New Faculty

Welcome New Faculty!

The College of Education is thrilled to welcome these new faculty members for Fall 2023:

	Molly Fisher, Ph.D. Associate Dean fishermolly@rowan.edu Previous to Rowan University, Dr. Molly H. Fisher was a Professor of Mathematics Education in the STEM Education Department at the University of Kentucky. She was also the Director of Graduate Studies where she directed the MAT in Mathematics Education program, the MS in STEM Education program, and the STEM Education strand of the PhD program in Education Sciences. She holds a BA in Mathematics, MA in Mathematics Education, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum Instruction (with an Urban Mathematics Education specialization) from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Fisher is a former high school Mathematics and Computer Science teacher with a myriad of experiences teaching in the classroom and online. Her research focuses on the professional noticing of children’s mathematical thinking of preservice elementary teachers as well as equitable teacher noticing. Additionally, she is passionate about the support and mentoring of new teachers and she studies the stress, burnout, and retention of inservice teachers, especially secondary mathematics teachers. She was the PI on a Research Experiences for Undergraduates in STEM Education grant for nine years while at the University of Kentucky and has a passion for undergraduate research. Dr. Fisher has been a PI or co-PI on over $6.5 million of national level grant funding.
	Maria Lepore-Stevens, Ed.D. Assistant Professor of Health and Physical Education leporestevens@rowan.edu Maria earned her Doctorate in Educational Policy, Planning, and Administration from West Chester University, focusing on using sports programming to teach self-determination skills to youth with visual impairments. Dr. Lepore-Stevens is dual certified as an adapted physical educator (CAPE) and an orientation and mobility instructor (COMS). In addition to her work at Rowan University, Dr. Lepore-Stevens uses her experience in adapted PE and orientation and mobility to run and consult with summer camp programs for youth with visual impairments throughout the country.
	Rebecca Linares, Ph.D. Associate Professor of ESL/Bilingual Education Rebecca earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research examines the bilingual and multilingual literacies, transnational literacy practices, and translanguaging practices of emergent multilingual adolescents, particularly those who are speakers of Indigenous languages. She is specifically interested in how young people access and utilize literacy knowledge in their home language(s) to negotiate their participation in new and shifting cultural and linguistic landscapes. She teaches courses in bilingual and multicultural education, theories of language acquisition, and biliteracy and bilingualism at the undergraduate and graduate level.
	David Lindenmuth, Ed.D. MSA Lecturer and Program Coordinator lindenmuth@rowan.edu David has over 30 years of experience working in school districts across the state (ranging from high needs to affluent), preparing students for the opportunities to succeed in various roles including teacher, principal, and superintendent. His research and work regarding the infusion of technology, instructional leadership, and equity for all have been mainstays throughout his career. In addition to his education background, David has previously served as a city councilman and county freeholder allowing him insight into the behind-the-scenes politics that affect the education world.
	Hao-Jan Luh, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of School Psychology luhh@rowan.edu Dr. Luh joined the school psychology program at Eastern Illinois University in August 2020. As a school psychologist, his goal is to cultivate resilience in all children and educators. His research focuses on the implementation of evidence-based practices in school settings. He is particularly interested in the implementation supports for classroom management practices and social emotional learning programs. He is also dedicated to promoting multicultural competence in education, with a current focus on international students in school psychology training.
	Magdalena Martinez, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Higher Education & Policy Institute Fellow martinezmag@rowan.edu Dr. Martinez's areas of expertise include education policy, leadership, access and equity for underrepresented student populations and the role of higher education in a diverse society. She regularly provides expert testimony (k-12 and postsecondary) on education policy issues and is involved in numerous efforts to build capacity through education research and policy. She is a New Leadership Academy Fellow through the National Center for Institutional Diversity at the University of Michigan and an Equity & Policy Fellow through the Ford Foundation, University of Southern California, and Western Interstate Consortium in Higher Education. Dr. Martinez holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Michigan, Master of Education from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
	Seung Eun McDevitt, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education mcdevitts@rowan.edu Dr. Seung Eun McDevitt's research interests include immigrant teachers, inclusive pedagogy and teacher education/development in early childhood education and care contexts. She is committed to learning from and with young children, families, and teachers from historically and currently multiply marginalized communities, and exploring how their cultural knowledge and lived experiences can serve as powerful tools in creating classrooms and a society that are more inclusive and just. Prior to entering academia, Dr. McDevitt was an early childhood/special education teacher and a learning specialist in New York City. Recent publications include articles in the International Journal of Inclusive Education, Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, Teachers College Record, and Research in Developmental Disabilities.
	Adrianne Robertson, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Counseling in Educational Settings robertsona@rowan.edu Dr. Adrianne Robertson is an Assistant Professor in the Wellness & Inclusive Services in Education (WISE) Program. She believes school counselors are mental health professionals who are change agents in P-12 schools. Dr. Robertson is a former high school and middle school counselor with 8 years of experience. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and has over a decade of experience working in diverse settings with adults and adolescents. Her research interests include: how mental health impacts marginalized P-12 students, anti-racist practices in school counseling, and how school counselors use Twitter for networking. Dr. Robertson earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Practice from Georgia State University: her ME.d. from Depaul University: and her B.A. from Wilmington College of Ohio. She is an active member of the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) and a former NBCC Minority Fellowship recipient.
	Margaret Thornton, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of School Administration thorntonm@rowan.edu Margaret’s research interests include equity-focused school leadership development, school leadership for detracking, and critical race theory. She began her career in education in detracking programs in Central Virginia in both teaching and leadership capacities. An alumna of AmeriCorps, Margaret volunteers with several non-profits, including the wraparound educational service program City of Promise. In addition to her Ph.D. in educational leadership, foundations, and policy, Margaret earned her B.A. in English Literature and her M.Ed. in Secondary English Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Virginia.