INED Faculty & Staff

Faculty in the Inclusive Education Department represent a wide range of teaching, research interests, and professional experiences. The department houses both Special Education and TESOL. Using an asset-based perspective, faculty in each area are committed to preparing educators to be able to meet the needs of diverse learners and ensure student success.

Faculty

Name

Position

Alta Broughton
Alta Broughton Assistant Professor of Special Education

Position:
Assistant Professor of Special Education

Phone: (470) 578-4304
Email: abrough8@kennesaw.edu
Location: BEB 439

Dr. Broughton is Assistant Professor of Special Education and Dyslexia Program Coordinator in the Inclusive Education Department at Kennesaw State University. Her multidisciplinary work bridges teacher education, bilingual/English Learner education, and special education. She brings a breadth and depth of experiences fostering university-school district partnerships ranging from developing community-engaged courses to designing a Teacher Residency for bilingual special and general education pre-service teachers. Her work is informed by a decade of teaching experience as a special education teacher and literacy coach in multilingual schools in the United States, Brazil, and Honduras. Joy has published and presented nationally and internationally on equitable education for bi/multilingual English Learners in teacher preparation, special education policy, and bi/literacy for ELs with learning disabilities.
Jayoung Choi
Jayoung Choi Professor of TESOL

Position:
Professor of TESOL

Phone: (470) 578-2231
Email: jchoi44@kennesaw.edu
Location: BEB 434

Associate Professor of TESOL in the Inclusive Education Department
Melissa Driver
Melissa Driver Associate Professor of Special Education

Position:
Associate Professor of Special Education

Phone: (470) 578-2512
Email: mdriver6@kennesaw.edu
Location: BEB 322
Zurisaray Espinosa
Zurisaray Espinosa Clinical Assistant Professor of TESOL

Position:
Clinical Assistant Professor of TESOL

Phone: (470) 578-7854
Email: zespinos@kennesaw.edu
Location: BEB 437
Natasha Griffin
Natasha Griffin Limited Term Assistant Professor of Special Education

Position:
Limited Term Assistant Professor of Special Education

Phone: (470) 578-3340
Email: ngriff28@kennesaw.edu
Location: BEB 433
Joya Hicks
Joya Hicks Associate Professor of Special Education

Position:
Associate Professor of Special Education

Phone: (470) 578-6146
Email: jcarterh@kennesaw.edu
Location: BEB 428

I have extensive experience in preparing pre-service and in-service teachers and leaders in providing fully-inclusive evidenced-based practices for working with children and their families.
Zachary Johnson
Zachary Johnson Assistant Professor of Special Education

Position:
Assistant Professor of Special Education

Phone: (470) 578-3297
Email: zjohnso4@kennesaw.edu
Location: BEB 430
Nihal Khote
Nihal Khote Associate Professor of TESOL

Position:
Associate Professor of TESOL

Phone: (470) 578-2121
Email: nvk4987@kennesaw.edu
Location: BEB 438
Vidya Munandar
Vidya Munandar Assistant Professor of Special Education

Position:
Assistant Professor of Special Education

Phone: (470) 578-2765
Email: vmunanda@kennesaw.edu
Location: BEB 440

I teach undergraduate and graduate courses on curriculum and instruction for students with diverse learning abilities in inclusive settings. My research interests include career development process of youth and young adults with disabilities, transition practices to support jobseekers and employees with disabilities in integrated employment settings, and the role of stakeholders in improving transition outcomes.
Amanda Richey
Amanda Richey Professor of TESOL

Position:
Professor of TESOL

Phone: (470) 578-2769
Email: arichey1@kennesaw.edu
Location: BEB 436

My research interests are focused on issues of culture and representation in curriculum, family and community engagement, and literacy practices.
Denise Ross
Denise Ross Chair of the Department of Inclusive Education and Professor of Special Education

Position:
Chair of the Department of Inclusive Education and Professor of Special Education

Phone: (470) 578-4736
Email: dross71@kennesaw.edu
Location: BEB 443
Lorilei Thompson
Lorilei Thompson Clinical Assistant Professor of Special Education

Position:
Clinical Assistant Professor of Special Education

Phone: (470) 578-7543
Email: lthomp53@kennesaw.edu
Location: BEB 431

Dr. Thompson is a passionate and knowledgeable educational professional with several yearsâ experience working in academia supporting teacher candidates as an Assistant Clinical Field Supervisor of Special Education in inclusive education courses, as well as being clinical field supervisor to graduate level students at Kennesaw State University. As a seasoned educator, community advocate and parent, Lorilei is passionate about knowing the capability within each student and supports them to be the best individuals they can be. Lorilei's mission is to support preservice teachers where they have the opportunity to be successful in the field of special education. Lorilei graduated from West Virginia University in 2024 with a Doctor of Special Education degree.