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Current Ph. D. Students

Art Education

Hsin Fang

Doctoral Candidate

Dissertation title:Becoming of immigrant mother/educators with/through artmaking and storytelling

I am a curious explorer navigating the complexities of post-topics, including research methods and philosophies. My work delves into the entangled subjectivities among womanhood, motherhood, immigration, and art-making. I embrace the ambiguity and creativity that arise in inquiry as a learning process. If you’re interested in these themes or wish to explore them further, feel free to reach out—I’d love to connect.

Areas of Study: immigrant mother, posthuman, post qualitative, affective pedagogy, becoming

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Katie Fuller

Doctoral Candidate

Dissertation title: Affective Encounters in Exhibition Spaces as Antiracist Practice
 
My work broadly focuses on art and affect theory as a means of decentering whiteness in pedagogy. I explore contemporary artists’ lived experiences and how these experiences are evidenced in their work as ways of knowing. My research examines how art, as a primarily affective medium, teaches us about the self and other. When in critical discourse and interrogation with art, we are affected; and spaces within ourselves open up and connect self with other. These spaces allow for liminal dialogues to occur; within these liminal spaces, the affective turn exists, inciting personal transformations through aesthetic contemplation and reflection.
 

Areas of Study: Affect Theory, Critical Race Theory, Critical Hermeneutics, Community Engagement

 
Sena Karatas Ozturk

Degree Seeking: Ph. D.

Sena Karatas Ozturk was born in Turkey and completed her undergraduate degree at Istanbul Marmara University in the department of art education. Then, she was accepted into the master’s program in the same department of the same university. During this period, she applied for the scholarship program of the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Turkey and was selected to complete her master’s and doctorate programs abroad in the field of art education. As part of this program, she got her graduate degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is currently continuing her studies in the doctoral program in art education at Florida State University. Her research interests are extended reality (VR, AR, and MR), art education, learning processes, and new media art.

Areas of Study: Art Education

Research Detail: Virtual Reality (VR) technology in art education

Undergraduate Institution/Degree: Instanbul Marmara University, Art Education

Masters Institution/Degree: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Early Childhood Art Education

James (Turbado) Miller

Doctoral candidate

Dissertation title: Porchway to Collective Memory Black Aesthetic Functionality & Art-Based Experiences Within Southern Black communities

I am a professional artist, educator and folkloristTurbado Marabou (Born James Miller) is originally from Gainesville, Florida. He studied at Florida A&M University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. He earned his M.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Turbado is pursuing a Ph.D. in Arts Education at Florida State University.

For the past 30-plus years, he has been dedicated to Arts and Culture, focusing on understanding Afro Trans-Atlantic culture through its stories, history, and creative production within the context of the Black aesthetic.

Areas of Study: Black Aesthetic, Community arts, Arts, Folk, Functionality, Black culture

Catherine Usewicz

Doctoral candidate

Dissertation title: Experiences of (Dis)Satisfaction of Itinerant Art Teachers through the Lens of Ecological Systems Theory

I have worked in the K-12 education system teaching middle school art for eight years. My education started in the fine arts and has grown into art education. I have traveled around the world and lived in Italy, multiple states in the Northeast, and a few in the South. Recently, I have taught courses here at FSU, including Intro to Art Education and Seminar & Professional Practices in Art Ed. I enjoy working with pens, colored pencils, watercolors, and creating through visual narrative methods.

Areas of Study: Itinerant teaching in art, Technology, Visual narratives, Art teacher stories, Middle school art, Reflective practices

 
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Siyu Zhang

Doctoral Student

I’m passionate about Chinese traditional art forms like painting, calligraphy, and seal engraving. When I’m not immersed in art, you’ll likely find me cooking up a delicious meal or enjoying the company of my feline friend. I’m also an avid traveler with a deep appreciation for the natural world. Hiking through scenic landscapes is one of my favorite ways to connect with nature and explore the beauty of this world.
 

