Our Team

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Eduard Arriaga
Eduard Arriaga is project director for "Data in the Humanities. Humanities in Data", project sponsored by Indiana Humanities and University of Indianapolis. He is Assistant Professor in the Department of Global Languages and Cross-Cultural Studies at University of Indianapolis. He has published several books and articles on literary studies, digital humanities and Afro-Latin American studies. He has collaborated with diverse digital initiatives in Canada, United States and Canada such as the Culture Plex and the MiningLab among others. He is currently co-editing a book manuscript devoted to the study of the way Afro-Latin American and Afro-descendant cultures in the Americas are using digital tools in a tactical ways to pursue their own political and cultural agendas, as well as to decolonize processes of knowledge production. In addition, Dr. Arriaga teaches literature and culture using CSL methodologies so his students can learn from the communities they serve.

Lisa Borrero
Lisa is Assistant Professor of Gerontology at the University of Indianapolis. She has a dual appointment in the Center for Aging and Community and the College of Health Sciences where she teaches Physical Dimensions of Aging, Qualitative Research Methods, and Development & Evaluation of Health Programs, among other courses. Her primary research interests include qualitative methods, psychosocial health issues pertaining to older women, intergenerational learning, adjustment to retirement, and service-learning.

Jeff Byrant
Jeff Bryant is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Indianapolis and Director of its Phylis Lan Lin Program in Social Work. He earned his Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Social Work from Indiana University and is a licensed clinical social worker. Bryant teaches macro practice classes along with policy, addictions, and capstone classes. His interests lie in the areas of marriage and families, youth, and national and international service-learning. He has been a presenter at three international symposia on service-learning and served on the planning committee for each. He has facilitated a number of service-learning experiences in both the United States and Nicosia, Cyprus. His article on developing a global model for service-learning was published in Service-Learning in Higher Education: National and International Connections. He has over 30 years’ experience as a social work practitioner and has served as a volunteer in a number of organizations. Currently he is President of the Indiana Chapter of the North American Christian’s in Social Work and serves as a marriage mentor and lay counselor at College Park Church in Indianapolis. He was selected as an Indiana Campus Compact Fellow for 2009-2010 and again for 2010-2011.

Brenda Clark
With more than 20 years of experience teaching and administrating all facets of public school music education in central Illinois, Dr. Brenda Clark serves as the Assistant Dean in the Shaheen College of Arts and Sciences, overseeing Curriculum and Assessment, as well as Director of Music Education Programs in the Department of Music at the University of Indianapolis. At UIndy, her responsibilities have included serving as Department Chair, teaching introductory courses in music education; elementary, general, and secondary methods classes; music methods for elementary education majors; supervision of pre-student teaching field placements, student teaching supervision, recruitment, and advising.  A strong proponent of education through service, Dr. Clark participates alongside her students in community service projects every year, including a unique collaboration with the Indiana State School Music Association in which she and the UIndy Music Education students provide educational resources and opportunities to underserved students in the Indianapolis Public Schools.
Dr. Clark has presented on numerous topics specific to the essentials of student teaching, programming and development for instrumental music. Her research has included participation in case studies of the nationally acclaimed Milwaukee Symphony Arts in Community Education (ACE) program, . Her degrees include a BM (1975) and Type 75 Administrative Certificate (2006) from Eastern Illinois University, and a MME (1998) and PhD (2005) from the University of Illinois.

Jodie Ferise
Dr. Jodie Ferise was a civil litigation attorney for more than seven years before making the move to full-time teaching. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Butler University and a doctorate in law from the Indiana University School of Law. Dr. Ferise now teaches full time at the University of Indianapolis School of Business where she has been a professor since 2007. In 2010, Dr. Ferise was honored as the UIndy School of Business Teacher of the Year, and was a finalist for the university-wide Teacher of the Year award in 2011. Her course offerings include Business Communications, Business Law, Organizational Behavior and other management and leadership courses at both the graduate and undergraduate level. A firm believer in education through service, Dr. Ferise participates alongside her students in community service projects every semester. She has partnered with more than 400 students in service projects locally and internationally and, together with her students, started an organization to take educational resources to underdeveloped areas in Africa. Dr. Ferise has written and presented on numerous topics including self-assessment, interview and resume skills, global ethics, social media in HR management, and communication challenges in multi-cultural settings.

