Faculty and Staff

Dr. Shari Millikan

Department Chair / Assistant Professor of Education and Assessment Coordinator

Room 308, Graves Hall
812-488-5020
sm382@evansville.edu

Dr. Shari Millikan, Assessment Coordinator and Adjunct Instructor, earned her Ed.D. with a specialization in Higher Education and Adult Learning from Walden University in 2012. Shari has been a high school math teacher for the past 30 years. She began her teaching career at Bedford North Lawrence High School where she was a math teacher for 25 years. When Shari and her family moved to Evansville, she continued her passion for teaching high school math at Evansville Bosse High School as the Mathematics Department Chair for the past 5 years.

Dr. Millikan's educational interests include work in curriculum and data collection. Throughout her years in education, Shari has presented at state conferences, led professional development, and been involved with instructional coaching and high stakes mathematics testing for high school students. She has served on various instructional leadership teams, Indiana Department of Education committees and belongs to professional organizations including the Indiana Council for Teachers of Mathematics.

Dr. Sally Busby

(she/her/hers)

Assistant Professor of Education

Room 319, Graves Hall
812-488-2551
sb542@evansville.edu

Sally Busby, assistant professor in the School of Education, earned her BA in Elementary Education and MA in Southern Studies from the University of Mississippi, and EdD in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education with a focus on dyslexia and qualitative research design from Indiana University Bloomington. She has published articles in disability studies, children's literature, and arts-based qualitative research methods.

Dr. Busby taught middle school English and gifted education for 15 years in Memphis, Tennessee. She earned her National Board Teaching Certification in 2008 and recertified in 2017. Her NBCT concentration is in English/Language Arts, Early Adolescence. Sally has supervised student teacher candidates, presented in teacher and researcher conferences, and mentored new teachers.

Dr. Lisa Hale

(she/her/hers)

Associate Professor of Education

Room 323, Graves Hall
812-488-2373
lh241@evansville.edu

Dr. Lisa Marie Hale is an Associate Professor of Education. Before coming to the University of Evansville, she worked for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. She served ten years as an elementary or middle school teacher, four years as a district literacy coach providing professional development for elementary and middle school educators and then finished her career with EVSC by serving twelve years as an elementary school principal.

During her tenure with EVSC, Dr. Hale was admitted to the Indiana Principal Leadership Institute and participated in a Leadership Cadre with Brown University. She presented at the Indiana State Reading Association Conference and the Indiana Urban Schools Conference. She served as an Indiana Association of School Principals Board Member for District 11 and as a member of the State Superintendent Advisory Council. She was awarded the Evansville Area Reading Council's Celebrate Literacy Award in 2002, the University of Evansville Outstanding Elementary Educator of the Year Award in 2003, and the University of Evansville Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award in 2011.|

Dr. Hale earned both a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a Reading Endorsement and a Master of Education from the University of Southern Indiana. She completed a degree in Elementary Supervision and Administration from Indiana State University. After joining the University of Evansville, Dr. Hale earned a Higher Education Teaching Certificate from the Derek Bok Center at Harvard University and completed a PhD in Educational Leadership from Indiana State University.

Since joining the faculty at the University of Evansville, Dr. Hale has taught eleven different courses for the School of Education. She currently serves as Chair of the Faculty Appeals Committee for the University of Evansville Faculty Senate and University of Evansville Middle School Educator of the Year Committee. She serves as Co-Chair of the School of Education Recruitment Committee and is the faculty sponsor of the College Mentors for Kids SGA Group. She is a Title IX Investigator and a member of numerous committees, including the School of Education Advisory Committee and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Celebration Committee. Dr. Hale prides herself on service to the University of Evansville and the local community and was honored to receive the Leadership in Teaching Excellence Award at the University of Evansville.

Dr. Hale’s research interests include exploring the correlates of effective school research in high-poverty, high-performing public schools. She has presented for the Indiana Literacy Association in Indianapolis, for the Aspiring Educators National Conference in Washington, DC, and at the Inaugural Science of Teaching and Learning Conference at Harlaxton in the United Kingdom. She belongs to numerous professional organizations including the International Literacy Association, National Council of Teachers of English, The Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, Society for Collegiate Leadership and Achievement, and Kappa Delta Pi.

