Faculty Affairs Directory
Kathleen M. Rudasill, Ph.D.
Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Lisa M. Abrams, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs | lmabrams@vcu.edu
Lisa Abrams oversees and coordinates several faculty development programs offered by Faculty Affairs. These programs support faculty advancement and leadership development across career stages and include programming for new and current department chairs, associate professors and non-tenure track faculty and the VCU Faculty Mentoring Program. Lisa also supports the COACHE Faculty Satisfaction Survey and efforts of the Steering Committee to identify opportunities and reduce barriers to better serve faculty. She manages regular revisions and updates to faculty-focused university policies in coordination with the Faculty Policy Committee. Lisa is a professor in the School of Education and served as Chair of the Department of Foundations of Education and interim Associate Dean of Research and Faculty Development prior to joining Faculty Affairs. Her research examines the implementation and impact of professional learning programs and the use of data-informed strategies to support learning and leadership decision-making. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Research, Measurement and Evaluation from Boston College.
Ashley Akkaya, Ph.D.
Faculty Director, Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence | akkayaa@vcu.edu
Ashley Akkaya serves as the Faculty Director, CTLE where she supports Faculty Learning Communities, promotes research-based teaching practices, and works closely with VCU faculty and the broader campus community. Additionally, she is an Associate Professor of Anthropology in the School of World Studies. Before joining VCU, she taught for 11 years at Florida International University, where she gained strong experience with teaching approaches such as team-based learning, problem-based and inquiry-based learning, POGIL, and flipped classroom models. She has taught many general education and global learning courses and is skilled in using technology to create clear, accessible, and inclusive learning environments. She has also served as an Undergraduate Director and Course Coordinator, supporting faculty and graduate students in developing and improving courses. Her current research focuses on bias in large language models, with a particular emphasis on generative AI systems, ethical and accountable AI practices, and inclusive and responsible design.
Susan M. T. Coombes, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Provost and Director, Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence | scoombes@vcu.edu
Susan Coombes is Assistant Vice Provost and Director, CTLE, where she focuses on fostering an environment where faculty can empower themselves to achieve teaching excellence and thrive in their careers. She joined the VCU School of Business, Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, in 2008. She earned her Ph.D. from Syracuse University and her M.B.A. and B.S. from Gonzaga University. Her research explores entrepreneurship, strategy, and social enterprise, in areas such as women entrepreneurs, nonprofit governance, corporate political activity, and creativity in organizational settings.
Tabatha Easley, D.M.A.
Faculty Director | tapeters@vcu.edu
Having served as a Fellow for the 25-26 year, Tabatha Easley is a Faculty Director in the Provost’s Office and assists with policy revisions, as well as serving as the program coordinator for the COACHE Faculty Steering Committee. She also focuses on promotion and tenure trends in higher education, qualitative analysis, and modernization of faculty-related documents such as the Faculty Handbook. Tabatha is a Professor of Music in the School of the Arts and teaches applied flute and piccolo lessons, pedagogy, chamber music, music education and music history courses. Presenting on every continent except Antarctica, she has given concerts, masterclasses and workshops, amplifying the music of living composers. In addition to being a program chair for regional, national and international conferences, Tabatha has also served on VCU's Faculty Senate, REAL Council, School of the Arts Promotion and Tenure committee, and several other department-level committees.
Tiffany Freitas, B.A.
Senior Program Manager | freitast@vcu.edu
Tiffany Freitas works closely with the Assistant Vice Provosts and Program Specialist to manage the coordination of programming for faculty, which includes orientations, the VCU Faculty Mentoring Program, conferences and other professional development series. Additionally, she supports communications for the office through her work on the website, the monthly newsletter, and program-related outreach in an effort to increase engagement with faculty across the university. Her passions include supporting faculty, fostering an environment that empowers her colleagues, work/life balance and wellness, streamlining processes, as well as sharing her institutional knowledge from serving as staff at VCU since 2013. She received her B.A. in English from VCU in 2011 and has been working in higher education since her graduation.
Rosalyn (Roz) Hobson Hargraves, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Faculty Research Support Services | rhobson@vcu.edu
Rosalyn (Roz) Hobson Hargraves works collaboratively with OVPRI to provide strategic and operational leadership in the Office of the Provost for the development, implementation, and management of a centralized research support framework tailored to the needs of the faculty in the university’s diverse schools. As Executive Director, she is responsible for supporting the needs of faculty in their scholarly and research pursuits including accelerating scholarship, supporting the securing of extramural funding, and elevating the quality and impact of research and creative expression, directly supporting VCU’s mission as a Carnegie R1 and Community Engaged institution. Additionally, Dr. Hargraves is an engineer, educator, researcher, administrator, and academic leader. She holds the rank of Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University and most recently served as Division Director for the Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) at the National Science Foundation (NSF) (2021-2025). With a strong record of excellence in teaching and scholarly activity, Dr. Hargraves’ research spans the areas of STEM education, machine learning, biomedical signal and image processing, the role of science and technology in international development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
William E. King, M.S. Ed.
University Ombudsperson | weking@vcu.edu | (804) 827-4357
William E. King brings over 44 years of experience in higher education and 31 years as a university ombudsperson to this position. Mr. King’s background and experiences in conflict management and dispute resolution in an academic environment ensure that our campus remains one of collegiality, respect, openness and inclusion. William King is a Certified Organizational Ombudsman Practitioner (CO-OPSM) certified by the IOA Board of Certification. King is a graduate of Emporia State University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Learn more about the Office of the Ombudsperson >>
Kyle Lobo, M.S.