Marianna Foulkrod
Marianna K. Foulkrod, MAAS is the Director of the Center for Service-Learning & Community Engagement at the University of Indianapolis (UIndy) in Indianapolis, IN. She received her master’s degree from UIndy in Applied Sociology. Since her migration from Cyprus to the United States, Foulkrod has had a fascinating and diverse career, starting as the Assistant Director for a non-for-profit advocacy organization that works for and with people with disabilities. Foulkrod quickly realized her passion for higher education and moved back to that environment working as the coordinator for Civic Engagement programs and later as the director. Foulkrod is a strong advocate for community engagement, civically and academically, and she is committed to providing higher education students and faculty with quality education through service, supporting her institution’s motto Education for Service. Much of her work is showcased in the videos UIndy: Changing Lives through Service, which tell the university’s story of how students, faculty, and staff are engaged in their local, national, and international communities. Foulkrod’s most recent endeavors included publications, co-chairing the 6th and 7th International Symposiums on Service-Learning, and implementing faculty cohort designs that build capacity of multidisciplinary service-learning courses on UIndy's campus. More recently Foulkrod was recognized by Indiana Campus Compact with the Community Service Director Award (2016) as well as the Community Partner recognition from the Burmese American Community Institute. Foulkrod is also an Adjunct Faculty at UIndy, where she teaches Sociology, Grant Writing and Community Service-Learning Courses locally and internationally.

Julie Gahimer
Julie Gahimer is a professor in the College of Health Science at the University of Indianapolis. Her doctoral degree is in College and School Health Education. Dr. Gahimer teaches in the areas of neurorehabilitation, service learning, professional development, instructional design, online learning, and health promotion. She has received numerous awards for her role in community leadership and service learning. She received the University of Indianapolis Teacher of the Year award in 2012. Dr. Gahimer has presented at many international, national and local professional meetings. She has authored multiple publications in the areas of patient education and community health education. She has participated in service learning trips to Belize with students from UIndy’s Occupational and Physical Therapy programs.

Rebecca Gilliland
Dr. Rebecca Gilliland is the advisor for Top Dog Communication, UIndy's award winning student-run public relations firm. She is a Professor of Communication at UIndy, as well as advisor to the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter. Rebecca is a Fulbright Scholar, who has spent time in New Zealand helping Auckland University of Technology restructure a student-run public relations firm, while also educating upper administration on service-learning. Her textbook, Writing Winning Proposals: Public Relations Cases was launched in 2017. A Plank Fellow and Accredited in Public Relations, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her children, playing and watching sports, and being outdoors.

Marcos Hashimoto
Prof. Dr. Marcos Hashimoto is Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at University of Indianapolis School of Business since 2016. Holds a PhD in Business Administration at Fundacao Getulio Vargas in Brazil. He is author of 4 books and his research areas are Corporate Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship Education. He founded 3 companies and co-founded 2 social organizations. Before the academic career, he worked for 18 years for large American Corporations in Brazil, including Citibank and Cargill.

Josh Hayes
Josh Hayes is the Registrar at the University of Indianapolis. He earned a BA in Psychology and an MBA at Eastern Illinois University and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration & Foundations at Illinois State University. Josh’s dissertation research centered on the experiences of first-generation college students at private institutions. His professional interests include the development of innovative records that capture the entirety of postsecondary student learning, including service learning.

Gurinder Hohl
Gurinder Hohl is the Director of the UIndy-Community Health Network Partnership and works closely with senior leadership at both UIndy and Community Health Network to incorporate innovative strategies to educate and train the current and next generation of health professionals. She earned a M.S. in Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis and a Master of Public Health from IUPUI. She is a certified grant professional. In addition, Hohl works with community-based stakeholders to implement population health-focused initiatives to improve health outcomes.

