About the College

Meet the Staff

Dr. Rachel Carnell

Dr. Rachel Carnell
Mandel Honors College, Dean

Dr. Rachel Carnell is Dean of the Mandel Honors College and Mandel Chair in Humanities. She has been a professor in the English Department at Cleveland State since 1994, teaching courses on eighteenth- and nineteenth-century British literature and mentoring many Honors English majors and M.A. students.  Maintaining an active research agenda, Dr. Carnell is the author or editor of five scholarly books on eighteenth-century literary and political history, including Backlash: Libel, Impeachment, and Populism in the Reign of Queen Anne. In recent years, her research has become more interdisciplinary, as evidenced in her most recent book, Stewardship and the Future of the Planet: Promise and Paradox. Dean Carnell received her undergraduate BA in French from Haverford College, where she learned to value a small college environment—an experience that inspired her to lead the Mandel Honors College. Her MA and PhD in English are from Boston University, where she learned to appreciate the advantages of large urban university. When she's not in her office you might find her walking, bird watching, reading, or swimming.

BrookieBrooke Fischbach, M.A.
Mandel Honors College, Office Coordinator
 
Brooke Fischbach received her B.A. in Criminology and Sociology from Cleveland State University in 2007 and Master's Degree of Sociology in 2011.  Brooke has been employed with the Honors College since 2012 and was promoted to office coordinator in November, 2018. She coordinates the administrative office functions of the college. In her spare time she & her husband enjoy going to estate sales and antique stores.
 
Staff
  1. D. Elizabeth Kravanya, B.A.
    Mandel Honors College, Mandel Continuing Scholars Advisor & Program Manager   

Diane Elizabeth Kravanya (Liz) is a current Master of Urban Planning and Development (MUPD) student at Cleveland State University, who earned her BA in Political Science at CSU in 2019 as part of the Mandel Continuing Scholars Program.  Liz lives in Cleveland Heights with two cats; Biggie Smalls and Teriyaki. She has a daughter who is an Emergency Room nurse, a son who works in finance, and two grandchildren. Liz is also known as Krazy Lady Kitchen (on Instagram) and looks forward to sharing her baking talents with all of you.  She is a lifelong learner who believes in the power of young people and education. Together we can be the change.

ElizabethElizabeth Okwudi, Ph.D., CPRW, GCDF
Mandel Honors College, Honors College Academic Advisor
 
Elizabeth Okwudi, received her BA in Communication from Cleveland State University (CSU).  Years later, she received her Master of Science in Management (MSM), from Indiana Wesleyan University. She returned to her alma-mater CSU in 2008, and worked as a Career Coordinator untill 2016 when she became an Academic Advisor. Elizabeth believes in nurturing diversity and motivating every individual to soar- in-spites of the odds.  She loves dancing (teaches African dance), and engages in lifelong learning. Elizabeth received her Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Education at Cleveland State in December, 2021. 
 
Photo of Lauren in front of a body of waterLauren Mannella, M.A.
Mandel Honors College, Honors College Academic Advisor
 
Lauren received her B.A. in History from the College of Wooster in 2014 and her M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University in 2018. Prior to joining the Honors College, she worked as an Academic Counselor in the J.B. Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. Lauren is originally from Northeast Ohio and is excited to be back at home and working with Scholars students. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active, reading and spending time with her husband and cat.
 
Adrienne PoundsAdrienne L. Pounds, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Mandel Honors College Program Manager

 Adrienne Pounds, alum of Ohio University, has helped first-generation college students, veterans, adult learners, transfer students, and international students achieve their goals, through recruiting, advising, teaching, and career coaching.  She enjoys jazz music and is passionate about individuals reaching their goals.  

 

STUDENT STAFF

ElaiPhoto of Elainana Casteel                                                                      Mandel Honors College, Administrative Assistant     

Elaina is pursuing a bachelors of science in biology with a focus on Pre-medicine. She plans to continue her education in pursuit of an MD PhD. Cardiology has always been a strong interest of hers, so she hopes to specialize in cardiothoracic surgery. In the future, she would like to work with “Doctors Without Borders” and travel the world giving care to areas in need. On campus, Elaina is the secretary of the CSU American Medical Student Association and is also a part of the Chess Association and the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers. In her free time, she enjoys taking care of her tropical plants and cycling indoors. When the weather permits, she enjoys heading outside and skiing or jogging with her dog whose name is Tsuki.

 

Emily ZalewskiEmily Zalewski                                                                   Mandel Honors College,  Administrative Assistant

Emily Zalewski is a first year student with a plan to study Film and Media Arts. She previously worked as an Assistant Manager at Old Navy in one of the top 100 stores in the country. She enjoyed contributing to merchandising decisions and updating marketing and signage weekly. Now, her goal is to earn her BFA and continue exploring creative ways to express her individuality. Emily has always had an interest in artistic mediums of all kinds and is looking forward to an insightful time at Cleveland State University and the Honors College. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, reading, and exploring new places.