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Staff of the NCDE

Dr. Hunter R. Boylan is the Director of the National Center for Developmental Education (NCDE) and a Professor of Higher Education at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.  In a career that has spanned over thirty years, he has served as a gang control worker, tutorial coordinator, academic advisor, learning center director, TRIO Program coordinator, developmental instructor, Director of the Developmental Education Doctoral Program at Grambling State University, President of NADE, Director of the Kellogg Institute, professor of higher education, and Principal Investigator for the ongoing National Study of Developmental Education.  He serves on the editorial boards of national and international journals and on a variety of national and international higher education advisory groups.  He has authored or co-authored over 100 books, articles, and monographs, is widely sought after as a consultant and speaker, and frequently quoted in the national news media.

Dr. Barbara S. Bonham is Coordinator of the Higher Education Graduate Program and Professor in the Department of Leadership and Educational Studies at Appalachian State University, Boone, NC. She teaches graduate courses such as The Adult Learner, Designing Adult Learning Experiences, Planning Educational Programs, Comparative Higher Education, etc.

She serves as Senior Researcher for the NCDE and a faculty member for the Kellogg Institute. Barbara has taught twelve years in the field of developmental education at Bloomsburg University as a math instructor, lab coordinator, tutorial supervisor, and assistant to the Director in a Student Services Program (TRIO).  She has over 30 years teaching experience. She has served as consultant to numerous two-year and four-year colleges in the area of developmental education particularly mathematics as well as a program reviewer and evaluator for Title III, Title V, FIPSE, and Achieving the Dream projects. She has worked with State Boards of Higher Education and in business and industry.  She has also conducted workshops and keynote presentations at local, state, national, and international conferences. 

Her publications, presentations, and areas of research interest include adult learning, designing culturally responsive learning environments, program planning, active learning techniques, assessment and evaluation, instructional design, developmental mathematics, educational systems in other countries, etc. 

She earned a Ph.D. in Instructional Systems Design from the Pennsylvania State University with a concentration in statistics and adult education.  She has three children - Bryan, Heather, and Shawn, a daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters - Kana and Abigail.  Her hobbies include learning Japanese, gardening, bicycling, reading historical novels, cooking, collecting teddy bears and watching butterflies.

Kate Hoffman is an Administrative Assistant for the NCDE. She is the registrar for the Kellogg Institute and an integral force in its implementation. She assists in the development, management, and reconciliation of accounts, as well as marketing and fielding general inquiries for the NCDE, Kellogg Institute, and conferences.

Barbara Calderwood is Assistant Director for Publications at the NCDE.  In this role she serves as Editor/Advertising Director for the Journal of Developmental Education.  She is responsible for completing or coordinating layout and design, editing, and marketing of all NCDE publications as well as advertising sales and promotions. Since joining NCDE staff in 1987, she has conducted numerous authors’ workshops and strives to assist authors in developing their skills at writing for publication. Coming from a background in journalism, Barbara enjoys photography and creative writing as well.  Her two sons keep her busy outside the professional arena; camping, canoeing, gardening, and laughing head her list of favorite pastimes.

Denise de Ribert is Assistant Director for Training and Resources, and Director of the Kellogg Institute. After earning an Associate Arts Degree from Harrisburg Area Community College, Denise’s education and career(s) took numerous and diverse paths before she made the decision to return to school in 2004. After earning a BA in English from East Tennessee State University in 2006, she took a position at the NCDE. She enjoys the challenge of working full-time in the realm of Developmental Education while working part-time toward a graduate degree. Denise's first-hand experience as a non-traditional student gives her an appreciation for the Center's mission to make higher education accessible to all.

Angie Turrisi is the Office Manager for Publications. In this role, she serves as author contact for manuscripts for the Journal of Developmental Education in addition to managing all subscription databases.

Dr. D. Patrick Saxon was Assistant Director of Finance and Research. For more than 20 years he has managed the research activities, finances, and web resources of the NCDE. He will continue to serve as editor of Research in Developmental Education. He has taken a position at Sam Houston State University as a faculty member in the Educational Leadership and Counseling Department.

Milton "Bunk" Spann is the founder of the NCDE, including the Kellogg Institute and the Journal of Developmental Education, where he is Editor Emeritus.  He has retired with more than three decades of experience as a practitioner, researcher, and consultant in the field of developmental education and learning assistance.

Maggie Mock has retired from the NCDE. She was the administrative assistant and office manager for 25 years. Many will remember and appreciate her work with the Kellogg Institute.

Sandy Drewes Sandy Drewes is now relocated near family in Oregon. We appreciate her many years of service as director of the Kellogg Institute.

Elaini Bingham is retired Director of the Kellogg Institute. Elaini began as Administrative Assistant at the Center from its inception in 1976 and retired as Assistant Director. She served as Director of the Institute from 1988-2000. She served for two years on the Executive Board of The National Association of Developmental Education as Vice President and offered her services for many years to the North Carolina Association for Developmental Education.