Senior Program Specialist, Analytics and Communications | lobok2@vcu.edu
Kyle Lobo serves as the Senior Program Specialist for Analytics and Communications in the Office of Faculty Affairs, bridging technical expertise with program coordination to support faculty across VCU’s schools and colleges. He focuses on streamlining recognition processes and developing data-driven reporting tools to improve how faculty engage with university resources. By translating complex data into actionable insights, Kyle ensures that development programs and faculty-facing initiatives are accessible and efficient, helping the university better recognize and support its academic community.
Beth Marcus, M.Ed
Coordinator of Faculty Affairs, VCU Health Sciences | bmarcus@vcu.edu
Beth Marcus serves as Coordinator of Faculty Affairs for the VCU Health Sciences schools. She coordinates faculty affairs processes across the health sciences, including promotion and tenure, emeritus status, endowed chairs, endowed professorships, faculty appointments, and related faculty personnel actions. She partners with academic leaders to promote consistent practices, enhance operational effectiveness, and support faculty advancement throughout the academic lifecycle. In addition to her faculty affairs responsibilities, Beth serves as Faculty Development Program Administrator for the VCU School of Dentistry, where she oversees faculty onboarding, professional development, faculty engagement, and recognition initiatives.
Michele Murray
Senior Administrative Coordinator | mmurray2@vcu.edu
Michele Murray serves as the Senior Administrative Coordinator in Faculty Affairs, dedicated to keeping the department running smoothly. Alongside providing operational and administrative support to the Assistant Vice Provosts and University Ombudsperson, she lends her talents to various departmental initiatives. Her diverse responsibilities also span departmental event planning, scheduling, managing professional travel logistics, and processing reimbursements ensuring adherence to University documentation standards. Michele is currently working to complete her B.A. in English here at VCU.
Archana A. Pathak, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs | aapathak@vcu.edu
Archana A. Pathak’s work in Faculty Affairs centers on supporting faculty through recognition and honorifics and professional development for faculty at all ranks. Dr. Pathak is a diasporic scholar academically trained in intercultural communication and qualitative research methodologies. She is also faculty in the Department of Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies, and affiliate faculty in the Department of African American Studies and the Media, Art & Text Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program. Her research focuses on elevating diverse voices in their complexity. She specifically focuses on the U.S. South Asian diaspora as well as higher education settings.
Elaine Reeder, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Provost of Learning Experience Design | ereeder@vcu.edu
Elaine Reeder supports faculty through university-wide initiatives focused on teaching, learning, and assessment. Her work centers on helping faculty explore research-informed approaches to course design, assessment, and the thoughtful use of learning technologies across disciplines. Elaine teaches as an adjunct in the School of the Arts, the Robertson School of Media and Culture, and the School of Education. Her research focuses on the design of learning experiences, learning technologies, and assessment approaches that emphasize application, transfer of learning, and meaningful assessment. She earned her Ph.D. in Learning Technologies from the University of North Texas and holds a graduate degree in Education. Learn more about LEDstudio >>
Rhonda Snead
Program Specialist, Events | sneadrm@vcu.edu
Rhonda Snead is the Program Specialist for Events in Faculty Affairs, where she plays a key role in advancing VCU’s commitment to faculty excellence. Working in partnership with the Senior Vice Provost and Assistant Vice Provosts, she helps shape and execute a wide range of professional development programs, workshops, and recognition events that support faculty at every stage of their careers. Rhonda manages event strategy, planning, communication, and coordination - ensuring that each initiative is thoughtfully designed, smoothly executed, and responsive to faculty needs. Her work contributes to a vibrant academic environment by fostering community, supporting growth, and elevating faculty achievement across the university. She brings four years of experience at the university, previously supporting the Wilder School as a Program Assistant. With experience in retail management, recruiting, student services, and event planning, Rhonda thrives in roles that blend organization, collaboration, and creativity. She is also an engaged member of the VCU Staff Senate and co-chairs the Accessibility & Inclusion Working Group, where she supports efforts to strengthen equity and belonging across the university. Rhonda is currently working toward her B.I.S. in Sociology and Environmental Studies here at VCU.
LaToya B. Thomas, B.S.
Special Assistant to the Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs | lblizzard@vcu.edu
LaToya B. Thomas serves as the Special Assistant to the Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs. In this role, she provides executive-level administrative support to the SVP and oversees a variety of operational functions within Faculty Affairs. Her responsibilities include managing day-to-day office operations, coordinating fiscal activities such as invoice processing and monthly financial reconciliations, facilitating office communications, and supporting special projects. LaToya also provides high-level confidential administrative support for the Promotion and Tenure process, including tracking submissions, ensuring compliance with university policies, and serving as a liaison between the schools and colleges and the Office of the Provost, Faculty Affairs. In addition, she serves as the Scott House liaison. LaToya is a graduate of Virginia State University. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Hope Kelly, Ph.D.
Faculty Fellow | kellyh3@vcu.edu
Hope Kelly is a Faculty Fellow and collaborates on the implementation of the VCU Faculty Mentoring Program and CTLE workshops related to genAI and online teaching and learning. She has served as VCU’s Online Learning Librarian since 2020. In that role, she convenes a library-wide work group called the Joint Online Learning Team (JOLT) that is charged to support the libraries' faculty and staff in the design, development, delivery, and assessment of online learning content and experiences. An active member of the Association of College & Research Libraries, she will serve as the elected Chair of the Distance & Online Learning Section for 2026-27. Hope earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction focused on Educational Technology and a BA at the University of Florida; her Master of Library and Information Science degree is from Florida State University.
