Heather Kelley, Ph.D., Department Head
Dr. Kelley is the Department Head of Human Services and Associate Professor of Educational Psychology in the College of Education and Human Services at 91¶¶Òù. Dr. Kelley received her Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Psychology from Texas Tech University in 2011. At 91¶¶Òù, Dr. Kelley has taught a range of undergraduate and graduate courses which include Educational Psychology, Learning and Assessment, Adult Learning, Classroom Management, and Exploring Teaching and Learning. Dr. Kelley's research interests focuses on teaching and learning in the K-12 education setting. More specifically, her interests include self-efficacy, culturally responsive teaching, and academic achievement in under-performing groups.
Sakhavat Mammadov, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Sakhavat Mammadov, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Dewar College of Education and Human Services at 91¶¶Òù (91¶¶Òù). Dr. Mammadov received his PhD from William & Mary in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership with an emphasis in Gifted Education. He worked as a postdoctoral research associate for the University of Washington’s (UW) Halbert and Nancy Robinson Center for Young Scholars prior to his appointment at 91¶¶Òù. His primary research interest is to examine and explore issues dealing with the social and emotional needs of children with gifts and talents.
Dr. Mammadov may be reached at smammadov@valdosta.edu.
Meagan Arrastia-Chisholm, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Dr. Arrastia-Chisholm is currently an associate professor of educational psychology for the Center for Gifted Studies at 91¶¶Òù where she has worked since August 2015. At the graduate level, she teaches measurement and evaluation, learning theory, and research methods. Her professional and research interests include parental separation, gifted education in rural schools, and college counseling. In the past year, Dr. Arrastia-Chisholm has collaborated with her colleagues and students to , such as the National Youth-at-Risk Journal, Peabody Journal of Education, Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, Theory & Practice in Rural Education, and the Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin.
Katharine S. Adams, Ph.D., Associate Professor 
Dr. Katharine S. Adams is currently an associate professor and program chair of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at 91¶¶Òù. She received her BS degree from the University of Florida, MS degree from 91¶¶Òù, and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology from Florida State University. She is a licensed psychologist. Her professional experiences include elementary and middle-school education and psychological assessment and counseling. Her current research interests include the social-emotional adjustment and academic success of both high and low achieving students as well as the social stigma associated with disability.
Samantha Tackett, Ph.D., Teaching Faculty
Dr. Tackett is teaching faculty of educational psychology for the Center for Gifted Studies at 91¶¶Òù. She thoroughly enjoys teaching assessment, cognitive psychology, educational psychology, educational technology, student success seminars, and research methods in traditional and online contexts. Her graduate credentials include a certificate in Institutional Research, a Master of Science in Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology, Learning and Cognition from Florida State University. Dr. Tackett has collaborated with colleagues and students to present research at regional and national conferences and publish in national and international journals, such as the International Journal of Social Media and Interactive Learning Environments, the International Journal of Teacher Education and Professional Development, the Peabody Journal of Education, and the Journal of Hispanic Higher Education. Her professional and research interests include the engagement, persistence, and retention of first-generation student populations; gifted education for minority student populations; sociocultural influences on students’ academic engagement, learning outcomes, and college retention.
Yuting Zhao, M.S., Teaching Faculty
Yuting Zhao is currently a currently a part-time instructor for the Center for Gifted Studies at 91¶¶Òù. Ms. Yuting Zhao graduated from Florida State University with a Master's degree in Educational Psychology. She has a passion for teaching and teaches Exploring Learning & Teaching. Her research interests lie primarily in child language development, bilingualism, and classroom language interventions. She worked in the Florida Center for Reading Research and published work in journals such as and .
