The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Global Engagement (EDGE) is located at 1945 N. High St., 177 Arps Hall, Columbus, Ohio 43210. Our phone number is 614-292-1936. EDGE staff can answer your questions on diversity programs, initiatives and research.
Noelle Arnold, PhD, Professor of Educational Administration; Senior Associate Dean
Noelle Arnold, PhD is a professor of educational administration and the senior associate dean in the College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University. Prior to this, appointment Dr. Arnold was the Director for the Education Doctorate (EdD) program in Educational Administration in the Department of Educational Studies at Ohio State. Dr. Arnold has written and presented extensively and has 9 books published or in press and more than 70 publications. Her most recent book is the 2nd Edition of the Handbook for Urban Educational Leadership and Companion Guide (forthcoming, 2021). A former administrator at the district and state level, Dr. Arnold also serves as a consultant throughout the US advising districts on diversity and inclusion, and teaching and leading in urban and rural contexts. Dr. Arnold’s research agenda terms context-based interdisciplinary research with a focus on disparities and her research has yielded $2.3 million in internal and external funding. In addition, Dr. Arnold’s scholarship was one of only four authors’ works submitted to the United States Senate for Emerging Peer Reviewed Research on Educational Leadership, Policy and Literacy in Black and Brown Communities. Dr. Arnold was the first African American female to serve as President for the University Council for Educational Administration.
Ryann Randall, MA EDGE Program Specialist and Assistant to the Associate Dean
Ryann Randall, is program specialist and assistant to the associate dean. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Fashion Retail Studies and Masters of Arts program at The Ohio State University. Ryann coordinates all office operations for the Office of Equity, Diversity and Global Engagement and the office programming. Her future plans include, earning a graduate degree with a focus on diversity, justice, multiculturalism and equity studies in order to design arts- and community-based programs for young people in urban contexts.
Tei Street, Education Director of Health Sciences Academies, Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT) Initiative
Tei Street serves as the education director for the Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT) Initiative to the Health Sciences Academies, which is a partnership between The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Columbus City Schools. Ms. Street develops strategy and implementation for the transformation of five schools on the Near Eastside of Columbus, Ohio including educational and public relations support to all stakeholders to ensure the educational success of children on the PACT geography. In addition, Ms. Street holds an appointment in the office for Special Initiatives with community agencies and Columbus City Schools.
Carlotta Penn, PhD Senior Director of Partnerships and Engagement
Carlotta Penn oversees all partnership and engagement including campus, community, national nd international. Dr. Penn develops strategic initiatives that advance the college commitment to diversity, engagement, and impact at the college and in schools and communities. These projects include: the Historically Underrepresented Ethnicities Success Center, the EDGE podcast, and the Service Learning and Community Engagement Grant, among others. Dr. Penn also oversees international and global affairs for the office. Carlotta spent several years as an English language educator in local and global contexts, and her research interests include Black women educators, Language and Literacy, and Multicultural Education. She holds a PhD in Education and an MA in Comparative Studies from The Ohio State University, and a BA in Mass Communication from Wright State University
Keeley J. Pratt, PhD, Associate Professor in Human Development and Family Science, EDGE Faculty in Residence
Keeley is in the Department of Human Sciences and in the Department of Surgery. She is an independently licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Keeley works extensively with Ohio State’s Comprehensive Center for Weight Management, Metabolic, and Bariatric Surgery, in which she conducts research and oversees the behavioral health and family therapy services and outreach to families in urban and rural communities. She also collaborates on pediatric weight management projects aimed at reducing severe obesity among children and adolescents with Nationwide Children’s Hospital Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition. Keeley is currently the “Faculty in Residence” in the Office of Equity Diversity and Global Engagement (EDGE). In this capacity, she is developing urban and rural programming, collaborations, and initiatives around health, education, and wellness. Pratt also assists with college-level initiatives including the post-doctoral program and developing metrics to assess inclusive and diversity practices.
Jenna Azotea, Education Abroad Specialist
Jenna Azotea serves as the college’s education abroad specialist, where she plans, develops, and administers faculty-led international programs. She also provides student support services, such as program advising and pre-departure orientations. Jenna is an Ohio State alumna, and received her bachelor of arts in Italian, and minored in education and music. She has traveled to more than 10 countries, including a study abroad experience to Lecce, Italy in 2013 for intensive language learning and an English teaching position in Iseo, Italy after her graduation in 2015. Additionally, Jenna brings over three years of program management and business experience from her time with the Columbus Council on World Affairs. Having seen firsthand how education and global competencies directly impact students’ future success, she hopes to give back to the Buckeye community and improve the international experiences of EHE students.
Austin McClellan, Graphic Designer
A visual artist and graphic designer, Austin creates meaningful design solutions that support and promote the initiatives and programs in the Office of Equity, Diversity and Global Engagement. Graduating from Columbus College of Art and Design in 2011, she has worked for a variety of brands around the Columbus, Ohio area and is very excited to be a part of The Ohio State University staff and working with the EDGE team.
Neal McKinney, Graduate Research Associate for EDGE
Neal McKinney (he, him, his) is a first-year PhD student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program. He earned a BA in Communication from DePauw University, and a MEd in Higher Education, Student Affairs, and International Education Policy from the University of Maryland. Subsequently, he has worked as a Career Services Program Director at the University of Maryland, and most recently in Education Abroad as the Associate Director of Off-Campus Programs at DePauw University. His research interests include persistence, retention, and high impact practices that support the educational success of diverse student populations (specifically for Black students) as well as teaching on diversity, inclusion, and social justice pedagogy.
