“Accolades” features the achievements of Old Dominion University’s faculty and staff, highlighting honors and awards that reflect their dedication, expertise and contributions in their respective fields. You can find the Accolades submission form on the University Communications webpage.
StarrBe Bryant, Ed.D., a lecturer in the Department of Teaching and Learning in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, was named a 2025-2026 recipient of the Virginia Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators Faculty Impact Award. She received the award based on student recommendations, which describe how she impacted them academically, professionally and personally. She prepares future educators in STEM education and classroom management. Her scholarship centers on strengthening STEM learning opportunities for elementary students and supporting teacher candidates in designing engaging, inquiry-based learning environments. Dr. Bryant earned an Ed.D. from Walden University.
Helen Crompton, Ph.D., executive director of the Research Institute for Digital Innovation in Learning at ODUGlobal, professor of instructional technology in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies and director of the Virtual Reality Lab, was named the Reviewer of the Year for the Journal of Research on Technology in Education. The recognition is based on the number and quality of reviews completed, the average time to complete reviews and the acceptance rate. Dr. Crompton earned a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Adel El-Shahat, Ph.D., an assistant professor in Old Dominion University’s Department of Engineering Technology in the Batten College of Engineering and Technology and director of the Electric Machinery and Power Systems Laboratory, received a Top Influencers in AI Energy Award at the 2026 AI × Energy Summit in San Diego. He was honored for his contributions to AI-enabled energy systems, including the development of advanced modeling and optimization frameworks for smart grids, renewable energy and microgrid applications. The award also recognized his research in AI-driven electrified transportation, such as electric vehicles, wireless charging technologies and power systems for electrified aircraft. Dr. El-Shahat has authored books, journal articles, patents and conference publications about electrical energy systems and electrified transportation. Dr. El-Shahat earned a Ph.D. through a joint program between Zagazig University and Ohio State University.
Kristie Escobar, Ph.D., a lecturer in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies’ Department of STEM Education and Professional Studies, served on the (John) Newbery Award Selection Committee for the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards in January. Committee members read hundreds of books to select the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children in 2025. Dr. Escobar earned a Ph.D. from Florida State University.
Emily Goodman-Scott, Ph.D., a professor and school counseling coordinator in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies’ Department of Counseling and Human Services, received the 2026 Research Award from the American Counseling Association (ACA). This is the second time the ACA has bestowed this honor on Dr. Goodman-Scott; the first was in 2020. She has been in education for 20 years and been a school counselor, a special education teacher and has served in several mental health settings. Throughout her career, Dr. Goodman-Scott, who is also director of the University’s Holmes Scholars Program, has demonstrated commitment to creating more equitable and just educational systems and closing the gap between school counseling research and practice. Dr. Goodman-Scott earned a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech.
Gulsah Kemer, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Darden College’s Department of Counseling and Human Services, was awarded the 2026 Extended Research Award from the American Counseling Association. Dr. Kemer earned a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Brittany G. Suggs, Ph.D., M.P.H., L.P.C., an assistant professor and graduate clinical coordinator for the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies’ Department of Counseling and Human Services, received the American Counseling Association’s Robert H. Rencken Emerging Professional Leader Award for her dedication, leadership and contributions to the counseling profession. In addition to her clinical and teaching roles, Dr. Suggs is a researcher with interests that include global mental health, clinical technology competence, collaborative mental healthcare, multicultural competence, peer consultation, social determinants of health, race-based traumatic stressors, spiritual integration in counseling and emerging adulthood. Dr. Suggs earned a Ph.D. at Regent University.
Alberto E. Musto, MD, Ph.D., a professor of biomedical and translational sciences and neurology and a member of the Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, was named a member of the Research and Training Council of the American Epilepsy Society. The council oversees multiple committees and provides recommendations to its board of directors. Dr. Musto received an MD and a Ph.D. in neurobiology from Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Publications and Grants
Rudolfo Agustin (B.S. ’18, M.S. ’23, D.N.P. ’25), a clinical assistant professor at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University, published his research, “Evaluating Access to Cellphones for Telehealth Among People Experiencing Homelessness,” in the Journal of Telemedicine and e-Health. Co-authors include Kelli Garber (D.N.P. ’21), an associate professor at Ellmer School of Nursing at ODU and Tina Gustin (D.N.P. ’11), a professor at Ellmer School of Nursing at ODU, and Grace Barthold, M.S.W., a medical social worker at ODU Community Care.
John Baaki, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies’ Department of STEM Education and Professional Studies, and his students worked with the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania to revive its dormant language. In a co-authored article in the Journal of Applied Instructional Design, he wrote about the design teams' intentional approach to working with the Lenape Nation. Dr. Baaki earned a Ph.D. from Wayne State University.
Brandon Butler, Ph.D., a professor in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies’ Department of Teaching and Learning, co-authored a book, “Beginning Self-Study Research: A Practical Guide.” The book equips readers with tools to navigate the complexities of self-study and fosters a deeper understanding of how to learn through reflective inquiry and shared exploration. He also co-edited "Developing as a Teacher Educator: A Guide to Establishing Identity, Exploring Pedagogy, and Navigating Policy" which provides teacher education doctoral students and faculty with historical, conceptual, theoretical and pedagogical considerations that support teacher educator development and practice. Dr. Butler earned a Ph.D. at the University of Georgia.
Julaine Clunis, Ph.D., and Lusi Li, Ph.D., won the Coastal Adaptation and Resilience Multidisciplinary Action grant with their proposal, “Toward Trustworthy Coastal Health Intelligence: A Provenance-Aware Knowledge Graph for Coastal Hazards and Community Health Integration.” The award is sponsored by Old Dominion University’s Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience (ICAR) and the Division of Research and Economic Development in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The purpose is to launch the Resilient and Adaptable Communities Partnership Program to provide researchers with seed funding and resources needed to develop long-standing partnerships to produce research and scholarly and technical products that advance coastal resilience. Dr. Clunis is an assistant professor in the Darden College of Education and Professional Services’ Department of STEM Education and Professional Studies and she earned a Ph.D. from Kent State University. Dr. Li is an assistant professor in the College of Sciences’ Department of Computer Science and she earned a Ph.D. from the University of Rhode Island.
Kim Reichenbach Krutka, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies’ Department of STEM Education and Professional Studies, published “Policy in Action: How District Administrators Further the Book Banning Agenda,” in the Journal of Intellectual Freedom & Privacy. The article analyzes district policies related to book challenges and how they empower individuals to exclude books representing marginalized identities. Dr. Krutka earned a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas.