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Honors College Staff | University of Central Missouri
Staff
Dr. Jennifer Carson, Director
Dr. Jennifer Varriale Carson serves as the Department Chair of The Honors College and is also a Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at UCM. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Maryland in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a B.S. in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota, where she herself was an honors student. Dr. Carson started her research career at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, a former Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence. These beginnings led her to focus her work on policy evaluation through the use of quasi-experimental and experimental methods, with a concentration on U.S. counterterrorism efforts and the use of virtual reality technology. Dr. Carson’s work can be found in a number of academic outlets including Justice Quarterly, the Journal of Research on Crime and Delinquency, Criminology and Public Policy, and the Journal of Quantitative Criminology and has been featured in Congressional Quarterly Researcher, the New Scientist, The Conversation, the Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg News, & the BBC. She has also served as the Executive Counselor for the American Society of Criminology’s Division on Terrorism and Bias Crimes and was the recipient of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences’ Bracey/Joseph New Women Scholar Award. Dr. Carson is currently the Principal Investigator on a National Institute of Justice grant exploring left-wing and environmental ideologically-motivated crime in the U.S. She will be teaching three courses this coming academic year for The Honors College: an online honors colloquium entitled “Sport and Scandal”(HONR 3000) this summer, Building Foundations in Honors (HONR 1400) in fall, and an Honors College-only general education section of Introduction to Criminal Justice (CJ 1000) in Spring 2027.
Dr. Tom Goldstein, Assistant Director and Coordinator of Undergraduate Research
Dr. Tom Goldstein is the Assistant Director of The Honors College and the Coordinator of Undergraduate Research. Dr. Goldstein also serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of History. He earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and B.A.s in History and Government and Politics from the University of Maryland. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland Honors Program. Dr. Goldstein’s research focuses on the Communist dictatorship of East Germany, particularly struggles over free expression amidst censorship and repression. His first book, Writing in Red: The East German Writers Union and the Role of Intellectuals (Camden House, 2017), explores how the regime-sponsored organization for writers both enabled and constrained members in challenging the limits of acceptable speech. His current project examines political rumors among the East German populace, exploring the ways citizens utilized such “unofficial news” to make sense of events, complicate or contradict official media narratives, as well as express discontent with the government. Dr. Goldstein teaches courses in world history, modern Germany, 20th century Europe, World War I, and conspiracy theories. He will be teaching an online, Honors College-only section of History of the Modern World (HIST 1402) in Summer 2026 and co-teaching Building Foundations in Honors (HONR 1400) in Fall 2026.
Audrey Lurten, Program Coordinator
Audrey Lurten serves as the Program Coordinator of The Honors College at the University of Central Missouri. She earned both her M.A. and B.A. in Communication Studies from UCM, with her undergraduate emphasis in Social Influence and Media. She also holds a Web Media Certificate from the university. As Program Coordinator, Audrey supports students and faculty through academic programming, event coordination, and Honors College operations. Her academic interests include media influence, digital communication, and student engagement in higher education. Audrey is passionate about creating inclusive and dynamic learning environments and is committed to helping students thrive academically and personally.
HONR 3000 Instructors
Dr. Erica Spurgeon
Dr. Erica Spurgeon serves as Chair of the School of Industrial Sciences and Technology and is an Associate Professor of Fashion and Apparel Merchandising at the University of Central Missouri. She earned her B.S. in Fashion: Clothing and Textiles in Business from UCM, launching her career in the retail industry at Buckle, Inc., where she worked as a men’s merchandise buyer and private-label product developer. Building on that professional experience, she returned to UCM to complete an M.S. in Educational Technology and then earned a Ph.D. in Apparel, Merchandising, and Design from Iowa State University. Dr. Spurgeon’s research focuses on retail strategy, digital design, and the integration of technology into innovative teaching and learning. She investigates how emerging technologies reshape product development and she explores effective pedagogical approaches for preparing students to work in tech-driven environments. She will be teaching a colloquium on XR technology (HONR 3000) this fall.
Dr. Angela Collins
Dr. Angela Collins is an Associate Professor in the Criminal Justice and Criminology Department UCM. She received her B.S. in Sociology and both her B.S. and M.S. from Missouri State University. Dr. Collins also holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. Her areas of expertise are juvenile justice/delinquency, criminological theory, and mental health in the criminal justice system with a focus on legal responses to juvenile delinquency, including raising the minimum age of juvenile justice jurisdiction and the school-to-prison pipeline. Dr. Collins’ work can be found in several outlets, including Deviant Behavior and the Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology. She has also collaborated with the Montgomery County, TX, Expedited Domestic Violence Court and the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association (MJJA) on technical reports. Dr. Collins will be teaching an honors colloquium on the relationship between nutrition and youth behavior (HONR 3000) this fall.
Dr. Canh Nguyen
Dr. Canh Nguyen is an Assistant Professor of Aviation in the Department of Aviation at UCM. He holds a Ph.D. in Geospatial Sciences from Saint Louis University and a Master’s degree in Aviation from Lynn University. His research spans both manned and unmanned aircraft systems, with a strong emphasis on emerging applications of drones and aerial robotics. Over the past five years, he has authored and co-authored more than ten peer-reviewed publications in the field of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). His work integrates drone technology, programming, geospatial analysis, and real-world problem-solving to prepare students for interdisciplinary applications. Dr. Nguyen is passionate about inspiring the next generation of STEM learners and fostering high-impact, experiential learning opportunities in the rapidly evolving UAS landscape. He will be leading a colloquium on drone programming in the spring of 2027.