Mr. Doug Johnson

Lecturer and APR Grant Coordinator

Room 321, Graves Hall
812-488-3206
dj108@evansville.edu

Douglas A. Johnson, Lecturer and APR Grant Coordinator, earned his M.A. in the Education of Gifted/Talented Children from the University of Connecticut and his B.S. in Science Education from the University of Kansas. He completed the Indiana University Danforth Principal training program in 1990 and received his principal’s license the same year. He was a finalist for Indiana Computer Educator and was the Conservation Educator of the Year in 2012. Doug has taught science at the middle and high school level for thirty-five years and was Coordinator for Gifted/Talented Programs for five years in Columbus, Indiana. Starting upon his arrival in Evansville in 1990, Doug taught at Washington Middle School for twenty years and then assisted in the creation of New Tech Institute High School where he taught Biology during the last seven years of his public school teaching career. Doug enjoys traveling and he spent a year studying in Mexico City, Mexico.

Mr. Johnson’s educational interests include Project-Based Learning, the components of highly functioning student teams, and real-world applications of computer technology in field biology. He enjoys working with students in outdoor settings to introduce the fundamentals of ecology in local ecosystems. He has supervised student teachers at U.E. and has led high school students to the Colorado Rocky Mountains for 17-day trips to backpack, climb mountains, white-water raft, and complete ecological studies with world-renown university professors. He has served on many educational leadership teams, presented at state and national conferences, and is a life member of the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. Doug and his wife, Kim, were Directors of an International School in Tunisia, North Africa, during the 2022-23 school year.

Ms. Kim Johnson

Master’s of Science in Education Program Coordinator and Clinical Assistant Professor

Room 321, Graves Hall
812-488-3206
kj127@evansville.edu

Kim Johnson, Master's in Education Program Coordinator and Clinical Assistant Professor, attended Indiana State University and earned a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1978 and a M.S. in Education in 1983. She completed advanced work to achieve her School Administration and Supervision license in 1996. Ms. Johnson began her career teaching middle school mathematics. Before retiring from EVSC in 2016, Kim was Director of Mathematics for a total of 17 years and an Elementary Principal for 15 years. She also participated in the Learning Leadership Cadre with the EVSC and Brown University from 2009-2011 and served as an adjunct professor for the University of Southern Indiana.

Since her retirement, Ms. Johnson remained active in education as an adjunct professor teaching elementary math methods for Indiana University, supervising student teachers for the University of Evansville, and presenting STEM workshops. Most recently, she spent a year overseas with her husband as the director of a small private school in Tunisia, North Africa. Ms. Johnson continues to support the education of Tunisian students on a part-time basis.

Dr. Alison Jones

(she/her/hers)

Assistant Professor of Education

Room 322, Graves Hall
812-488-5106
aj157@evansville.edu

Dr. Alison Jones, assistant professor in the School of Education, earned a BA in History Education and endorsement in Special Education from Whitworth University, MEd in Technology in Education from Lesley University, and EdD in Educational Leadership from University of the Cumberlands.

Dr. Jones began her teaching career in Tacoma, Washington, teaching high school special education. Relocating to Orlando, Florida, Dr. Jones taught middle school social studies in the AVID program. After a move to Evansville, Dr. Jones taught high school social studies at a private online school. Dr. Jones has served in various teaching roles, including team leader, department chair, in-service trainer, and new teacher mentor. In Orlando, Dr. Jones was recognized as her school's Social Studies Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Year. Dr. Jones was the recipient of the Dean’s Teaching Award in 2022.

Ms. Leanne Nayden

Lecturer, Coordinator of Student Teaching

Room 307B, Graves Hall
812-488-2388
ln8@evansville.edu

Leanne Nayden, lecturer of education, earned both her undergraduate (English with minors in Biology and Theatre) and graduate degrees from the University of Evansville; she is also certified in Gifted and Talented Education. She taught English for 33 years at Harrison High School here in Evansville and she was the English department chair at Harrison from 1987 until her retirement in 2001. While at Harrison, she also served as Speech Coach, National Honor Society Advisor, Drama Coach, and Student Council Advisor, as well as the chairperson for numerous accreditation and Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation committees. Ms. Nayden has been a frequent workshop presenter in the fields of curriculum writing, flexible scheduling, alternative assessments, teaching to standards, and composition skills development.

