Authors’ Biographies
Dr. Phillip A. Olt is an associate professor of higher education/educational research in the Department of Advanced Education Programs at Fort Hays State University (Kansas, USA). He earned his Ed.D. in Educational Administration (Adult & Postsecondary) from the University of Wyoming in 2018. He conducts research on special populations in higher education and institutional interactions with distance learners, while also serving as a qualitative methodologist. He primarily teaches master’s-level courses on educational research.
Dr. Yaprak Dalat Ward is an associate professor of diversity/educational research in the Department of Advanced Education Programs at Fort Hays State University (Kansas, USA). She earned her Ed.D. in Executive Leadership in Higher Education from Sam Houston State University in 2007. She researches international education and teaching with technology using both quantitative and qualitative methods. She primarily teaches master’s-level courses on cultural diversity and educational research.
Dr. Kevin Splichal is an associate professor of educational leadership in the Department of Advanced Education Programs at Fort Hays State University (Kansas, USA). He earned his Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from Kansas State University in 2015. He conducts research on teacher readiness and preparation with qualitative methods, and he primarily teaches master’s-level courses on educational leadership and administration.
Dr. Elliot Isom is an associate professor of counseling in the Department of Advanced Education Programs at Fort Hays State University (Kansas, USA). He earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from Auburn University in 2015. He researches the impact of technology on counseling and counselor education with a background in mixed methods research. He primarily teaches master’s-level courses on telehealth.
Dr. Reade Dowda is an associate professor of counseling in the Department of Advanced Education Programs at Fort Hays State University (Kansas, USA). He earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from Sam Houston State University in 2015. He researches strengths-based and encouragement-focused practices in counselor supervision using qualitative methods. He primarily teaches master’s-level courses on group counseling.
