Mr. Phare is featured in ACUE’s modules: Providing Clear Directions and Explanations and Providing Useful Feedback.

Phare is a PhD candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell University and a Staff Associate at Columbia University. He conducts research on silicon photonics, which attempts to miniaturize lasers and optical components to the size of computer chips, and on the optical properties of graphene, a single atom-thick sheet of carbon. Both technologies promise to advance high-performance computing and create a faster internet.

Outside of the laboratory, Phare leads outreach activities including science demonstrations in area middle schools and science fairs to get young people interested in scientific research.

Phare earned his BA with highest honors in Physics and Mathematics from Vanderbilt University. He holds an MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University.

Ms. Szelag is featured in ACUE’s modules: Engaging Underprepared Students and Using Concept Maps and Other Visualization Tools.

Szelag is an Adjunct Professor of English as a Second Language at the City College of New York. She teaches Beginner and Intermediate Grammar and Vocabulary and instructs on reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Szelag also engages in curriculum design and lesson plan development and facilitates advanced academic discussions.

Born in Toronto, and raised in Europe, Szelag has taught English as a Second Language in Warsaw, Poland as well as in private language centers in New York City before joining the faculty at the City College of New York.

Szelag graduated with honors from Mohawk College where she earned her BA in Music Performance. She holds a BFA from the New School University.

Mr. Onorato is featured in ACUE’s modules: Teaching Powerful Note-Taking Skills and Developing Self-Directed Learners.

Onorato began his academic career as an Adjunct Business Instructor, moved into academic administration, and spent fifteen years as a college administrator in New York State. He returned to the classroom, teaching Marketing and Economics courses at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. Throughout his career, Onorato taught courses in the First Year Experience to a variety of student populations, including traditional, diverse, commuter, and adult groups.

Currently, Onorato teaches Marketing, Leadership, and Operations Management at Fordham University in New York. Previously, he served as the Vice Chairman of the Economic Development Commission in Brookfield, Connecticut and worked as a Senior Professional Educator with a major textbook publisher, established Candlewood Consulting, and authored the instructor’s resource manual Master Student Guide to Academic Success.

Onorato earned his BS in Marketing and his MBA from the University of Connecticut.

Ms. Oke is featured in ACUE’s modules: Planning Effective Class Discussions and Facilitating Engaging Class Discussions.

Oke is an English Adjunct Lecturer at Baruch College, City University of New York, where she teaches first and second-level English composition in addition to elective courses, and Post-Colonial and Global Literature.

Interested in writing for the children and young adult markets, as well as documenting experiences of non-traditional college students, Oke’s narrative essay, Stipulations, about adult students at the College of New Rochelle, School of New Resources, was featured in Bard College’s Master of Arts in Teaching journal. She is also an occasional story coach in the community education division of The Moth, an award-winning narrative initiative.

Oke is a graduate of Bard College and Columbia University.

Dr. McVerry is featured in ACUE’s modules: Promoting a Civil Learning Environment; Developing Fair, Consistent, and Transparent Grading Practices; and Using Student Achievement and Feedback to Improve Your Teaching.

McVerry is an Assistant Professor of Education at Southern Connecticut State University. He teaches and researches at the intersection of literacy and technology. He is the current e-editor of the Literacy Research Association and member of the Technology, Communication, and Literacy Committee. He is also the new literacies section editor for the Connecticut Reading Association Journal.

McVerry has published and presented dozens of articles and papers in national and international journals. He is involved in many school wide initiatives to improve literacy outcomes using technology.

McVerry holds a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Connecticut as a NEAG Fellow serving in the New Literacies Research Lab.

Ms. Lagg is featured in ACUE’s modules: Using Active Learning Techniques in Large Classes and Delivering an Effective Lecture.

An Adjunct Professor at Montclair State University, Lagg teaches in the First-Year Writing Program. She has taught both traditional and hybrid studio courses, works extensively with Montclair State’s nationally recognized Center for Writing Excellence, and has taken part in over 50,000 one-on-one consulting sessions with Montclair’s diverse population of writers. With the center, she also facilitates community writing groups with senior citizens and young teenagers and presented on her findings at the Conference on Community Writing at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Lagg earned her BA in Literature from American University. She holds an MA in English from Montclair State University.

Ms. Davis is featured in ACUE’s module: Using Active Learning Techniques in Small Groups.

Davis is an adjunct professor and doctoral student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice of The City University of New York where she teaches courses in Psychology and Behavior.

Previously, Davis worked as an Extern Therapist at the SCO Family of Services, and at the Family and Children’s Services. Her most recent publications include Intersectional identities and Microaggressions: Influences of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexuality, and Religion, Microaggressions in the Workplace: Recommendations for Best Practices, and Emotional, Behavioral, and Cognitive Reactions to Microaggressions: Transgender Perspectives.

Davis earned her BA in Psychology from Dartmouth College. She holds an MA in Forensic Psychology from Jay College of Criminal Justice of The City University of New York, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Clinical Forensic Psychology, also from John Jay where she is currently a Writing Across the Curriculum Fellow and a recipient of an Enhanced Chancellor’s Fellowship.

20Ms. Brickman is featured in ACUE’s modules: Aligning Assessments With Course Outcomes, Embracing Diversity in Your Classroom, and Using Advanced Questioning Techniques.

Brickman is an Adjunct Lecturer at Queensborough Community College where she teaches Speech and Theatre courses. She previously taught at The University of Iowa and Adelphi University and has conducted workshops at Slippery Rock University. When not teaching, Brickman is an actor and writer who can be seen frequently performing at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre in NYC. She also brings her love of performance together with her love of education working with the Striking Viking Story Pirates and as an actor/facilitator with True to Life Training.

Brickman earned her BFA in acting from Adelphi University and holds an MFA from the University of Iowa.