CETL Fellows

Dr. Gaye Acikdilli is an Associate Professor at the Department of Management, Marketing, and Public Administration with the College of Business at Bowie State University. Dr. Acikdilli's teaching experience includes a range of business and marketing courses delivered at the bachelor's and master's levels for twenty years. Her previous appointments were at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Baskent University in Turkey. She taught at the University of Seoul in South Korea during the summer session. She has also delivered short-term courses as an exchange professor in Germany, Austria, and Denmark. She connects business leaders to students through presentations, team projects, and academic service-learning (S-L) opportunities. Dr. Acikdilli's research focuses on global marketing, business, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Her work has been published in the Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, International Journal of Business & Emerging Markets, Journal of International Consumer Marketing, Journal of the Knowledge Economy, among others. Her articles are frequently cited; for example, "Marketing Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Marriage of Convenience or a Shotgun Wedding?" published in the Journal of Business Ethics, has had more than 700 citations in works by other scholars. She has a chapter in the book "Sustainable Tourism Practices in the Mediterranean." She actively participates in international academic conferences. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member at the MBAA International Conference and for the Association of International Business Research and Practice (AIBRP).

Dr. Antonia Charles-Strowbridge is an educator, mentor, and researcher with more than two decades of experience in teaching, special education, and higher education leadership. A proud immigrant from St. Lucia and a first-generation scholar, she brings a culturally responsive and equity-centered approach to her teaching and research.As an Assistant Professor at Bowie State University, Dr. Charles-Strowbridge prepares future educators to serve diverse and exceptional learners through inclusive, student-centered, and transformative practices. Her work emphasizes advocacy for socially and economically disadvantaged populations, including students with disabilities, while fostering classrooms that affirm identity and belonging.A CETL Fellow and USM Generative AI Pedagogy Fellow, she is passionate about innovation in education and the ethical use of emerging technologies. Her research explores the integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in special education—particularly its potential to enhance reflective practice, instructional design, and communication for non-verbal and semi-verbal autistic students. She also examines how AI influences educational leadership and student outcomes at HBCUs. Dr. Charles-Strowbridge also serves as an Academic Advisor, Dissertation Chair, and Research Mentor within the College of Education. Her work bridges scholarship and service, championing inclusive, technology-driven approaches that empower educators and promote equitable learning experiences for all students.

Dr. Jayne Cubbage, College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Darilyn Mercadel, College of Education, CETL Fellow for Adobe

Assistant Professor & Coordinator of Elementary Education Programs | Department of Teaching, Learning, and Professional Development | CETL Fellow for Adobe 

Dr. Darilyn Mercadel is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Elementary Education Programs at Bowie State University. With a multifaceted role in teaching undergraduate courses and coordinating academic programs, she serves as the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Faculty Fellow for Adobe, and the Faculty Assessment Fellow with the Center for Programs Assessment. Dr. Mercadel’s ability to leverage AI and new technologies to enhance educational outcomes demonstrate her dedication to innovative pedagogical practices aimed at achieving educational excellence. She leads research initiatives that result in measurable improvements in student achievement and pre-service teacher development. Dr. Mercadel earned her Ph.D. from the University of New Orleans, where she specialized in Curriculum and Instruction/Special Education, completing a Doctoral Fellowship in Educational Leadership with Cross-Cultural Competence through the U.S. Department of Education. In addition to her doctoral achievements, she holds an M.F.A. from the University of New Orleans, with a focus on film, television, and theatre arts. This diverse educational background enriches her interdisciplinary approach to education. Her commitment to fostering innovation in education makes her a respected voice in the field.