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Special Education Program Faculty

Professors:

Van Sickle, Meta L., Ph.D.
Professor; Interim Department Chair
Department of Foundations, Secondary and Special Education
Office Location:
86 Wentworth Street, #213		 Phone:
(843) 953-6357		 eMail:
vansicklem@cofc.edu
  • Dr. Van Sickle was a classroom teacher in elementary, middle, high school and high school completion settings for 12 years.
  • Dr. Van Sickle completed an M.Ed. and a Ph.D. in the Graduate Program of Excellences for Mathematics and Science Teacher at the University of South Florida, Tampa.
  • Dr. Van Sickle teaches courses in science education for future and in-service teachers in undergraduate and graduate programs.
  • Her research interests include ethics of care, and linguistic studies of local students while learning science.
  • Her areas of interest include: Ethics of care in the science classroom, Language diversity and its impact on learning math and science, and Development of teachers and scientists on inquiry teaching strategies.
 
Gurganus, Susan, Ed.D
Professor
Department of Foundations, Secondary and Special Education
Office Location:
86 Wentworth Street, #220
 Phone:
(843) 953-8058		 eMail:
gurganuss@cofc.edu
  • Dr. Gurganus was a classroom teacher in elementary, middle, and high school settings for ten years and was a consultant in exceptional children with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for four years before moving to Charleston.
  • Dr. Gurganus earned her doctorate at North Carolina State University and has been at the College of Charleston since 1991.
  • Dr. Gurganus specializes in learning disabilities and their impact in academic settings, especially mathematics learning.
  • Her primary focus for the past 30 years--as a teacher, consultant, and professor--has been learning problems and strategies in academic areas, specifically mathematics learning problems.
  • Current research projects include investigations into preservice special education teacher training in mathematics methods and conducting semi-structured diagnostic interviews with students with learning disabilities (PreK to 12)
 
Skinner, Michael E., Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Foundations, Secondary and Special Education
Office Location:
86 Wentworth Street, #221
 Phone:
(843) 953-8044		 eMail:
skinnerm@cofc.edu
  • Mike Skinner is a professor of special education housed in the Department of Educational Foundations, Secondary, and Special Education at the College of Charleston. He received his BS in special (LD/BD) and elementary education from Bowling Green State University. He earned his MA in school psychology and a Ph.D. in special education from The Ohio State University.
  • Dr. Skinner teaches courses related to educational research, teaching students with mild disabilities (including LD), assessment of students with disabilities, and classroom/behavior management. He also supervises field experiences in special education.
  • His current research interests include adolescent and adult learners with learning disabilities, learning strategies, applied behavior analysis, and electronic formats for portfolio assessment.
  • In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate special education and research courses, Dr. Skinner serves as a consultant to the College's Office of Disability Services on issues relating to students with learning disabilities and ADHD.
  • His research interests include: (1) college students with learning disabilities and/or ADHD; (2) applied behavior analysis in special education; and (3) electronic portfolios for students with disabilities.
 

Associate Professors:

Keyes, Denis, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Foundations, Secondary, and Special Education
Office Location:
86 Wentworth Street, #233		 Phone:
(843) 953-4840		 eMail:
keyesd@cofc.edu
  • Dr. Keyes received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ohio University in 1979, with a major in Special Education and a minor in Psychology. In 1985, he earned a Master of Education in Special Education, followed in 1986 by a Master of Science in School Psychology, both from Miami University. Also while at Miami University, in 1988 an Educational Specialist was awarded, with a major in School Psychology. His Doctor of Philosophy, with a major in Special Education and a minor in Educational Psychology and Counseling, was conferred by the University of New Mexico in 1992.
  • His research interests are in the fields of teacher education in special education, inclusion and mental retardation, psychoeducational assessment, and capital punishment and defendants with mental retardation.
  • He has published in a wide variety of journals, both educational and legal, and was cited in the 2002 landmark US Supreme Court decision in Atkins v. Virginia.
 
Springer (McCarty), Bonnie, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Foundations, Secondary, and Special Education
Office Location:
86 Wentworth Street, #219		 Phone:
(843) 953-8048		 eMail:
mccartyb@cofc.edu
  • Dr. McCarty's academic background includes a bachelor's degree in Music Therapy from the University of the Pacific, a master's degree in Special Education from the University of Georgia, and a doctorate in Education of Exceptional Children from the University of Georgia.
  • Research and service interests include: study of outcomes for schools implementing school renewal programs based on positive behavioral supports, and study of innovative secondary and tertiary prevention strategies for students identified as at risk for or having emotional disabilities (e. g; service learning, developmental therapy, life space crisis intervention)
  

Assistant Professors:


Marrah, Charissa, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Visiting
Department of Foundations, Secondary, and Special Education
Office Location:
86 Wentworth Street, #227		 Phone:
(843) 953-5554		 eMail:
marrahc@cofc.edu		  
  • Dr. Marrah received her B.A. in Varying Exceptionalities-Exceptional Education from the University of South Florida, her M.A. in Specific Learning Disabilities-Exceptional Education from the University of South Florida, and her Ph.D. in Exceptional Education from University of Central Florida.
  
Provost, Mary
Assistant Professor
Department of Foundations, Secondary, and Special Education
Office Location:
86 Wentworth Street, #318		 Phone:
(843) 953-7433		 eMail:
provostm@cofc.edu		  
  • Mary C. Provost is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Foundations, Secondary and Special Education.
  • Her research interests are in the fields of scientifically-evidence-based research and intervention practices for students struggling in the general curriculum.
  • She is currently in the process of determining professional development needs of general and special educators in meeting the deficit areas of these learners.
  • Furthermore, she is interested in providing a model of instruction for individuals with cognitive disabilities who are leaving the school environment and transitioning into the community as citizens.