Meet Our 2026-2027 Faculty Ambassadors
Strengthening Teaching Excellence Through Faculty Leadership
Welcome to the Faculty in Focus Ambassador Program! We are proud to introduce this year's cohort of dedicated educators who will serve as vital bridges between their departments and the Center for Teaching Excellence. These faculty ambassadors represent diverse disciplines across the University of South Carolina and share a commitment to enhancing teaching and learning on our campus.
Purpose and Vision
The Faculty in Focus Ambassador Program strengthens communication and collaboration between the Center for Teaching Excellence and departments through faculty-led insight, outreach and shared strategy.
Ambassador Responsibilities
Outreach and Representation: Serve as liaison between department and CTE; share announcements and opportunities; represent departmental teaching needs; promote teaching excellence and inclusivity.
- Professional Development: Participate in CTE events and initiatives; encourage colleague attendance; suggest new programming based on faculty needs.
- Feedback and Collaboration: Provide feedback on CTE resources and communications; offer peer perspectives on teaching practices; collaborate across disciplines to share strategies.
- Visibility and Recognition: Spotlight excellent teaching practices; nominate colleagues for awards; participate in showcase events.
- Mentorship and Support: Mentor new and early-career faculty on teaching strategies and CTE services; foster reflective and evidence-based teaching communities.
- Continuous Improvement: Contribute to surveys and program assessment; offer insights to guide future CTE directions.
2026 - 2027 Faculty Ambassadors
Elizabeth Barnes, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Communication Sciences and Disorders
bbarnes@mailbox.sc.edu
Devin Bowes, Ph.D.
Environmental Health Sciences
dbowes@mailbox.sc.edu
Abby Hogan, Ph.D.
Communication Sciences and Disorders
hoganbro@mailbox.sc.edu
Robert Moran, Ph.D.
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
rrmoran@mailbox.sc.edu
Dèsirée Vidaña-Perez, Ph.D., MSc.
Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior
desireev@mailbox.sc.edu
Suzy Hardie, Ph.D.
Leadership, Learning Design, and Inquiry
sehardie@mailbox.sc.edu
Brooke A. Whitworth, Ph.D.
Teacher Education
bwhit@sc.edu
Taylor Ramp, M.S.A.
Sport and Entertainment Management
tramp@mailbox.sc.edu
Sandy Strick, Ph.D.
Hospitality and Tourism Management
strick@mailbox.sc.edu
Marissa Bartmess, Ph.D., RN
Professional Nursing Practice
bartmesm@mailbox.sc.edu
Danielle Simmons, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Professional Nursing Practice
simmondp@mailbox.sc.edu
Sommer Blair, Ph.D., LISW-CP
sommer.blair@sc.edu
Parthenia Luke, Ph.D.
lukep@email.sc.edu
Sarah Carroll, Ph.D.
sarah.imlau@moore.sc.edu
Ioulia Chatzistamou, M.D., Ph.D.
Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology
ioulia.chatzistamou@uscmed.sc.edu
Peter Duffy, Ed.D.
Theatre and Dance
duffyp@mailbox.sc.edu
Mindy Fenske, Ph.D.
English
fenske@sc.edu
Laura Lanni, Ph.D.
Chemistry and Biochemistry
lanni@mailbox.sc.edu
Jason Richburg, M.F.A.
School of Visual Art and Design
richbure@mailbox.sc.edu
David Roberts, N.D.
Biological Sciences
davidroberts@sc.edu
Todd Shaw, Ph.D.
Political Science
shawtc@mailbox.sc.edu
David Weaver, Ph.D.
Statistics
weaver74@sc.edu
Kelsey Westbury, Ph.D.
Criminology and Criminal Justice
kelseymc@mailbox.sc.edu
Josh Gray, Ph.D.
Mechanical Engineering
jgray@mailbox.sc.edu
Joanna Appel, Ph.D.
Biomedical Sciences
joanna.appel@uscmed.sc.edu