Alumni
Learn about what our graduates are doing with their degrees.
Abigail Byron
Degree: MS, Fall 2024
Current Position: Logistics Officer, United States Air Force
Abigail Byron serves as an officer in the United States Air Force who leverages her passion for educational psychology to make a positive impact through her military leadership. Currently stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, she leads aircraft maintenance teams to support critical special operation training missions. Beyond her logistics leadership, Abigail is deeply committed to the well-being of her fellow Airmen. She serves as a certified Master Resilience Trainer and instructor for Department of Defense Sexual Assault and Suicide Prevention courses. Her teaching expertise led to her selection as an instructor for the Air Mobility Command's 'Warriors Edge' program, where she cultivates high-performance mindsets within the force. Passionate about bridging the military and educational spheres, Abigail aspires to become a high school Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) instructor, where she can continue to shape future leaders.
Dr. Kenyotta Eugene Cross
Degree: PhD, Fall 2023
Current Position: Associate Professor of Psychology in the College of Health Professions and the Director of the Clinical Counselor training program at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Dr. Kenyotta Eugene Cross is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology within the College of Health Professions and the Director of the department’s Clinical Counselor training program at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Dr. Cross holds masters’ degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Sports Administration and Activities Management from Henderson State University. She earned her EdD in Human Resources and Workforce Development Education from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 2010; and most recently, she earned her PhD in Educational Psychology from Oklahoma State University. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC).
Dr. Cross has more than 30 years of combined work experience in the area of disability. Prior to her current appointment, she served as Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies at Langston University. She served as Research Associate Professor at the Langston University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (LU-RRTC) on Research and Capacity Building for Minority Entities. She also served as the Education Programs Administrator with the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). Dr. Cross’ research interests include points of inquiry that address the self-efficacious behaviors of traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic populations. Additionally, she maintains interest in varied disability-related topics, having specific concern for issues that impact the employment of persons with disabilities.
Dr. Kane Mach
Degree: PhD, Summer 2023
Current Position: Associate Principal, Green Bay East High School
Dr. Mach is an award-winning teacher and administrator with more than ten years' experience in the field. In his current position, he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of an urban high school with an enrollment just shy of 1,300 students and more than 100 full-time faculty and staff. His research interests broadly explore adolescent development, instructional strategies, school discipline, and trauma-responsive educational practices. Dr. Mach has recently started an educational consulting and motivational speaking company and is grateful for the experiences, knowledge, and skills gained in the Educational Psychology program which helped make it possible. He is married to the love of his life Mary Mach, and together they have two daughters, Brooklyn and Thea, many foster children, and puppy dog Junee. Kane's favorite hobbies include being active in the community, ultimate frisbee, scuba diving, and spending time with family and friends!
Dr. Jati Ariati
Degree: PhD, Spring 2023
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia
As an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department, Dr. Ariati teaches undergraduate and master students. Currently, she leads several research projects with colleagues in the Psychology Department and other universities, including Oklahoma State University. Her research often times including constructivist perspectives, inclusivity learning environment, and adoption of technology for learning and teaching purposes. She loves to spend time with friends and family, hiking, and mini adventures. She resides in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia.
Jami Guinn
Degree: MS, Fall 2022
Current Position: Language Arts and Theology Instructor, 5th Grade, Marquette Catholic School
Other Involvements: Director of Women’s Ministry, Accreditation Team Leader, Elementary Education Mentor, 3rd-5th Book Club Leader, and Professional Development Educator
Mrs. Guinn graduated with her master’s degree in December 2022. She continues to utilize her research within her classroom, in addition to offering various professional development workshops for teachers, in order to help educate them on the importance of functionality in a classroom. She concluded her master's degree with a creative component on the importance of understanding the functionality of a classroom. These functions included the psychology of color, lighting, and various aspects of a classroom atmosphere, such as organization, flexible seating, and more. Mrs. Guinn received the St. Thomas Aquinas Teacher of the Year award for the 2022-23 school year at Marquette Catholic School. She continues her love of teaching in the elementary classroom, as she enters into her 7th year of education this 2023-24 school year.
