Global Faculty Fellows 2023-2024

Dr. LaPorchia Davis, an Associate Professor in the College of Agriculture’s Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Tennessee State University (TSU), is a distinguished expert in fashion merchandising and product development. Her research interests encompass the aesthetics of dress, entrepreneurship, and the product development of footwear. Notably, her work has been featured in the New York Times, where she discussed the challenges African American women face in the beauty industry.

As a Global Faculty Fellow, Dr. Davis is currently developing innovative footwear designs that address the health needs of individuals with diabetes. She has also led industry-based study tours both domestically and internationally, offering invaluable insights into merchandising and product development. Her contributions to the field and dedication to global engagement underscore her commitment to academic excellence and professional growth.

Dr. Donghyun Kang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Tennessee State University (TSU). Her research focuses on the impact of teacher-student relationships on school engagement, academic resilience, social support, and self-system factors. She has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and presented her findings at international conferences, including the American Educational Research Association (AERA).

Recently, Dr. Kang has expanded her research by utilizing a large-scale longitudinal dataset and conducting a pilot study on a program designed to improve teacher-student relationships. Her contributions to the field highlight her commitment to enhancing educational outcomes through meaningful teacher-student interactions.

Dr. John Miglietta is a Professor in the Department of Liberal Arts at Tennessee State University (TSU) and the author of American Alliance Policy in the Middle East 1945-1992. He   has delivered numerous presentations at academic conferences and has served as President of both the International Studies Association-South and the Tennessee Political Science Association. 

Dr. Miglietta's research focuses on American foreign policy in the Middle East, particularly international security issues. He also has research interests in Central Asian politics and broader international security concerns. At TSU, he coordinates the International Affairs minor and serves as the faculty advisor to the TSU Model United Nations group, contributing to the university's global engagement and academic excellence.

Dr. Janet Otachi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work and Urban Studies at Tennessee State University (TSU). She is a certified social worker specializing in mental and behavioral health settings and has extensive experience working with vulnerable populations. Her work spans health services research, gender-based violence prevention, HIV prevention, and enhancing evidence-based substance use and mental health interventions in both Kenya and the United States.

Dr. Otachi leverages her clinical knowledge and expertise to engage in community service and provide support to various organizations and agencies, both nationally and internationally. Her current research focuses on the effects of violence victimization on risky health behaviors and outcomes among racially minoritized youth and emerging adults. This research aims to inform the development of tailored, trauma-informed interventions.

Dr. Ranganathan Parthasarathy is an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at Tennessee State University (TSU). As the faculty advisor to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) student chapter at TSU, he has guided students in regional and national competitions, including the concrete canoe challenge, seminar organization, and industry networking.

His research focuses on the intersection of mechanics and material characterization, with a particular interest in soft tissue, biomedical adhesives, and highly stretchable and shock-absorbing materials. Dr. Parthasarathy employs advanced techniques such as 3D printing, digital image correlation, and mechanical modeling in his work. He is also actively building collaborations with researchers in India and Europe to develop innovative, highly stretchable materials and impact-dissipating materials.