Ms. Nayden came to the University of Evansville in 2002. In her years at UE, she has served as a supervisor for student teachers, has taught Education 100, First Year Seminar, adult education in the BLS and GL programs, and co-taught Senior Seminar and Student Teaching seminar with Mr. Walt Lewis. Currently, she is the Coordinator for student teaching, and in 2016 was recognized on the School of Education's Honor Wall for her 50 years in education.

Mr. Jared Turney

Assistant Professor of Education
Lilly Grant Coordinator

Room 309, Graves Hall
812-488-3208
jt347@evansville.edu

Jared Turney serves as Assistant Professor in the University of Evansville School of Education and Lilly Endowment Grant Coordinator for Science of Reading Implementation. He earned both his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Indiana and brings more than 15 years of experience in K–12 education to his work in higher education. At UE, Jared focuses on advancing literacy outcomes through educator preparation, professional learning, and community partnerships. He teaches continuing education courses through the CLUE program and serves as organizer of the University's annual Science of Reading Conference. He also helped establish and coordinates the Literacy in the Community Conference, a first-of-its-kind event designed to support community organizations, youth-serving agencies, and other non-educator stakeholders in fostering literacy development throughout the Evansville area.

Jared is committed to building innovative partnerships that strengthen literacy opportunities for children and families. He works closely with the Evansville Promise Neighborhood and regional community organizations to support literacy initiatives and improve educational outcomes. His collaboration with Five-Star Technology Solutions led to the development of Indiana's first Digital Literacy Library designed specifically for higher education educator preparation programs. A frequent presenter on literacy, educational technology, and artificial intelligence in education, Jared has shared his work at the Science of Reading Conference, Evansville Promise Neighborhood Essential Staff Training, and Indiana CSPD Week, with a particular focus on the emerging role of AI in literacy instruction and educator development.

Dr. Laura Watkins

(she/her/hers)

Clinical Assistant Professor of Education
Transition to Teaching Coordinator

Room 307A, Graves Hall
812-488-5109
lw261@evansville.edu

Dr. Laura Watkins earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a minor in English from Indiana State University. Her graduate degrees include a Master of Arts in English and American Literature and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in literacy both from Indiana State University.

Laura started her career in Terre Haute, Indiana with the Vigo County School Corporation. Her teaching experience while there includes first and fourth grades in elementary school and grades sixth through eighth in middle school. In Vigo County, she served 17 years on the Title One Team for both elementary and middle school, was a team leader for Title One, and a writing coach. After Laura's move to Evansville, she worked for the University of Southern Indiana as adjunct faculty in the Department of Education and with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation as a high ability and technology teacher.

Ms. Adison White, ’20

(She/her/hers)

Design & Innovation STEM Coordinator

Room 329, Graves Hall
812-488-3309
ay53@evansville.edu

Adison White is the Driving Possibilities Design & Innovation STEM Education Coordinator for the University of Evansville. She is a STEAM educator, with a BS in Pre-Doctoral Mathematics from UE, with Transition to Teaching following. She started her classroom journey as a high school mathematics teacher, teaching all Special Education Inclusion, and also spent time teaching in a K-8 Title I role. She is now working on a multi-million dollar grant project for the University of Evansville and Toyota USA Foundation called Driving Possibilities, within the UE School of Education and Center for Innovation and Change. As a mathematician by trade and teacher by passion, Adison works to create opportunities for diverse student populations to nurture skills that can be used as motivational tools in the classroom and propel future career success. She is also currently enrolled in the UE Master of Science in Educational Leadership program and is working on research focused on STEM Education as a vehicle for academic engagement, learner self-efficacy, and workforce preparedness.

