Meet Our 2025-2026 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.
2025 - 2026 Faculty Ambassadors
Ahmer Afroz, Ph.D.
Health Promotion, Education and Behavior
aafroz@mailbox.sc.edu
Monique Brown, Ph.D., MPH
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
brownm68@mailbox.sc.edu
Kelly Fleming, MD, MPH
Environmental Health Sciences
fleming9@mailbox.sc.edu
Elizabeth Currin, Ph.D.
Leadership, Learning Design, and Inquiry
ecurrin@mailbox.sc.edu
Jeff Eargle, Ph.D.
Teacher Education
earglej@mailbox.sc.edu
Clayton Copeland, Ph.D.
School of Information Science
copelan2@email.sc.edu
Jacqueline Keisler, M.B.A.
School of Journalism and Mass Communications
keislejm@mailbox.sc.edu
Tara Marie Mortensen, Ph.D.
School of Journalism and Mass Communications
buehnert@mailbox.sc.edu
Marcia Purday, APR, M.B.A.
School of Journalism and Mass Communications
purday@sc.edu
Teresa Bowers, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CNEcl
Professional Nursing Practice
biediger@mailbox.sc.edu
Karen Worthy, Ph.D., MPH, RN, CNE, CNEcl
Advanced Professional Nursing Practice
kworthy0@email.sc.edu
Caroline Asbill, PharmD - C
Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences
arnettec@mailbox.sc.edu
Mengqian (Max) Chen, Ph.D.
Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences
chen256@email.sc.edu
Margaret Janse Van Rensburg, Ph.D.
JANSEVAM@mailbox.sc.edu
Betty Wilson, Ph.D.
wilso479@email.sc.edu
Zoe Niesel, J.D.
zniesel@mailbox.sc.edu
Erin Davenport, Ph.D.
Anthropology
ed27@mailbox.sc.edu
Na Sil Heo, Ph.D.
History
nheo@mailbox.sc.edu
Rachel Mann, Ph.D.
English
mannrj@email.sc.edu
Shannon M. Roberts, Ph.D.
Chemistry and Biochemistry
smroberts@sc.edu
Tara Sutton, Ph.D.
Criminology and Criminal Justice
ts91@mailbox.sc.edu
Hanne van der Iest, M.S., M.A.
Sociology
VANDERI2@mailbox.sc.edu
David Weaver, Ph.D.
Statistics
weaver74@sc.edu
Mostafa Mobli, Ph.D.
Mechanical Engineering
mobli@sc.edu
Sarvesh Sawant, Ph.D.
Computer Science and Engineering
sarvesh@mailbox.sc.edu
Janel Hagar, Ph.D.
Pharmacology, Physiology, & Neuroscience
hagar@uscmed.sc.edu
Joanna Appel, Ph.D.
Biomedical Sciences
jappel@greenvillemed.sc.edu
Kunio Hara, Ph.D.
Music History
khara@mozart.sc.edu
Meet Our 2025-2026 Faculty Ambassadors
Nominate a Faculty Ambassador.
Department Chairs: Help us identify exceptional educators who can represent your department and contribute to teaching excellence across USC. Nominations are now open for the Fall 2026-2027 academic year cohort. Send your nomination(s) to Courtney Bailey at cb193@mailbox.sc.edu.