Kelly B. Renner, Ph.D., LPC is the Assistant Dean, Curriculum and Program Chair of Psychology and Social Sciences at Franklin University. During her time at Franklin University, Dr. Renner has held a variety of positions including the Assistant Director and then the Director of the Student Learning Center, as well as Lead Faculty. She has enjoyed teaching at Franklin University since 2012 and was a 2014 Teaching Excellence Award recipient, as well as the 2019 Inaugural Faculty Fellow. Prior to working full-time at Franklin University, Dr. Renner spent four years working in community mental health as a clinician. Her caseload included clients at various stages of the life span battling addictions, depression, anxiety, and personality disorders, as well as coping with all forms of abuse. Dr. Renner's research interests, speaking engagements, professional presentations, and publications are on the topics of burnout, motivation, and team building. She resides in Westerville, Ohio with her husband, Blake, and their son, Declan. 

Dr. Samantha Tackett is a faculty member at Florida State University where she serves as the Director of the Proactive Referral & Engagement (PRE) Program, and Assistant Director of the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) in the Division of Undergraduate Studies. Dr. Tackett uses her Doctorate in Educational Psychology and Master’s in Instructional Systems & Learning Technologies to teach, provide support, and mentor the research of both undergraduate and graduate students. Likewise, she enjoys teaching assessment, cognitive psychology, educational psychology, educational technology, and student success/recovery curricula in traditional and online contexts. She has considerable professional experience as a human performance systems consultant, program evaluator, and assessment specialist in government and corporate sectors. Her research interests include students' development of skills to improve their academic recovery and the academic experiences and retention of first-generation and other underrepresented student populations within the American educational systems. Dr. Tackett has published in national and international journals and books and collaborated with colleagues and students to present research at regional, national, and international conferences.

Ms. Lindsey Shah is the Director of Content and Curricula at Parents as Teachers National Center. With her commitment to excellence, she supports the development of research-informed methodologies and resources that emphasize the importance of family engagement to the work of home visiting and early childhood professionals. As a testament to her knowledge and expertise, she serves as a lead author for a publication by Parents as Teachers National Center called "Engaged: Building Intentional Partnerships with Families.”  She underscores the role of family engagement through her insightful discourses in the field.  

Dr. Lord Giddie is the Director of Learning Experience Design (LXD) at National Louis University, where he leads a dynamic team dedicated to innovating course design and instructional methodologies. With 15 years of experience in the field of instructional design, Dr. Giddie has a profound understanding of the intersection between technology and education. Since 2009, he has been an influential adjunct professor, imparting advanced knowledge in educational psychology, educational technology, and international psychology to doctoral students, shaping the next generation of experts in these fields. 

Dr. Giddie is a passionate advocate for the intentional use of AI in education. He guides his team to leverage AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to enhance course content creation while exploring the benefits, challenges, and future possibilities of integrating AI into course design. His work is characterized by a commitment to fostering inclusive and engaging learning environments that utilize cutting-edge technology to elevate the educational experience. 

Dr. Jessica Evans has nearly 15 years of experience in higher education, specializing in assessment, accreditation, policy development, strategic planning, and organizational training. She currently works for a nonprofit organization focused on accrediting teacher education programs in the U.S. and abroad. Previously, she served as the Director of Assessment and Accreditation at Murray State University, where she was also a member of the Board of Regents. Dr. Evans holds an EdD in Educational Psychology and Technology and master’s degrees in Human Development and Organizational Communication. She is a member of the Steering Committee for Human Rights Educators USA and has served on the Board of Directors for Amnesty International, USA. Recognized for her contributions to higher education, Dr. Evans was honored by the Murray State University Alumni Association as a Top 22 Under 40 honoree in 2020. 

Dr. Leslie Rutkowski is Professor of Quantitative Research Methodology at Indiana University. Leslie’s research is in international large-scale assessment models and methods. Her interests include latent variable models and examining methods for comparing heterogeneous populations in international surveys. Dr. Rutkowski currently serves as associate editor for the Springer journal Large-scale Assessments in Education and as co-executive editor for the Springer book series, IEA Research for Education. She is also the chair of the PISA Technical Advisory Group and the NAEP Questionnaire Standing Committee. Dr. Rutkowski is also the editor of Handbook of International Large-Scale Assessment (Rutkowski, von Davier, and Rutkowski, 2014) with Chapman & Hall. 

Dr. Inaya Jaafar is an educational psychologist with over 23 years of experience in teaching middle school English and science, being a primary grade interventionist, a preschool to 12th grade special services supervisor, and currently an elementary school assistant principal, dissertation reader, and adjunct faculty member. Dr. Jaafar has published an edited reference book on educational technology featuring her dissertation topic on the teacher student relationship with the use of technology. She has conducted research and published manuscripts focused on the educational impact of the pandemic, effects of natural disasters on school staff and student performance, trauma informed practices, and teacher resilience.  

Dr. Vail Hilbert is a dedicated and passionate international education professional who believes in creating engaging and inclusive learning environments. She began her career in public education in the United States and has been working in an international school in Mexico City for 14 years. Throughout her professional journey, she has had the opportunity to hold a variety of positions including classroom teacher, activity specialist, instructional coach, and dean of students. Dr. Hilbert uses connection to create an educational climate where students feel safe and valued. 

Dr. Hilbert received a bachelor’s degree in international studies. It was then that she began to think about and explore how the world is becoming more interconnected and the possibility that creates. Specifically, as she continued her journey into education and moved across borders, it became evident that online and international teaching and learning not only allows education to be more accessible but also provides opportunities for cross-cultural interchange. While online teaching and learning still has limitations and gaps, she continues to be committed to learning more and engaging in conversations about how best to leverage technology and integrate the cultural and psycho-social aspects of learning for the benefits of students everywhere.