11 New Scholars Join CEHS Faculty for 2023 – 2024 Academic Year

We welcome 11 new scholars to the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services at Utah State University. Each of these new faculty members brings critical expertise to our College, enabling us to expand our scholarly impact and further enrich student experiences and contribute to Utah communities. “I am incredibly excited about the fresh perspectives and cutting-edge expertise our new colleagues bring with them to Utah State,” said Al Smith, Emma Eccles Jones Endowed Dean. Our new scholars are...

 

Tye CampbellTye Campbell, Assistant Professor, School of Teacher Education & Leadership. Campbell received his doctorate from the University of Alabama. His research focus is mathematics education, emphasizing the social and affective factors that influence teaching and learning in mathematics. “One thing that excites me about the research work in the college is the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues who share similar interests,” said Campbell. “It is a wonderful, collegial atmosphere, and I really enjoy learning with my colleagues.”
Maggie ChanMaggie Chan, Assistant Professor, Psychology. Chan received her doctorate from the Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology combined program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research goal is to promote social-emotional development and mental health in children and youth. “I am passionate about building an equitable, inclusive, and welcoming school environment for students and school staff, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds,” said Chan.
Casey ClayCasey Clay, Assistant Professor, Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling. Clay received his doctorate from Utah State University in disability disciplines in Special Education. He was a postdoctoral fellow and an assistant professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Missouri. He most recently was the Director of Behavior Clinics at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) in California. “My interests lie in behavioral science and its applications to training using technology and intervention in populations with disability,” said Clay.
Edgar DiazEdgar Diaz, Assistant Professor, School of Teacher Education & Leadership. While teaching high school, Diaz completed his doctorate at the University of Miami in Language and Literacy Learning in a Multilingual setting. “I’m thrilled to focus on teacher education for pre- and in-service teachers, specifically those who identify within the LGBTQIA+ community,” commented Diaz. “This passion stems from my own teaching experience in secondary schools in both California and Florida.”
Jake DownsJake Downs, Assistant Professor, School of Teacher Education & Leadership. Prior to joining the College as a Science of Reading specialist, Downs worked in the Cache County public school system as a fourth-grade teacher, instructional coach, and district literacy coordinator. He earned his doctorate from Utah State University. He produces and hosts the Teaching Literacy Podcast, interviewing influential reading researchers about their work and what it means for classroom literacy instruction. His research focuses on the Science of Reading Instruction, more specifically addressing the use of synchronous oral reading to enhance and improve students’ fluency.
Michelle FriersonMichelle Frierson, Assistant Professor, School of Teacher Education & Leadership.

Frierson received her doctorate from the University of Colorado and is on our mathematics education team. Her primary area of research is STEM education for Black youth and equity within mathematics education. Frierson says, “My research centers on joy in STEM, and the ways that Black joy can be surveilled, commodified, or, alternatively, celebrated in STEM classrooms. I also conduct and disseminate research on other STEM-related topics, such as culturally responsive pedagogy, digital literacy, and teacher education."
Tae KimTae Kim, Associate Professor, Psychology. Kim received his doctorate from the University of Central Florida. Prior to his academic journey, Kim served in the Air Force as a military counseling officer and company commander. His dedication has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the UCF Trustees Doctoral Fellowship, and he has been identified as an emerging leader by the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling. Through his scholarship he seeks to incorporate multiculturalism into the school counseling curriculum.
Shannon PynnShannon Pynn, Assistant Professor, Kinesiology and Health Science. Pynn received her doctorate from the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on promoting positive psychosocial experiences in sport and physical activity among children and their families.  “Finding innovative ways to conduct and communicate research that will help promote positive experiences for children in sport is something I am passionate about,” says Pynn. “I am excited to join such a multidisciplinary college and look forward to learning and collaborating with my new colleagues.”
Amanda RamosAmanda Ramos, Assistant Professor, Human Development & Family Studies. Ramos received her doctorate in Developmental Psychology from Pennsylvania State University and completed a National Research Service Award postdoctoral fellowship at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Her work integrates family systems, perinatal and environmental epidemiology, and behavioral genetics to study how the environment influences early child development. “I love conducting research in early life because I believe this period is the most impactful in our life trajectory,” says Ramos. “This is the time that we as researchers can make a huge positive impact on all children's lives. I am looking forward to the opportunity to investigate how unique early life experiences in Utah can shape children's development.”
Tzung-Shiang OuTzung-Shiang Ou, Assistant Professor, Kinesiology and Health Science. Ou is a nurse, health educator, and substance use researcher. Originally from Taiwan, he received his doctorate from Indiana University in Health Behavior. Ou’s research focuses on using theoretical approaches and quantitative methodologies to study health behaviors and their developmental trajectories throughout the lifespan. “One of my ongoing research projects examines the effects of early risk factors, such as adverse childhood experiences, on the later stages of adulthood,” says Ou. Additionally, his other current projects investigate the vaping behaviors of college students, along with the associated contextual factors and dependence risks.
Emily Weichart headshotEmily Weichart, Assistant Professor, Psychology. Weichart received her doctorate from the University of Virginia with a specialization in cognitive psychology. Her research investigates the interplay of perception, memory, and decision-making to understand how these processes collectively shape knowledge and guide human actions. “In my lab, we pursue this goal using a dynamic approach that bridges theoretical development, data collection, and model-based cognitive assessment. We seek to capture the nuances of behavior and neurophysiology, encompassing the tradeoff between speed and accuracy, information sampling via eye-tracking, and within-trial processing signatures measured by EEG,” said Weichart.