Megan Mae Odell-Scott
modellsc@kent.edu
Education and Academic Honors:
Now
Ph.D Kent State University
Political Science (American Politics and Policy, Conflict Analysis
and Management)
2011
M.A. John Carroll University (3.93 GPA)
Theology and Religious Studies
Master’s Essay: “Christianity in America: The Evolution-Creationism
Debate”
Advisor: Dr. John Spencer
2007
B.A. Kent State University
Summa Cum Laude (3.95 GPA)
University Honors: “A Case Study: Church and State Relations
Following Hurricane Katrina”
Advisor: Dr. Erin O’Brien
Major: Political Science, concentration in Public Policy
Minors: Pre-Law; and Religion Studies
2007
Inducted in Phi Beta Kappa – Nu Chapter, Kent State University
Work Experience:
2013-now
Kent State University
Research Assistant
2011-2013
John Carroll University
Part-time Instructor (Fall 2011-Spring 2013)
RL 101: Intro. to Theology & Religious Studies (6 sections)
2012
Kent State University- Geauga Campus- Regional Academic Center
Adjunct Faculty (Fall 2012)
PHIL 21020: Comparative Religious Thought I (1 section)
2011
Pluralism Project at Harvard University
Student Research Intern (Summer 2011)
Research Grant Recipient (Fall 2011)
Responsibilities:
• Conducted interviews and researched the interfaith infrastructure
and promising practices of Cleveland, Kansas City, Las Vegas,
Louisville, and Wichita
2010
Theology and Religious Studies Department, John Carroll University
Research Assistant (Summer 2010)
2009-2011
Theology and Religious Studies Department, John Carroll University
Graduate Assistant
Responsibilities:
• Taught undergraduate classes as needed
• Researched and edited as needed for professors
• Assistant to the Chairperson and Search Committee for the Jack
and Mary Jane Breen Endowed Chair in Catholic Systematic
Theology
• Attended undergraduate courses and assisted with grading and
proctoring exams
o Introduction to Religious Studies (6 sections)
o First Year Seminar: Human Rights (2 sections)
o Old Testament/Hebrew Bible (1 section)
o History of the Ancient Near East (1 section)
2008-2009
AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader: Ohio Campus Compact
Selected as one of three AmeriCorps*VISTA Leaders in the state of Ohio
Term:
July 2008- July 2009
Responsibilities:
• Assisted with training and mentoring 28 VISTAs
• Managed and published quarterly newsletter, The VISTA Voice
2007-2009
AmeriCorps*VISTA: Ohio Campus Compact
Service Site: Office of the Vice President of Enrollment Management
and Student Affairs, Kent State University
Term:
July 2007- July 2009
Responsibilities:
• Assisted in the development and implementation of community
service projects for a variety of Kent State University offices,
initiatives, and programs
• Identified and created partnerships between the university and
community in order to match needs of community partners to
student volunteers and organizations
• Assisted with planning and implementation of off-campus service
trip initiatives to including Alternative Winter and Spring Break
Work Trips to the Gulf Coast for Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts.
• Assisted in the tracking of service and civic engagement by
faculty, staff, and students for the end of year report of service and
the Making a Difference Awards Ceremony
• Served on community Advisory Board committees including Kent
Task Force and Volunteer Administrators Network.
2006-2007
United Christian Ministries, Kent State University
Student Intern (Fall 2006-Spring 2007)
2006-2007
& 2005
Sponsored Programs, Research and Graduate Studies, Kent State
University
Student Office Worker (Summer 2005, Fall 2006-Spring 2007)
2005
U. S. Senator John Kerry (Massachusetts), Washington, D.C.
Senate Intern (January-April 2005)
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2005-2006
Kent Free Public Library, 312 West Main Street, Kent, Ohio
& 2000-2004
Page and Circulation Desk
Graduate Activities
Leadership Experience:
• Director of Religious Activities for the Graduate Student Association at John
Carroll University (AY 2010-2011)
• Organized and led new student orientation for Theology and Religious Studies
graduate students at John Carroll University (Aug. 2010)
• Creator, editor and writer for Illuminations, the newsletter for graduate students of
the Theology and Religious Studies Department at John Carroll University (AY
2010-2011)
Professional Memberships
• American Political Science Association (2013-present)
• American Academy of Religion (2010-present)
Undergraduate Activities
Leadership Experience:
• Political Science representative for Student Advisory Committee for Dean of
College of Arts and Science (AY 06-07)
• United Christian Ministries Leadership Team (Fall 2004-Spring 2007)
• President, Kappa Phi Chapter, a national Christian Women’s Service
Organization, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio (AY 03-04/AY 05-06)
• Outstanding Teaching Award Selection Committee (Fall 2006)
• Political Science Faculty Search Committee (Fall 2004)
Academic Honors
• Phi Beta Kappa, Nu Chapter (Inducted 2007)
• Kent State Honors College (2002-2007)
• Trustee Scholarship (2002-2006)
• Washington Program in National Issues, spring 2005
• Golden Key International Society (Inducted 2005)
• Pi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honors Society) (Inducted 2005)
• Mortar Board Senior Honors Society (Inducted 2005)
• Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society (Inducted 2003)
• President’s List (1 semester)
• Dean’s List (9 semesters)
Leadership Awards
• Manchester Cup Recipient, Kent State University, 2007
• Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 2007
• College of Arts and Science Distinguished Student Leader,
Political Science Department, 2007
• Senior Excellence Award, Kent State University, 2007
• Leadership Excellence Award, Kent State University, 2007
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Organization and Community Memberships
• Kappa Phi Club (A National Christian Women’s Service Organization)
• United Christian Ministries (An ecumenical, open Christian student group)
• Kent State United for the Gulf Coast (Attended 3 week-long service trips to the
Mississippi Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina as an undergraduate student
and attended 2 week-long service trips as the Kent State AmeriCorps*VISTA)
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