meet the faculty

Aaron Kishbaugh

Aaron Kishbaugh

James Madison University X-Labs, Lab Manager

Aaron Kishbaugh has 15 years experience designing and building products in the software industry. Additionally, he has served on a number of non-profit boards and worked as a hi-level facilitator and community development professional in the U.S. and abroad.

Joi Merritt

Joi Merritt

Associate Professor, Early, Elementary & Reading Education

Joi Merritt is a science educator with research interests in designing science learning environments, STEM and teacher preparation. She works collaboratively with people from other areas and backgrounds in teaching and research. She is a former high school chemistry and physics teacher, with a background in chemical engineering and management consultant.

Bill Grant

Bill Grant

Associate Professor, Department of Economics

As a researcher and teacher, Bill is particularly interested in the fields of game theory and health economics. he greatly enjoys stepping out of his own department and working collaboratively with people from completely different areas and backgrounds. He enjoys coaching Little League baseball, tutoring children in mathematics, and hunting down recipes for delicious soups.

Kelsie LaPore

Kelsie LaPore

Teaching Assistant, The School of Writing, Rhetoric, & Technical Communication

Kelsie is a senior at James Madison University double majoring in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication (WRTC) and English. In her studies, she has focused on editing, research, writing, marketing, website development, and design.

Seán McCarthy

Seán McCarthy

Associate Professor, The School of Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication

Seán is an assistant professor in the School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication at James Madison University, and his teaching and research are situated at the intersection of community engagement and digital literacy studies. He is particularly passionate about building creative university-community partnerships, and he is a regular instructor in the JMU X-Labs.