Program Faculty

 D

Dr. Joy L. Hart is a Professor in the Department of Communication. She joined the University of Louisville faculty in 1990 and teaches courses and conducts research on organizational and health communication. In particular, her work examines discourse, communication skill, culture, and message strategies. One of her current projects examines health beliefs and practices in rural villages in Belize. Another current project analyzes message strategies used in tobacco control activism (e.g., efforts to raise the cigarette excise tax, arguments regarding smoking bans). In early 2010, look for her book, with historian Tracy K’Meyer, “I Saw It Coming”:  Worker Narratives of Plant Closings and Job Loss.  Examples of courses she’s recently taught include: Communication and Ethics, Health Communication Issues in Central America, Intercultural Communication, Leadership, Organizational Communication, and Risk Communication.

In 2003, Professor Hart received the University of Louisville’s Award for Distinguished Service as well as a Metroversity Award for Instructional Development. She previously served as Editor of the Southern Communication Journal and President of the American Communication Association. Currently, Professor Hart is President of the Kentucky Communication Association, Chair of the University’s Sustainability Council, and a fellow in the University Honors Program. From June to December 2001, she was a visiting professor in the Department of Management Communication at the Waikato Management School, University of Waikato, in Hamilton, New Zealand. Working with the University’s International Service Learning Program, she has taken students to Belize for more than six years. In addition, she has taught in Panama for five years.

Dr. Kandi Walker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Louisville. Dr. Walker's research explores the intersection between health, interpersonal, and personal communication. Specifically, her recent research examines marital communication and health behavior, looking at how couples talk and behave when an illness is present. Other research interests include communicative issues related to tobacco use (e.g., individual definitions of being a smoker or nonsmoker) and later life men's social networks (e.g., breakfast groups).

Along with Dr. Joy Hart and Dr. Margaret D’Silva, she recently edited a book about international prevention efforts for HIV/AIDS and is currently editing a second volume on taboo topics and difficult conversations related to HIV/AIDS. Dr. Walker actively publishes and has presented her work at a variety of regional, national, and international conferences. In addition, she has presented her research in a variety of academic and nonacademic venues, giving talks and seminars in over nine countries.

In the educational arena, Dr. Walker enjoys her time with students and encourages problem-based and project-based educational experiences, such as service learning. Due to this interest, she joined ISLP in 2000 and began taking students to Belize in 2001. Dr. Walker has also taught in Panama (teaching UofL students during a month-long study abroad course as well as teaching Panamanian students at UofL-Panama) since 2007. Dr. Walker regularly teaches courses in health communication, interpersonal communication, marriage and family communication, and intercultural communication.

Dr. Price Foster has been a Professor of Justice Administration at the University of Louisville since September 1, 1981. In addition to this appointment, he served as Dean and Director of the School of Justice Administration ( 1981-1984), Dean of the College of Urban and Public Affairs (1983-1991) and University Liaison for the Urban Mission (1992-2000).

Prior to coming to the University of Louisville, Dr. Foster was with the U.S. Dept of Justice as Director of the Office of Criminal Justice Education and Training, Director of the National Institute for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and Deputy Director of the Office of juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

While with the U.S. Department of Justice, Dr. Foster received several outstanding performance awards and Attorney General citations for outstanding service to the Department. In 1982, Dr. Foster received the Outstanding Service Award, Nelson Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, School of Criminal Justice, State University of New York at  Albany.

Dr. Foster was a charter member and served ten years on the National Advisory Committee for State and Local Training of the Law Enforcement Training Center, U.S. Department of Treasury. He has served on several other national boards, including ten years on the Board of Directors of the National Criminal Justice Association. Currently, Dr. Foster serves as a board member and chair of the Board of Directors of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation.

Locally, Dr. Foster is a 1984 graduate of Leadership Louisville, and he served on this board until 1996. He has also served on the Board of Directors for Metro United Way. He is a former chair of the Board of Directors for the Presbyterian Community Center and is currently chair of their development committee. is a member of the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries of Kentucky.

He also chaired the Public Safety Transition Committee for Mayor Jerry Abramson in 1989 and chaired the mayor’s Transition Committee for Corrections in 2002.

Dr. Foster enjoys a good relationship with his students. He has been nominated frequently for the University’s Trustees award (1996-2000, 2003-2005 and 2007), and he received the award for Outstanding Faculty for Adult Learners (2000, 2007). He was honored to be selected one of the University’s top ten faculty favorites as determined by a vote of the students in 2005 and in 2006 and was nominated again for this recognition in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Dr. Margaret Pentecost, Ph.D leads the Education Team in the International Service Learning Program (ISLP). Since 2000, she has made 17 trips to Belize to work on projects in Dangriga and the Mayan Village of Red Bank. As a result of her work, the Red Bank Village School received teaching resources, teacher development, classroom libraries, a computer center, and sports equipment. Student projects include working in the Mayan school with teachers and improving the literacy of the children and families in the village. ISLP students collect children’s books, read to children, teach in the classroom, work with the children on art projects or drama presentations, or teach games. Currently, Dr. Pentecost serves the Assistant Dean of Student Services in the College of Education and Human Development. She is dedicated to UofL students and the people of Belize.

