Auburn's College of Education welcomes talented new faculty for fall semester

As the fall semester kicks into high gear, students in Auburn’s College of Education will see a few new faces in their classrooms and laboratories.

Department of Curriculum and Teaching

Lisa Powell joins the College of Education's Department of Curriculum and Teaching with 15 years of experience teaching music in public schools across Alabama and Tennessee. A native of Haleyville, Alabama, Powell spent 14 years teaching music and choir to students in grades PreK-6 in Alabama school districts and one year teaching K-12 music in Tennessee public schools. She earned her doctorate from Auburn University in 2021 and has a research interest in involving students with disabilities in music classrooms.

Powell said she is excited to prepare future educators to understand how music serves as a powerful and essential component of learning. “Auburn University is a workplace committed to excellence, and I am honored to be a part of the university community,” she said.

School of Kinesiology

Jared Steele joins the College of Education’s School of Kinesiology as a visiting assistant professor. Originally from San Francisco, California, Steele earned his bachelor’s degree in Human Physiology from the University of Oregon and his master’s degree in Kinesiology from San Francisco State University. He completed his doctorate in Exercise Science at Brigham Young University before serving as a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University and an assistant professor at Marshall University. Steele’s research examines the biomechanics and physiology of human movement, with an emphasis on distance running performance, advanced footwear technology and movement variability. He has taught courses in biomechanics, functional kinesiology and anatomy.

“I am excited to join Auburn’s School of Kinesiology and work alongside students and colleagues who share a commitment to using movement science to improve performance, health and our understanding of the human body,” he said.

Alia Alghwiri joins the College of Education’s School of Kinesiology as an associate professor of Physical Therapy. Originally from Amman, Jordan, Alghwiri earned her bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Jordan and went on to earn a master’s in Neurological Physical Therapy and a doctorate in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining the School of Kinesiology’sfaculty, Alghwiri was a professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Jordan. Her service to her former institution included serving as Vice Dean of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences and she held several leadership roles within the physical therapy profession both in Jordan and internationally. Alghwiri’s research focuses on neurological and vestibular rehabilitation, balance and mobility, rehabilitation outcomes, physical activity and evidence-based physical therapy practice.

“I chose Auburn because I see it as an outstanding environment for collaboration, innovation and academic growth. I am especially excited about the opportunity to work with colleagues and students across disciplines, build meaningful research collaborations and contribute my international experience in physical therapy and rehabilitation sciences,” Alghwiri said. “After many years of working in Jordan and collaborating internationally, I look forward to bringing that perspective to Auburn while also learning from the remarkable community here. I am excited to begin this new chapter and to contribute to Auburn’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research and service.” 

Visiting Assistant Professor Kameron Suire joins the College of Education’s School of Kinesiology after serving as an assistant professor of Exercise Science at Berry College. His research focuses on physical activity and health behavior, with particular interests in such areas as motivational interviewing, exergaming and weight management. His research has examined behavioral interventions across varied populations, including college students, adults with obesity and metabolic disease risk, and individuals with Down syndrome. Suire holds a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech University, a master’s from Northwestern State University of Louisiana and earned his doctorate from Auburn University.

“Returning to Auburn as a faculty member is incredibly meaningful to me,” Suire said. “Auburn played such an important role in my development as an educator and scholar during my PhD, and having the opportunity to come back and contribute to the same Kinesiology program that helped shape my career is truly special."

Alka Bishnoi joins the School of Kinesiology as an assistant professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy after serving as an assistant professor at Kean University in New Jersey. A cognitive neuroscientist and researcher, Bishnoi earned her doctorate in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She holds two master’s degrees — one in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Illinois Chicago and another in Exercise Physiology from Kent State University — and earned her bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Delhi in India. She also brings international clinical experience in acute care, including working with patients with spinal cord injuries.

Bishnoi’s research focuses on cognitive neuroscience, cognitive-motor interactions, and the relationship between cardiovascular function, brain activity and mobility across aging, neurological and cardiopulmonary populations.