Areas of Study: Intercultural experiences through art, Chinese ink painting exploration for kids, Cultural understanding through art, Curriculum design

Art Therapy

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Monika Jastrzebski

Doctoral Student

I grew up in New Jersey and have a passion for creating art, whether through painting, working with clay, or painting murals. With a BFA from Rutgers University and a Master’s degree in Counseling and Art Therapy from Caldwell University, I combine my love for art with a deep commitment to helping others. I enjoy working with people, dogs, and relaxing with a bubble bath. My favorite color is teal, and I recharge my battery at the beach.
 
Areas of Study: Assessments, Family, Trauma
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Xingyi Li

Doctoral Student

Xingyi Li graduated from Hofstra University with a Master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapy and is a Registered Art Therapist (ATR). She has work and internship experience in various settings in the U.S. and China, including schools, mental health facilities, communities, and a museum. She designs individualized interventions and has led individual and group sessions to address issues and promote growth through verbal and non-verbal communication and experiences. Besides, she enjoys nature, yoga, and photography and speaks Cantonese and Mandarin. Currently, she is a second-year PhD student in Art Therapy Research and Practice at FSU.
 
Areas of Study: Complex trauma, family-related trauma, art therapy approaches

Arts Administration

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Paul Gabbard

Doctoral Student

Paul Gabbard is an arts leader, theatre maker and consent-forward artist. He is the former artistic director of Y-Not Theatre, an organization committed to producing, presenting, promoting, and developing new American plays in North Central Florida. He holds a B.A. in General Theatre from Florida State University, an M.A. in Arts Administration from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and a graduate certification in New Play Directing from the award-winning Hollins University’s New Play Lab. He trained at the prestigious Eugene O’Neill National Theater Institute’s Advanced Directing Program. He is a member of the Intimacy Directors and Chorographers’ (IDC) Professional Accelerator Program. He currently works for the State of Florida Division of Arts and Culture as an Arts Consultant, where he helps community and professional theatres facilitate the state granting system.
 
Areas of Study: creativity and play, nonprofit theatres, healthy work environments, leadership, community placemaking
Maclain Hardin Kurza

Doctoral Candidate

Dissertation title: How Can I Keep from Singing? Choral Organizational Resilience through the COVID-19 Pandemic
 
Maclain Hardin Kurza is Executive Director of the award-winning Tallahassee Community Chorus, one of the largest non-auditioned choral ensembles in the United States with 250 singers each season. She holds a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Florida State University (FSU) College of Music and a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Westminster Choir College. As a PhD candidate and Adjunct Professor at FSU, her research centers around choral administration practices, nonprofit organizational resilience, and arts administration curriculum development.
 
Areas of Study:Choral music administration, nonprofit organizational resilience, pragmatic and progressive arts administration curricula
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Dae Yong (Antonio) Kim

Doctoral Student

Dissertation title: Impact of Government Grants on the Financial Sustainability of Arts Sector NPOs
 
Prior to his doctoral studies, Daeyong held significant roles at the Asia Culture Institute (ACI) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in the Republic of Korea, and the Gwangju International Center (GIC). At ACI, he served as a Senior Manager, where he planned and operated cultural festivals, exhibitions, and education programs. His work at GIC involved coordinating international forums and cultural exchanges, fostering global partnerships, and promoting cultural understanding.
 
Areas of Study: His research focuses on the impact of government grants on the financial sustainability of arts and cultural non-profit organizations. Daeyong’s academic interests lie in exploring how public funding policies can support and enhance the resilience of cultural institutions, ensuring their long-term viability and contribution to society.
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Yifeng Jiang

Doctoral Student

I am an Arts Administration PhD student born in Wuhan, China. I earned my master’s in arts management and museum leadership at Drexel University and my bachelor’s in communication studies at California State University, Northridge. Ten years of studying abroad experience gave me a multicultural vision, and I will keep exploring new opportunities and serendipities in this journey.
 
Areas of Study:My research interests are Cultural policy, the Chinese Cultural governing system, and Arts festival impacts.

