Current Service-Learning Faculty and Community Fellows

Dr. Dashauna Ballard is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) School of Public Health. At UAB, she additionally contributes to the Dissemination, Implementation, and Community Engagement (DICE) Core within the P30 BIGDATA Center and the Community Engagement and Outreach (CEO) Core in the Disability Health Promotion Research Center.

Dr. Ballard earned a both a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a PhD in Health Education and Health Promotion from the University of Alabama, as well as a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Behavior from UAB. Her professional background spans public health, education, and community engagement, with prior roles as a Secondary Science Teacher, Medicaid Eligibility Specialist, and Public Health Educator. For her secondary teaching efforts, she was awarded a school-level “Alabama Teacher of the Year” award. At the collegiate level, she has taught courses focusing on community engagement techniques, health disparities, and personal health.

Her research focuses on community-engaged health education programming to improve access to care and health outcomes. She has received pilot funding through UAB’s ForgeAHEAD Center to support the implementation of a personalized diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) program in a faith-based setting, using a curriculum developed by a local community pharmacy in the Birmingham area.

Angela Chang Chiu is a nursing educator and global health leader at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, where she serves as Assistant Director of Student Experiences within the Center for Global Initiatives. Her work focuses on designing and scaling experiential learning programs that prepare nursing students to reflect on complex population health challenges across diverse global and community settings. She has led the expansion of international service-learning partnerships across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, aligning programming with the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery, the AACN Essentials, and global health competency frameworks.

Dr. Chang’s scholarly and operational expertise centers on program evaluation, implementation science, and health systems strengthening, with a particular emphasis on advancing equitable, community-based care models in low-resource settings. Her doctoral work at Duke University evaluated the role of nursing in achieving global health priorities, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In addition to her academic role, Dr. Chang brings a background in healthcare operations and quality improvement, having led system-level initiatives to improve patient access and care delivery. She is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and a bilingual clinician (Spanish and Mandarin), with a strong commitment to advancing global nursing leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical, bidirectional partnerships in global health.

With a strong background in pediatric nursing, Cora Evensen, MSN, RN, CPN (Certified Pediatric Nurse) brings a wealth of experience to the field of nurse education. She has been honored to be in the position of Instructor at the University of North Florida in the Brooks College of Health School of Nursing since 2020. Mrs. Evensen has a proven track record of guiding and mentoring students and fostering their development in the fundamentals, pediatric, and community nursing. Motivated by a desire to address the growing need for qualified nurse educators, Cora Evensen possesses a genuine passion for supporting nursing students on their academic journey. Witnessing their transformation and success as they become the future of the profession is a source of immense personal satisfaction. The opportunity to educate at the university level in the Fundamentals, Pediatrics, and Community courses in the School of Nursing has been particularly rewarding. It has allowed her to share her knowledge and experiences with a wider audience. Mrs. Evensen also enjoys connecting nursing students to their community through the community engagement experiences scaffolded throughout the curriculum. When she is not helping students, this Jacksonville native enjoys getting outside with her family.

Amy Gatton, MSN, RN, CNE, is a certified nurse educator from Crandon, Wisconsin. She holds a master’s degree in nursing education from Concordia University-Wisconsin and serves as an Assistant Professor in the nursing program at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay (UWGB), where she is also the lead for the Community Health Educator program. Amy has held a variety of roles in public health , including public health assistant, public health nurse, and Health Officer for Forest County, Wisconsin. She currently serves on the Forest County Board of Health.

Becky Genberg is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her research focuses on the social determinants of health among people living with or at risk of infectious diseases. Her research informs strategies to prevent infectious diseases and improve the health of marginalized populations who are most at risk for negative health outcomes due to structural forces. She conducts community-based research on improving HIV treatment outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa through work in western Kenya, and on infectious disease and overdose prevention in Baltimore among people who use drugs. Her teaching experiences include co-directing the second in the Epidemiologic Methods course at BSPH (340.752) since 2020 and the practical skills courses Health Survey Research Methods (340.717) and online in Introduction to Health Survey Research Methods (340.727).

