Introduction to the Edgewood University Dual Degree in Education Program

Melinda Verdone, Ed.D., is an experienced higher education professional with a strong focus on supporting first-year, first-generation, and diverse student populations. With an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Edgewood University, Madison, WI, her research focused on the stress experienced by first-year students in graduate-level health care professional programs. She also holds an M.A.Ed. in Teaching and Learning, also from Edgewood University, and an M.S. in Microbiology from Northern Illinois University. She is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute and holds Illinois Professional Educator and Wisconsin Initial Educator Licenses. Melinda has experience in a variety of teaching and administrative capacities in higher education, including Associate Dean, Academic Program Manager, Educational Specialist, and Faculty.

Melinda Verdone, Ed.D., is an experienced higher education professional with a strong focus on supporting first-year, first-generation, and diverse student populations. With an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Edgewood University, Madison, WI, her research focused on the stress experienced by first-year students in graduate-level health care professional programs. She also holds an M.A.Ed. in Teaching and Learning, also from Edgewood University, and an M.S. in Microbiology from Northern Illinois University. She is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute and holds Illinois Professional Educator and Wisconsin Initial Educator Licenses. Melinda has experience in a variety of teaching and administrative capacities in higher education, including Associate Dean, Academic Program Manager, Educational Specialist, and Faculty.

Kelli serves as a Program Coordinator for Educational Leadership and as a Senior Lecturer teaching in the Doctoral and Master’s programs. Kelli’s research interests include bypassing barriers for underrepresented students, mergers among public higher education institutions, and quantitative methods. She brings over 17 years of teaching experience in physics and mathematics. She is a first-generation student who earned her BS from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, her MS from Universities of Wisconsin Platteville, and her EdD from Edgewood University. In her free time, Kelli enjoys time with her family, friends, and furbabies, time on the water and in the woods, and harvesting and preserving vegetables, meats, and fruits.

Kelli serves as a Program Coordinator for Educational Leadership and as a Senior Lecturer teaching in the Doctoral and Master’s programs. Kelli’s research interests include bypassing barriers for underrepresented students, mergers among public higher education institutions, and quantitative methods. She brings over 17 years of teaching experience in physics and mathematics. She is a first-generation student who earned her BS from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, her MS from Universities of Wisconsin Platteville, and her EdD from Edgewood University. In her free time, Kelli enjoys time with her family, friends, and furbabies, time on the water and in the woods, and harvesting and preserving vegetables, meats, and fruits.

Margene has spent over two decades as an educator, first as an English Teacher and Library Media and Technology Teacher in K-12, and then as a Sr. Teaching and Learning Consultant at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Margene recently accepted a position as the UW School of Veterinary Medicine's Educational Advancement and Faculty Development Director, where she leads educational research, faculty mentoring, and professional development initiatives. Margene's research is focused on clinical reasoning, health professions education, and instructional methods in higher education. Margene holds a Lifetime Teaching License, B.S. in Secondary Education and English from UW - Madison, a M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from UW - Whitewater, a license in administration and Ed.D. in Higher Education and Leadership Studies from Edgewood University.

Margene has spent over two decades as an educator, first as an English Teacher and Library Media and Technology Teacher in K-12, and then as a Sr. Teaching and Learning Consultant at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Margene recently accepted a position as the UW School of Veterinary Medicine's Educational Advancement and Faculty Development Director, where she leads educational research, faculty mentoring, and professional development initiatives. Margene's research is focused on clinical reasoning, health professions education, and instructional methods in higher education. Margene holds a Lifetime Teaching License, B.S. in Secondary Education and English from UW - Madison, a M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from UW - Whitewater, a license in administration and Ed.D. in Higher Education and Leadership Studies from Edgewood University.

Has worked since 2009 in mental health care, education, and ministry. She completed her Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy in 2011 and her Doctor of Education in 2022. As a dissertator, she explored the experiences of middle and high school teachers educating students impacted by trauma. She is a narrative researcher and loves spending time inpeople’s stories. These days, she devotes her time to coaching collegiate volleyball, teaching in the Psychology and Education departments at the college, homeschooling her children, partnering with K12 schools to provide intensive trauma interventions for students, offer wellness services to helping professionals, and support first responders through work as a critical incident stress debriefer.

Has worked since 2009 in mental health care, education, and ministry. She completed her Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy in 2011 and her Doctor of Education in 2022. As a dissertator, she explored the experiences of middle and high school teachers educating students impacted by trauma. She is a narrative researcher and loves spending time inpeople’s stories. These days, she devotes her time to coaching collegiate volleyball, teaching in the Psychology and Education departments at the college, homeschooling her children, partnering with K12 schools to provide intensive trauma interventions for students, offer wellness services to helping professionals, and support first responders through work as a critical incident stress debriefer.