As the fall 2026 semester begins, the College of Education welcomes several new faculty members to its ranks and congratulates existing faculty who have received promotions for the 2026-2027 school year.
New Faculty
Saki Milton
Professor, Counseling, Societal Change & Inquiry
Milton is an experienced industry professional with a strong research background and
extensive teaching experience. She has been teaching in K-12 and higher education
since 2006, primarily in STEM subjects. In 2010, Milton founded The GEMS Camp™, an
organization that provides additional resources and support to disadvantaged female
students in STEM fields to support their educational journey. Her research interests
include generative AI in community-based education, the impact of community-based
education, and the integration of culturally sustaining pedagogy in math learning
and research design.
Elizabeth Reed
Visiting Lecturer, Counseling, Societal Change and Inquiry
Reed has been a professional counselor since 2009 and now brings her experience to
the College of Education. She holds five licenses in counseling and therapy, which
she utilizes in her work at her private counseling practice serving adolescents, educators,
and parents. Her research interests include school counseling, counselor education,
and strengthening student support systems.
Cathy Sewell
Visiting Lecturer, Educational Leadership
Sewell joins TCU with 20 years of educational leadership experience. She has served
in schools across North Texas as an assistant principal, principal, superintendent
and beyond. Most recently, she held the position of deputy executive director at the
Education Service Center- ESC Region 11, during which she received several statewide
awards. Since 2024, she has been instructing a course in the College of Education
titled The Study of Exceptional Students.
Brandy Mounts
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, Counseling, Societal Change and Inquiry
Mounts is a licensed professional counselor supervisor and educator with more than
20 years of experience. After her successful tenure as a visiting lecturer, Mounts
now joins the full-time faculty at the College of Education. Her expertise in clinical
training, supervision and counselor development, as well as her relational and humanistic
approach, will help the College of Education’s graduate students successfully make
the transition from study to practice.
J. Mark McLean
Adjunct Professor, Professional Aviation
As a founding faculty member in the College of Education’s new Professional Aviation
program, McLean brings expertise from aviation operations and flight training. A retired
U.S. Navy captain, he has extensive experience in both the military and commercial
airline sectors. With more than 5,500 flight hours and more than two decades of flight
instruction and aircraft operations management, he is poised to educate a new generation
of aviation experts, whether they choose to pursue flight or ground operations.
Kyle W. Mabry
Adjunct Professor, Professional Aviation
A recently retired senior executive at American Airlines, Mabry brings his more than
30 years of aviation administration experience to the new Professional Aviation program.
Mabry’s experience at American Airlines included everything from revenue management
and strategy to communication and commercial flight management. Today, he continues
to work in aviation strategy, positioning himself to give students a real-time viewpoint
of the aviation industry.
Promotions
Cathryn van Kessel
Professor, Counseling, Societal Change and Inquiry
In addition to her new position as a full professor, van Kessel has also stepped into
the role of interim chair of the Department of Counseling, Societal Change and Inquiry.
van Kessel’s expertise as a researcher is reflected not only in her own achievements,
but also in those of her students.
Kathleen Kyzar
Professor, Teaching & Learning Sciences
Kyzar ’99 first returned to campus in 2012 as a lecturer of early childhood/special
education. In 2015, she was appointed as an associate professor. She has now been
promoted to full professor of teaching and learning sciences. Kyzar’s academic focuses
include early childhood education and the role of family-school partnerships in early
education.