ADVANCE Professors
Akua Asa-Awuku, ADVANCE Professor for the A. James Clark School of Engineering
Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Dr. Akua Asa-Awuku is a Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park in the department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. She is also the Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the A. James Clark School of Engineering.
Jessica Enoch, ADVANCE Professor for the College of Arts & Humanities
Professor, Department of English
Jessica Enoch (she/her) is Professor of English and Director of the Academic Writing Program at the University of Maryland.
Kerry Green, ADVANCE Professor for the School of Public Health
Professor, Behavioral and Community Health
As a prevention scientist, Dr. Kerry Green’s work concentrates on improving the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations. Her research focuses on identifying the causes of adverse outcomes over the life course among urban African Americans, including structural factors.
Clara Irazabal, ADVANCE Professor for the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation
Professor and Director, Urban Studies and Planning Program
Clara Irazábal is the Director of the Urban Studies and Planning Program (URSP) in the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (MAPP) at the University of Maryland (UMD), College Park, in the Washington DC area.
Ginger Zhe Jin, ADVANCE Professor for the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences
Professor, Department of Economics
Ginger Zhe Jin received her PhD in 2000 and is currently Professor of Economics at the University of Maryland, College Park. In 2015-2017, she was on leave at the Federal Trade Commission, serving as the Director of the FTC Bureau of Economics from January 2016 to July 2017.
Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz, ADVANCE Professor for the School of Public Policy
Professor, School of Public Policy
Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz is a Professor in the School of Public Policy.
Sarah Penniston-Dorland, ADVANCE Professor for the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
Professor & Director, Department of Geology
Sarah Penniston-Dorland is a Professor and the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Geology in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. She holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins University, an MS from the University of Texas at Austin, and a BA from Harvard University.
Jennifer L. Rhodes, ADVANCE Professor for the University of Maryland Extension
Principal Agent, University of Maryland Extension
Jennifer “Jenny” Rhodes, Principal Agent, is the Extension Educator for Queen Anne’s County, focusing on agriculture profitability, risk management, and poultry production. She also owns Deerfield Farms, a poultry and irrigated grain farm.
Linda Steiner, ADVANCE Professor for the Philip Merrill College of Journalism
Professor & Director, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
Linda Steiner is a professor at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism and director of the University of Maryland's ADVANCE program, which is part of the Office of Faculty Affairs. She facilitates two peer networks for ADVANCE and leads other program initiatives.
Mega Subramaniam, ADVANCE Professor for the College of Information Studies
Professor, College of Information Studies
Dr. Mega Subramaniam is a Professor and the Associate Dean for Faculty at the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland. Her research focuses on enhancing the role of public and school libraries in fostering the mastery of digital literacies among non-dominant youth.
Lisa Taneyhill, ADVANCE Professor for the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
Professor, Department of Animal & Avian Sciences
Dr. Lisa Taneyhill received her B.A. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from McDaniel College and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Princeton University. Dr.
Jennifer D. Turner, ADVANCE Professor for the College of Education
Associate Professor, Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership
Dr. Jennifer D. Turner received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a Literacy specialization from Michigan State University. She is currently Associate Professor in Reading Education and the Director of the Reading Specialist program in the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership at the University of Maryland.
Vijaya Venkataramani, ADVANCE Professor for the Robert H. Smith School of Business
Professor, Department of Management & Organization
Vijaya Venkataramani is a Professor of Management & Organization at the R.H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. She is a former Associate Editor at the Journal of Applied Psychology.
Colleen Worthington, ADVANCE Professor for the PTK Faculty (campus-wide)
Clinical Professor, Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences
Colleen K. Worthington is a clinical professor and Director of Clinical Education in the Department of Hearing & Speech Sciences. She has recently taken on the role as director of the HESP master’s program and teaches a graduate course in Diagnostic Principles and Methods.