Dr. Thomas J. Clark was born and raised in the Louisville, Kentucky, area and was educated in local schools. Following graduation from Oldham County High School, he attended Ky. Southern College for two years until it was acquired by the University of Louisville. Majoring in chemistry, with a minor in physics, he graduated, and began work toward a masters degree. Dental School(University of Louisville School of Dentistry) was completed in 1976, and the following year a General Practice residency finished at the Veterans Administration Medical Center-Louisville. Entering private practice and joining the faculty at ULSD in the summer of 1977, Dr. Clark began what has been a long and rewarding career. During his tenure at the School of Dentistry, he has worn a number of "hats", beginning as a clinical instructor in Oral and Maxillo facial Surgery for the undergraduates, then establishing and serving as the first Director for the General Practice Residency Program. Dr. Clark assumed responsibility for the Pain Control Program and has been the Director of that program since 1981. Currently holding the rank of Clinical Professor, Dr. Clark directs the Pain Control and Anxiety Management Course for second year dental students, the Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide course for Dental Hygienists, Exotic Animal Dentistry Senior Selective Course, and is the Medical Director for the International Service Learning Program for the University in Belize, C.A.

Dr. Clark is married to Betty, a registered nurse, and remains active in civic and community affairs, having served in various roles in the Oldham County Board of Health, city and county government, and his local church. Being a member of the Civil Air Patrol Auxiliary to the US Air Force and an instrument-rated private pilot, he holds the rank of Major, and is the Squadron Vice Commander for GLLR KY214, the Bowman Field Senior Squadron, and is active in aviation affairs both on a local and regional level.

Dr. Sherri Brown is an Associate Professor of Science Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Louisville. Dr. Brown conducts research in the areas of informal science education and gender equity. One key area of her work focuses on how authentic experiences within informal site visits (e.g., power plant, waste water treatment facility, water treatment facility, forest, zoo) assist middle school students and K-12 teachers in their  knowledge and application of science in real-world settings. Related to this line of research, Dr. Brown is a strong advocate for experiential education and community collaboration as she has co-taught several courses with educational curators at the Louisville Zoo. Dr. Brown regularly teaches courses in science education and action research, especially as it relates to K-12 teacher preparation or advancement.
 

Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr. has been at the University of Louisville since January 4, 2007. As the Vice President for Student Affairs he oversees the areas of Campus Housing, Career Services, Counseling, Disabilities, Commuter Students, Student Activities, Recreational Sports, Student Activities Center, Student Government, Judicial Affairs, Service and International Service Learning, Assessment & Planning, and the Associate VP & Dean of Students. 
     
Prior to the University of Louisville Dr. Jackson served as the Assistant Director of Residence Life at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX, an Area Coordinator at the University of Southern California, the Academic Development Specialist in Residence Life at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Director of the Student Activities Center at the University of Texas at El Paso, the Dean of Students at McMurry University (Texas), and the Vice President for Student Affairs at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Dr. Jackson earned his Ed.D. in Educational Management from the University of La Verne in California, his M.S. in Counseling from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, his B.S. in Business-Human Resources from Southwest Minnesota State University, and his A.A. from Highline Community College in Seattle, Washington. A native of Seattle, Jackson aspired to the United States Coast Guard Reserve and has served in both the Army National Guard and Texas State Guard. He currently serves in the Indiana Guard Reserve.
     
Dr. Jackson is actively involved in the student development profession. He is the former director for SACSA/NASPA Region III New Professionals Institute, a resident faculty member in the annual ACPA Donna Bourassa Mid-Management Institute, a diplomat in the ACPA Senior Student Affairs Practitioner Program, and a Board of Trustee for the ACPA Educational Leadership Foundation. He also serves as a volunteer pilot with Angel Flight and is a former board director for the international Grumman pilots and owners association (AYA). He is an ACPA Diamond Honoree recipient (2005) and has received several other awards or distinctions.
          
Dr. Jackson enjoys flying (private, instrument-rated pilot and owner), horses, tennis, movies, college football, and golf. He is married to Mona Kumar Jackson with whom he has two children, Thomas "TJ", and Chandi. (July 16, 2007)

Dr. Michael Mardis has more than eleven years of professional experience working in Student Affairs. Michael previously served as the Judicial Affairs Officer and Intramural Sports Coordinator at the University of Louisville. In July of 2001 he was hired as the Associate Dean of Students at Radford University, eventually being promoted to Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. At Radford, Dr. Mardis oversaw the following campus life functions: Student Activities, Student Union, Intramurals and Campus Recreation, Leadership, Greek Life, Judicial Affairs, Academic Integrity, Student Organizations, Off-Campus Student Services, Disability Resource Office, Multicultural and International Student Services, Student Support Services, Substance Abuse and Sexual Assault Education, Student Media, Preston Auditorium, Parent and Family Services, and Residential Life. Michael has previously served as the site coordinator and as a faculty member for the NASPA/SACSA New Professional Institute.

In July of 2007, Michael accepted the position of Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at the University of Louisville. As Dean of Students at UofL, Michael’s responsibilities include Intramurals and Recreational Sports, Student Conduct, the Disability Resource Center, Student Activities, Student Activities Center Administration, Commuter Student Services, Greek Life, Recognized Student Organizations, the National Student Exchange, Service Learning, Student Leadership Programs, and Advising the Student Government Association.

Michael received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from the University of Louisville. In 2007 he earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Organizational Development from the University of Louisville. Michael is married to Aneira Urieta Mardis. They have two children Maria, and James. In his spare time he enjoys family time, exercising, reading, and playing basketball.