IIE Faculty & Staff

Sarah Irvine Belson Professor SOE | General Academics & Research

Dr. Sarah Irvine Belson holds a PhD from Arizona State University in Curriculum and Instruction with a cognate in Special Education. Her research explores educational opportunity for children with dis

  sirvine@american.edu

  (202) 885-3714

Anne Karabell Professorial Lecturer SOE | General Academics & Research

Annie Murphy Karabell is a researcher in the Institute for Innovation in Education at the School of Education. Her research interests include early childhood literacy, reading disabilities, inclusive

  karabell@american.edu

  (202) 885-8253

Danielle Sodani Director, Institute for Innovation in Education SOE | General Academics & Research

Danielle Gervais Sodani currently serves as the Director of the Institute for Innovation and Education in the School of Education (SOE). As the director, she cultivates partnerships with educational o

  dgsodani@american.edu

  (202) 885-3744

IIE Faculty & Coaches

Alida Anderson Professor SOE | General Academics & Research

Alida Anderson is a professor in the School of Education at American University. She earned her PhD in special education from the University of Maryland, College Park focusing on early childhood langu

  aanderso@american.edu

  (202) 885-6214

Lauren Crichton Senior Professorial Lecturer SOE | City Teaching Alliance

Prior to joining the AU School of Education, Lauren served as the Lead Clinical Faculty for Secondary ELA in the DC Urban Teachers program at Johns Hopkins University's Graduate School of Education. T

  crichton@american.edu

Melissa Hawkins Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Health Studies CAS | Health Studies

Melissa Hawkins is an Associate Professor and the Associate Chair in the Department of Health Studies at American University. Dr. Hawkins is an epidemiologist with experience in the application of pub

  mhawkins@american.edu

  (202) 885-6252

Ocheze Joseph Director of Undergraduate Programs, Teacher Educ and Sr Professorial Lecturer SOE | General Academics & Research

Dr. Ocheze Joseph is a proud DC native, and she is passionate about teaching and learning in urban settings. Dr. Joseph has served in several K-12 roles including serving as a reading specialist, an a

  ojoseph@american.edu

Kiho Kim Adjunct Professor CAS | Environmental Science

Kiho Kim (he/him) is an adjunct Professor in the Department of Environmental Science.As a marine scientist, his research focuses on understanding how environmental drivers, such as nutrient pollution

  kiho@american.edu

  (202) 885-2181

Carolyn Parker Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer and Director, Graduate Teacher Education and Academic Programs SOE | General Academics & Research

Carolyn Parker is the Associate Dean for Research, Programs, and Partnerships and Director of Graduate Teacher Education in the School of Education. She began her career in science education as a Peac

  caparker@american.edu

  (202) 885-6259

Robert Shand Associate Professor SOE | General Academics & Research

Robert D. Shand is Assistant Professor in the School of Education at American University. He received his Ph.D. in Economics and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. A former high sch

  rshand@american.edu

  (202) 885-6917

Anastasia Snelling Professor CAS | Health Studies

Dr. Anastasia Snelling is a professor in the Department of Health Studies at American University. She has been a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a registered dietitian for over thi

  stacey@american.edu

  (202) 885-6278

Jennifer Steele Professor SOE | General Academics & Research

Dr. Jennifer L. Steele is a Professor in the School of Education at American University (AU), and an affiliate faculty member in AU's Department of Public Administration and Policy. Her research, whic

  steele@american.edu

  (202) 885-3762

Shari Watkins Senior Professorial Lecturer and Director of Faculty Initiatives and Engagement DOF | Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)

Dr. Shari Earnest Watkins is the Director for Faculty Initiatives and Engagement, in the Center for Faculty Excellence at American University. Dr. Watkins received her Ph.D. in Science Education from

  shari@american.edu