EMERGING VOICES
Dr. Emily Brown Hoffman, National College of Education Advancing equitable early childhood literacy and teacher preparation
Dr. Hoffman has a significant body of scholarship that integrates early childhood literacy, educator preparation, and equitable instructional practices. Her recent peer-reviewed articles examine bias in commercial literacy curricula and the effects of assessment and accountability in early childhood education, while a book chapter co-authored with fellow NLU faculty and national conference presentations help translate this research into effective teaching practices for educators. Her textbook, Emergent Literacy in Early Childhood , covers the developmental stages of literacy to prepare educators to teach children aged birth through five.
Dr. Crystal ‘Doc’ Murdock, College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Advancing equity in counselor education and mental health
Dr. Murdock’s scholarship explores the experiences, identity development, and educational success of Black women while advancing more equitable approaches to counselor education and mental health practice. Through national conference presentations, professional publications, and hir leadership within the Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association, Dr. Murdock has contributed to conversations on decolonizing counselor education, the impact of microaggressions, and the intersection of identity, culture, and well-being. Hir work bridges research, professional practice, and leadership to promote more inclusive and culturally responsive educational and counseling environments.
Dr. David Ross, Graduate School of Business and Leadership Advancing student success through innovation in teaching and learning
Dr. Ross’s scholarship explores how emerging technologies can improve student success and promote equity in higher education. He has a research agenda examining the use of generative AI to support college students’ academic writing, leading a team of NLU Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Fellows whose work he presented at the 2025 American Psychological Association Annual Convention. Beyond his own research, Dr. Ross is an active contributor to NLU’s research community through his service on the Research Support Group and his leadership in designing the university’s inaugural Collab Lab, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty.
Dr. Laura Schmuldt, College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Advancing ethical and culturally responsive counseling practice
Dr. Schmuldt’s scholarship strengthens the counseling profession by advancing ethical practice, culturally responsive care, and evidence-based approaches to counselor preparation. Her recent book chapters address ethical decision-making in professional counseling and the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with children and adolescents, while her national presentations have explored ethical gatekeeping in counselor education and strategies for reducing barriers to care for underserved populations. Through this work, Dr. Schmuldt is helping prepare counselors to provide ethical, inclusive, and effective services in an increasingly diverse society. Dr. Julie Sidarous, National College of Education Strengthening teacher preparation through collaborative, culturally responsive research Dr. Sidarous’s scholarship advances teacher preparation by exploring how collaborative learning, belonging, cultural responsiveness, and emerging technologies shape the development of effective educators. Her recent publications and national presentations examine topics ranging from communities of practice and paraprofessional-to-teacher pathways to AI integration in teacher education, while also launching new collaborative research on how immigration enforcement policies affect educators and schools. Through this growing body of work, Dr. Sidarous is helping prepare teachers to thrive in diverse, rapidly changing educational environments.
The faculty featured here represent the many ways thought leadership takes shape at National Louis University—from advancing research and informing professional practice to strengthening communities and preparing the next generation of educators, counselors, and leaders. As these scholars continue to build on their work at NLU, they are helping define the future of thought leadership at our university. 25
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