Lauren Cummins

Dr. Lauren Cummins - profile photo

Dr. Lauren Cummins

Professor

Teacher Education & Leadership Studies

Beeghly Hall 2309

phone: (330) 941-7237

lcummins@ysu.edu

Bio

Lauren Cummins is a full professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Leadership Studies and has been in the field of education for the last 20 years. She has coordinated the Early Childhood Education program for 12 years and is currently the Coordinator for the conline C & I graduate programs. Besides coordinating programs, Dr. Cummins also teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses. She was instrumental in creating the first totally online graduate program in ECE back in 2020.

In 2011, she received the Faculty Innovator of the Year Award from the Ohio Board of Regents and has received the YSU Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching in 2013. Dr. Cummins has published numerous articles in the areas of online learning , teacher dispositions, and developmentally appropriate practice.

Research Interests

Using the tool ChatGPT in education.

Teaching Interests

Digital Teaching and Learning
Innovation in Education
21st century teaching and learning

  • 2000

    EDD, Curriculum Development and Systemic Change

    Nova Southeastern University

    Dissertation/Thesis Title — "Transforming Teacher-Directed Practice to Child-Initiated Practice within a Treatment/Wellness Preschool through Staff Training."

  • 1982

    MEd, Early Childhood Education

    Kent State University

  • 1978

    BS, Business Education

    Myers University

Lauren Cummins
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.