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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 Instructor SOE | Other Operations and Administration

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 | Other Operations and Administration

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

Melissa Hawkins Senior Professorial Lecturer and Associate Chair of Health Studies CAS | Health Studies

Melissa Hawkins is the Associate Chair in the Department of Health Studies at American University. Dr. Hawkins is an epidemiologist with experience in the application of public health methodologies to…

  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 Senior Professorial Lecturer and Director, Graduate Teacher Education SOE | General Academics & Research

Carolyn Parker is the Director of Graduate Teacher Education in the School of Education. She began her career in science education as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala, where she helped develop int…

  caparker@american.edu

  (202) 885-6259

Robert Shand Assistant 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 Department Chair, Health Studies CAS | Health Studies

Dr. Anastasia Snelling is a professor and Chair of the Department of Health Studies at American University. She has been a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a registered dietitian fo…

  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 Research Fellow DOF | Center for Teaching, Research, and Learning

Dr. Shari Earnest Watkins is a Senior Research Fellow, for the Center for Teaching, Research, and Learning at American University. Dr. Watkins received her Ph.D. in Science Education from the Universi…

  shari@american.edu