Meet the Innovators!

Melva R. Grant (mgrant@odu.edu) is an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education in the Teaching & Learning Department in the College of Education. Her research is multidisciplinary and emergent focusing on broadening participation for inclusive social justice for minoritized people in multiple spaces including STEM teaching in public urban schools and the academy. Her scholarship permeates every aspect of her work including teaching and service. Dr. Grant earned a B.S. in Mathematics (Magna Cum Laude) from Coppin State University, an HBCU. She also earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from University of MD, College Park and graduate degrees in education including a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University.

Tiffany Whitfield is the Strategic Communications and Marketing Coordinator for the College of Sciences at Old Dominion University (ODU). She worked in the Hampton Roads and Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas news stations for 14 years as a senior creative services writer/producer/director and then moved on to Public Relations and Marketing for several private and state agencies prior to coming to ODU. She earned a B.A. in School of Media Arts and Design and Dance from James Madison University. Also, she received a M.A. in Directing/Editing Film and Television from Regent University.

Dr. Alvin A. Holder is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Old Dominion University (ODU). His research focuses bioinorganic and inorganic chemistry and reaction mechanisms. The primary theme for his research is solving world problems, including cancer and the dwindling fossil fuels reserves, with inorganic elements. Dr. Holder earned a B.Sc. degree in special chemistry and a Ph.D. degree in inorganic chemistry from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica.