Faculty
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Elizabeth “Liza” NagelAssistant Vice Chancellor
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Michele Acker-HocevarEducational Leadership & Counseling PsychologyAssociate Professor, Educational Leadership 509-372-7251 Michele Acker-Hocevar (1994), Associate Professor, received her Ph.D. in Organizational Studies with a specialization in Education Leadership from the University of South Florida. Acker-Hocevar came to WSU Tri-Cities in 2008 from Florida Atlantic University. Her research interests include social justice and education, leadership theory. |
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Jonah FirestoneTeaching & LearningClinical Assistant Professor 509-372-7198 Jonah Firestone (2011), Clinical Assistant Professor, holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction (Science Education), specialization in Geology Education from Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. His research examines the Social Norms of Education on Beginning Science Teachers' Understanding. |
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Eric JohnsonTeaching & LearningAssistant Professor, ELL/Bilingual 509-372-7304 Eric Johnson (2008), Assistant Professor, received his Ph.D. in Sociocultural/Linguistic Anthropology from Arizona State University. His key areas of research interest include language policy and immersion programs. |
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Amy Roth McDuffieTeaching & LearningAssociate Professor, Math Education 509-372-7384 Amy Roth-McDuffie (1998), Professor, received her Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from University of Maryland. Roth-McDuffie came to WSU Tri-Cities after completing her Ph.D. in 1998. Her research interests include professional learning and development for prospective and practicing teachers in the teaching and learning of mathematics with a focus on diverse students and equitable instructional practices. |
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Judy MorrisonTeaching & LearningAssociate Professor, Science Education 509-372-7176 Judy Morrison (1999), Associate Professor, received her Ph.D. in Science Education and Integrated Science from Oregon State University. Morrison came from Oregon State University where she joined WSU Tri-Cities first as an adjunct and then hired as Assistant Professor in 2003. Her research interests are science teachers and scientist’s partnerships, and professional development of science teachers. |
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Maria MoscatelliTeaching & LearningDirector of Field Services & Teacher Professional Certification 509-372-7186 Maria Moscatelli (2008), Instructor, received her Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning from Washington State University. Moscatelli came to WSU Tri-Cities in 2009 from teaching and administration in the K-12 public education system. Dr. Moscatelli oversees the practicum program and Professional Certification for teachers. |
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Sarah NewcomerTeaching & LearningAssistant Professor 509-372-7170 Sarah Newcomer (2012), Assistant Professor, received her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Language and Literacy from Arizona State University in Tempe. Newcomer joined WSU Tri-Cities in 2012. Her research interests include language policy and policy negotiation, school-family-community relationships and school community agency, and language and literacy education, particularly for culturally and linguistically diverse students. |
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Sara Sorensen PetersenEducational Leadership & Counseling PsychologyClinical Associate Professor, Special Education 509-372-7395 Sara Petersen (2001), Assistant Professor – Clinical, received her J.D. from University of Oregon School of Law with an emphasis in special education and alternative dispute resolution. Petersen relocated to the Tri-Cities area in 2002 and began at WSU Tri-Cities as an adjunct and more recently as an Assistant Clinical Faculty member. Her scholarship interests are focused on practitioner needs- autism, Universal Design for Learning, inclusion, special education law and compliance issues. |
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Danny TalbotEducational Leadership & Counseling PsychologyClinical Associate Professor, Educational Leadership 509-372-7237 Danny Talbot (1997), Associate Professor – Clinical, received his Ed. D. in Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Utah after a stellar career as a school superintendent. Areas of expertise include: School Law, Leadership and Organizations, Foundations, and Communications. Dr. Talbot provides oversight of the intern program in Educational Administration and coordinates the Ed.M. and Certification Programs. |
Staff |
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Karina BarajasPrincipal Assistant to the Vice Chancellors 509-372-7208 |
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Helen BerryProgram Coordinator 509-372-7396 |
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Melanie CasciatoCoordinator 509-372-7360 |
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Cheryl JensenOffice Assistant 509-372-7396 |
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Lindsay LightnerUndergraduate Academic Advisor 509-372-7366 |