Dr. Julie Swaringim-Griffin
Degree: PhD, Spring 2022
Current Position: Assistance Vice President for Central Sponsored Programs Administration (CSPA) at Oklahoma State University
Dr. Julie Swaringim-Griffin serves as the Assistant Vice President for CSPA at Oklahoma State University. In her role, she directs campuswide sponsored programs initiatives and business processes as well as grant writing services for the OSU-Stillwater campus and the OSU A&M institutions. Additionally, she developed curriculum for the Sponsored Programs Professional Certificate offered by OSU Human Resources. Julie is involved in professional organizations serving as the Campus Liaison for the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) and as a committee member for the Society for Research Administrators International (SRAI) Shop Talk Podcast. Currently, she is a Peer Advisor for the Journal of Research Administration Author Fellowship opportunity.
Dr. Kyle W. Clayton
Degree: PhD, Spring 2021
Current Position: Instructional Designer, University of Oklahoma Office of Digital Learning
As an instructional designer, Dr. Clayton works closely with various graduate programs and their faculty to create courses that utilize proper pedagogical approaches for the online classroom environment and students. He is also an adjunct instructor for the OSU Educational Psychology program and the OU Psychology department. His research area broadly explores student motivation, spiritual beliefs in the academic environment, and student autonomy. He resides in Goldsby, Oklahoma, with his wife, who teaches first and second grade, and their three children Ruby, Isla, and Owen.
Tameko Collins
Degree: MS, Fall 2021
Current Position: Partnerships Manager for Modern Classrooms Project
Tameko Collins is an award-winning educator with almost a decade of teaching experience. Although she is no longer in the classroom, she still empowers and advocates for educators through her current position as a partnerships manager with an educational nonprofit, Modern Classrooms Project. She works directly with teachers by supporting them with their implementation of a blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning environment. She is also currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Psychology. Tameko aspires to one day work with pre-service teachers and make a positive impact on the effectiveness of teacher preparation programs.
Kevin Gray
Degree: MS, Summer 2021
Current Position: Graduate Teaching Associate
Kevin Gray serves students as a Graduate Teaching Associate in the Educational Psychology department while working toward his doctorate in Educational Psychology. He is interested in research across a variety of subjects and domains including cognitive science, neuroscience, critical thinking, creativity, motivation, and technology (specifically artificial intelligence). Kevin received a master’s degree in Educational Psychology which helped awaken his passion for research and provide a broad understanding of key ideas. This broad range of concepts allows for levels of information integration that will be indispensable for the exciting transformations in education and beyond.
Meredith Michele Pierson
Degree: MS, Fall 2021
Current Position: Educator, Epic Charter Schools
Other Involvements: Oklahoma State University Motivation in Classrooms Lab, American Psychological Association
Meredith is currently an educator for Epic Charter Schools. Her teaching subject areas include Secondary Social Studies (U.S. History/Oklahoma History/Government/Economics), Psychology and, most recently, Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities. She is also a member of Oklahoma State University’s Motivation in Classrooms Lab. Her research interests include motivation in virtual learning settings and effective teaching strategies for children with disabilities. She graduated with her Master of Science degree in December 2021.
Meredith lives in Nowata with her two sons, Shaun and Liam. She loves growing in her faith, learning with her sons, running 5ks, and watching her sons play baseball.
Joan Calvert
Degree: MS, Fall 2020
Current Position: Founding Director of High School Placement
Joan Calvert is an award-winning educator and passionate advocate for equitable education for all children. Calvert currently serves as the Program Director of South Tulsa Community House- a nonprofit social service agency that serves over 10,000 families annually. As the Program Director, Calvert oversees community-based programs, initiates and local partnerships. Previously, she served as the Founding Director of High School Placement, where she led social and emotional learning and restorative practices programs for over 200 middle school students. Calvert has unique gifts of relationship building, communication and conflict resolution. She aspires to continue to use these to elevate a generation of prepared, confident and well-rounded minority youth through education, training and mentorship. "My degree from OSU has equipped me with the tools necessary to expand my career, and serve individuals and families in a greater capacity," said Calvert.
