Global Education Office

Susan Bodnar-Deren is an Assistant Professor of Sociology in the College of Humanities and Sciences. She is a medical sociologist whose research focuses on the ways that macro social factors affect individual-level health and well-being. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Sociology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and a B.A. in Gender Studies from Montclair State University. 

Rowena Briones is an Assistant Professor of Public Relations at the Richard T. Robertson School of Media & Culture. Her research explores how social media and technology impact public relations and health communication in terms of campaign development and relationship building, particularly in the areas of sexual health, crisis communication and risk communication. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Communication from the University of Maryland, College Park and earned her B.A. in Communication Studies from The College of New Jersey. 

McKenna Brown is the Executive Director of the Global Education Office and Professor of World Studies in the College of Humanities and Sciences. As the university’s Senior International Officer, he oversees the operation charged with the expansion, coordination and support of international activities across the institution. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Latin American Studies from Tulane University and a B.A. in Speech Pathology from Florida A&M University. Dr. Brown serves as lead coordinator of the 2014 Faculty Development Seminar.  

Rosalie Corona is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Humanities and Sciences. Her general area of research focuses on health promotion and risk reduction in racial/ethnic minority communities. She received her Ph.D. and M.A in Clinical Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine. 

Kelli Gary is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy in the School of Allied Health Professions. She has 19 years of experience as a licensed occupational therapist and gained her clinical expertise in inpatient and subacute rehabilitation at the Veteran’s Administration, academic medical centers, freestanding rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities. She holds a Ph.D. in Health Related Sciences from VCU, an M.S. in Post-Professional Occupational Therapy and M.P.H. in General Public Health from Columbia University, and a B.S. in Occupational Therapy from Chicago State University. 

Cathy Howard is the Vice Provost of Community Engagement at VCU and administers the array of programs housed within the Division of Community Engagement. She holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State University, an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from University of Maryland, College Park and a B.A. in American Studies from Davidson College. Dr. Howard serves as co-coordinator of the 2014 Faculty Development Seminar.

Carrie LeCrom is the Director of the Center for Sport Leadership, where she has worked since 2003. Her responsibilities at the Center include academic and advising matters, teaching focused on research, global sports issues, sport leadership and sport sociology, coordinating student research and expanding the global reach of the program through grants and other opportunities. She holds a Ph.D. in Education and an M.A. in Sport Leadership from VCU, and a B.S. in Business Administration and Sport Management from Lynchburg College. 

Maghboeba Mosavel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Health in the School of Medicine. She is a health disparities researcher who conducts community-engaged research and teaches community-based participatory research and service learning courses. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Welfare Policy from Case Western Reserve University, an M.A. in Applied Communication and Methodology from Cleveland State University and a B.A. in Social Work from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. As VCU’s Chief Liaison with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr. Mosavel serves as co-coordinator of the 2014 Faculty Development Seminar.

Joann Richardson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance in the College of Humanities and Sciences. Her research focuses on health disparities, health equity, global health, community engagement, health education and health promotion emphasizing primary and secondary prevention of chronic diseases in underserved populations, with particular emphasis on HIV/AIDS, breast and prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease. She holds a Ph.D. in Health Services Organization and Research from VCU and a B.S. in Environmental Health/Industrial Hygiene and M.S. in Community Health Education from Old Dominion University. 

Colleen Thoma is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Special Education and Disability Policy in the School of Education. Her research focuses on the transition from school to adult life for youth with disabilities, including self-determination, teacher preparation, postsecondary education, policy advocacy, and application of universal design to transition. She earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction/Special Education from Indiana University.