Ashley Hobbs MS, BSDH, RDH, ECP II 

Ashley J. Hobbs MS, BSDH, RDH, ECP II has been an integral part of the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry since 2020, serving as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Dental Hygiene. With a deep commitment to education and student development, Professor Hobbs directs key courses within the dental hygiene curriculum, including Local Anesthesia and Pain Control, Dental Biomaterials, and Introduction to the Preventive Practice of Dental Hygiene. She also manages the extended care permit III continuing education course and the local anesthesia continuing education course. In her role as the Junior Clinic Coordinator, she is dedicated to providing skilled clinical instruction, hands-on learning experiences, and mentorship to her students.

Professor Hobbs' excellence in teaching has been recognized with the prestigious UMKC Faculty of the Year award in 2024. She is an active member of the American Dental Hygienists Association and the American Dental Education Association, where she also serves as the Secretary for the Dental Hygiene Clinic Coordinators Special Interest Group.

Her research interests focus on faculty calibration, clinical instruction, and innovative teaching paradigms. Professor Hobbs has shared her insights through presentations at numerous national and international conferences. Notably, she has recently presented on the development of schoolbased sealant programs at a state-level continuing education course, discussed innovative teaching paradigms at the American Dental Education Association 2022 conference, and presented qualitative research on student perceptions of school-based sealant programs at the American Dental Hygienists Association 2022 conference. Ashley J. Hobbs' work has been published in the Journal of Dental Education, reflecting her ongoing contribution to the field of dental hygiene education.

Carrie Hanson, RDH, MA, EdD

Carrie Hanson, RDH, MA, EdD, is the Director of the Dental Hygiene Program at Johnson County Community College. Dr. Hanson has over 35 years of practice and teaching experience. Her teaching experience began at her alma mater, Northern Arizona University (1988 to 1992). After obtaining her master’s degree (NAU), she continued her teaching at the University of Missouri-Kansas City where she taught an array of didactic and clinical courses including community and preventive dentistry, nutrition for the dental hygienist, applied biochemistry, clinic coordination for clinic II, and clinical instructor in both junior and senior dental hygiene clinics. During her tenure at UMKC, she was appointed to administrative roles as Coordinator of the CE Department and Director of the Admission Enhancement Program. She obtained her Doctorate in 2014 from UMKC. Dr. Hanson has received several teaching awards and was honored as Alumni of the Year for Northern Arizona University in 1996. She has published in several peer-reviewed journals, presented at local and national meetings, authored a chapter in the Dental Hygiene Review textbook and served on institutional and national committees. Service on national committees include the ADEA CADPD Program Directors’ Conference Planning Committee (PDCPC), ADHA State Education Network (SEN), ADEA Council of Allied Program Directors’ board member, ADEA Competencies for Entry into the Allied Dental Profession Work Group and advisory board member of the Colgate Educators Network.

Chris Haddlesey, MBA

Chris graduated from the University of Michigan in 2015 with a degree in English Education. For four semesters, he taught grammar and style techniques to postgraduate students from the Michigan School of Dentistry’s Division of Dental Hygiene. Professors noticed their students’ progress, and Chris was invited to present his approach at a series of faculty workshops. This eventually led to an invitation in 2017 to design Writing for Oral Health Sciences, a course required as part of the Masters of Science in Dental Hygiene (MSDH) curriculum, and Chris has co-taught the course each year since. He joined the MSDH program's AI committee in 2023, as he has a keen interest in how artificial intelligence advancements may impact not only his course but also how the skill of writing is taught in general. Chris has worked as a pharmaceutical and corporate finance editor since 2016 and completed an MBA in 2024.

Elizabeth O. Carr, DHA, RDH, MAADH, FCGDent, ACD Honorary Fellow

Elizabeth O. Carr, DHA, RDH, MAADH, FCGDent, ACD Honorary Fellow is an international speaker, leadership educator, and facilitator focused on communication, culture, and courageous leadership. A Certified Crucial Conversations® Trainer and Trauma-Informed Care–certified professional, she brings a trauma-aware lens to leadership development; helping leaders navigate difficult conversations, regulate under pressure, and build psychologically safe environments. Elizabeth holds a Doctorate in Health Administration from University of Mississippi Medical Center, a Master of Dental Hygiene from University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and a Certificate in Management and Leadership from MIT Sloan Executive Education. Dr. Carr serves as Dental Hygiene Department Chair at the UMMC School of Dentistry, and is faculty in The Sweet Spot Leader® program and Educators Platform. She brings more than two decades of experience in higher education and has delivered leadership programs around the world.

Elmer Gonzalez, PhD

Dr. Elmer E. González is a professor and dental professional with a distinguished career marked by extensive education and a deep commitment to clinical and academic excellence. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (2018), an MBA in Business Administration (2016), an MA in Educational Psychology (2014), an MS in Dental Hygiene (2010), a BS in Dental Hygiene (2008), and a BA in Spanish with a minor in Psychology (2005), all from the University of New Mexico (UNM). Currently serving as the Chair of Dental Programs (Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene) at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana Community College (NMSU-DACC), Dr. González has a robust background in both teaching and clinical practice. As a full-time faculty member at UNM from 2010 to 2016, he taught a variety of subjects, including Special Care in Dental Hygiene, Dental Materials, and Oral Pathology. Currently at NMSU-DACC, Dr. González has been instrumental in developing new initiatives to support students and patients by establishing external clinical sites aimed at improving access to preventive dental hygiene services while providing dental hygiene students opportunities for success and enhanced clinical practice. Dr. Gonzalez has secured substantial grant funding to support community outreach initiatives. His research interests focus on special care dentistry, feedback, and educational methodologies, and he continues to contribute to the field through teaching, research, and community engagement. Dr. Gonzalez also leads the international service-learning program established at NMSU-DACC Dental Hygiene in 2017. The international program has given students opportunities to enhance their cultural awareness, chairside skills, and ability to work with underserved communities around the globe in India, Costa Rica, and Vietnam.