Tara V. Casimir, PhD, RN, CNE, is an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Southern Maine. Her scholarship focuses on community-engaged research, nursing education, rural and occupational health, and global health capacity building. She works in partnership with local and regional organizations to address health challenges affecting Maine’s coastal and working communities, including those in fishing and agriculture. As a nurse educator, she teaches across the curriculum within the undergraduate and graduate programs with an emphasis on community public health nursing, nursing research, foundations in nursing education, interprofessional collaboration, and experiential learning. Dr. Casimir integrates service learning into her teaching to connect students with real world public health issues and to translate community-informed insights into practice and policy.

Melissa Hunter, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and nursing educator with extensive experience in clinical practice, academic instruction, and healthcare leadership. She currently serves as full-time faculty at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, where she is dedicated to preparing the next generation of nurses through innovative teaching and mentorship.

Dr. Hunter earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Certificate in Nursing Education from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing from Notre Dame of Maryland University, and completed her post-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner certificate at Salisbury University School of Nursing. Her clinical background spans critical care, perianesthesia nursing, and primary care, with current practice experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner in sleep medicine, obesity management, and primary care in a community health setting.

With a strong commitment to patient safety and quality improvement, Dr. Hunter’s scholarly work focuses on perioperative risk reduction, resilience in nursing education, and the transition to advanced practice roles. She has contributed to peer-reviewed publications, including work featured in nursing education journals and academic texts, and has presented her research at regional and international conferences.

Dr. Hunter is an active member in professional nursing organizations, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Obesity Medicine Association, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, and American Nurses Association. She also serves as a faculty representative for the Maryland Statewide Resilient Nurses Initiative, promoting well-being and resilience across the nursing workforce.

Her excellence in teaching and service has been recognized with numerous honors, including the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty and multiple Maryland Higher Education Commission awards. A dedicated mentor, Dr. Hunter supports graduate and doctorate nursing students across multiple programs, fostering professional growth and clinical excellence.

Lindsey Webb is an Assistant Research Professor and the Associate Director of the Master of Health Science (MHS) in Mental Health program at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her research focuses on adolescent mental health and trauma. With over 15 years of experience school-based research in Baltimore City, Dr. Webb has worked with multiple community partners to provide prevention programs to young people. Dr. Webb hopes that her time in the SOURCE Service-Learning Academy will provide the opportunity to link future MHS students with local community-serving organizations to enrich their training and support the local community.

Joseph currently serves as the College and Career Readiness Coordinator at the Goodwill Excel Center, a high school for adults located in downtown Baltimore. An educator with over 10 years of experience — nine of those in Baltimore City — Joseph is passionate about helping learners reach their goals through education and career development.

Joseph especially enjoys working with adult learners, who bring unique life experiences to the classroom and apply new skills in transformative ways. At the Excel Center, he works with students to explore certification programs, career opportunities, and college pathways that align with their interests and aspirations. Joseph loves to collaborate with local partners to connect students with opportunities and community-based resources that continue their growth outside the classroom.

Originally from Denver, Colorado, Joseph now calls East Baltimore home. He holds a degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and brings experience in advising, program development, and project management. Joseph joined the board to further support inclusive educational access and contribute to building stronger, opportunity-rich communities.

Zianab Sankoh is a devoted mother, certified breastfeeding specialist, and doula whose life’s work reflects a deep commitment to nurturing families and building stronger communities. As the proud mother of a fourth-grade son, she is deeply engaged in supporting his academic journey and personal development while modeling the values of service, resilience, and cultural pride.

The daughter of parents who immigrated from Sierra Leone, she was raised on the principles of unity and love—values that continue to guide her parenting and professional journey. A resident of Mondawmin for the past six years and an active member of the Neighbors United Mondawmin team, Zianab is deeply rooted in her community. Currently serving as the Community and Volunteer Engagement Manager at Parks & People, she leads initiatives that connect families with resources, empower volunteers, and strengthen Baltimore neighborhoods through environmental stewardship and youth development.

Her work reflects a deep understanding of how vibrant communities are built—through collaboration, compassion, and care. Grounded in intentionality, cultural awareness, and holistic support, she believes that strong families create strong communities. Whether mentoring youth, organizing school supply drives, or advocating for inclusive healthcare, Zianab remains committed to uplifting others and creating lasting change.

Shel Simon was born and raised in West Baltimore and is a proud graduate of St. Paul’s School for Boys and the University of Maryland. With a deep commitment to youth development and community empowerment, he has dedicated over a decade to coaching youth football in Baltimore City, shaping the lives of countless young athletes.

