Faculty Fellows

Ed Mondor is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology. Along with teaching three courses every semester, he has almost 40 peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Global Change Biology, Journal of Evolutionary Biology, and Journal of Insect Behavior, and has had his research featured in Science Magazine. In addition to his studies on insect behavior, ecology, and evolution, he is the only Forensic Entomologist in Georgia. Over the past 12 years, he has contributed to approximately 30 death investigations by determining the “time of death” of human decedents using insect evidence.

Ed has been a member of the University Student Conduct Board since 2012. He has helped determine the responsibility of students charged with infractions of the Georgia Southern University Code of Student Conduct. He has also volunteered to serve as a hearing officer with the University Student Conduct Board for over three years. During that time, Ed has adjudicated academic and behavioral cases both as a single hearing officer and hearing chair.

In 2018, Norton came to Georgia Southern University (GS) as an Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) and Professor of Art in the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art (BFSDoA). During this time, Norton worked extensively with the Dean of Students Office, as student affairs is integral to his job.

During Norton’s tenure at GS, the Dean of Students Office and Norton have had an open and direct line of communication to serve GS students best. Norton’s work with the Dean of Students Office extends beyond daily affairs. In 2018, Norton routinely collaborated with the College of Arts and Humanities student representatives—true leaders who were an agency for positive change—within the Student Government Association, then under the Dean of Students Office. Since 2020, Norton has been a University System of Georgia (USG)-Trained Member for GS Title IX Hearing Panels and a University Student Conduct Board member.

The Dean of Students Office is critical to student success and shares Norton’s core values and commitment to effectively serving our students through care, compassion, integrity, and discretion. Norton is honored to be a 2024-2025 Dean of Students Faculty Fellow.

Trent Davis received his Ph.D. in Political Science (with fields in Public Administration and American Government-Public Law) from Northern Illinois University in May 2007. He also holds a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) and Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Missouri State University.

As a faculty member and Department Chair, Trent has engaged with the Dean of Students Office on numerous occasions. Trent’s experiences have led him to recognize The Dean of Students Office as an invaluable student resource on a range of issues from academic support, disability, food insecurity or homelessness, financial hardship, health and wellness, and bereavement. Not only has the advice and guidance Trent routinely received from the Dean of Students Office led to a positive and cooperative relationship for him and his department – it has enabled Trent to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for students.

Trent has a greater appreciation for the challenges students face and the critical role the Dean of Students Office plays in helping them navigate them. This has enhanced Trent’s effectiveness as an educator and administrator and the overall experience for GS students.

Rick McGrath is a professor of economics who arrived at Armstrong in the Fall of 1997. In addition to his teaching, he has directed more than a dozen study abroad programs, committed two decades to curriculum development, engaged students in his academic research, and provided academic advising to hundreds of students.

Rick is motivated by understanding that our students’ academic and personal success is often derailed by simple things like having to choose between paying rent, buying gas, getting medical care, and having enough to eat. A hungry 19-year-old does not focus any better in class than a hungry 9-year-old. This is clearly visible from the front of a classroom.

During the pandemic, many of our students lost jobs in the service sector and fell into food insecurity. Rick and his wife decided to make periodic donations to the Captain’s Cupboard (Armstrong Campus), whose shelves frequently got bare. Rick and his wife also realized that, while this situation was made apparent by the pandemic, it was an ongoing problem that was too big for just them. Rick connected with colleagues on the Armstrong Campus to ask for their help and to organize regular contributions to purchase food by the case. More than a dozen colleagues and their partners now contribute funds four times per year, and then Rick makes purchases and deliveries and reports back to them. Rick and his colleagues continue to have a positive impact on food security on our Armstrong campus. During 2023, Rick and his colleagues collectively delivered more than 3,700 food items at a cost of more than $3,600 to the Captain’s Cupboard. Rick shares that they are on schedule in 2024 to eclipse both the quantity and value of food donated in 2023, and they plan to continue these contributions into the future. New participants are always welcome with no commitment required. Everyone does what they can when they are able. 

Brian Koehler came to Georgia Southern (GS) in 1999 after earning his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Georgia. His research focused on analyzing enzymes from hyperthermophilic bacteria (bacteria that live at temperatures above 100 C).

During his time at GS, Brian has worked closely with the Dean of Students Office to schedule students with special needs into appropriate course sections, ensuring they have the necessary accommodations to succeed academically. Also, Brian collaborates with faculty to develop a course completion plan when a student cannot finish due to external hardships, such as personal or family issues. Additionally, Brian has helped explain and resolve issues that arise between students and faculty members, fostering a supportive and productive learning environment. Furthermore, Brian effectively relays faculty concerns about a student’s well-being to the appropriate resources and offices, ensuring that the student receives the necessary support. Lastly, Brian maintains open communication with faculty when students have valid reasons for absence from class, ensuring that the students’ situations are understood and accommodated appropriately.

Ryan Schroeder is the Dean of The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at Georgia Southern University. Ryan joined Georgia Southern in 2019. in 2005, Ryan earned his Ph.D. in Sociology from Bowling Green State University.

The Dean of Students Office is a key partner with academic colleges in ensuring the success and well-being of our students.  From promoting physical and mental well-being to helping students in distress or who are struggling academically, the Dean of Students Office puts students first, cares for students as whole persons, and connects students with the resources they need to succeed, feel welcome, and belong on campus.  One of the many ways the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences has partnered with the Dean of Students Office is through the development and implementation of Homelessness Awareness Week.  Through arranging speakers, events, and engagement opportunities, the aim of Homelessness Awareness Week is to spread knowledge that many college students struggle with housing and food insecurity, as well as to highlight the food pantry resources available to students through the Dean of Students Office Eagle Essentials (Statesboro) and Captain’s Cupboard (Armstrong) food pantries.