Jeffrey L. Bernstein, Director

Professor of Political Science and Director of Bruce K. Nelson Faculty Development Center

Welcome to the Bruce K. Nelson Faculty Development Center at Eastern Michigan University.  I'm Jeff Bernstein, and I have been director of the Center since the summer of 2021, and on the faculty at Eastern in political science since 1997. I hold a B.A. from Washington University and an M.A. and Ph. D. from the University of Michigan. My research focuses on the scholarship of teaching and learning, particularly on how to foster my students' effective civic engagement.  I also study collaborative teaching, and how to enhance the role of teaching in the academy.  My most formative professional experience was as a 2005-06 Carnegie Scholar with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in Palo Alto, California. I am the co-author of Vital Statistics on American Politics (CQ Press, 2022), and am co-editor and contributing author of Citizenship Across the Curriculum (Indiana University Press, 2010), Enhancing Teaching and Learning through Collaborative Structures (Jossey-Bass, 2016), and Teaching Research Methods in Political Science (Edward Elgar, 2021).   Some of my favorite research projects have been those done with my remarkable students, who make being a professor so much fun, and so rewarding. I am particularly honored to have been named a recipient of the Ronald Collins Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching II in 2020.

Sarah M. Ginsberg, Lead Faculty, Student-Faculty Partnership Initiative

Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders

I have been on the faculty at Eastern Michigan University for over 20 years. I have a B.A. and an M.A. in communication sciences and disorders from Case Western Reserve University and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership-Higher Ed from EMU. My research has focused on the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), within my field and across higher education. In addition to serving as the Founding Editor of the peer-reviewed journal Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders (2016-2021), I have co-edited and/or co-authored Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology: Evidence- Based Education (Plural Publishing, 2012), Xerostomia: An Interdisciplinary Resource for Practitioners (Slack Incorporated, 2020), Evidence-Based Education in the Classroom: Examples from Clinical Disciplines (Slack Incorporated, 2021), Simulated Learning in Communication Sciences and Disorders: Moving from Theory to Practice (Slack Incorporated, In Press), and Clinician’s Guide to Applying, Conducting, and Disseminating Clinical Education Research (Slack Incorporated, forthcoming). I rely on collaborative approaches to education and it has become the focus of much of my work in both my teaching and my research. I have had the privilege of working with the FDC supporting faculty interested in engaging in evidence - based education as well as SoTL numerous times over the years and look forward to working on this initiative with student colleagues and faculty colleagues to create stronger partnerships between students and faculty both inside and outside of the classroom.

Audrey Farrugia, Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Associate Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders

I have been a part of the Eastern Michigan University community for 21 years. All three of my degrees are from EMU. My Bachelor’s degree is in elementary education (’06), my Master’s degree is in speech-language pathology (’09) and my Doctoral degree is in educational studies (’16). I became a faculty member in the Special Education and Communication Sciences and Disorders department in 2015.

During my time here, I have participated in many Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) initiatives across campus. I have been actively involved in the College of Education’s RAIJE (Representing Antiracism, Inclusivity, Justice, and Equity) committee first as a general member, then as secretary, and currently as chair. I was featured in the Culture of Belonging video series where I shared inclusive teaching and learning practices with faculty. I was a team lead in creating the modules for the 2022-2023 faculty development on DEIJ and I facilitated the sessions for two departments on campus. This year, along with serving as the Faculty Fellow for DEI, I will also serve as the Michael G. Morris endowed chair where I will focus on DEIJ in the College of Education. Outside of EMU, I am special education advocate for P-12 families who are in need of guidance through the special education process.

I am married and a mother to four children. I identify as a White woman with an invisible disability and ally. I am committed to change and eager to learn and share with my fellow colleagues in this role.

Courtney Lewis, Lead Faculty, Clinical Education Learning Community

Associate Professor, Health Promotion and Human Performance 

I have been a part of the Eastern Michigan University community for over 10 years. I began my time at EMU as a doctoral fellow in the Department of Leadership and Counseling as I pursued my PhD in Educational Leadership. Prior to EMU, I obtained my bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from the University of Michigan and my master's degree in Education with an Athletic Training emphasis from the University of Georgia. I became a faculty member in the Athletic Training Program in the College of Health and Human Services in 2014. 

My research has focused on the athletic training clinical experience and gaining an understanding of how students experience the concept of clinical integration. I am interested in how students combine the didactic knowledge they are gaining in the classroom with the tactic knowledge they are developing in their clinical experiences, and make this information their own. What I have found is relationships are key to a student’s success so I strive to create an environment in my classroom where students are heard, appreciated, and given space to form these professional relationships. I am so fortunate to teach courses within the athletic training program that allow me to dive into this idea of clinical integration; as well as work with students to prepare for transition to practice and life beyond the classroom and EMU. 

Last year I had the privilege of being a member of the Teaching and Learning Together (TaLT) community. This experience expanded my perspective on how I can engage with and form relationships with students in the classroom and in the clinical setting. TaLT serves as a springboard for Student-Instructor Partnerships in Clinical Education and I am thrilled to be working on this initiative with Alivia English as we strive to enhance clinical education experiences for all parties involved. 

Outside of EMU, I serve on the Michigan Athletic Trainers’ Society (MATS) Professional Education Committee and the MATS ATs Cares Committee. I am married to my wonderful husband and we have three children. We live on a small lake and enjoy spending time outside swimming, fishing, and ice skating in the winter.

Alivia English, Graduate Assistant; Lead Student, Clinical Education Learning Community

Trinity Perkins, Undergraduate Assistant

Alivia Overbee, Undergraduate Assistant

Rylin Reynolds, Undergraduate Assistant

Hi! I am Rylin Reynolds (she/her). I am a sophomore here at Eastern and I am currently majoring in Health Administration. I’m from Rossford, Ohio originally but moved up to Michigan for a chance to spend my college career surrounded by the wonderful staff and students of Eastern. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to improve the staff and student relationships and have a chance to further engage in the Eastern Michigan community. 

Shay Morrison, Lead Student, Collaborative Course (Re)Design Learning Community