Anne Mejia-Downs
Anne Mejia-Downs is an Assistant Professor in the Krannert School of Physical Therapy. She teaches courses in health promotion/wellness, cardiopulmonary physical therapy, pathophysiology, and service learning in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. She was part of UIndy's 2016-2017 Service Learning Cohort, earning Service Learning Faculty Scholar Certification. Annie also coordinates an Annual Laurelwood Health Fair for our long-time community partner.
In addition to her degree in Physical Therapy, she has a Masters in Public Health in Health Behavior and a PhD in Health Promotion and Wellness. Annie also works clinically at Methodist Hospital in adult acute care. She has published several chapters in cardiopulmonary physical therapy texts, manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, and has presented nationally on cardiopulmonary physical therapy, health promotion, and service learning topics. Annie's current research interests are in the areas of health promotion and community health, and she has recently been focusing on the topic of psychological resilience.

Amanda Miller
Prior to returning to Indiana, Amanda Miller taught at the University of Central Oklahoma and was chosen as the Liberal Arts new faculty member of the year. Her work, which centers around social class differences among non-marital cohabitors has been featured in the Journal of Marriage and Family, Sociological Forum, Qualitative Sociology, the Journal of Family Issues, and Family Relations. In addition, it has appeared in the New York Times, The Wall Street journal, Jezebel, Flash Magazine, and numerous national and international papers. Amanda works primarily with students one-on-one in service-learning practicum experiences including through the Shaheen Community Fellows and at agencies such as Restored, Girls, Inc., the Children's Bureau, and Teen Works.

Elizabeth Moore
Elizabeth S. Moore, PhD, is an assistant professor in the College of Health Sciences, Department of Interprofessoinal Health and Aging Studies at the University of Indianapolis where she primarily teaches research methods and applied statistics. She is a self-described researcher junkie and has been involved in developing, conducting, directing, and teaching research and statistics for over 20 years. Her research interests are varied and have included topics in interprofessional education, service learning, pediatrics, obstetrics, neonatology, clinical pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and oncology.

Mary Moore
Mary Moore is a Professor of Sociology and Associate Provost of Accreditation, Assessment & Educational Innovations at the University of Indianapolis who holds a PhD in Sociology from York University in Canada. Her current areas of administrative experience include assessment of academic and general education programs, program reviews, and institutional accreditation. Her academic expertise includes knowledge of international educational systems beginning with experience as an international student in a Canadian University. Dr. Moore has previous administrative responsibilities for service learning and community. She has served as the past President of the HealthNet Board of Directors, overseeing a network of ten primary health care centers serving low-income families throughout Indianapolis.
Mary's research interests are focused on poverty and homelessness, including management of the homeless count for Indianapolis in 1999; service learning in cross-cultural context with international presentations and publications; ethnic studies, including study of the Hispanic community in Indianapolis. As a process educator, her teaching interests include social problems, the family, and sociology of religion.

Jackie Paquette
Jackie Paquette is the coordinator of the all community service and community engagement completed by our student-athletes through UIndy Athletics. Our 23 intercollegiate athletic teams compete in NCAA Division II athletics, with service being one of the key pillars of NCAA Division II. Our teams are each required to do one service project per semester, and many do more than that.

Greta Pennell
Greta Pennell is a Professor in the School of Education at University of Indianapolis.  A developmental/social psychologist by training (Ph.D. Rutgers University), she also holds Masters degrees from IUPUI, University of Massachusettes, and Rutgers in Secondary Science Education, Educational Administration, and Developmental Psychology respectively along with her Bachelors degree in Zoology from Iowa State University.

Dr. Pennell has been a member of the Center for Service-Learning & Community Engagement team since its inception and brings a strong interdisciplinary background that includes service learning, issues of social justice, community outreach, and partnership development both locally and abroad.  She translates these interests into community action through her involvement on numerous boards, professional organizations, and community groups. Combining her passion for service, leadership and advocacy, Dr. Pennell works side by side with nearly 200 students each year on local community beautification projects, customizes service-learning opportunities for education majors as well as students in the Child and Youth Programs minor, and has led two international service-learning courses. In 2015 the Indianapolis Public School Board of School Commissioners recognized her contributions with the Parent and Community Partner Recognition Award.

