Faculty & Staff
See all Program Directors listed by school and program name.
Deanna Keith, Ed.D.
Vice Provost of Institutional Effectiveness and Research
Dean of The Graduate School
Professor of Education
Education
- Ed.D., University of Virginia
- Ed.S., University of Virginia
- M.Ed., University of Lynchburg
- B.A., University of Lynchburg
Biography
Dr. Deanna Keith is a longtime servant and leader in the field of education. Prior to joining the Liberty University family, Dr. Keith served in numerous roles in public and private educational settings as a special education teacher and administrator in the elementary, middle, high and alternative school settings. Upon joining Liberty University in 2008, Dr. Keith taught special education and leadership courses and served in numerous leadership roles, including the Online Dean for the School of Education. She is grateful to enthusiastically serve within the Department of Institutional Effectiveness on their collective mission to honor God through excellence in service to the University.
Kevin D. Struble, Ed.D.
Associate Dean of Academics
Associate Professor of Education
Education
- Ed.D. in Leadership Studies, Marshall University
- Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, Liberty University
- Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, Liberty University
- M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: Instructional Technology, University of Virginia
- M.A. in Theological Studies, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
- B.S. in Religion: Biblical Studies, Liberty University
Biography
Dr. Struble has worked in higher education for over 15 years and served in various roles from Department Chair of Study Aboard, Administrative Chair of The Graduate School, Associate Dean for the School of Education, Associate Vice Provost for Online Institutional Effectiveness, and currently as the Associate Dean of Academics. He has taught for a private K-12 academy, overseen numerous programmatic and institutional accreditation reports and cycles, served in leadership on the Faculty Senate and curriculum committees, conducted research with and mentored doctoral candidates, and developed numerous graduate and doctoral courses and degree programs during his professional career. Dr. Struble currently teaches doctoral courses in the School of Education and also serves as a dissertation chair and capstone mentor for doctoral candidates. His research interests include educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, learning theory, instructional design and technology, student retention, and programmatic and institutional accreditation.
Terry Conner, M.A.
Associate Dean of Operations
Education
- M.A. in Human Services, Business Administration, Liberty University
- B.S. in Psychology, Liberty University
Biography
Professor Conner has worked in the management field in various capacities for over 15 years – most recently as a Department Chair in the School of Business for Liberty University Online. Prior to that, as the Director of Academic Operations, it was Professor Conner’s role to supervise an organization of 50+ employees and spearhead multiple policies and procedural changes to help maintain a viable support structure for the university’s online programs.
Aaron J. Malbuff, M.Div.
Director of Graduate Assistantships & Research Grants
graduateassistantship@liberty.edu
Education
- Th.M. in Theology: Biblical Studies (in progress)
- M.Div. in Discipleship & Church Ministries, Liberty University
- B.S. in Religion: Biblical Studies, Liberty University
Biography
Before becoming the Director of Graduate Assistantships program at Liberty University, Aaron Malbuff served in the School of Divinity for four years as a graduate assistant. During those years, he worked with multiple deans and department chairs as he taught various subjects in Biblical Studies and Theology, while also overseeing multiple GSA departments for the School of Divinity. He has a love and passion for teaching and equipping the graduate assistants across the University in the effort to further their academic, professional, social, and spiritual development.
Grace M. Baker, Ph.D., CIP
Administrative Chair of Institutional Research
irb@liberty.edu | (434) 592-5530
Education
- Ph.D. in Higher Ed Administration, Liberty University
- M.A. in English, West Texas A&M
- B.A. in English, West Texas A&M
Biography
Grace Baker taught English as a part-time instructor at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas before coming to Liberty to work as the institutional review board (IRB) coordinator. She was then promoted to administrative chair of institutional research. Her role now includes oversight of the Research Ethics office.
Connor Bryant, M.P.H., M.B.A., CHES, CPIA
Administrative Chair for Animal & Biosafety Research
iacuc@liberty.edu | ibc@liberty.edu | (434) 582-2827
Education
- M.B.A., Liberty University
- M.P.H. in Health Education & Infectious Disease, Virginia Tech
- B.S. in Biotechnology: Fermentation & Microbiology, University of California at Davis
Biography
Connor Bryant shares a passion for education and seeks to encourage others to pursue their academic interests through research and teaching. Prior to coming to Liberty, he worked as a research assistant for a biomedical company, gaining invaluable experience working with patients, researchers, and physicians. He now serves as Administrative Chair for Animal & Biosafety Research, managing various administrative aspects of Liberty’s research ethics committees, particularly the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
James Wood, D.Min.
Research Coordinator
irb@liberty.edu | (434) 592-5530
Education
- Doctorate of Ministries, Liberty University
- M.Div. in Church Ministries, Liberty University
- B.S. in Business Management, Rochester Institute of Technology
Biography
James serves as a Research Coordinator for the Institutional Review Board in the Research Ethics Office.
Matt Martin
Research Coordinator
irb@liberty.edu | (434) 592-5530
Education
- B.S. in International Relations: Strategic Intelligence, Liberty University
Biography
Matt Martin is an assistant research coordinator in the Research Ethics Office. He helps to review and approve IRB applications.
Yinong Fang
Administrative Graduate Assistant
irb@liberty.edu | (434) 592-5530
Education
- M.S. in Developmental Psychology, Liberty University
- B.S. in Psychology: Family and Child Development, Liberty University
Biography
During her time as a student at Liberty University, Yinong served on a research team that focused on examining substance abuse, community intervention, and mental health. She also had the opportunity to conduct primary research for her master’s thesis. While research is a highlight of her degree, Yinong also worked with nonprofits to counsel families on effective behavioral strategies and taught students at pre-K and collegiate levels. She is now eager to utilize her research skills and education to help Liberty University’s Institutional Review Board review all the research applications.