Three AU faculty awarded promotion to full professor, four to associate professor, and five granted tenure

ASHLAND, Ohio – Three faculty members at Ashland University were awarded promotion to full professor—Chris Chartier in the department of psychology, Hilary Donatini in the department of languages and literatures and Patricia Saunders in the department of biology and toxicology—following the action of the board of trustees at a recent meeting.

In addition, Jonathan Naylor in the department of health sciences, Sathiyaprakash Ramdoss in educational administration, Cara Rogers in history and Rebecca Schmeller in management were promoted to associate professor, and tenure was granted to Ken Brubaker in management, Jennifer Groman in educational administration, Jill Matthes Baxter in nursing, Ramdoss and Schmeller. All promotions will take effect Aug. 21, the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year.

Chartier began his career at AU in 2013 and is the founder and former director of the Psychological Science Accelerator (PSA). The PSA improves methods of psychology research and consists of an international network of 1,400 researchers in 71 countries working together to make results reproducible and relevant across all cultures. It recently was selected for a 2022 Einstein Foundation Award for Promoting Quality in Research. He received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Indiana University and both a master’s and Ph.D. in social psychology from Miami University.

Donatini, who came to AU in 2007, specializes in British literature (1660-1800), 18th century novels, genre and form, historical and philosophical contexts for literature and histories and theories of satire and humor. She has served as chair of the department of languages and literatures since 2013, and has been published in various peer-reviewed academic journals. She received a bachelor’s degree in English from The College of Wooster, as well as a master’s and Ph.D. in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Saunders, who specializes in aquatic ecology, limnology, plankton, field biology and environmental science, joined AU in 2002. She has served as the director of the environmental science program for the last 12 years, which includes caring for the five environmental preserves that support undergraduate and faculty research and habitat conservation and coordinating the annual Environmental Lecture Series. She completed a bachelor’s degree in biology from Oberlin College, a master’s degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from Indiana University and a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of Georgia.

Naylor, who teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate classes at the Dwight Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Mansfield, began his AU career in 2018. His research interests include physical activity and sedentary behavior throughout the lifespan and body composition assessment, and he is a certified clinical exercise psychologist of the American College of Sports Medicine. He received a bachelor’s degree in sports and leisure studies at The Ohio State University, a master’s in exercise physiology and adult fitness from the University of Akron and a Ph.D. in exercise physiology from Kent State University.

Ramdoss, who joined AU in 2019, specializes in assistive technology intervention strategies for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, as well as bridging the research-to-practice gap in the field of special education. Ramdoss holds degrees from Madurai Kamaraj University in India, a master’s degree in counseling from Santa Clara University and a Ph.D. in special education from The University of Texas at Austin.

Rogers, a member of the AU faculty since 2018, teaches courses on the Age of Enlightenment, American history from the colonial era through the Civil War and Thomas Jefferson. Her article, “The French Experiment: Thomas Jefferson and William Short Debate Slavery, 1785-1826,” won “Best Article of 2022” from the American Political Science Association. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, a master’s in history from The University of Texas at Dallas and a Ph.D. in history from Rice University.

Schmeller, part of the AU faculty since 2013, teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in strategic planning and policy and organizational development. Her research includes exploring aspects of strategy simulation – a technique used in corporate and educational settings to give managers and students experience with data-based decision making. She completed a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Louisiana State University, an MBA at Pepperdine University and a Ph.D. in tech management, industrial training and development from Indiana State University.

Brubaker began his career at AU in 2006. He serves as a research coordinator for sport management and faculty admissions representative for the Dauch College of Business and Economics. He recently earned the American Marketing Association certification and has implemented it into the marketing curriculum and engaged students in entrepreneurial competitions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Canisius College, as well as an M.Ed. and in sport education and Ed.D. in educational leadership from Ashland University.

Groman has been a part of the AU faculty since 2017, following 30-plus years as a K-8 teacher and general educator in Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Scotland. She specializes in gifted and teacher education, creativity arts-infused practice and transpersonal psychology, and has advised 28 M.Ed. theses and served on four doctoral dissertation committees. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Bowling Green State University, an M.Ed. in supervision from Ashland University and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Akron.

Matthes Baxter, who joined the AU College of Nursing and Health Sciences in 2016, teaches pediatrics, genetics and nursing concepts courses. Her research interests include pediatric nursing, mindfulness and creative teaching strategies. She completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Kent State University, a master’s in nursing from Walden University and a DNP in educational leadership from Case Western Reserve University.

Ashland University is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.