This closing session will offer a time of reflection and discussion facilitated by a multidisciplinary faculty panel featuring Professors Traci Porter, Maria Knuckley Robinson, Nicki Young, and Tiffany Zhang.
Professor Traci Porter
Dr. Traci Porter is Associate Professor of Biology, Director of Biology, and Director of Environmental Studies at Salem College. She has a B.A. in Psychology from Carleton College and a Ph.D. in Biological Psychology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She completed a National Institutes of Health funded postdoctoral fellowship in biology at the University of Maryland - College Park, studying bat reproductive behavior before moving to Winston-Salem, NC, at the start of 2001. She began in February of 2001 working as a part-time biology instructor at Salem College, followed by a one-year stint as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology. This led to her hire as a regular biology faculty member. She teaches courses primarily in the Biology program, along with some Psychological Science, Environmental Studies, and Salem Impact courses. Her current research interests lie in exploring the impact of a fungal disease called White-nose Syndrome on the bats of North Carolina.
Professor Maria Knuckley Robinson
Dr. Maria Knuckley Robinson holds undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Art Studio/Design, a Masters of Arts Teaching in Art Education, National Board Teacher Certification, and an Education Doctorate Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She is currently working on an MFA in Painting at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Dr. Robinson has extensive training in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Pottery, Mixed Media, Photography, Film, Metal Jewelry, 3-D printing, and STEAM curriculum development. Her work has been exhibited in many galleries, including The Elberson Fine Arts Center, Sawtooth School for the Visual Arts, The Columbia Museum of Art, 2024 Annual Abstract Zone Exhibition, and most recently was added to ARTSY.net. She currently serves as an AP Reader, Table Leader, and AP Consultant for The College Board. Dr. Robinson currently serves as the treasurer of the North Carolina Art Education Association and the ED&I Commissioner At Large for the National Art Education Association. She was recently awarded the 2025 North Carolina Visual Arts Higher Education Teacher of the Year and the North Carolina Visual Art Educator of the Year.
Professor Nicki Young
Nicki Young, Ph.D. is the Director of Educator Preparation and Assistant Professor of Education at Salem College. After beginning her career studying Humanities and Women's Studies, she began teaching first grade and shifted focus to the education of young children. Her career focus has been on literacy instruction, and how to best prepare teachers to meet the needs of all students. Her doctoral work focused on ways that teachers' engagement with professional development impacts their literacy instruction. In addition to years spent in higher education working with both pre-service and in-service teachers, Dr. Young spent several years serving North Carolina's children as a consultant at the Department of Public Instruction in the Office of Early Learning.
Professor Tiffany Zhang
Tiffany Zhang became part of the Salem community in 2019 after five unsatisfying years working in non-academic jobs. She was delighted to receive the opportunity to be a part of the learning process for other students after her perspective changed considerably during her own sociology and criminology education. The day Tiffany realized the content she studied in class could be used to make effectual change in society is the day her life changed. Tiffany’s personal journey in criminology gave her the opportunity to present research to Congress, the Department of Justice, The American Society of Criminology, and the State Assembly in Raleigh. As an instructor, her goal is to inspire everyone to use facts from class to make society better.