Dr. Erik Dewey
Degree: PhD, Spring 2020
Current Position: Business Systems Analyst, HireRight LLC
Dr. Erik Dewey works on curriculum for both schools and businesses to incorporate
board games in their learning and training environments. As the restrictions on visitors
to schools begin to loosen, he looks forward to once again bringing board games into
the gifted classroom. He also co-hosts the On Board Games podcast, discussing games
and their applications with a variety of different people around the globe.
Dr. Jun Fu
Degree: PhD, Summer 2020
Current Position: Data Analyst, Michigan State University
Dr. Jun Fu is the data analyst with the Neighborhood Student Success Center at Michigan State University. With rich experience in program evaluation, she leads and conducts holistic assessment and data analytics activities for the Center and other Pathway Programs. She has received the OSU Women’s Faculty Council PhD Student Research Award and been named a Top 10 finalist for the American Educational Research Association Division D (Measurement & Research Methodologies) In-Progress Research Gala competition. Her research interests are motivation, social and cultural values and processes in learning, diversity and equity in education and interdisciplinary research. Her research has been published in journals such as Teaching of Psychology, Environmental Conservation, TechTrends and Journal of Small Business Management.
Laura Gilley
Degree: MS Fall 2020
Current Position: Title 1 Reading & Math Interventionist, Elmore City-Pernell Elementary School
Laura Gilley is an educator whose philosophy is embedded in teaching the “whole” student, focusing on social-emotional learning, building relationships and instilling a growth mindset in her students. She is passionate about developing student-teacher relationships and teaching students with academic difficulties. Gilley guides her students who have experienced trauma by imbedding trauma-informed practices into the curriculum. Gilley is currently a Title 1 small-group instruction teacher for reading and math at the elementary level.
Dr. Andrea Haken-Hughes
Degree: PhD, Spring 2020
Current Position: Career Services Coordinator, OSU College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology; Adjunct Instructor, OSU College of Education and Human Sciences.
Dr. Andrea Haken-Hughes helps students with their job search, professional development and transition from college to the workplace. As a Certified Master of Career Services (CMCS) and active member of the National Career Development Association (NCDA), she reviews application materials for the CMCS credential. Her research areas include STEM females, personality type indicator assessments, college student matriculation and diversity perspectives. Dr. Haken-Hughes certifications include eLearning instructor, Global Career Development Facilitator, Myers Briggs Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory, Corporate Etiquette and Mental Health First Aid. She is also a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
Kaylin King
Degree: MS, Fall 2020
Current Position: Behavior Interventionist at Ponca City Public Schools-RBT
Kaylin King is currently working as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst using behavior modification through the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Kaylin King is overseeing clients on the Autism spectrum doing in-home therapy for her LLC, Brighter Horizons ABA.
While Kaylin King attended OSU for her master's, she also worked through her Board Certified Behavior Analyst course sequence at the University of Central Oklahoma and passed her Board test Summer 2021.
Sabiel Rose
Degree: MS, Fall 2020
Current Position: Senior Academic Advisor, Tulsa Community College School of Health Sciences
Sabiel Rose chose to pursue a career in education after serving as a member of City Year AmeriCorps. She has a passion for supporting and working with non-traditional student learners who have either returned to college or are pursuing a higher education degree for the first time. Her favorite part of her job is helping students maximize their potential for success so they can pursue their professional goals. Rose’s research interests include developing strategies to assist adult learners in understanding their learning behaviors.
Dr. Emily A. Finney-Miller
Degree: PhD, Spring 2019
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology, Cameron University School of Graduate and Professional Studies; Department of Education
Dr. Finney-Miller teaches education courses to Cameron University teacher candidates through the Rogers State University partnership program in Claremore, OK. Her teaching areas include educational psychology, classroom assessment, and classroom management. She also serves as Director of Assessment for CU. Her research area broadly explores teacher characteristics, including teacher sense of responsibility, teacher sense of efficacy, and burnout. Before OSU, Dr. Finney-Miller was a fifth-grade teacher with a passion for impacting education on a broader scale. She is thrilled with the skills OSU helped her develop and is excited about her career teaching future teachers.
Jessica John
Degree: MS, Spring 2018
Current Position: Writing and Art Teacher, 6th Grade Center in Collinsville, OK
Mrs. John serves as volunteer secretary for a district wide church youth group. She cites her most important involvement as caring for and spending time with her husband and family (four kids, ages 14, 12, 10 and 7) along with her Great Dane, Luna. She resides in Owasso, OK.