Jennifer Boyce, DMD

Jennifer Boyce, DMD, earned a BS in Biology from the University of Scranton in 1986 and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1990. She completed a General Practice Residency at Danbury Hospital in 1991 and served as an attending dentist there until 1997. Dr. Boyce has extensive experience in private practice, having worked as an associate dentist from 1991-1993, practice owner from 1993-2018, and associate again in 2019. She joined Fones School of Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport as adjunct faculty/clinic dentist from 2015-2021 and is currently the Associate Director of Clinical Affairs. Recognized for her contributions to the field, Dr. Boyce received the 2020 ADHA Connecticut Gold Star Award and the 2022 Teledentistry Innovation in Education Award. She has presented at the ADEA National Convention in 2022 and 2023, and presented at the ADEA Allied Program Director’s Meeting in 2024. Additionally, she serves on the ADEA Compendium on Dental Assisting Competency Revision Committee for Dental Materials (2024-2026). As a CODA Allied Dentist Site Visitor (DA/DH) since 2021 and a member of the CODA Review Committee (DA) from 2023-2028, Dr. Boyce is dedicated to advancing dental education. She has served as principal for 11 grants totaling $950,000 for Fones School of Dental Hygiene since 2019, including funding from the American Rescue Plan for teledentistry innovation and from Delta Dental Foundation for the Senior Smiles program and Connecticut's first expanded function dental assisting program. Dr. Boyce has been involved in laser education for dental hygienists since 2019, training faculty to implement diode lasers into the curriculum at Fones, Cape Cod Community College, and Virginia Commonwealth University. She also led faculty local anesthesia certification and refresher courses at Fones from 2015-2022 and holds WCLI Laser Certification Level 1 and Level 2.

Jill Pyle, RDH, BS, MSEd

Jill Pyle is employed at Missouri Southern State University as the Dental Hygiene Program Director. She has been a dental hygienist for 28 years. She currently holds degrees in Associate of Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Science in Biology, and Master of Education Curriculum and Instruction, all of which were obtained at Missouri Southern State University. Ms. Pyle has taught Community Dental Health Education and Practicum, Clinical Dental Hygiene I, II, and III, Fundamentals of Instrumentation I and II, Head and Neck Anatomy, Radiology, and Histology and Embryology. Mrs. Pyle oversees a Teledentistry grant through the Department of Health and Senior Services and Rural Citizens Access to Telehealth grant through MoHealth Net.

Laura Joseph, EdD

A distinguished scholar, teacher, and leader, Laura Joseph oversees all academic schools and departments at Farmingdale State College where she holds the position of Senior Vice President and Provost. Dr. Joseph began her academic career at Farmingdale State College in 1991 as a faculty member in the Department of Dental Hygiene and served as Department Chair from 2003-2013. Dr. Joseph earned a Doctoral Degree in Higher Education and Academic Leadership from Columbia University and a BS and MS degree in Science from Old Dominion University. In addition to her administrative posts within higher education, Dr. Joseph has served as Dental Hygiene Commissioner for the American Dental Associations’ Commission on Dental Accreditation and as an accreditation site visitor. She is past President of the New York State Dental Hygiene Educators’ Association and the National Dental Hygiene Honor Society, Sigma Phi Alpha. She has co-authored the book Dental Hygiene Process: Diagnosis and Care Planning and is a contributing author in Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice by Darby and Walsh; Darby’s Comprehensive Review of Dental Hygiene by Christine Blue; Medical Emergencies: Essentials for the Dental Professional by Ellen Grimes; Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist by Esther Wilkins, and Comprehensive Dental Hygiene Care by Irene Woodall.

Michele Carr, RDH, MA, EdD

Michele Carr is faculty Emeritus and former Chair, Division of Dental Hygiene at The Ohio State University, College of Dentistry. She also served as the Director of Continuing Education at the College of Dentistry for three years while she was chair of her division. Along with her research interests in clinical practice and cultural diversity, Dr. Carr has dedicated much of her career to serving numerous years as both a CODA consultant and a CODA Dental Hygiene Review Committee member. Dr. Carr has been recognized nationally and locally serving on numerous professional committees such as the ADEA Council of Allied Dental Program Directors, ADEA Continuing Education Advisory Committee, ADHA Council on Policy and Bylaws, and Ohio Dental Hygienists’ Association Government Relations Committee. She has published over 20 articles in a variety of dental journals and serves as an Ask-the-Expert columnist for the journal Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. Michele is a member of the Ohio State Dental Board and serves as an examiner for CDCA-WREB-CITA. Additionally, Michele is an accreditation consultant for Educators Platform.

Pamela Zarkowski, JD, MPH, BSDH

Professor Pamela Zarkowski, JD, MPH, BSDH, is the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Detroit Mercy. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and a Master of Public Health in Dental Public Health, as well as a Teaching Certificate in Community Dentistry from the University of Michigan. She also holds a Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University. Professor Zarkowski, an educator for more than 45 years, has held numerous administrative positions at the university level. She has played significant leadership roles in national dental and dental hygiene professional organizations, is a frequent lecturer, and published on professional, legal, and ethical topics. She is a past president of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Education Association, the Society for Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine, and the American Society for Dental Ethics. Professor Zarkowski is an Honorary Member of Sigma Phi Alpha, OKU, and an Honorary Fellow of the American College of Dentists and the American College of Legal Medicine. In 2011, she received the Distinguished Service Award from ADEA, the Gies Award for Achievement – Dental Educator in 2017, and in 2019, she was named one of Crain’s Notable Women in Education Leadership.