For the past 10 years, Shel has also been an integral part of Next One Up, serving in key leadership roles including Deputy CEO, Program Director, and currently Chief Program Officer. Through his leadership, he works to expand opportunities and provide mentorship for young men in Baltimore, helping them unlock their full potential both on and off the field.

Dr. Jessica Chambliss is a public health professional with extensive experience in public health practice. She currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Public Health Practice and Vice Chair of Education in the Health Policy and Organization concentration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Public Health. Additionally, she holds a primary appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Organization.

Dr. Chambliss earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Health Education and Health Promotion from UAB in December 2019, following her Master of Public Health in Health Care Management from the University of Texas, Houston Health Science Center, and her Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management from the University of Alabama.

Her research interests include maternal and child health, public health systems, and health policy. Her work in public health encompasses three primary areas: community engagement/outreach, workforce development, and program evaluation. She’s spent her career interacting with community stakeholders, training future and current public health workforce, and serving as an evaluator of public health projects.

Prior to joining UAB, she worked in governmental public health at a local health department. As a strong advocate for public health, Dr. Chambliss values the support of populations to acquire the knowledge they need to maintain healthy lives physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Ashley Gresh is both a certified nurse-midwife and a public health nurse, whose research focuses on addressing inequities in maternal and child health outcomes. Her current work examines the effects of perinatal group-based care on maternal and child health in the postpartum period, and examines ways for adapting, implementing, and sustaining group care in Baltimore and globally. Dr. Gresh is committed to co-creating solutions to issues in health care with the communities she serves by using a human-centered design approach; one that shifts power dynamics and centers the rights and well-being of childbearing people, their families, and communities.

She has a range of global and international health experience including being in the inaugural cohort of the Global Women’s Health Fellowship, a joint venture between the Johns Hopkins Schools of Nursing and Medicine and Jhpiego. A foundational career goal for Dr. Gresh is to reimagine and redefine postpartum care to transform systems and delivery of care.

Erin Horkey is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan. Her research focus involves reducing barriers in access to nursing education, especially for individuals with disabilities. In her role as an educator, Dr. Horkey works to integrate students into community care for the pediatric population. During her time at Siena Heights, Dr. Horkey has led multiple partnerships and initiatives to increase access to nursing resources for children within rural communities. Dr. Horkey hopes to apply her learning from the SOURCE academy to expand community programs for nursing students to serve rural pediatric health.

Tamaki Kobayashi, MSc, MPH’08, PhD, is an infectious disease epidemiologist and Director of Community Relations at the R³ Center for Innovation in Science Education (R³ISE) at W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Originally from Japan, she holds a BSc in Biology from Imperial College London and earned her MSc and PhD in Biomedical Science from the University of Tokyo.

Driven to make a broader impact, Tamaki pursued an MPH at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, which launched a decade-long journey researching malaria across Africa. These experiences deepened her conviction in the transformative power of science, collaboration, and community engagement.

At R³ISE—where the 3Rs stand for Rigor, Reproducibility, and Responsibility—Tamaki is deeply aligned with the center’s mission. She is especially passionate about fostering meaningful connections and cultivating a supportive, inclusive environment through science education. The SOURCE Service-Learning Academy offers an exciting opportunity for Tamaki to bring her vision to life in Baltimore, the city she and her family are proud to call home.

Yvette Merritt has 18 years of experience in community-based Public Health. Specifically, she has expertise in community needs assessment and improvement planning, coalition building, curriculum design, workforce training, as well as grants management at the federal, state, and local levels of government and non-profits.  

Mrs. Merritt currently works as an instructor in the School of Public Health at LSU Health-New Orleans. She co-teaches the applied practice experience course for all MPH students, coordinates the Office of Public Health Practice, and teaches the service-learning course for all BSPH students.

Yvette received her BA in African American Studies from Georgia State University and an MPH from the University of Pittsburgh. She is also certified in secondary education.

Kristin Monza is a highly accomplished nurse and educator with over two decades of experience in the healthcare field. She began her nursing career in 2003 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from East Carolina University, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Education from Gardner-Webb University (2013), and a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (2016).

Her clinical expertise spans various areas, including experience with palliative care, with a significant concentration in cardiology, particularly advanced heart failure, demonstrating a compassionate and holistic approach to patient care.

