Welcome new faculty members to Appalachian State University's Reich College of Education. Read on to learn more about each, including research interests and why they joined the faculty at Appalachian.
Sonja Ardoin
Human Development and Psychological Counseling, Student Affairs Administration
Assistant Professor
Dr. Sonja Ardoin earned a Ph.D. in educational research and policy analysis from North Carolina State University, an M.S. in higher education and student affairs from Florida State University, and a B.S. in secondary education from Louisiana State University.
Ardoin comes to Appalachian from Boston University where she served as a program director and clinical assistant professor of higher education.
"I am excited about developing relationships with colleagues (faculty and student affairs educators) and students; teaching new courses; learning more about how I can contribute to the student affairs program; completing some research and writing projects; and serving App State and my professional associations."
Ardoin’s research focuses on four areas:
social class identity in higher education;
college access and success for first-generation college students and students from rural areas;
career preparation and pathways for higher education and student affairs;
student and women's leadership.
In addition, she is proud of her Cajun culture and loves travel. Ardoin has visited 46 states, 8 national parks, and 7 countries (so far).
Why Appalachian
Earning all three of my degrees at public institutions, I have a deep appreciation for public higher education and the college access opportunities these types of institutions create. The student affairs program at App State has a positive regional reputation, which I was aware of from living in NC and the southeast. Combining these two factors with the reality that App State values teaching, along with research and scholarship, added to my interest. The location is also a ripe area for my research on social class identity and rurality in higher education. Finally, I already knew I liked living in NC and welcomed the opportunity to come back!
Morgan Blanton
Reading Education and Special Education, Reading Education
Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Morgan Blanton earned an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction from Gardner-Webb University, an M.Ed. in reading education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a B.S. in elementary education from Appalachian State University.
Blanton moved from Appalachian’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, where she served as a clinical assistant professor, to the Department of Reading Education and Special Education this fall.
"I'm most excited about working with pre-service teachers who are preparing to teach ELA in grades K-12! I'm right at home focusing on literacy in upper elementary through high school because of my time spent in public schools. I am thrilled to bring those experiences into my classes. I also enjoy supporting students in the field. Most of my classes are "block" classes so having them in the field is a great opportunity to make learning relevant in my classes."
Her research focuses on eCoaching and literacy. She has experience as a real-time eCoach with preservice and inservice teachers and wants to continue to learn and develop this method of professional learning. Blanton is also interested in literacy - reading and writing but also digital literacies.
In addition, Blanton is a children’s book author. She has written and published three picture books and is currently editing and revising her first early chapter book.
Why Appalachian
I fell in love with App State as an undergraduate and have dreamed of coming back to the high country since then. My experience in the College of Ed as a student was positive and prepared me for the workforce. Appalachian is known as a leader in teacher education, and I wanted to work with a group of fantastic colleagues and students.
Angela Brown
Curriculum and Instruction, Career and Technical Education
Adjunct Instructor
Angela Brown earned an M.A. in educational media from Appalachian StateUniversity and a B.S. in accounting from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Brown comes to Appalachian from NCWorks Career Center where she served as a career advisor.
“I am excited to prepare my students with tools and skills that will benefit them now and in their future careers.”
Her research focuses on workforce development and her favorite activities include gardening, reading, outdoor fun, thrift shopping, cooking and spending time with family.
Why Appalachian
Mountains… diversity… strong CTE programs!
Susan Hedges
Reading Education and Special Education, Special Education
Assistant Professor
Dr. Susan Hedges earned a Ph.d. in education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.A. in international development from the University of East Anglia, and a B.A. from Hollins University.
Hedges comes to Appalachian from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she served as a visiting assistant professor.
"I am most excited about exploring all the best hiking spots in the area!"
Her research focuses on discovering ways technology can improve the lives of individuals with autism, and she is seeking others on campus with an interest in autism. In addition, this is her third career - Hedges says that she loves to try new things and have new challenges, noting "it's good for the brain!"
Why Appalachian
- Appalachian has a reputation for producing excellent educators.
- Students here are really motivated and a joy to work with.
And, who wouldn't want to live in Boone!
Mina Min
Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education
Assistant Professor
Dr. Mina Min earned a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction and an MS.Ed. in instructional systems technology from Indiana University, and a B.Ed. in elementary education from Gyeongin National University of Education.
She joins Appalachian from Indiana University where she served as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Min is also a former classroom teacher - she taught at the Bae-bong Elementary School in Seoul, South Korea.
"I am most excited about joining Appalachian's C&I Department and the community of Boone. I am certain that I will very much enjoy getting to know the people and places of my new home and learning how I can contribute to every team I join."
Min's research, which she approaches from comparative, international, critical, and sociocultural perspectives, focuses on:
- teacher agency and change in the context of educational reforms;
- teachers' curriculum development and practices for students from underrepresented and marginalized populations;
- global–local constructions of democracy and citizenship identity.
In addition, Min enjoys yoga and hiking. Her favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate chip and she is looking forward to winter, especially snowboarding!
Why Appalachian
Appalachian's C&I Department is a great place to start my academic career as a junior scholar and teacher educator. The department's mission promotes diversity and supports teacher candidates in developing critical thinking skills. These goals are well aligned with my scholarship, which focuses on reducing educational inequality by encouraging teachers to be change agents and facilitating their inclusive and culturally responsive practices. In addition, I like the rich teaching opportunities that the department offers; such opportunities allow me to teach a variety of courses in the teacher education program. On top of that, I grew up in a city that is much like Boone, and the mountainous environment makes me feel at home even half a world away from my native country.
Debra Prykanowski
Reading Education and Special Education, Special Education
Assistant Professor
Dr. Debra Prykanowski earned a Ph.D. in special education from the University of Florida, an M.A. in special education/behavioral disorders from Columbia University, and a dual B.S. in inclusive elementary and special education and sociology from Syracuse University.
She comes to Appalachian from the University of Florida (UF) where she was working as a graduate research assistant on various research projects. Prior to attending UF, she worked in the Clifton School District in Clifton, New Jersey where she served as a special education teacher and behavior consultant.
"I am most excited about working with students! They are so excited about becoming teachers. Their passion is contagious and serves as a constant reminder of why I got into the education field in the first place."
Prykanowski's research focuses on:
- Autism spectrum disorder;
- functional analysis of problem behavior;
- observation and measurement of behavior in natural settings;
- working with families.
Why Appalachian
I love both the teaching and research side of the position so I am excited about the opportunity here to have that balance between the two. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly here that it just seemed like a good match for me. Plus, you can't beat the views here!
Welcome 2018-19 New Faculty Members
