Faculty Research

ESU Faculty Develop a Culture of Research and Scholarship

Expanding learning opportunities for students beyond the traditional classroom and encouraging life-long learning are vital to creating a "university without walls." ESU is investing in the faculty in ways that will enable them to redesign the academic experience. 

ESU faculty are experts in their fields and dedicated teacher/scholars. The teacher/scholar model has numerous benefits that include joint research opportunities, cutting-edge relevancy, increased opportunity to build strong mentor-relationships with faculty, and the chance to explore your own creativity within your field of study.

ESU faculty active in their disciplines share current knowledge with their students, utilizing examples from their own work to aid in the understanding of concepts and the relevance of those concepts in today's world. 

The Provost’s Colloquium Series showcases our faculty research and creative projects. Past colloquia are archived and accessible for you to watch.

Featured Faculty Members

Thomas LaDuke

Associate Professor

Department: Biological Sciences

Email: tladuke@esu.edu 

Location: Moore Biology Hall 128

Education: Ph.D., 1991, City University of New York

Dr. LaDuke is a broadly-trained organismal biologist who teaches courses in Field Zoology, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Herpetology, and Tropical Ecosystems. He has research interests in herpetology, vertebrate anatomy, vertebrate paleontology, and tropical biology.

Dr. LaDuke has supported many graduate students through is grant-funded research projects. He is currently implementing another grant project about the effects of fire-based management activities on amphibians and reptiles in Pennsylvania's state game lands funded by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

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Donna-Marie T. Cole-Malott

Assistant Professor

Department: Professional and Secodary Education

Email: dcolemalot@esu.edu

Location: Stroud Hall 209 D

Education: Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University

Donna-Marie Cole-Malott, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Professional and Secondary Education. She also serves as Co-Director of the Pennsylvania Educator Diversity Consortium (PEDC)—an organization dedicated to educator diversity, equity, and culturally relevant education and systems, serving the needs of BIPOC learners throughout the Commonwealth.

Dr. Cole-Malott researches diversity and culturally relevant and sustaining education (CRSE). Her current work focuses on the teacher shortage in Pennsylvania, the mass attrition of BIPOC educators, and what that means for a new generation of young people entering the profession.

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Christopher Brooks

Professor 

Department: History & Geography

Email: cbrooks@esu.edu 

Location: Stroud Hall 409 B

Education: Dr. Phil., 2006 University of Kassel, Germany

Chris Brooks is professor of history and is the coordinator of a joint program with Widener University allowing students interested in combining their undergraduate education with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree to have a seamless transition from their undergraduate program to law school.

His current research deals with John S. Rock, the first African-American attorney admitted to argue before the US Supreme Court and has worked with the Institute for Justice and National Constitution Center on the topic. Dr. Brooks has mentored many students and given them research experiences through the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (S.U.R.E.). 

State System university faculty are dedicated to the success of their students, excellence at their university and advancing their field of study. Meet some of our faculty, and learn more about the knowledge and expertise they share with their students. Be sure to visit this site again as additional faculty will be added to the showcase over time.