We are going to spend the next several weeks spotlighting the recipients of the Spring 2014 Faculty Research Grants. Get to know these distinguished faculty members below!

Name: Dr. Amanda Hawkins

University: Columbus State University

Title of Proposal: Reflection on retention: How to help minority students succeed in an RN-BSN program

Bio: Amanda Hawkins is an Associate Professor of Nursing and coordinates the RN-BSN program at Columbus State University. She enjoys speaking at conferences and has enthusiastically presented internationally, nationally and many times at the state and local level. She is a published author and has been awarded several university grants. She holds an Associate Degree from Columbus State University, Bachelor’s Degree from George Mason University, and a Master’s degree from Tory State University. The Dean for the College of Education and Health Professions recognized her and a co-worker with the Dean’s Innovative Award for growing the program over 500% in 3 years in 2013. She was selected as one of the top online professors in Georgia for Medical and Health Professors in 2013 and received the prestigious Harrison E. Leadership Award in 2014. She continues to be instrumental in writing curriculum and developing quality online modules that meet accreditation standards. She has practiced nursing in a variety of settings and continues to practice nursing in an acute care hospital with over 30 years of nursing experience. Teaching and nursing are a passion that makes her work fun. Hobbies include tennis and boating.

Name: Dr. Sedef Smith

University: Lamar University

Title of Proposal: SMART Feedback application: The much needed tool for revolutionizing the assessment of students’ online discussion participation

Bio: Sedef Uzuner Smith is an Assistant Professor in the College of Education and Human Development at Lamar University, Beaumont, TX. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the State University of New York at Albany, with specialization in Language and Literacies and Instructional Technology. Her research examines teaching and learning in online and blended environments. She is also interested in researching academic writing from a sociocultural perspective, particularly as it pertains to writing for publication by multilingual scholars. Dr. Smith has published articles and research in The Internet and Higher Education, Studies in Continuing Education, Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, Educational Media International, Journal of English for Academic Purposes, Language Policy, and Journal of Education Policy.

Name: Casey Brown

University: University of Texas at Arlington

Title: Supporting faculty transitions to impact student persistence

Bio: Casey Graham Brown is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Brown began her career in education as an elementary school teacher. She has served as an administrator at all levels (elementary, middle school, and high school) and as a superintendent of schools. Before coming to UT Arlington Brown served on the faculty at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Her research and teaching interests center on teacher and administrator certification policy, school leadership preparation, and campus crisis policy and procedures.