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Ann Marie Garcia-Santos, Ph.D.
Ann Marie Garcia-Santos received her B.S. from Texas A&M University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Social Work. While there, Garcia-Santos became interested in special populations. An internship with the Parents as Teachers programs led to her first job as a Family Service Coordinator in San Antonio where she became involved with the school environment as she transitioned her clients to the school setting. Garcia-Santos received an M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling and a Ph.D. in School Counseling from The University of Iowa. Her research interests include: the effect of poverty on achievement and student social-emotional health; the development and support of family and community literacy programs; and academic interventions for diverse populations. “I instantly fell in love with the people and the environment at The University of Iowa for to the many opportunities it affords students and faculty,” Garcia-Santos said. “The collegial feeling on campus fosters an atmosphere for personal and professional growth and that is very exciting.”
Terri Gebel, Ph.D.
Terri Gebel has taught Spanish at all levels—from elementary to post-secondary for many years. While completing her Ph.D. at The University of Iowa, she taught Spanish and Foreign Language Methods courses at the University of Northern Iowa and supervised the graduate assistants. Her interest areas include reading in a second language, secondary education, and teacher preparation. Gebel is currently working with the RELEVANCE (Reaching English Language Educators via Advanced Network Collegiate Education) Project. Aimed at providing teachers and school administrators in need of assistance with ESL endorsements, the five-year project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. “Returning to The University of Iowa to teach in the program where I studied is a wonderful opportunity,” Gebel said. “Working with pre-service and in-service teachers has always been a rewarding experience for me”.
Youjia Hua, Ph.D.
Youjia Hua received a B.A. in English from Shanghai University in China, an M.S. in Special Education from Mercyhurst College, and a Ph.D. in Special Education from the Pennsylvania State University. Hua worked as a coordinator for the Education Leadership Forum in the City of Erie School District for two years. He was a graduate fellow in the special education program at Penn State. Hua’s research interests include academic interventions to increase student motivation and task engagement. “I am really honored to be a faculty member of The University of Iowa,” Hua said. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the faculty here.”
Anne Sullivan, Ph.D.
Anne Sullivan received a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa, a M.S. in Education Administration from Iowa State University, and an Ed.D. in Education Administration from Drake University. She has been teaching at Drake University and Viterbo University for the past 10 years. Sullivan’s work in education includes teaching upper elementary students and gifted students. Her professional experience includes serving as elementary school principal and superintendent. Her research interests include the link between school leadership and student achievement, school organizational leadership, and legislative advocacy. “I am impressed by College of Education and EPLS Department,” Sullivan said. “Collaboration and innovation are an integral part of their core values. I am honored to help build a superintendent endorsement program that is student focused and progressive as well as have the opportunity to coach aspiring school leaders.”
Megan Foley Nicpon, Ph.D.
Megan Foley Nicpon received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Arizona State University after working as a social worker for a public mental health agency in Phoenix. She was a postdoctoral scholar with the Belin-Blank Center and went on to become a licensed psychologist and supervisor for the Belin-Blank Center’s Assessment and Counseling Clinic, where she will maintain her clinical and administrative responsibilities. Foley Nicpon’s research interests include assessment of and intervention with gifted students who have ASD, specific learning disabilities, and ADHD; the psychosocial/emotional needs of gifted and talented students; and pediatric psychology. Her clinical interests include providing assessment and counseling services to high-ability students with disabilities (i.e., twice-exceptional). Foley Nicpon says she chose The University of Iowa “because of the unique opportunity to join the outstanding faculty in the Counseling Psychology program, while remaining a central part of the Belin-Blank Center’s Assessment and Counseling Clinic.“
Carol Klose Smith, Ph.D.
Prior to beginning her Ph.D. in Counselor Education at the University of Iowa, Carol Klose Smith, worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor for 10 years at A.T. Still University, Truman State University, and as a case manager at Victim Support Services. She has also taught as an adjunct at the University of Northern Iowa and most recently as an assistant professor at Winona State University. Smith’s areas of interest include exploring vocational development among gifted students, clinical supervision, and interpersonal/dating violence among young adults. “I feel honored to be part of The University of Iowa’s College of Education,” Klose Smith said. “The College has created a wonderful environment for support and collaboration. I feel that my research and clinical interests will flourish.”
Suzanne Woods-Groves, Ph.D.
Suzanne Woods-Groves completed a B.A. in Early Childhood Special Education and an M.Ed. in Behavior Disorders at Auburn University. She taught special education serving students ages 3 through 14 years. Woods-Groves returned to Auburn University and received a M.Ed. in Psychometry and a Ph.D. in Special Education. She also worked as a consultant to a local school district where she trained educators in inclusive teaching strategies and proactive behavioral interventions for children with autism and behavior disorders.
Seelpa H. Keshvala, Ph.D.
Seelpa H. Keshvala received a Ph.D. in Urban Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Her professional experience includes teaching elementary school in an inner-city environment, teaching technical college classes to help students earn their GED/HSED credential, and serving as an urban mentor teacher and a professional development coach. Keshvala’s main research examines how race, class, and culture intersect with school leadership practices and policies to shape the educational opportunities and outcomes of children. Her other areas of research include: leadership in urban education, organizational development, and social justice issues in education. “The University of Iowa’s reputation as being a top-ranked institution with distinguished faculty is well known,” Keshvala said. “However, what I found most impressive about the College of Education is the faculty’s ‘down-to-earth’ nature despite their many, many accomplishments. It is a rarity to find such a combination, and I feel fortunate to be part of this university.”
Antionette (Toni) Stroter, Ph.D.
Antionette (Toni) Stroter earned a dual M.A. in Higher Education and Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma while living in Germany. She began teaching in higher education institutions upon her return to the United States. She pursued a doctorate in the Education Research and Evaluation Program and received her Ph.D. in Education Curriculum and Instruction and a certificate in Race and Social Policy at Virginia Polytechnic & State University. Stroter’s research is related to educational inequity, racial and ethnic disparities in student performance, minority teacher recruitment and retention, and the impact of teacher expectations on student performance as it relates to teacher and student racial and ethnic congruence. Stroter says she choose Iowa because it provides a unique opportunity to combine program evaluation work and teaching. “The well-known program faculty was equally attractive,” she said. “The University of Iowa just seemed to be a good fit for me.”
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