Dr. Joanna K. Garner is a Research Professor at Old Dominion University and has been the Executive Director of The Center for Educational Partnerships (TCEP) since 2017. The Center of six faculty and two education specialists works closely with schools, museums, institutions of higher education, and educational nonprofit organizations for the benefit of students, teachers, and community members. Since joining ODU in January 2011, Joanna has been PI or co-PI on 30 state, federal, and foundation grants totaling more than $14M. Since 2010, the Center has collectively generated more than $45M in research expenditures, and has led curriculum and teacher professional development initiatives in STEM, computer science education, drop-out prevention, and military child education. 

Joanna's research includes STEM learning and identity development in formal and informal educational settings. She is an accomplished scholar, and her theoretical and empirical work on teacher and student learning and identity development has been published in journals including Developmental Psychology, the Journal of Experimental Education, Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, Science Education, and the Journal of STEM Outreach.

Dr. Gary Beck (University of Texas-Austin) is an Associate Professor of Communication and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Communication and Theater Arts at Old Dominion University.  His nationally recognized research is focused on interpersonal, family and health communication, specifically as they contribute to resilience, hope, and additional positive social outcomes.   Beyond initiating the movement toward an online communication graduate program, Gary has led the development of an award winning ePortfolio curriculum plan for communication faculty.   In 2015, Gary was awarded the annually competitive College of Arts and Letters’ “Joel S. Lewis Faculty Award for Excellence in Student Mentoring.”  When he is not following his professional passions, Gary can be found doing dad stuff with his twins, exercising, or starting some new house project.  

Dr. Anna Jeng, a professor in Environmental Health in the School of Community and Environmental Health at Old Dominion University, has achieved significant accomplishments in teaching and research and is a leading expert in environmental health monitoring and oxidative adduct detection. She has published 68 refereed journal papers and delivered over 100 presentations at national and international conferences. Her sponsored research, totaling over 5 million, has received support from various federal, state, and industrial sources. Much of his research has directly influenced the environmental health profession.

Jeng has chaired or served on numerous local and national committees, contributing to the establishment and promotion of state environmental health policy, standards, and codes. She is a strong advocate for preparing future environmental health professionals and has served on national committees for environmental health program accreditation, aimed at enhancing curriculum and academic standards. She advised nearly 100 master’s and doctoral students, many of whom have gone on to hold leadership positions in industry, public service, and academia.