Kristin transitioned to academia in 2022 and played an integral role in forming the new nursing program at Belmont Abbey College. As an Associate Professor, her contributions have been pivotal to the program's achievement, including the first cohort's 100% NCLEX pass rate in May 2024 and the successful CCNE accreditation in the same year. She actively engages in course development, and her teaching portfolio includes Medical Surgical II and Community/ Population Health, and she provides dedicated mentorship to practicum students. Further demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence, she holds the Chair of the Curriculum Subcommittee position and assisted in developing the mentorship and onboarding program. In her teaching, Kristin strives to cultivate student confidence and communication skills while instilling a passion for service learning.

Kristin is deeply engaged in her community, volunteering on various committees, serving as a board member for Kintegra Health, and actively participating in her church community, including involvement with children and youth ministry. Outside work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, embracing outdoor activities, and her passion for running.

Danvy Truong serves as the Community Partnerships Manager at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, School of Public Health. She provides guidance to MPH and DrPH students for their applied practice experience. In addition, Danvy supports the Office of Community Engagement by fostering existing partnerships and establishing new collaborations with diverse community organizations. An alumnus of Downstate, Danvy is committed to training students to become successful public health practitioners and leaders through meaningful experiences. Her past experience includes working at the NYC Department of Health in the Office of Strategic Operations & Performance Management. She is passionate about community engagement, health equity, and food justice.

Odette Belcher-Carter is the Executive Director of Dayspring Programs Inc., located in East Baltimore. A dynamic and compassionate leader, Odette brings over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, driven by a deep commitment to uplifting marginalized communities—particularly families with young children.

Throughout her career, Odette has dedicated herself to transforming lives and neighborhoods in Baltimore, one community at a time. Her work centers on early childhood development, supporting individuals and families facing substance use challenges, and addressing housing insecurity. She leads with a collaborative spirit, forging strong partnerships and delivering supportive services grounded in empathy and perseverance.

Odette firmly believes in the power of individuals to make a difference: "Be the change you wish to see in the world"—especially by lifting up those in need.

When she’s not leading change, Odette enjoys spending time with her loved ones, going on “sniffcapades” with the family dog, and exploring new places around the world.

Janine-Marie Boulad is the Volunteer Coordinator for Gallagher Services. She has a B.A. in French and English Literature from Beloit College. Janine has only been with Gallagher for a year and a half but has worked in volunteer management at a number of nonprofits for over 25 years. She has completed graduate programs in Arabic and Middle Eastern Culture from the American University in Cairo and Non-Profit Management from Goucher College. She is currently enrolled in the MFA program at the University of Baltimore.

Janine is looking forward to working with community partners to create meaningful educational programming that not only gives access to, but includes people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Ms. KeShawn Golson, a Bronx, New York native, brings over 20 years of experience in education, federal programs, and community development. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Lincoln University, PA, and a Master of Arts in Instructional System Development from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Ms. Golson began her career as a teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools, which set the foundation for her subsequent work in federal programs, including Title I, Title II, Title III, and School Improvement grants. Over the years, she has served in various leadership roles at local and state levels, such as Program Officer for Grants Management and Compliance with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education in Washington, D.C., Executive Director of Federal Programs at the School District of Philadelphia, Coordinator of School Improvement at the Maryland State Department of Education, and Director of State and Federal Programs at Prince George’s County Public Schools.

Driven by a desire to elevate equity work beyond compliance mandates, Ms. Golson embraced the opportunity to serve as a Community School Coordinator in Baltimore’s Lauraville Community, joining the city's expansion of the Community School Strategy. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she led the creation of partnerships with local supermarkets to distribute learning packets, expanding access for families unable to reach District distribution sites. She also partnered with Morgan State University to create a virtual practicum for student teachers when in-person placements were suspended, which led to her full-time role supporting the university’s Professional Development Schools team.

Throughout her career, Ms. Golson has worked to close opportunity gaps, including securing over $1 million in federal funding to enhance academic and technical programs for adjudicated youth and University funding to pilot community literacy initiatives in barbershops.

In 2023, Ms. Golson joined Elev8 Baltimore as the Senior Director of Children and Youth Services, where she leads a team that leverages a full-service community school framework to support interventions and services for 17 of Elev8's 21 schools. Her commitment to transformative education and community engagement continues to make a significant impact on Baltimore's youth and families.