Museum Education & Visitor-Centered Curation

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Dianna S. Bradley

Doctoral student

Dianna S. Bradley is a Ph.D. student in the Museum Education and Visitor-Centered Curation program and the Metadata Specialist at Florida State University Special Collections & Archives Digital Library Center. Her work spans archival metadata creation, chairing the popular literature committee, and curating student exhibitions in FSU Libraries. In her spare time, Dianna is an avid reader who loves hanging out with her cat and dog,
 
Areas of Study: curatorial practices and theory in library settings
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Kara Fedje

Doctoral candidate

Dissertation title: Lesbian Families’ Sense of Belonging in Art Museums

Kara is a social scientist with more than two decades of experience in museum education and nonprofit work. Her emphasis is on enhancing advocacy for children and families in informal spaces. She currently researches belonging, accessibility, and inclusion. She has been employed by art, science, and children’s museums and focuses on visitor-centered practices found in collaborative educational opportunities. She is a member of the American Alliance of Museums, and the National Art Education Association, and a Committee Member of Florida State University’s Social Justice Symposium. Her Bachelor’s degree is in Fine Art from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, her Master’s degree is in Museum Studies from Western Illinois University in Moline, IL and she is obtaining her Ph.D. in Art Museum Education at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. She enjoys making art (including painting/drawing/fiber arts/weaving/ spinning/knitting/dying) and making time to play with her family outdoors (biking/hiking/kayaking).
 

Areas of Study: Belonging, Accessibility, Inclusion

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Morgan Joseph Hamilton

Doctoral candidate

Dissertation title: Certain Professionals, An Uncertain Field, and Unprecedented Times: Art Museum Educators Perspectives Through Museum Closures Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic

I am a transmedia artist, educator, curator and scholar working at the Delaware Contemporary as Director of Museum Learning. I grew up all over the world which sparked my curiosity about everything which is why I don’t do small talk, let’s dig down deep.

Areas of Study: I am interested in museum education and interactive, interpretive exhibitions for small to mid-sized art museums. With that comes a better understanding of museum education as a profession, and educators as experts without a clear path to the occupation.

Audrey Jacobs

Degree Seeking: Ph. D.

Audrey Jacobs received her Master’s in Art History and Certificate of Museum Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2014. Soon after, she took a position at The Heritage Center at Red Cloud as Museum Educator. This contemporary Native art museum is located in the territory now known as the Pine Ridge Reservation in southwestern South Dakota. She served as Museum Educator at the Center for 6 years, building school, youth, and adult programming and teaching a continuing education course for k-12 educators called “Teaching with the Art Museum.” Now in the Museum Education and Visitor-Centered Curation program at FSU, her research builds on her previous work at the intersection of K-12 schools and art museums, investigating the use museum studies in formal learning environments.

Areas of Study: Museum Education and Visitor-Centered Curation

Research Detail: Art museum and school collaboration. Academic art museums. K-12 museum schools; museology as pedagogy. Object-based learning.

Undergraduate Institution/Degree: Creighton University, Bachelor’s in Art History and French

Masters Institution/Degree: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Master’s in Art History and Museum Studies Certificate

Ashley Williams

Degree Seeking: Ph. D.

Ashley Williams received her Master’s degree in Art History from the University of South Florida in 2017. After graduating she began her career at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa, Florida. As Lead Educator, she developed programming focused on non-western art and created digital programming that was short-listed for The Kids in Museums’ Family Friendly Museum Award. Concurrent to her time at the children’s museum, she led educational initiatives at Gallery221@HCC creating curriculum for students and the community, as well as, establishing a Campus Art Loan Program, which integrated thirty works of art from the gallery’s permanent collection throughout four buildings on campus. She is currently an educator at the Gadsden Arts Center and Museum. Inspired by her work at the children’s museum, her research in the Museum Education and Visitor-Centered Curation program at FSU focuses on the role of play in art museum experiences for adults and how museum educators can use digital programming for accessible experiences.

Areas of Study: Museum Education and Visitor-Centered Curation

Research Detail:
Museum Education; Interdisciplinary Education
Informal Learning; Diversity, equity, accessibility

Undergraduate Institution/Degree: University of South Florida, B.A in Art History

Masters Institution/Degree: University of South Florida, M.A in Art History