During the month of March, we celebrate Women\u2019s History Month<\/a>. This year\u2019s theme<\/a> is \u201cMoving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.\u201d And we can\u2019t think of a better way to celebrate than by paying tribute to the remarkable women educators who are doing just that.<\/p>\n We\u2019re so proud to highlight some of our women faculty partners who are shaping the next generation of experts in fields like astronomy, automotive and math. Your commitment to educating and inspiring students doesn\u2019t go unnoticed. While no words can truly capture the impact you make every day, this is our chance to show our gratitude (and give you the applause you deserve).<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Kim Zoldak is a Teaching Assistant Professor at Oklahoma State University. Whether she\u2019s teaching introductory astronomy<\/a>, astrophysics or physics<\/a> courses, her passion for sharing the wonders of the universe always shines through. She\u2019s more than just an expert \u2014 she\u2019s a guide who sparks curiosity and helps students discover new perspectives and ideas.<\/p>\n As the department\u2019s dedicated teaching professor, Kim is always ready to jump in and teach whichever physics course is needed. So far, that\u2019s included College Physics I & II and University Physics I. Kim\u2019s journey to Oklahoma State started with a B.S. in meteorology from California University of Pennsylvania, followed by a Ph.D. in space and planetary sciences\/astrophysics from the University of Arkansas. In addition to teaching, she oversees responsibilities for OSU\u2019s Mendenhall Observatory<\/a>. Above all, Kim believes that learning should be exciting and accessible to everyone. Her commitment to helping students grow \u2014 not just as learners but as thinkers \u2014 is what makes her an invaluable part of the OSU community and higher education.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a female in a male-dominated area of the sciences, I think that I encourage other females to follow their passion in physics and astronomy simply by being their instructor in these courses. Every year I am seeing more and more women in my classes\u2026When women see other women doing something that they thought was out of their reach \u2014 it gives them hope that they can do it too.\u201d \u2013 Kim Zoldak<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Janalyn Kehm is the Department Chair in the School of Business & Computer Engineering Technology at Spartanburg Community College. Having taught at SCC since 2000, she\u2019s devoted her career to shaping successful student outcomes and promoting meaningful collaboration with faculty members. In this role, she raises the bar, assessing learning needs within business<\/a> and other courses, and working alongside faculty to develop quality curriculum. Before embarking on her decades-long career in higher education, she received her B.A degree in journalism \u2013 advertising\/public relations from the University of South Carolina and her M.A degree in computer resource management from Webster University. But Janalyn didn\u2019t stop there, continuing on to pursue her own educational growth by obtaining a Certificate of Graduate Studies in Higher Education Leadership from University of South Carolina and a DBA from California Southern University.<\/p>\n Having been twice recognized by her peers and students with the Faculty of the Year award, she personifies exceptionalism in her field, creating remarkable connections with those she mentors and works with.<\/p>\n In a nutshell, Ellen is a star educator, admired as a mentor by her students, and respected by her faculty peers who have an immense appreciation of her teaching contributions. She has won numerous awards, including the Service Excellence Award from the Department of Mathematics and the Favorite Professor Award, courtesy of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. Beyond teaching, Ellen immerses herself in every aspect of university life, serving as member, advisor and organizer of several committees, demonstrating her commitment to enhancing and shaping the campus community around her.<\/p>\n Pam Schmelz is an Interim Dean for the School of Information Technology, School of Business, Being a consummate innovator with a fierce dedication to helping students thrive, Pam also started up the CyberAcademy<\/a> at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, IN. This intense and revolutionary program takes students through the AAS Cybersecurity program in a record-breaking 11 months, providing graduates with essential cybersecurity career skills, setting them for future success and elevating their levels of expertise to new heights.<\/p>\n Samantha would ultimately like to see more women enter the automotive industry, and believes that anyone with the determination to dive in and work hard can succeed. She considers herself fortunate to have worked in a dealership that allowed her the freedom to grow and thrive into the inspiration she is today.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing a technician isn\u2019t just about heavy lifting and getting greasy. Women bring unique strengths to automotive work \u2014 attention to detail, problem-solving, and adaptability\u2014 that are invaluable in today\u2019s evolving automotive field\u2026I\u2019m proud and excited to be a part of the automotive transformation and to be training the next generation of technicians.\u201d \u2013 Samantha Candler<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Jinhwa Lee is an Assistant Professor of Instruction of Mathematics at Ohio State University and an As an educator, Jinhwa recognizes that her role is part of a much bigger picture. She\u2019s proud to contribute to student development and hopes to inspire her learners to become future leaders in fields like economics, science and engineering.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026every student can excel with the right support.\u201d \u2013 Jinhwa Lee<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Dr. EmmaLeigh Kirchner is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Chair of the Social Justice & \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n\n
