Student Interviews - College of Graduate and Professional Studies

Featured Student

Kevin Earl Faller

Kevin is a graduate student in the Department of Music pursuing a Masters of Arts with a concentration in Band Conducting. He is a graduate conducting assistant for Dr. Gallops. Along with his studies in conducting, Kevin is the director of the Radford University Basketball Pep Band and conducted the pit orchestra for the RU production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” In his free time, Kevin enjoys watching Philadelphia sports and hanging out with his girlfriend, Lauren. Kevin earned his Bachelors of Music with a Music Education concentration from James Madison University in 2009 and is certified to teach PK-12 Instrumental Music in VA.

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Chia-Chi Chang

Chia-Chi is also known as Ola. She received B.A. in Psychology and B.M. in Music Therapy at Michigan State University. She is now a M.S. candidate in the Department of Music for Music Therapy at Radford University. She is a board-certified music therapist and has been working in the field since 2009. She is also a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Music supervising students in various clinical settings.

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Howard Shumate

Howard is a MS candidate in the Department of Counselor Education. His areas of interest include family therapy, mindfulness, and counseling children and adolescents. Howard works at Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare in Roanoke, VA providing in-home counseling to families. Howard is a member of Chi Sigma Iota, the international honor society for professional counselors, counselor educators, and students. Outside of school, Howard enjoys fishing, reading, gardening, hiking, meteorology, bird watching, watching movies with his wife, and playing with his children.

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Alex Crank

Alex Crank is an MBA candidate in the College of Business and Economics. He currently is working an internship in the Compensation Department at Advance Auto Parts’ corporate headquarters in Roanoke, VA. His professional interests include Human Resources, specifically compensation systems. He also has an interest in the technological aspect to HR and is considering gaining experience in Human Resource Information Systems. Alex served as a Graduate Assistant in the MBA Office during his first year as an MBA candidate, Webmaster for the MBA Student Association, served as a Resident Assistant for three years at Longwood during his undergraduate career, as an RA Mentor, an Oktoberfest Klown, a staffing consultant, and worked at Best Buy for just under six years as a sales associate in Charlottesville. Outside of work and school, Alex enjoys playing guitar, golf, and tennis, reading his Kindle, canoeing, hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, learning about everything he doesn’t understand, and socializing with everyone that he can learn something from.

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Ashlie Donaldson

Ashlie Donaldson is a M.S. candidate in the Department of Teacher Education and Leadership. She is on the Curriculum and Instruction track for Elementary Education with licensure. Ashlie has served as a Graduate Assistant for Dr. Morrison, a professor in her department and hopes to soon work on research pertaining to the field of education. Outside of school, Ashlie enjoys hanging out with friends, hiking, swimming, shopping, and just keeping busy!

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David Danco

David is a Professional M.B.A. student in the Department of Business and Economics.

He was recently inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the honor society for collegiate schools of business. David has research interests in business incubator programs that help small businesses get started and applying business process improvement techniques to make businesses thrive. He thoroughly enjoys working with peer students and the Professors at Radford. Outside of school, David enjoys reading, hiking and spending time with his wife and twin daughters. David works at Delta Dental of Virginia as the Director of Client Relationship Management.

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Kevin R. Simonson

Kevin R. Simonson acquired a M.A. in Mental Health Counseling at Marist College, New York in 2008. Since beginning his doctoral work at Radford University Kevin has had practicum placements at New River Valley Community Services, Virginia Tech Cook Counseling Center in Blacksburg, Radford University Student Counseling, and will soon be in Seattle completing his internship at University of Washington. As part of his social justice practicum last summer, he created School’s Out Lunch Delivery, which works in partnership with Radford City Public Schools distributing food to children in Radford who meet the criteria for free or reduced lunch. He is currently raising money and accepting donations for food to see that the program continues. Please visit School’s Out Lunch Delivery on Facebook. Whenever there is a moment to spare, you can find Kevin working in his violin making workshop (please visit www.simonsonviolins.com if interested in a custom handmade violin) or entertaining his goats, Doweena and Morgana, and chicken, Henrietta.

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Brooke Tolley

Brooke is a Masters Student in the Department of Music, where she specializes in Voice. Her areas of interest include performing and private vocal instruction. Brooke is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, a national music fraternity, recognized for excellence in performing and academics. Brooke is also a member of the Roanoke Symphony Chorus and Opera Roanoke’s Young Artist Apprentice Program, where she made her professional debut as Kate Pinkerton in their production of Madama Butterfly in March 2010. Among all things music related, Brooke also enjoys spending time with friends, shopping, and reading.

Read interview with Brooke here.

Joshua Bradley

Joshua received his M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Radford University in the Spring of 2006 and will soon be starting his fourth year in the Doctor of Psychology program. His research interests include social justice issues related to children and adolescents, prevention of mental illness in rural areas, and how rural living influences gender roles. His dissertation is related to social advocacy in practice and was successfully defended in June, 2011. After receiving his degree he would like to continue clinical work with adolescents and adults, work to improve awareness of the impact that emotional and psychological issues have on development, and be involved in developing more ways to reach persons who might benefit from mental health services. In his spare time he enjoys fishing, exercising, and about anything else that he can do outside.

