Lauren Cummins, Ed. D. is professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Leadership Studies at Youngstown State University where she is currently responsible for coordinating the online graduate Curriculum and Instruction (C & I) Programs. Along with coordinating, Dr. Cummins also teaches in the online graduate Digital Teaching and Learning Program and the undergraduate Dual Licensing Elementary Teacher Preparation Program. She was coordinator of the undergraduate program in Early Childhood Education from 2002-2016. Back in 2010, Dr. Cummins was responsible for developing the first totally online graduate program in Early Childhood Education for preschool through grade 3 teachers. She received the Teacher Innovator of the Year Award in 2011 from the Ohio Board of Regents and the YSU Distinguished Faculty Award in Teaching in 2013.
Her publications have included research in developmentally appropriate practice, digital storytelling, teacher candidate dispositions, creating active and engaging learning communities in online teaching & the new paradigm of education. Her current research interest is in the use of digital apps to promote emotional intelligence in teacher candidates to support future effective learning environments in classrooms and schools.