Meet Our Inclusive Education Faculty & Staff
Faculty in the Inclusive Education Department represent a wide range of teaching, research interests, and professional experiences. The department houses both Special Education and TESOL. Using an asset-based perspective, faculty in each area are committed to preparing educators to be able to meet the needs of diverse learners and ensure student success.
Faculty
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Alta Broughton Assistant Professor of Special Education
Assistant Professor of Special Education
abrough8@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-4304
BEB 439Dr. Broughton is Assistant Professor of Special Education and Dyslexia Program Coordinator in the Inclusive Education Department at Kennesaw State University. Her multidisciplinary work bridges teacher education, bilingual/English Learner education, and special education. She brings a breadth and depth of experiences fostering university-school district partnerships ranging from developing community-engaged courses to designing a Teacher Residency for bilingual special and general education pre-service teachers. Her work is informed by a decade of teaching experience as a special education teacher and literacy coach in multilingual schools in the United States, Brazil, and Honduras. Joy has published and presented nationally and internationally on equitable education for bi/multilingual English Learners in teacher preparation, special education policy, and bi/literacy for ELs with learning disabilities. -
Jayoung Choi Professor of TESOL
Professor of TESOL
jchoi44@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2231
BEB 434Associate Professor of TESOL in the Inclusive Education Department
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Melissa Driver Associate Dean for Curriculum Catalyst & Innovations and Associate Professor of Special Education
Associate Dean for Curriculum Catalyst & Innovations and Associate Professor of Special Education
mdriver6@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2512
BEB 322 -
Zurisaray Espinosa Clinical Assistant Professor of TESOL
Clinical Assistant Professor of TESOL
zespinos@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-7854
BEB 437 -
Natasha Griffin Limited Term Assistant Professor of Special Education
Limited Term Assistant Professor of Special Education
ngriff28@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-3340
BEB 433 -
Joya Hicks Associate Professor of Special Education
Associate Professor of Special Education
jcarterh@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6146
BEB 428I have extensive experience in preparing pre-service and in-service teachers and leaders in providing fully-inclusive evidenced-based practices for working with children and their families.
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Zachary Johnson Assistant Professor of Special Education
Assistant Professor of Special Education
zjohnso4@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-3297
BEB 430 -
Nihal Khote Associate Professor of TESOL
Associate Professor of TESOL
nvk4987@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2121
BEB 438 -
Vidya Munandar Assistant Professor of Special Education
Assistant Professor of Special Education
vmunanda@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2765
BEB 440I teach undergraduate and graduate courses on curriculum and instruction for students with diverse learning abilities in inclusive settings. My research interests include career development process of youth and young adults with disabilities, transition practices to support jobseekers and employees with disabilities in integrated employment settings, and the role of stakeholders in improving transition outcomes.
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Amanda Richey Professor of TESOL
Professor of TESOL
arichey1@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2769
BEB 436My research interests are focused on issues of culture and representation in curriculum, family and community engagement, and literacy practices.
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Denise Ross Chair of the Department of Inclusive Education and Professor of Special Education
Chair of the Department of Inclusive Education and Professor of Special Education
dross71@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-4736
BEB 443 -
Lorilei Thompson Clinical Assistant Professor of Special Education
Clinical Assistant Professor of Special Education
lthomp53@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-7543
BEB 431Dr. Thompson is a passionate and knowledgeable educational professional with several yearsâ experience working in academia supporting teacher candidates as an Assistant Clinical Field Supervisor of Special Education in inclusive education courses, as well as being clinical field supervisor to graduate level students at Kennesaw State University. As a seasoned educator, community advocate and parent, Lorilei is passionate about knowing the capability within each student and supports them to be the best individuals they can be. Lorilei's mission is to support preservice teachers where they have the opportunity to be successful in the field of special education. Lorilei graduated from West Virginia University in 2024 with a Doctor of Special Education degree.