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Ed.D. Faculty

Dr. Joan Fee, Chair of Ed.D. Program, Associate Professor of Education
Dr. Joan Fee has spent much of her career conducting research and serving as a learning consultant for the private sector. Her workplaces include the National Opinion Research Center (NORC), SPSS Inc., and Hewitt Associates. She has conducted both quantitative and qualitative research and evaluated programs. Dr. Fee has written on a variety of topics, from survey methodology to online learning. She received her undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary and served as an exchange scholar to St. Andrews University, Scotland. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. Dr. Fee is a research fellow with the Institute for Collaboration.
Office: Institute Building, Room 217
Phone: 630-844-6232
E-mail: jfee@aurora.edu

Dr. Ronald Banaszak, Professor of Education
Dr. Banaszak holds a Ph.D. in social studies education from Indiana University. He has taught in the public schools, at the community college, and comes to Aurora from the University of Alabama where he held the rank of Associate Professor and was Director of Clinical Experiences. He is widely published, has taught graduate classes and directed numerous dissertations. Dr. Banaszak is the principal faculty in the Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction Strand. 
Office: Institute Building, Room 221
Phone: 630-844-4226
E-mail: banaszak@aurora.edu

Dr. Marvin Edwards, Associate Professor of Education
Dr. Edwards holds an Ed.D in Educational Leadership from Northern Illinois University. He came to Aurora University after serving nine years as Superintendent in School District U-46, in Elgin, Illinois. His 22 years as Superintendent included stints as Superintendent in Dallas, Texas; Topeka, Kansas; and Joliet, Illinois. In 1988 he was selected as “Illinois Superintendent of the Year.” He is widely published and has taught numerous graduate classes. He is the principal faculty in the Leadership in Education Administration Strand.
Office: Institute Building, Room 219 
Phone: 630-844-4625 
E-mail: medwards@aurora.edu

Dr. Jerald (Jay) Thomas, Assistant Professor of Education and University Assessment Coordinator
Dr. Jerald (Jay) Thomas spent fourteen years at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) before joining Aurora University. He holds a doctorate in educational psychology and has research and teaching interests in gifted education and foundations of education. He is currently serving a two-year term as vice president of NCSSSMST, a national consortium of over 90 secondary schools for students gifted in math, science, and technology. Jay has served on the NCSSSMST board of directors since 1997 and is also currently editor of the NCSSSMST Journal. Jay has actively researched, published, and presented on issues of gifted education, math and science education, educational equity, and high school to college transitions.
Office: Institute Building, Room 223
Phone: 630-844-6231
Email: jthomas@aurora.edu

Dr. Faith Agostinone Wilson, Assistant Professor of Education
Dr. Faith Wilson holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Oklahoma State University. Before joining the George Williams College of Aurora University, she taught, served as department chair and directed the early childhood education degree program at Donnelly Community College, a small private institution serving a non-traditional adult student population in Kansas City, Kansas. Faith's scholarship includes critical-theory research, publication and presentations in the areas of policy studies, higher education labor issues, aesthetics in education and the politics of the built environment.
Office on Lake Geneva Campus: School of Professional Studies
Phone: 262-245-8567
E-mail: fwilson@aurora.edu

Revised March 28, 2007