Dr. Elizabeth Albright
Degree: PhD, Fall 2017
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Psychology, Langston University
Other Involvements: Advocacy chair for the Oklahoma Association for Gifted, Creative and Talented; member of the leadership development committee for the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC); choir director for Salem Lutheran Church.
Dr. Albright graduated in December 2017. During the 2017-2018 school year she continued to work at Covenant Community School in Stillwater. In July 2018, she accepted a position of assistant professor of psychology at Langston University. Currently, she is the chair of the retention committee, a member of the admission appeal committee and faculty advisor for the psychology club and Pi Gamma Mu. Dr. Albright's research interests include education for the gifted; science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM); and Third Culture Kids through the lens of social and emotional development. Her family lives in Stillwater, and her son is a sophomore at OSU pursuing a degree in MIS and minor in mathematics.
Dr. Josh Hawkins
Degree: PhD, Summer 2017
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Education and Special Education Program Coordinator, Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Dr. Hawkins lives with his wife and six children in Stillwater. He enjoys simple pleasure — beauty in art and nature, old books in bookstores, music, exercise, hot tea, clear thinking, a good turn of phrase, study, silence and laughter. Dr. Hawkins formerly worked in the P-12 setting, serving as both a teacher and administrator. His experience in that setting coupled with a doctorate in educational psychology facilitated an effective transition from teacher to teacher-educator. His current position as assistant professor of education and special education program coordinator at Northwestern Oklahoma State University allows him to work closely with pre-service teachers as they develop their skillfulness as teachers and enter the profession. Additionally, he is a primary instructor in the educational leadership graduate program. He has ongoing research projects examining teacher motivation and resilience, teacher retention and various special education related topics. His time at OSU working with the educational psychology faculty was transformative. He remains ever grateful.
Kristin O'Dell
Degree: MS, Summer 2017
Current Position: Educator, Thoreau Demonstration Academy
Ms. O'Dell teaches 8th grade math and science at Thoreau Demonstration Academy in Tulsa, OK. Thoreau Demonstration Academy is a lottery public school that was built on social-emotional learning theories and features programs such as tribes and agenda reflection, microsociety, cross-curricular units and project-based learning.
Scott Dalpias
Degree: MS, Spring 2016
Current Position: VP Instructional Design Manager, Bank OZK
Scott Dalpias leads the instructional design team for Bank OZK, creating innovative learning solutions to meet the demanding needs of a growing business. He is passionate about ensuring his designs are founded in learning theories and current research. His advice for those considering the instructional design field is to take advantage of the great instruction offered by OSU and become familiar with industry-leading software, such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Storyline 360, Camtasia, etc.
Susan Grammer
Degree: MS, Spring 2016
Current Position: : Retired. Therapy Dog evaluator and community volunteer.
Other Involvements: : Community volunteer work with Alliance for Therapy dogs as handler and evaluator,
Pete’s Pet Posse, Turning Point Therapeutic Riding and Payne County Disaster Animal
Response Team.
Ms. Grammer graduated with her master's degree in May 2016. In November 2016, she presented her research at the National Association for Gifted Children conference in Orlando, FL and continued to be involved with NAGC as a reviewer for conference proposals until 2019. She was an instructional developer for OSU Fire Protection Publications (FPP) from 2016-2018, writing curriculum materials to accompany technical training manuals published by OSU-FPP, the headquarters of the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA). Since 2018 she has served the community as an evaluator (Tester/Observer) for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, a handler of her own therapy dogs for OSU’s Pete’s Pet Posse, Karman Legacy Hospice, Stillwater Cancer Center, Stillwater Public Library and Public Schools, MPower, Inc, and other community organizations. She also volunteers for Turning Point Therapeutic Riding and Stillwater Medical Center.
Dr. Sonya E. Munsell
Degree: PhD, Fall 2015
Current Position: Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Sociology at Rogers State University
Dr. Munsell teaches research methods, statistics, and various psychology courses at RSU. She received RSU’s 2021-2022 Pixley Faculty Excellence in Education Award and the 2021-2022 School of Arts and Sciences Faculty Service Award. Her research interests include diverse learners, special education, eating disorders, and Photovoice.