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Samantha Spencer

Samantha is working towards a Master’s Degree in Education. She is looking forward to the student teaching experiences she will have during the 2011-2012 school year. Samantha was picked on a competitive basis among other pre-service teachers as a “Teacher of Promise” for 2011. Outside of school, Samantha enjoys spending time with close friends and family.

Read interview with Samantha here.

Daniel Freeman

Daniel is working on a master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. He isn’t anything special, but he works really hard. He likes learning and enjoys being active and spending time with people outside of school whenever possible.

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Whitney Antolick

Whitney is a M.S. candidate in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is a member of NSSHLA, has served as a graduate teaching assistant, and currently serves as a graduate teaching fellow. She was also awarded a Scottish Rite Fellowship and is researching the association between childhood literacy and oral language. Outside of school, Whitney enjoys reading, relaxing, and spending time with her family.

Read Interview with Whitney HERE.

Joshua King

Joshua King is a MBA student in the Radford College of Business. He works full-time at Stryker Medical and takes the majority of his classes at the Roanoke Higher Education Center. Beyond his academic and professional pursuits, Josh enjoys skiing, backpacking, traveling, hunting, and fishing. He especially enjoys doing these activities with his beautiful bride, Heather. Josh and Heather recently became parents earlier this year when their first child, Adeline Elisabeth, was born in February.

Read Interview with Josh HERE.

Amanda VanLaeken

Amanda received her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. Amanda is an MS candidate in the Department of Psychology. Her research interests are primarily in the area of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Her thesis is investigating the use of phytochemicals (chemical compounds found in plants) to treat motor and cognitive dysfunction induced by TBI. Outside of school, Amanda enjoys exercising, spending time with friends, watching movies, and developing her cooking skills.

Read Interview with Amanda HERE.

LaMarke Patterson

Mark is a Masters candidate in the Corporate and Professional Communication program. His interests include interpersonal communication, cultivation theory, and Integrated Marketing Communications. Mark is currently the Graduate Assistant for Greek Life, and is also a Cadet in the ROTC program here at RU. Outside of school, Mark likes working out and playing basketball, he also enjoys visiting with friends, nice walks on the beach, and fresh lemonade!

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Lisa Vance

Lisa is a Master’s degree student in the School of Nursing. She is a part of the Nurse-Midwifery initiative with Shenandoah University and will graduate in May 2011. Lisa received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from N.C. State University, and then went on to Duke University for her BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). After moving to Southwest Virginia for her husband to attend VCOM (Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine), she decided to persevere in education and obtain her Master’s degree at Radford University. Her hobbies include appreciating the precious time with her husband, caring for her 9 month old, Abigail, sewing and crafts, reading, running, bible study groups and working as a RN in the Birthing Center at Montgomery Regional Hospital.

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James Lloyd

James is an MBA student at Radford University. He has spent the summer at home in London, England on an internship with Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) a global business advisory and turnaround firm. He has been placed by A&M at client site working on a turnaround and re-structuring project. At Radford, James works as the assistant Women’s tennis coach. Under the head coach Bruce Harrison with James as his assistant, the team recently enjoyed their best season in over ten years in the Spring of 2010. Outside of school and business, James enjoys playing tennis, football (soccer for Americans) and hanging out with his girlfriend who is also a graduate student at RU.

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Kim Hall

Kim is a Doctorate of Nursing Practice student in the Department of Nursing. Her specialty focus is in geriatrics and wound care. Kim a member of multiple professional organizations including Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Omicron Delta Kappa, National and Virginia Associations of Clinical Nurse Specialists, National Gerontological Nurses Association, and the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurses Society. She also works as a private wound care consultant. Outside of school, Kim enjoys kayaking, camping, reading, and live music.

Read Kim's Interview HERE.

Dale Lee

Dale is an MS candidate in the Mathematics Education program. Her primary research interest is in the cognitive neuroscience implications for mathematics education. Dale previously earned an MBA from Radford University and has a BS in mathematics and statistics from Roanoke College. She is employed by RGC Resources, Inc., which is the holding company for Roanoke Gas Company, as Vice President and Corporate Secretary. She serves as the Chair of the Salem Family YMCA Board of Directors, serves on the Board of Directors of the corporate YMCA board, the American Cancer Society Leadership Council, the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau of the Roanoke Valley, the Board of Directors for the Opening Doors Foundation and is a member of the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals, the COBE advisory Council for Radford University, the Industrial Development Commission for the City of Salem, and a member of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society. Outside of school, Dale likes spending time with her husband, Bob, her two sons, Alex and Preston, her step-daughter, Caitlin, and their two dogs, Angel and Gracie.

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Bobby Baker

Bobby is a MBA candidate in the college of Business and Economics. His focus and research interests are in healthcare operations. Bobby already holds a M.S. degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Evansville and is certified as a Paramedic.

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Laura Villada

Laura is a MBA student. Her career interests are HR, training, and finance. Laura has served as a training coordinator in Celanese Mexicana, professor of the career of Administration in the University of Guadalajara, and several positions of increasing responsibility in private businesses. Laura is married and has two children.

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