Christa Boske, Ed.D.
Assistant Professorcboske@kent.edu
404 White Hall
Area: FLA
As an Assistant Professor of PreK-12 Educational Administration, Christa works to encourage school leaders to promote humanity in schools, especially for historically disenfranchised children and families within America's educational system. Christa's line of inquiry is focused on the intersections of the cognitive and affective domains of school leadership with a particular focus on how school leaders transform their sense of self to lead for social justice. This line of inquiry is organized into three specific areas of interest: A) The influence of beliefs and attitudes on school practices, B) Pedagogical practices and programmatic structures within preparation programs, and C) The study and support of school leaders as they address social justice issues within their school communities. Christa's research has been published in journals including the International Journal of Educational Management, Academic Exchange Quarterly, Journal of Educational Considerations, National Council of Professors in Education Administration Yearbook, and Connexions. Christa is currently co-editing a book with Dr. Autumn Tooms entitled, "Educational Leadership as International Social Justice Discourse: Navigating Collaborations, Careers, and Challenges in a Global Context." Christa is serving as the Kent State University Plenum Representative for The University Council of Educational Administration.
Dale Cook, Ed.D.
Professordcook@kent.edu
213 Moulton Hall
Area: FLA - LDES
I joined the Kent State University faculty in 1978 after the completion of my Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University as a Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Fellow. Over the past 27 years with the College, I have served as the Director of the Center for Community Education, faculty member in Education Administration, and Associate Dean for Research, Outreach and Technology. Currently, I am the Summit Professor for Learning Technology, Associate Professor of Educational Administration, and Director of the Research Center for Educational Technology in the College and Graduate School of Education, Health, and Human Services. My efforts involve implementing technology initiatives that impact teaching and learning at the university and preK-12 level. The Ameritech Electronic University School Classroom, which began under my direction in 1998, continues today as a technology-rich classroom environment for preK-12 students, and a research laboratory for college faculty and graduate students. In 1999, The Research Center for Educational Technology (RCET) was founded under my leadership. RCET is a multi-faceted center that was established to provide support for researchers committed to studying the impact of technology on teaching and learning. Additional research interests include interagency collaboratives, political aspects of educational leadership, community engagement, and digital game based learning.
Awilda Hamilton, Ed.D.
Associate Professorahamilto@kent.edu
300K White Hall
Area: FLA , EDAD
After receiving a bachelor's degree in microbiology from Howard University, I quickly decided that a change in career choice was in order. That decided, I enrolled at Ohio University and graduated in 1972 with a master's degree in education. I began my career in education as an elementary teacher and soon determined that an administrative path was what I wanted to pursue. My doctorate in educational administration from the University of Akron in 1980 has provided opportunities to serve as an elementary principal and several central office administrative posts for some fifteen years. In 1990, however, it was a call to direct a diversifying the teaching force project at Kent State University and Cuyahoga Community College, that introduced me to higher education . Fifteen years later, I have enjoyed a career at Kent State University as a faculty member, program coordinator, and special assistant to the dean, associate dean, and currently interim department chair. I was an American Council on Education Fellow in 2004-05. This experience provided the opportunity to study the systemic elements of organizations that impact communication and collaboration. In addition, I studied the change process and how it affects an institution. These are areas I will continue to investigate as I continue in other leadership roles. I am active in the American Council on Education, AERA, and AAC+U.
Mark Kretovics, Ph.D
Associate Professormkretov1@kent.edu
411 White Hall
Area: FLA , EDAD
Mark Kretovics is an Associate Professor of Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel at Kent State University. He received his Ph. D. from Colorado State University and his research interests include the assessment of student learning, business practices in higher education, distance education, and pedagogical issues in compressed courses. Mark had over 20 years of administrative experience within higher education before transitioning into his current faculty role.
Stephen Thomas, Ed.D.
Professorsbthomas@kent.edu
401 401K White Hall
Area: FLA , EDAD
I received my B.S. degree in 1971 from Oklahoma State University, M.S. also from OSU in 1972, and doctorate in 1974 from the University of Florida. While attending UF, I was a fellow with the National Educational Finance Project, where I had the opportunity to work with many of America's leading scholars in Education Finance and Law. Upon graduation, I served as an assistant professor at Madison College in Virginia for two years, Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas for five (the final three years as an associate professor), and St. Johns University in Queens, N.Y. for four, all at the full professor level. I then came to Kent State University and have been here for 23+ years. I teach many of the law courses in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services, including those in higher education, K-12 administration, special education, and school psychology. Additionally, I teach courses dealing with education finance (both higher education and K-12), higher education disability, and faculty roles and responsibilities. While at Kent, I am most proud of my role (others also have been involved) in acquiring graduate assistantships for students (we currently have 60-70 diverse GA placements at 10-15 institutions) and for receiving the Distinguished Teaching Award in 2007.
Dr. Autumn Tooms, Ed.D.
Associate Professoratooms@kent.edu
404 White Hall
Area: FLA
As an Associate Professor of PreK-12 Educational Administration, Autumn works to maintain a balance of thoughtful and focused work dedicated to bridging the gap between those who lead schools, and those who study and prepare school leaders. Autumn studies the principalship focusing on identity, equity, school reform, and the micro-politics of the position. Her international work began with the creation of the first Masters Degree cohorts in educational administration in partnership with The College of The Bahamas. In addition to her books for principals on leadership, Autumn’s research has been published in journals that include Kappan, Educational Leadership, The Journal of School Leadership, The Journal of Research on Leadership Education, The International Journal of Leadership in Education, and The Journal of Cases for the University Council for Educational Administration. Autumn is currently serving a three year term as member of Executive Council of The University Council of Educational Administration. Also, she is as member of the Research Advisory Board for The College of The Bahamas
Anita Varrati, Ed.D.
Assistant Professoravarrati@kent.edu
404 White Hall
Area: FLA
I began as a middle school teacher of language arts and social studies on the Navajo Indian Reservation after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from the University of Arizona. I immediately enrolled in a master's program in elementary education at Northern Arizona University. After completing that degree, I began working as a district level k-12 language development coordinator and was encouraged to pursue an administrative license. Upon receiving my principal's license, I served as a middle school principal in Colorado. After returning to Pennsylvania, I began working as an administrator at an educational service agency in the areas of curriculum and staff development. Wishing to move up in the organization, I secured my superintendent's license and eventually was appointed Assistant Executive Director of Curriculum and Professional Development. I continued my education at the University of Pittsburgh where I received a doctorate in educational administration. My research interests have focused on the effects of policy on educational practice, characteristics of organizations and leaders that effect change, and characteristics of organizations and leaders that sustain continuous improvement.
