in Ceramics from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Margeaux is a two time Fulbright Fellow, a Jerome Grant Emerging Artist, and has worked domestically and internationally at the intersection of product design, material research and fine art. She has participated in residencies and symposiums at the International Ceramics Studio and the European Ceramic Work Center and is currently an Assistant Professor of Ceramic Art at Eastern Michigan University.

Matthew Cook (aka Dr. Matt to his students) is a cultural and historical geographer and member of the EMU Preservation faculty. Dr. Matt's research focuses on geographies of memory, historical interpretation, and race in the United States. His current NSF-funded project studies African American museums and historical/cultural narratives, addressing the role of the museum in the 21st century and how museums change and adapt their narrative emphases in response to contemporary events.

Elizabeth (Beth) Currans is professor of Women’s and Gender Studies and the Academic Administrator for the College in Prison Program. Her first book, Marching Dykes, Liberated Sluts, and Concerned Mothers: Women Transform Public Space, examined how public demonstrations organized and attended primarily by women remade public spaces. Recent publications appear in Feminist Studies, Journal of Lesbian Studies, Disability Studies Quarterly, and Urban Studies. An article is forthcoming in Frontiers: A Journal of Women’s Studies. Her current book project explores solidarity and vulnerability at trans-inclusive women’s music festivals. 

Anne Eisenberg currently serves as Dean of The Honors College. Prior to her arrival at EMU, she also served as a professor of psychology at a university in San Antonio. Dr. Eisenberg received her B.A. and M.A. degrees in psychology from The Johns Hopkins University and her Ph.D. in developmental psychology from the University of California-Berkeley. One of her passions is mentoring and advising undergraduate students. The other is chocolate.

Audrey Farrugia is a Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Eastern Michigan University. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Education, a M.A. in Speech-language Pathology, and a Ph.D. in Educational Studies. She worked as a speech-language pathologist in Michigan public schools for six years before joining the faculty at Eastern Michigan University and has 16 years of experience in clinical private practice. These professional experiences inform her teaching and research, which focus on social justice.

Sarah Ginsberg relies on collaborative approaches to education, and it has become the focus of much of her work in both her teaching and research. She has had the privilege of working as the Faculty Associate Director of the FDC, supporting faculty interested in engaging in evidence-based education as well as SoTL numerous times over the years. She looks forward to working with student and faculty colleagues to create stronger partnerships between students and faculty both inside and outside of the classroom.

Chiron Graves has always been fascinated with how people learn so he decided to make a career out of researching it. These days his research focuses on student-faculty relationships and how such relationships impact student learning.

Maggie Hanes regularly uses the plants in the EMU greenhouse as important examples of plant diversity for her courses. She also encourages and supports the use of the greenhouse for other courses within and outside of the sciences, as well as use of the facility outside of class time. Maggie is always enthusiastic to share the many health benefits of spending time with plants, whether it be in the greenhouse or outside in nature.

John Koolage is the Department Head for History and Philosophy. His research interests include Teaching & Learning, General and Feminist Philosophy of Science, and Cognitive Science. He has a passion for collaboration, both in teaching and research.

Steve Krause teaches a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate writing courses, most of which examine the relationships between writing and technology. Nowadays, he teaches about half of his courses online.

Zachery Krauss joined EMU after serving as Director of Communications for the Alabama Water Institute at The University of Alabama. He holds an M.S. in Integrated Scientific Applications from Millersville University and a B.S. in Atmospheric Science from Cornell University. Passionate about science education and outreach, Zach has taught in over 40 classrooms. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, exploring nature, attending concerts, and discovering new foods.

Jackie LaRose has been a member of the Teacher Education Department faculty since 2007. She is a Reading professor, co-coordinator of the Reading program area, Chair of the COE Council, and the COE Faculty Director of Educator Preparation Field Experiences. Dr. LaRose is heavily involved in nurturing our partnerships with local schools, and will never turn down the chance to speak with kids about their literacy lives.

Kati Lebioda’s research focuses on the nexus between structures and individuals, marginalized people’s strategies of survivance and holistic wellness, and how we can enact more humanizing education systems. She is drawn to collaborative, community-based, and creative endeavors, including methodologies such as participatory action research, digital storytelling, and portraiture.

Our team supports our incarcerated EMU students while they pursue their degrees. Upon their release, we help students reenter society in whatever way is most meaningful to them.  

Ethan Lowenstein is a Professor of Teacher Education. Ethan feels most alive when he is teaching. Ethan believes that teaching is an art form where every single moment is pregnant with the possibility of generating love, belonging, discovery, and liberation. Ethan is grateful to have worked at EMU for 23 years where he has been able to practice his art with the best students and colleagues in the whole world--not that it’s a competition :-)

Linda Myler is a Professor of Nursing at Eastern Michigan University with over three decades of experience in nursing education and clinical practice. A Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator-Advanced and Certified Nurse Educator, she co-directs simulation and interprofessional education initiatives. Her scholarship focuses on innovative simulation strategies, interprofessional collaboration, and student engagement, with numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences.

Christine Neufeld teaches in the Department of English Language and Literature. She is also is an affiliate in the Critical Disability Studies minor.

Caren Putzu is a Professor in the School of Social Work. She primarily teaches research methods, policy, social welfare history, and a GEQR course in social work. Her research focuses on the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) within bachelor’s level social work education.

Rachel Radina teaches courses on leadership theory, culture, curriculum, community-based education, and Qualitative Research Methods.  She is trained in restorative practices, youth participatory action research and Theatre of the Oppressed. Her research and scholarship center issues of equity and justice for youth and communities.

Nick Romerhausen is a Professor of Communication and is the Director of COMM 124: Foundations of Speech Communication.  His research interests include rapport building strategies in communication classrooms to reduce communication apprehension and the impact of new technologies on student learning of public speaking. 

Liz Shawl is an alumna of EMU and happy to be back on campus supporting students, faculty and staff in the Disability Resource Center. Liz is the staff advisor for the student organization, the Disability Revolution Club.

Teacher of statistics and research methods for psychology. Researcher of parents, young children, and their sleep. Connoisseur of stats humor, beautiful data viz, and podcasts about quantitative methods.

Dr. Staples regularly teaches methodological courses in psychology that aim to prepare students to be both consumers and producers of scientific information. Her research focuses on the development of sleep from birth to age and how nighttime behavior influences daytime functioning for both parents and children. One of the best parts of being at EMU is working with students to improve scientific literacy in and out of the classroom.

Sarah VanZoeren is a Professor and MSW Program Director in the School of Social Work. Her research interests include school social work and disability studies, with a focus on equity and inclusion. Her teaching, service, and scholarship are grounded in over 20 years of social work practice. She is am committed to preparing future social workers to lead with compassion, cultural humility, and evidence-informed practice. She believes we are all teachers and learners, and strives to create collaborative classroom spaces.

Student-centered learning rather than instructor-centered teaching was a lesson Mark Whitters discovered 15 years ago. Since then he has resolved to focus on students instead of on himself. Over the years he has cultivated a network of coaches from his classes who share a similar enthusiasm for engagement, critical thinking, and the thrill of learning together. Whitters taught at EMU 10 years before his "conversion."