College of Education (COE)

The Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research (CEPR) welcomes three assistant professors. 

Drs. Nic Heimpel and Joonwoo Lee join the Counseling Psychology program after earning doctorates from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, respectively.

Dr. Hannah Rapp joins the department as an assistant professor of Educational Psychology following two years as a postdoctoral associate at the University at Buffalo. Her research focuses on social and emotional learning, bullying and parent-child relationships, particularly among youth with disabilities and children who experience bullying. Rapp looks forward to collaborating with University Schools on projects that support youth well-being. 

The Department of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership welcomes two new faculty members, Drs. Sarah Hudler and Brian Barnes, while Dr. Logan Caldwell assumes a new role within the department. 

Hudler joins the Special Education program as an assistant professor after earning her doctorate from The Ohio State University. A former elementary special education teacher with 20 years of classroom experience, her research focuses on access to the general education curriculum for students with moderate and intensive support needs, particularly in literacy and complex communication. She was drawn to the COE’s focus on preparing teachers to serve all learners. 

Barnes joins the Youth Development program as a clinical assistant professor. He earned his EdLD from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Before joining the UofM, Barnes taught mathematics at Wooddale High School and led Reclamation Advisors. His work centers on youth and young adult development, including leadership, agency, identity, purpose and community responsibility. He looks forward to helping build a practice-centered Youth Development program and strengthening partnerships throughout Memphis. 

Caldwell, a current UofM faculty member, assumes a new role as clinical associate professor of Instructional Design and Technology. Her work focuses on creating effective, engaging and evidence-based learning experiences across educational settings. She looks forward to continuing her work with in-service teachers while expanding collaborations with professionals in industry. 

The Department of Leadership welcomes Dr. Sarah Ray as an assistant professor of Higher and Adult Education. Ray earned her doctorate in Educational Human Resource Development, with a specialization in Adult Education, from Texas A&M University. She previously served as an assistant professor of Human and Organizational Learning at George Washington University. 

Ray’s research explores community-based entrepreneurship, leadership learning, career and workforce development and participatory research. Drawn to the department’s commitment to community-engaged work, she looks forward to conducting research with colleagues and supporting students in Memphis and beyond. 

CREP welcomes Dr. Wesley Morris, who earned his doctorate in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2025. Before joining the UofM, Morris served as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Maryland, College Park. His research focuses on teacher labor markets, teacher preparation and licensure, rural education and the economics of education. At CREP, he will develop relationships on and off campus, pursue funding, design and lead projects and support the center’s impact on educational policy.

Together, these faculty members bring academic and professional experience that will strengthen the college’s work to prepare educators, counselors and leaders and advance research that serves Memphis and communities beyond.