Dr. Pennell’s more than twenty years of university teaching is complimented by seven years of science teaching experience at the middle and high school level, as well as leading workshops and enrichment programs designed to encourage young women in the sciences. Her research interests focus on gender identity. toy advertising, and conceptual change processes.  Beyond the rigors of classroom and academic life, Dr. Pennell enjoys gardening, sailing and photography.

Jennifer VanSickle
Jennifer is currently a Professor of Sport Management and Coordinator of the undergraduate Sport Management program at the University of Indianapolis. In 2004, she earned a Doctorate degree from the University of Kentucky, Master’s degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from Morehead State University in 1994, and a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Health and Physical Education from Union College in Barbourville, KY in 1987. She spent 10 years coaching softball at the collegiate level and 6 years teaching physical education at the high school and middle school level before earning her doctorate and moving to Indianapolis.

Dr. VanSickle was named Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD) Sport Management Faculty of the Year, University of Indianapolis School of Education Teacher of the Year and received the Faculty Achievement Award for the UIndy School of Education for outstanding service to the university. She is the lead author on over 20 articles and abstracts published in national and state journals and has delivered over 25 presentations at state, national and international conferences. She has also consulted with area sport organizations including the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, NCAA, Indy Parks and Recreation and Special Olympics Indiana, and has served on planning committees for the NFL Super Bowl XLVI, NCAA Final Fours and NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. Jennifer’s research interests include community engagement, volunteer/event management, and experiential teaching/learning.

Rev. Arionne Yvette Williams
Arionne earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development, with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development with Music (voice) minor, from Howard University in 2005. She continued her studies at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and completed a Master of Divinity, with a concentration in Music Ministry, in 2008. Upon graduation, she was awarded the prestigious Myrtle Saylor Seer Award for Commitment to the Expansion of Women in Scholarship and Ministry. After seminary, she pursued and completed the Certification in Youth and Theology at the Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary in 2009.

Arionne has worked extensively with youth and youth programs in Kansas City, MO, Evanston, IL, and Washington, DC. She has served as acting chair of the youTheology (Kansas City) advisory board, Minister to Youth and Families at her home church of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (Kansas City, MO) and as Advisor to the Varick International Christian Youth Council Executive Committee of the Christian Education Department of the AME Zion Church.

Arionne was a keynote speaker at the National Council of Negro Women National Convention in 2009 held in National Harbor, Maryland. She was honored to address a distinguished gathering of African American women, including, its President Emerita at the time, the late Dr. Dorothy Height.

Arionne is the author of book, “Love Like I’ve Never Been Hurt: How To Heal From Heartbreak,” an autobiographical work that tells her personal story of healing after a devastating break up, teaching others how to do the same. Most recently Arionne created and taught a 5-week bible women's empowerment bible study called, "iSlay: Secrets of the Savvy Successful Women of the Bible." The study was attended by 350 women in Kansas City and from around the country online. Currently, Arionne serves as Associate Chaplain at the University of Indianapolis. There she provides leadership in the McCleary Chapel in developing interfaith programs, oversight of chapel ministries for justice and compassion, and teaches in the Lantz Center for Christian Vocation Programs, and leads a service learning course and annual mission trip for students as part of the Appalachian Service Project.

She enjoys singing, playing flute, and reading. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In the future, Arionne plans to pursue a PhD. in a theological ethics. She hopes to use her talents and education to improve life for all people, especially youth, women, and girls.

Rhonda Wolverton
Rhonda Wolverton, MFA, Visual Communications Professor, University of Indianapolis, seeks to be a creator of transformation not just a maker of things. By focusing on human-centered design she empowers individuals and connects people. Her work examines semiotics of language and visual representation as in typographic installations heralding the work of mothers and using subversion to warn against texting while driving. Interdisciplinary collaborations and service learning approaches have contributed to her vision of aligning diverse communities for social good.