She uses STEAM education to inspire learners of all ages to unlock their potential and find new passions through the UE IN-MaC Design & Innovation STEM Training Studio, housed within the Tapley Education Resource Center. The UE IN-MaC D&I Training Studio is the central STEM hub for UE student projects, Driving Possibilities K-12 field trip & classroom visit experiences, and teacher training and outreach for community members. Adison has presented the impactful work of Driving Possibilities and the UE IN-MaC D&I Training Studio’s immersive, hands-on programming at the 2025 Vincennes University Innovative Teaching Summit and the Purdue Indiana STEM Education Conference. Adison believes every day is the perfect day to try something new; it's all about having courage to take that first step! The possibilities are infinite!

Emeriti Professors

Dr. Davies Bellamy

Professor Emeritus

A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Davies Bellamy was recruited to play soccer for the University of Evansville in 1978. He graduated from UE with a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1982, and a master's degree in community counseling in 1984. From 1984 to 1987, he served as director of residence life and co-director of minority affairs at UE. After completing his doctoral course work in counseling psychology at Indiana State University in 1991, he returned to the University of Evansville as a member of the faculty in the counseling program. He served as director of the counseling program from 1992 to 1996. Since 2007, he and Dr. McBride have been co-teaching a cultural immersion course in Trinidad and Tobago.

Dr. Bellamy received UE's Dean's Excellence in Teaching Award in 1998 and the Exemplary Teacher Award from the United Methodist Church in 1999. He was named the Dean of Students' Advisor of the Year in 2005 and was selected as the Outstanding Local Advisor by the National Education Association Student Program in 2005-2006. Also among his accolades, Dr. Bellamy was the 2014 recipient of the National Society of Leadership and Success Excellence in Teaching Award. He is listed on the School of Education's Honor Wall for exemplary contributions to the field of education.

Dr. Sharon Gieselmann

Professor Emerita

Dr. Sharon Gieselmann is an associate professor emerita in the School of Education. Prior to coming to the University of Evansville, Dr. Gieselmann served as an elementary school principal, elementary school teacher, and staff developer. She also provided professional development to schools in the south and midwest as a literacy coach and area manager for The McGraw-Hill Companies. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Southern Indiana, a master's degree in education with an emphasis in elementary education from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a PhD in educational leadership from the University of Louisville. Dr. Gieselmann also has a teaching endorsement in gifted education and school administrative credentials from Western Kentucky University. Dr. Gieselmann was the recipient of the Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching and is listed on the School of Education's Honor Wall for exemplary contributions to the field of education.

Dr. Gieselmann's research interests include social justice issues in public schools. Her work has been shared at conferences in Moscow, Russia, Paris, France; and Brighton, United Kingdom. Dr. Gieselmann's most recent work is included in two books for aspiring administrators in university preparation programs, Quandaries of the Small-District Superintendency and Snapshots of School Leadership in the 21st Century; Perils and Promises of Leading for Social Justice, School Improvement, and Democratic Community.

Dr. Amy McBride

Professor Emerita

am85@evansville.edu

Dr. Amy McBride is an associate professor emerita of education and coordinator of the Elementary Education Junior Internship. Prior to coming to the University of Evansville, Dr. McBride taught fifth grade in Iowa for twelve years. She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education with a language arts specialization and a bachelor's degree in English education and secondary education endorsement from the University of Iowa. She earned her master's degree in effective teaching from Drake University, and her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction and elementary mathematics education from Indiana State University. As the coordinator for the junior year internship program, Dr. McBride is proud of her working relationship with the local and regional school systems. Since 2007, Dr. McBride and Dr. Bellamy have been co-teaching a cultural immersion course in the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Named the 2004 University of Evansville Outstanding Teacher of the Year, winner of the 2002 United Methodist Exemplary Teaching Award, and recipient of the 1999-2000 Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching, Dr. McBride excels in developing outstanding future educators at the University of Evansville.

Staff

Mrs. Elaine Freels

Senior Administrative Assistant-School of Education

Room 304, Graves Hall
812-488-2368
ef97@evansville.edu

Kendra Pennington

Director/Education Services & Tapley Resource Center

Room 310, Graves Hall
812-488-2408
kp283@evansville.edu

Academic Programs Education