![\"Ellen](\"https:\/\/blog.cengage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fpn-headshot-ellen-couvillion-300x300.jpg\")
After earning her B.S and M.S degrees in mathematics from Texas State University, Ellen Couvillion\u2019s passion for the subject would lead her back there in the form of a teaching career. Now an Associate Professor of Instruction of Mathematics, she practices a growth mindset approach to teaching, prioritizing students\u2019 individual learning needs and unique paths to development.<\/p>\n![\"Pam](\"https:\/\/blog.cengage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fpn-headshot-pam-schmelz.psd-300x300.jpg\")
Logistics\u00a0& Supply Chain and the Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Ivy Tech Community College. With a lifelong passion for information technology<\/a>, she\u2019s earned several certifications, including CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CCENT (Cisco Entry level Network Technician) and Amazon Cloud Practitioner, to name only a few. As a certified Quality Matters peer reviewer, she lends her critical expertise to the development of online courses, creating a quality learning experience for future generations of students.<\/p>\n![\"Samantha](\"https:\/\/blog.cengage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fpn-headshot-samantha-candler-300x300.jpg\")
Samantha Candler is a General Motors World Class Technician with 18 years of experience in the automotive<\/a> industry. As one of the few female World-Class Technicians and instructors nationwide, she\u2019s no stranger when it comes to breaking down barriers. Her unwavering determination and immeasurable skillset speaks volumes. Before spending 10 years as a technician and 8 years as a GM ASEP Instructor, Samantha long had her sights set on making her mark in the field. Her passion for vehicles began in high school, leading her to achieve the highest level of GM technician training. As an automotive faculty member at Dallas College, she puts her immense knowledge into practice every day in the classroom, inspiring her students and undoubtedly setting an example for what heights they can reach and push beyond.<\/p>\n\n
![\"Jinhwa](\"https:\/\/blog.cengage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fpn-headshot-jinhwa-lee-300x300.jpg\")
experienced educator. With a decade\u2019s worth of experience teaching various mathematics<\/a> courses, Jinhwa believes that all students can grow to become confident learners when given the right tools and individualized support. Her teaching philosophy centers on a common goal \u2014 helping students overcome their math anxiety. She wants students to find the fun and relevance within a subject she loves and believes is critical across multiple disciplines.<\/p>\n\n
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Monica Hampton is a retired cybersecurity officer, an Adjunct Professor of Cybersecurity and Criminal Justice and an Instructional Designer at Benedict College. Monica\u2019s teaching experience stretches far beyond the higher ed classroom, having previously taught firearms and safety, as well as cybersecurity to law enforcement officers at national and local levels. She now brings personal field experience and real-world insights to her students, teaching undergraduate cybersecurity and criminal justice<\/a> courses. Before entering the world of cybersecurity, she earned a B.A. degree in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida and an M.A. degree in computer resources and information management from Webster University. Monica took a comprehensive approach to her teaching role. Striving to gain proficiency in both instructional design and the application of rubrics, she obtained a Quality Matters (QM) certification for Applying the QM Rubric and Designing Your Online Course.<\/p>\n![\"EmmaLeigh](\"https:\/\/blog.cengage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fpn-headshot-emmaleigh-kirchner.psd-300x300.jpg\")
Community Health Department at Mercyhurst University. Her experience spans across undergraduate, graduate and study abroad programs, where she teaches multiple courses, both online and in-person. Some of those courses include Methods and Social Science Statistics. Holding a Ph.D. in criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, EmmaLeigh\u2019s focus has been primarily within the higher ed sphere. Yet, she\u2019s also a leading example of how to enact meaningful community-based change outside the classroom. She currently serves on the executive board for the Northeastern Association of Criminal Justice Sciences and is the faculty advisor of the Criminal Justice Association. EmmaLeigh\u2019s various outreach efforts and contributions represent her resolution to make a difference.<\/p>\nThank you to all of our women faculty partners<\/a>. You\u2019ve made an incredible educational impact on not only your students and institutions, but on the future of higher education overall.<\/h2>\n
Women\u2019s History Month reminds us to recognize the incredible achievements and contributions made by women<\/a> throughout our history.<\/h3>\n