CETL Fellows
- About the CETL Fellows Program
- 2025-2026 CETL Fellow Cohort:
- Past CETL Fellow Cohorts
What CETL Fellows Do:
The CETL Fellows are distinguished Bowie State University faculty members who represent their colleges and collaborate with the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) to advance faculty professional development across all career stages. Working closely with Dr. Eva Garin, CETL Director, the Fellows design and facilitate initiatives that foster academic excellence, student success, and the long-term vitality of the university.
CETL Fellows contribute to Bowie State’s teaching and learning community by:
- Designing and implementing workshops rooted in engaged pedagogy and evidence-based practices.
- Facilitating small group events and peer-mediated professional development that enhance teaching effectiveness.
- Supporting the teaching, research, and service goals of early-career faculty within their colleges.
- Leading professional development opportunities for adjunct faculty and campus-wide programs.
- Assisting in the planning and delivery of the annual New Faculty Institute and the Fall Faculty Institute.
Together, CETL Fellows create impactful opportunities for faculty growth, collegial exchange, and innovation in pedagogy—ensuring Bowie State remains a place where all faculty are empowered to achieve and contribute to the institution’s mission.
Interested in becoming a CETL Fellow in the future? A call for applicants for 2026-27 CETL Fellows will be sent to the full faculty in Spring 2026 along with additional details for program involvement requirements.

