The Five Colleges of Ohio organization focuses on issues and opportunities of mutual concern, creating joint programs that enhance member institutions. This foundation of trust stimulates us to challenge the status quo and imagine how we might be better off both collectively and individually. The College of Wooster is a proud member of the Ohio Five.
[button url="https://www.ohio5.org/staff" class="blue"]Read Lindsey’s Bio[/button]
A 25-year veteran of the classroom, Kurt Russell ’94 was first inspired to become a teacher in middle school, when he encountered his first Black male teacher. Now as 2022 National Teacher of the Year, he plans to advocate for classrooms to better reflect the students within them — from a curriculum that reflects their backgrounds and identities to a more diverse teaching profession.
Kurt teaches history at Oberlin High School in Oberlin, Ohio, where he was born and raised; his classes include African American history, which he has taught since the late 1990s, and Race, Gender and Oppression, a class he developed. He also serves as faculty advisor for the student-led Black Student Union, whose work has led to positive impacts for students across racial groups.
In addition to his classroom and extracurricular duties, Kurt is the head coach for the school’s varsity basketball team. He sees basketball as an extension of the classroom, and a place where young people can learn about working together and how to handle both adversity and success.
Kurt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in history and a minor in Black studies from the College of Wooster and a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from Ashland University. He continues to take courses in child development at Oakland City University.
He was previously recognized as teacher of the year by the Oberlin Heritage Center and the Oberlin chapter of the NAACP, and as Lorain County Basketball Association Coach of the Year and the Northeast Ohio Coach of the Year.
Kurt lives with his wife, Donna, in Oberlin. They are the parents of two adult sons, Kurt Junior (KJ) and Korey. Kurt enjoys reading non-fiction and traveling.
[button url="/2022/04/21/wooster-alumnus-kurt-russell-94-introduced-as-2022-national-teacher-of-the-year-on-cbs-mornings/" class="blue"]Russell Named National Teacher of the Year[/button]
I joined the College of Wooster in 2022 as the Human Resources Specialist. I attended MuskingumUniversity and majored in Business Administration, with a concentration […]
Dr. Anne E. McCall is the 13th president of The College of Wooster. An inspirational and values-driven administrator with a track record for building […]
Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson, known in her community as Dr. PBJ, disrupts burnout by refreshing the hearts and equipping the hands of overworked, undervalued “heart-workers,” achievers who serve from a heart of purpose.
Dr. PBJ is an educator of almost 25 years and an Executive Coach for more than 10 years. She holds a doctoral degree in Education Administration, served in executive leadership at colleges and universities, and facilitates leadership training as a faculty member for the Center for Creative Leadership. Jackson worked in higher education at many levels, from student assistant to President’s Cabinet and is the recipient of several professional awards and accolades.
Jackson founded EduCare Training and Consulting, LLC out of a purpose pouring into those who pour out so much. Much of her work is specifically focused on equipping and refreshing educators. Compassionate work can carry a high price tag: your mind, body, spirit and relationships may be in distress as you serve the needs of others. Jackson leads her community to serve well without paying an ultimate price.
Currently, Dr. PBJ serves as creator and host of the Disrupting Burnout podcast, and is the founder and facilitator of the EduCare Women’s Leadership Academy.
Rev. Gwendolyn Cook Webb, Pastor at God’s People United For A Better World Church, is a native of Birmingham, Ala. Webb is a mother of one lovely daughter, grandmother of three, great grandmother of triplets, three beautiful identical girls, one great grandson and counselor to all young people through her ministry. Webb states that she thought the joy of childbirth was great, but nothing in her life has compared to the greatness of her life with Jesus Christ. Even at a young age, she was always fighting for, defending, protecting and serving the downtrodden. Being an original Foot Soldier for Civil Rights, a student leader who went to jail and led others in 1963, in Birmingham, Alabama, she is also now, a Foot Soldier for Christ. She has been ministering all her life, and was licensed and ordained into God’s Ministry in 1999. She is the current Pastor of the God’s People United for a Better World Church.
Rev. Webb attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College. She graduated from the Birmingham Police Academy as the second black female officer and served many years obtaining the rank of Detective. During her tenure on the police force, Webb met and married the late Rev. (Lt.) Billy D. Webb; their union lasted 23 years until his demise in 1998. Civic affiliations include being an original Foot Soldier for Civil Rights that earned her the prestigious “I Have A Dream” Award, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Award, Civil Rights Legends 2011 Black Achievers Regions Financial Corporation, and other numerous awards and positions. Webb has not stopped fighting for Civil Rights. She is the Founder and CEO of Foot Soldiers International Inc., Founder and CEO of Sisters Informing Sisters Inc. In addition, she earned the status of an Outstanding Young Woman of America and served on the Jefferson County Judicial Commission for six years, The Mayor’s Drug Task Force, and The Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect. Webb is featured in an outstanding documentary that won an Academy Award, “Mighty Times the Children’s March.” Webb was selected as the outstanding Foot Soldier from Birmingham, Alabama, along with four other delegates, from other parts of Alabama as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama’s special guest for Black History Month 2015. Webb is still traveling all over the country, “Teaching Non-Violence.”
Dr. Michael H. Miyawaki, Assistant Professor of Sociology, holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, and a M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from the Fordham University. He teaches courses in research methods, race and ethnicity, and social inequality. His research interest is in race and ethnicity, particularly in the areas of identity formation, classification systems, and inequality, and as they pertain to Latinos and the multiracial population.
Dr. Ryan Ozar is a visiting assistant professor of education at The College of Wooster where he teaches courses on adolescent to young adult teaching methods, content area reading, classroom management as social justice, and global education. His research interests center on the philosophy of education, experiential learning, and justice-informed pedagogies. When not in the classroom, you may find him walking his dog, attending improv shows on campus, or eating ice cream with his family.
Hometown Wooster, OH About Camille Mallett recently joined the staff at The College of Wooster in 2022 as a Case Manager for The Division […]
Makiba J. Foster, who has attracted national recognition for leading digital projects that curate the Black experience, such as Documenting Ferguson, and, most recently, Archiving the Black […]
Libertyville, Illinois
Career: Vice President of Global and Regulatory Affairs, Pfizer
Scots in Service: The Wooster Fund, worked to establish the Wooster Friends for Life Scholarship in 2020 with a close group of friends from Wooster, Scot Band alumna, Epsilon Kappa Omicron alumna, Alumni Board
Weston, Massachusetts
Career: Senior Associate Director of Development for External Relations, The Rivers School
Scots in Service: GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Trustee in 2017 and 2018, Class President, Fighting Scots Career Connections network advisor, The Wooster Fund