Dr. Munsell serves as a board member for the Northern Rocky Mountain Educational Research Association and is vice-president of the Oklahoma Eating Disorders Association’s Board of Directors. She was the 2022 Tulsa National Eating Disorders Association Walk Coordinator and founded the RSU Chapter of NEDA Campus Warriors. Dr. Munsell is chair of RSU’s Faculty Diversity Committee and a faculty advisor for the RSU Chapter of Psi Chi Honor Society.
Dr. J. Howard Marsh
Degree: PhD, Summer 2014
Current Position: Social Sciences Faculty, Northern Oklahoma College
Dr. Marsh Serves on the Board of Directors for an educational non-profit in Tulsa and has served as a grant-writing consultant for numerous education and social services non-profits.
Dr. Pamela A. Circo Webb
Degree: PhD, Fall 2012
Current Position: Management and Program Analyst, Defense Logistics Agency, U.S. Department of Defense, Tinker Air Force Base
Dr. Circo Webb has run and coordinated as many as nine programs simultaneously, including emergency management, reservists, awards, diversity celebrations, workforce recruitment program and others. She has been awarded over $10,000 in awards for excellence in performance. She has also been accepted to participate in the DLA Enterprise Rotational Assignment Program at the DOD headquarters in Washington, D.C. She has taught courses in psychology, sociology and business for Oklahoma State University, Northeastern State University, Oklahoma Wesleyan University and Tulsa Community College. As a student at OSU, Dr. Circo Webb was a founder of the Educational Psychology Student Society and served as president, vice President and treasurer.
Dr. Kamden K. Strunk
Degree: PhD, Fall 2012
Current Position: Associate Professor, Educational Research, Assessment, and Evaluation, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Education
Dr. Kamden Strunk is an Associate Professor in the Research, Assessment, and Evaluation concentration in the Department of Foundations of Education. He primarily teaches quantitative research methods, and has also taught in the areas of educational foundations, social justice, educational psychology, and human development. His research focuses in three broad areas: critical quantitative methodologies, intersectional queer studies in education, and critical approaches to the psychology of education. He is editor of the Journal of Queer and Trans Studies in Education, co-editor of the Queer Studies in Education book series with Brill, and author or editor of multiple books including the Encyclopedia of Queer and Trans Studies in Education, Design and Analysis in Educational Research, Research Methods for Social Justice in Education, and others.
Dr. Susan Mathew
Degree: PhD, Fall 2010
Current Position: Assistant Professor with the Department of Psychology, Langston University
Dr. Mathew is also employed at OSU as an adjunct faculty with the School of Educational Foundations Leadership and Aviation where she teaches a graduate-level research design and methodology course for the REMS program. Dr. Mathew lives with her family in Stillwater. She loves to cook healthy meals for her family and in her free time, spends time with her husband, girls and her mini goldendoodle puppy “Lexy."
She earned her PhD in Educational Psychology with Dr. Diane Montgomery as her dissertation advisor. Upon completion of the PhD program, she continued to work as the assistant director of graduate admissions for the OSU Graduate College until July 2018. Dr. Mathew serves as the chairperson of the assessment committee at Langston. Dr. Mathew’s area of interests are psychological statistics, assessment of learning outcomes at institutions of higher education and student motivation.
Dr. Yan Yang
Degree: PhD, Spring 2009
Current Position: Professor of Educational Psychology, College of Education, University of West Georgia
Dr. Yang teaches course of Educational Psychology at both undergraduate and graduate levels at the University of West Georgia. Her research is focused on students' and teachers’ motivation dynamics in distance learning and multicultural education. She presents at juried conferences and publishes on peer-reviewed journals. Her work won her multiple awards such as "Best Paper Award", "Distinguished Paper Award" and “Outstanding Faculty Research Award” at different levels. Prior to coming to the U.S. in 2005, she taught English as a second language for six years in Southwest Jiaotong University in Chengdu, China. While working to obtain her doctorate in Educational Psychology, Yang served as an instructor and research assistant at Oklahoma State University. She started her career as a tenure-track assistant professor at the University of Texas at Brownsville upon graduation, after which she moved to University of West Georgia to in 2011 until present.