The Neag School of Education welcomes three new faculty members this fall.

Reginald A. Blockett joined the Neag School Aug. 14 as a visiting assistant professor of higher education and student affairs. He most recently served as a research associate with the National Institute for Transformation and Equity at Indiana University Bloomington’s Center for Postsecondary Research. He previously served at Rutgers University as a residence life coordinator and as an instructor in the women’s and gender studies department. His scholarly interests center on the socialcultural experiences of Black and Brown LGBTQ collegians, Black doctoral students’ socialization, and social justice practice and pedagogies across educational contexts. Blockett earned this Ph.D. in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University at Bloomington. This fall, he will be teaching “Leadership Challenges in Higher Education” (EDLR 5108) and co-teaching “College Student Development: Programs and Services” (EDLR 5122) with Kari Taylor, newly named the program director for Higher Education and Student Affairs.

Clewiston D. Challenger has been named an assistant professor of counseling in the Neag School, effective Aug. 23. Challenger most recently served as a graduate assistant, academic advisor, mentor, and tutor at Pennsylvania State University’s Morgan Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes. His research interests include college adjustment, sense of belonging, retention, persistence, urban education, and urban school counseling. Challenger received his Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision at Penn State and is a National Certified Counselor as recognized by the National Board of Certified Counselors.

Kari B. Taylor has been appointed the new program director for Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) and assistant professor-in-residence in the Neag School, effective July 31. Taylor most recently served as a graduate student researcher at The Ohio State University’s Center for the Study of Student Life, and has seven years of experience in program administration at the University Honors Program at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Her research interests are focused on college student learning and development. Taylor earned her Ph.D. in higher education and student affairs at The Ohio State University. Read more about the HESA program directorship announcement.