Dr. Mary Kelly
Dr. Mary Kelly is a Professor of Sociology at UCM. She holds undergraduate degrees in both Political Science and Spanish & an M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology. Her work has always used an interdisciplinary lens-focusing on identity, inequality, and social change. Dr. Kelly’s previous research has centered on the Lithuanian Independence Movement, including the role of Lithuanian Americans. Her more current contributions have included comparative analysis of authoritarian regimes, including a forthcoming article on recent global events. Dr. Kelly will be teaching a colloquium on authoritarianism and leading a related study tour to Spain in Spring 2027.
General Education Instructors
Dr. Nicole (Nikki) Freeman
Dr. Nicole (Nikki) Freeman is a Professor of Communication Studies at UCM, where she also serves as the Basic Course Director. Dr. Freeman graduated from The University of Northern Iowa with a B.A. in English and Speech/Theater Education. She then received her M.A. in Communication from the University of Central Missouri and went on to complete a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her research specializes in organizational communication, focusing primarily on teamwork, group dynamics, leadership and conflict management. Dr. Freeman will be co-teaching Building Foundations in Honors (HONR 1400) with a module on communication strategies.
Professor Nikole Wright-Montgomery
Professor Nikole Wright-Montgomery is an Assistant Instructor of Psychological Science at the University of Central Missouri and a steward of student transformation. A double-alumna of UCM, her research is focused on the multifaceted nature of Health Psychology, where she investigates the mechanisms of health-promoting behaviors, well-being, and prosocial behavior. Professor Wright-Montgomery is technically versed in the intricacies of EEG, EKG, and ECG data analysis and she recently completed specialized BIOPAC training in Santa Barbara, California. She applied this expertise to a recent collaborative study with an honors student at UCM, utilizing Electrodermal Activity (EDA) to bridge the gap between cognitive stress perception and objective physiological responses. Beyond research, her true mission is her students’ self-discovery and holistic flourishing. Professor Wright-Montgomery encourages this in her students by integrating a strength-based approach and clinical mindfulness techniques (studied under Elaina Rosenbaum) creating a classroom environment that balances rigorous scientific inquiry with weekly gratitude practices. As a mentor for the McNair Scholars Program and the UCM Honors College, she doesn’t just teach psychological science; she inspires her students to realize their full potential and become the highest versions of themselves. Professor Wright-Mongtomery will be co-teaching Building Foundations in Honors (HONR 1400) with a module covering positive psychology.
Dr. Belinda Copus
Dr. Belinda Copus is Chair of Computer Science and Cybersecurity at UCM and an award-winning educator focused on helping students succeed in technology fields. She received a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Texas, an M.S. in Computer Science from UCM, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science Education and Computer Science from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Dr. Copus’ research focuses on discovering new approaches in applying LLMs to low-resource NLP problems, improving student success and retention in introductory computer science courses, and designing innovative approaches to teaching computing. She is the recipient of the 2017 Missouri Academic Advising Association Outstanding Faculty Advisor and the 2018 recipient of the National Academic Advising Association Region 7 Outstanding Faculty Advising award. Dr. Copus’ courses emphasize practical skills, creativity, and responsible use of emerging technologies. She will be teaching an Honors-College only section of Practical AI (CS 1070) this fall, which will introduce students to generative AI and show how AI tools can support learning, problem-solving, and future careers. No prior experience with AI is required.
Dr. Kristy Boney
Dr. Kristy Boney is Chair of the Department of Modern Languages and Interdisciplinary Studies and Professor of German at the University of Central Missouri. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in German Studies from The Ohio State University and her B.A. in German and English from Georgia Southern University. Dr. Boney’s research focuses on modern German literature, film, and cultural studies, with particular emphasis on exile, antifascism, memory, and the ethical responsibilities of art under authoritarianism. She is currently co-leading a scholarly edition and translation initiative dedicated to the works of Anna Seghers, one of the most significant German-language writers of the twentieth century. In addition, she is completing a book chapter on Seghers’s short story collection Das siebte Kreuz und andere Erzählungen, examining questions of political resistance, moral responsibility, and narrative form. Her work contributes to contemporary conversations about cultural memory, repression, and intellectual resistance. Dr. Boney’s teaching reflects her belief that language study is a powerful tool for cultivating critical thinking and global awareness. She integrates high-impact practices such as project-based learning, film analysis, experiential assignments, and reflective writing into her courses. A former Honors Fellow (2022–2023), she is committed to fostering intellectual curiosity and independent inquiry among high-achieving students. In 2024, she was recognized with the Byler Distinguished Faculty Award for excellence in teaching. Dr. Boney will teach an Honors College-only section of Introductory German (ML 1040) this fall, which combines foundational language acquisition with cultural analysis and critical engagement.
Dr. Angela Nonaka
Dr. Angela Nonaka currently serves as the Assistant Director of the McNair Scholars Program at UCM. An anthropologist classically trained in four-fields anthropology, Dr. Nonaka’s M.A. and B.A. degrees are in East Asian Studies. She also holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She lived and researched abroad for almost half a decade at two tertiary educational institutions for “disabled” students in Asia: Tsukuba College of Technology (Tsukuba, Japan) and Ratchasuda College (Salaya, Thailand). Dr. Nonaka has conducted original ethnographic fieldwork on the national sign languages and Deaf communities of Japan and Thailand. The centerpiece of her research involves first-pass ethnolinguistic description and analysis of Ban Khor Sign Language, a previously undocumented indigenous/village sign language isolate used exclusively in the rural community of Ban Khor, Thailand. Dr. Nonaka's intellectual interests also include: language diversity and language endangerment, language socialization studies, sign language linguistics, Deaf studies, Asian studies, studies, anthropology of disability, history of special education, as well as examination of language and humor. She is teaching an Honors College-only section of ML 1040 (American Sign Language) in Spring 2027.
