Melissa Scott Kozak
College of Family and Consumer Sciences
Senior Lecturer; Undergraduate Program Coordinator
119 Dawson Hall
305 Sanford Dr.
Athens, GA 30602
Education
| Degree | Field of Study | Institution | Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. | Child and Family Development | University of Georgia | 2011 |
| M.S. | Child and Family Development | University of Georgia | 2009 |
| B.S. | Human Development and Family Studies | The University of Texas at Austin | 2006 |
Research
As a Senior Lecturer, I research pedagogy through a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) lens. This allows me to implement pedagogical strategies and systematically explore their effectiveness. Past research in this area includes peer review on research papers. I am actively researching the use of alternative texts in Human Sexuality across the Lifespan (novels) as well and in Family Policy (non-fiction). I am interested in also exploring the impact of internships on students' personal, professional, and civic identities. In the past, I explored family and community involvement through school gardens, looking at funds of knowledge and environmental literacy.
Teaching
Courses taught include Human Sexuality across the Lifespan, Family Policy, and Family Life Education Methodology.
As Internship Coordinator, Professional Development and Internship.
Prior Professional Positions
| Organization | Title | Years of Service |
|---|---|---|
| Athens Technical College | Adjunct Instructor | 2 |
Awards
| Award Name | Awarded By | Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Writing Fellow | University of Georgia - Center for Teaching and Learning | 2013 |
| Teaching Academy Fellow | University of Georgia - Teaching Academy | 2013 |
| Teacher of the Week | Center for Teaching and Learning | 2014 |
| Undergraduate Mentorship Award | Human Development and Family Science | 2015 |
| Special Collections Library Fellow | University of Georgia | 2017 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Faculty Ambassador | College of Family and Consumer Sciences | 2018 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year | College of Family and Consumer Sciences | 2020 |
Service
| Organization | Title | Year(s) | Service Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens Farm to School | Co-director | 2010-2015 | Community |
| Athens Farmers Market | Volunteer | 2009-2015 | Community |
| Athens Land Trust Community Garden Network | School Garden Member | 2010-2012 | Community |
Outreach
Co-Faculty Advisor for Student Organization: Camp for a Cause with Camp Twin Lakes
Areas of Expertise
My areas of expertise include the scholarship of teaching and learning, professional development and internships, as well as family and community impact on optimal development.
Books
Gonyea, J.L. & Kozak, M.S. (2018). Navigating career roadmaps: Developing your professional GPS through internships (3rd Edition). Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall-Hunt Publishing.
Current Research
Exploring the teaching-learning connection in Family Life Education Service-Learning (Fall 2021 - Spring 2022)
- Co-Mark Pettit
HDFS Writing Center (Spring 2020 – Present)
- Co-Melissa Landers-Potts, Jennifer Gonyea, and Jennifer George
- Investing the impact of a departmental writing rubric, Holistic, Universal Writing Rubric
Investigating the impact of archival documents on student learning, Family Policy in the Archives (Spring 18-Present)
Investigating the effectiveness of assessment strategies, which do not include exams, across all of our courses, Authentic Assessment in Applied Science (The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) (Spring 17 – Spring 22)
- Co-Jennifer George, Ph.D.
Survey to assess the experiences of students after completing an experiential learning opportunity (Spring 14)
- This was a collaboration between the University of Georgia and Bridgewater College, Donna Hancock Hoskins
Exploring the Peer-Review Process (Spring 2013)
- Co-Meghan Dove, Ph.D., CFLE
Job Description
As a Senior Lecturer, I teach required coursework for Family Life Education Certification.
As an Undergraduate Program Coordinator, I am responsible for student recruitment, retention, and promotion of HDFS Undergraduate Students. I also work with faculty and staff to address curriculum planning, scheduling, and revisions, as well as the annual Student Learning Outcomes Assessment.
Journal Articles
Kozak, M.S. & Schlechte, K. (Fall 2018). Disarming the teaching and learning process: Deliberating in the classroom. CFLE Network, 31.4. National Council on Family Relations.
Gonyea, J. & Kozak, M.S. (2014). Scaffolding family science student experiences to increase employment options and preparedness. Family Science Review, 19 (1).
Kozak, M.S. & McCreight, J. (2013). We Grew It!: Enrichment Through Sustainable Gardening in Elementary School. Journal of Applied Environmental Education and Communication., 12(1), 29-37.
Lee, B.Y., Kozak, M.S., Nancoo, C.P., Chen, H., Middendorf, K., & Gale, J. (In Press 2013). Exploring dominant discourses: Creating spaces to find voice and cultural identity. Journal of Cultural Diversity: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 20 (1).
Kozak, M.S. & McCreight, J. (2010). Collaborative Inquiry: Growing to Learn, and Learning to Grow. Childhood Education, 87(1), 66-67.
Souto-Manning, M., & Scott, M. (2008). Book Review: Childhood Bilingualism: Research on Infancy through School Age Critical Inquiry in Language Studies: An International Journal, 5(4), 265-270