COE 2025
2025 Circle of Excellence Recipients
TEACHING
Dr. Sarah Ramsey
Dr. Sarah Ramsey serves as an Associate Professor of Curriculum & Instruction in Reading at NSU. With experience spanning early childhood to adult learners, her teaching portfolio ranges from foundational phonics courses to the graduate-level Practicum in Literacy, a culminating experience for reading specialists. She has served as Chair for the READ Program since 2020, guiding faculty through International Literacy Association accreditation. Her research focuses on how the brain learns to read, with special emphasis on nonfiction literacy read-alouds for early learners. She regularly presents her research findings in peer-reviewed publications and at conferences such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Teaching Professor Conference. Her work on engaging nonfiction read-alouds garnered an invitation to consult with the New York Public Library, where she designed specialized training for all the early childhood librarians. Dr. Ramsey is certified in structured literacy approaches, including Orton-Gillingham methodologies, and maintains professional practice as a Reading Specialist & consultant for dyslexic and struggling readers.
RESEARCH
Dr. Beth Melles
Dr. Beth Melles is an Associate Professor and the Chair of the Department of Psychology and Counseling. Her broad range of research interests (the impacts of growing up abroad, postpartum intrusive thoughts, social distancing during the pandemic...) reflect her passion for applying psychological concepts to the world around her. She is also a Licensed Psychologist in the State of Oklahoma and works part-time at a private practice in Tahlequah, seeing clients for therapy and psychological testing. Additionally, she is the Co-Chair for the Oklahoma Psychological Association's Division of Research and Training. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family, going for a run, woodworking, riding her motorcycle, and curling up with a cup of coffee and a good book.
SERVICE
Dr. Cheryl Van Den Handel
Dr. Cheryl Van Den Handel began her education in politics in Northern California from 1993-1997, Her degrees include a B.A. in Political Science and a Masters of Public Administration from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, a Masters in International Studies and Ph.D. in Comparative & World Politics from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, CA. She has been teaching Political Science at NSU for 15 years, in the areas of Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Women’s Studies. Her current research is on impediments to women participating in politics. She is Coordinator of the Political Science Program.
