Meet the Faculty

Ms. Karen B. Andrews
Director of Career Services

With over 25 years in the field of career development, Karen has worked with students in a variety of settings. She is completing her 15th year at Kennesaw State University as Director of Career Services. Karen obtained her bachelor's degree at The Ohio State University and a M.Ed. degree from Georgia State University.

Dr. Joan E. Leichter Dominick
Director, Portfolios for Student Success Programs and Senior Year Experience and Associate Professor—Communication

Joan E. Dominick (Department of University Studies) is an award winning college educator with a professional history in adult education and communication. She holds a Ph.D. in communication from the University of Georgia, where she held a Kellog Fellowship as a graduate student. Currently, she is the director of the Senior-Year Experience program at Kennesaw State University. This program, designed during her tenure in the Governor’s Teaching Fellowship Program 1996-1997, prepares seniors for their post-university experiences as productive national and global citizens. While at KSU, Dr. Dominick has chaired the Department of Communication, won the 1996 Distinguished Teaching Award, and was named the 1996 Regents’ Distinguished Professor of Teaching and Learning. Her project for the Regents’ award was the design and implementation of a Presentation Technology Center to enhance the presentation skills of students across campus. This initiative was cited in the Fiscal Year 1999 Budget Request to the State Legislature by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia as one of three outstanding initiatives and used as evidence for the continued funding of this university-wide program. She believes, and teaches, that strong rhetorical skills are necessary for being a productive global
citizen today.

Mr. Dick Grover
Lecturer, First-Year Experience

Dick Grover serves as an Associate Professor of University Studies and Director of Learn and Serve at Kennesaw State University. He is a licensed facilitator for The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and has conducted 7 Habits training on local, state and national levels. Dick was recently reappointed by Governor Barnes to a third term on the Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism, and also serves on the board of Cobb Housing, Inc. and as a National Service-Learning Peer Mentor. Prior to coming to KSU, Dick worked for 13 years with the Georgia Department of Education where he served as the state director of the Learn and Serve America program.

Dr. Dan Paracka
Director, Office of International Services and Programs Kennesaw State University

Born in New York City but raised in Georgia, Dr. Paracka is constantly working to be a more responsible global citizen. As the director of the Office of International Services and Programs at Kennesaw State University, he works closely with faculty and students who are trying to further their international learning. He has a B.A. degree in Economics from St. Andrews Presbyterian College, an M.S. degree in Counseling from West Chester University, and a Ph.D. in International Education Policy from Georgia State University. His first direct experience with international education was as a study abroad student to India in 1981. Dr. Paracka served with the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone from 1985-87 and taught English in China from 1987-89. His wife is from China, and they have two children. In October, Rutledge Press will release his first book, A History of International Education at Fourah Bay College. He is also currently serving as the Region VII chair-elect of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Dr. Paracka is looking forward to team-teaching KSU 4401: E-Portfolio: Passport of Global Citizenship.

Dr. Deborah N. Smith
Coordinator of the Senior-Year Experience Program and Assistant Professor—Higher Education

Deborah N. Smith is currently in the Coordinator of the Senior Year Experience Program and Assistant Professor of Higher Education, where she teaches Freshman Seminar and Senior Seminar. In the past, she has held positions at other higher education institutions in the areas of student life and wellness. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Furman University, a M.Ed. in Student Personnel in Higher Education from the Universityof Georgia, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Georgia State University.

Faculty Presentations:
Follow this link to preview faculty presentations.

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This page last modified June 18, 2007
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