In Person Presentations

Pedagogical Conversation

Interdisciplinary Engagement
2025-2026 CETL Fellows
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) Fellows represent a dynamic group of Bowie State University faculty who are dedicated to advancing pedagogy, innovation, and professional growth across the campus community. Each Fellow brings unique expertise in areas such as instructional technology, writing and scholarship, assessment, artificial intelligence, and digital creativity.Together, the Fellows collaborate to design workshops, lead faculty learning communities, and develop programming that supports CETL’s mission to strengthen teaching, learning, and student success. Their collective work fosters cross-disciplinary engagement, creative problem-solving, and a culture of continuous improvement that empowers faculty to excel in every learning environment.
Meet the current CETL Fellows below to learn more about their projects, areas of expertise, and contributions to the Bowie State teaching and learning community.
Dr. Gaye Acikdilli, College of Business
Associate Professor of Management, Marketing, and Public Administration | CETL Fellow
Dr. Gaye Acikdilli is an Associate Professor at the Department of Management, Marketing, and Public Administration with the College of Business at Bowie State University. Dr. Acikdilli's teaching experience includes a range of business and marketing courses delivered at the bachelor's and master's levels for twenty years. Her previous appointments were at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Baskent University in Turkey. She taught at the University of Seoul in South Korea during the summer session. She has also delivered short-term courses as an exchange professor in Germany, Austria, and Denmark. She connects business leaders to students through presentations, team projects, and academic service-learning (S-L) opportunities. Dr. Acikdilli's research focuses on global marketing, business, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Her work has been published in the Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, International Journal of Business & Emerging Markets, Journal of International Consumer Marketing, Journal of the Knowledge Economy, among others. Her articles are frequently cited; for example, "Marketing Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Marriage of Convenience or a Shotgun Wedding?" published in the Journal of Business Ethics, has had more than 700 citations in works by other scholars. She has a chapter in the book "Sustainable Tourism Practices in the Mediterranean." She actively participates in international academic conferences. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member at the MBAA International Conference and for the Association of International Business Research and Practice (AIBRP).
Dr. Antonia Charles-Strowbridge, College of Education
Assistant Professor | Early Childhood & Special Education | CETL Fellow | USM Generative AI Pedagogy Fellow
Dr. Antonia Charles-Strowbridge is an educator, mentor, and researcher with more than two decades of experience in teaching, special education, and higher education leadership. A proud immigrant from St. Lucia and a first-generation scholar, she brings a culturally responsive and equity-centered approach to her teaching and research.As an Assistant Professor at Bowie State University, Dr. Charles-Strowbridge prepares future educators to serve diverse and exceptional learners through inclusive, student-centered, and transformative practices. Her work emphasizes advocacy for socially and economically disadvantaged populations, including students with disabilities, while fostering classrooms that affirm identity and belonging.A CETL Fellow and USM Generative AI Pedagogy Fellow, she is passionate about innovation in education and the ethical use of emerging technologies. Her research explores the integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in special education—particularly its potential to enhance reflective practice, instructional design, and communication for non-verbal and semi-verbal autistic students. She also examines how AI influences educational leadership and student outcomes at HBCUs. Dr. Charles-Strowbridge also serves as an Academic Advisor, Dissertation Chair, and Research Mentor within the College of Education. Her work bridges scholarship and service, championing inclusive, technology-driven approaches that empower educators and promote equitable learning experiences for all students.
Dr. Jayne Cubbage, College of Arts and Sciences
Associate Professor | Department of Communications | CETL Fellow | Graduate Program in Organizational Communication | Bowie State University
Dr. Jayne Cubbage is Associate Professor in the Department of Communications at Bowie State University, where she teaches undergraduate students media literacy and broadcast journalism and graduate students organizational communication. She has edited three volumes, Critical Race Media Literacy: Themes and Strategies for Media Education, The Handbook of Research on Media Literacy in Higher Education Environments and Developing Women Leaders in the Academy Through Enhanced Communication Strategies. She is co-author of two upcoming textbooks, Media Literacy for Diverse Audiences, (Palgrave Macmillan) and Media, Industries, Society: Diverse Foundation in Mass Communication (Routledge) each to be published in 2026.
Dr. Erica Hernandez, College of Professional Studies
Assistant Professor | Department of Psychology | CETL Fellow | Data Science & Learning Researcher | Chair, University Council Information Technology Committee
Dr. Erica Hernandez is an innovative educator and researcher dedicated to using data-driven insights to enhance teaching, learning, and student success in higher education. As an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Bowie State University, she teaches courses in statistics, cognitive psychology, learning and memory, and introduction to psychology, helping students build strong analytical and critical thinking skills. An active member of the Data Science Analytics Faculty Community, Dr. Hernandez integrates data science concepts into psychology coursework, preparing students to apply evidence-based methods in research and practice. As Chair of the University Council Information Technology Committee, she leads initiatives that advance digital literacy and promote innovation across campus. Her research examines cognition, learning, and memory, emphasizing how data insights can improve learning outcomes and teaching practices. Dr. Hernandez also organizes student-centered initiatives to support persistence and graduation among student-parents in Maryland. With extensive experience teaching statistics and leading professional development seminars, Dr. Hernandez communicates complex data concepts with clarity and purpose—empowering institutions and individuals to make informed, evidence-based decisions that drive educational excellence.
Dr. Darilyn Mercadel, College of Education, CETL Fellow for Adobe
Assistant Professor & Coordinator of Elementary Education Programs | Department of Teaching, Learning, and Professional Development | CETL Fellow for Adobe
Dr. Darilyn Mercadel is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Elementary Education Programs at Bowie State University. With a multifaceted role in teaching undergraduate courses and coordinating academic programs, she serves as the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Faculty Fellow for Adobe, and the Faculty Assessment Fellow with the Center for Programs Assessment. Dr. Mercadel’s ability to leverage AI and new technologies to enhance educational outcomes demonstrate her dedication to innovative pedagogical practices aimed at achieving educational excellence. She leads research initiatives that result in measurable improvements in student achievement and pre-service teacher development. Dr. Mercadel earned her Ph.D. from the University of New Orleans, where she specialized in Curriculum and Instruction/Special Education, completing a Doctoral Fellowship in Educational Leadership with Cross-Cultural Competence through the U.S. Department of Education. In addition to her doctoral achievements, she holds an M.F.A. from the University of New Orleans, with a focus on film, television, and theatre arts. This diverse educational background enriches her interdisciplinary approach to education. Her commitment to fostering innovation in education makes her a respected voice in the field.
CETL has been fortunate to benefit from the hard work of its Fellows since 2018. Here is a look back at previous cohorts, to whom we owe great thanks for their contributions:
Our Past Cohorts of CETL Fellows:
2024-2025 CETL Fellows:
Dr. Gaye Acikdilli, College of Business
Dr. Jayne Cubbage, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Masica Jordan-Alston, College of Education
Professor Kathryn Kawecki, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Mesfin Etefa, College of Art and Sciences
Dr. Darilyn Mercadel, CETL Fellow for Adobe
Dr. Melissa Duchene-Kelly, College of Professional Studies
2023-2024 CETL Fellows:
Dr. Tibebe A. Assefa, College of Business
Professor Kathryn Kawecki, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Masica Jordan-Alston, College of Education
Dr. Marianne Moore, College of Professional Studies
Dr. Supriyo Ray, College of Art and Sciences
Dr. Sheneese S. Thompson, CETL Fellow for Adobe
Dr. Melissa Duchene-Kelly, CETL Fellow for Adjunct Faculty
2022-2023 CETL Fellows:
Dr. Tibebe A. Assefa, College of Business
Dr. Kim Evelyn, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Emerald Fulmore, College of Education (Spring)
Dr. Marianne Moore, College of Professional Studies
Dr. Supriyo Ray, College of Art and Sciences
Dr. Sheneese S. Thompson, CETL Fellow for Adobe
Dr. LaToya Walters, College of Education (Fall)
2021-2022 CETL Fellows:
Dr. Hoda El-Sayed, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Kim Evelyn, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Katrina Kardiasmenos, College of Professional Studies
Dr. Jackie Sweeney, College of Education
2020-2021 CETL Fellows:
Dr. Ella Carter, College of Business
Dr. Hoda El-Sayed, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Katrina Kardiasmenos, College of Professional Studies
Dr. Michelle Phipps, CETL Fellow for Adjunct
Dr. Shakil Rabbi, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Jackie Sweeney, College of Education
2019-2020 CETL Fellows:
Dr. Ella Carter, College of Business
Dr. Hoda El-Sayed, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Renee Foose, College of Education
Dr. Devyn Gillette, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Katrina Kardiasmenos, College of Professional Studies
Dr. Michelle Phipps, CETL Fellow for Adjunct
Dr. Josephine Wilson, College of Education
2018-2019 CETL Fellows (Our First Cohort):
Dr. Monifa Love Asante, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Hoda El-Sayed, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Devyn Gillette, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Katrina Kardiasmenos, College of Professional Studies
Dr. Angela Kline, College of Business
Dr. Josephine Wilson, College of Education