Darla Jean Twale

Biography

Darla Twale retired recently from university teaching but continues to be active professionally. It all began when she enrolled at Geneva College majoring in sociology and graduated with a BA. She taught high school for a year. Realizing that she loved teaching but not teaching high school, she enrolled at Duquesne University for further study in sociology. After receiving her MA, she received part time work teaching sociology at CCAC-South, Penn State-McKeesport, and Geneva College.
Desiring tenure track placement, she enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh for advanced education. With the help of a teaching assistantship and fellowship, she received another MA in sociology and proceeded to Pitt’s higher education administration program where she received an assistantship at the Pitt Program Council. Following graduation with her PhD in 1985, she spent a year teaching there.

In the fall of 1987, she began a tenure track position in the Education Leadership program at Auburn University. After promotion to full professor in 1998, she accepted a tenured full professorship at the University of Dayton where she coordinated their master’s and doctoral programs in higher education administration. She consulted with the Union Institute and University to create their online EdD in higher education administration.

During her career, she presented 75 research based conference presentations at regional and national association meetings. Appointed to the board of the Eastern Educational Research Association, she served a term as editor of their scholarly journal. At Auburn and Dayton, she chaired 18 doctoral dissertations.

Her publication record includes over 50 scholarly articles in peer reviewed journals on academic culture, leadership, women in academe, and the scholarship of teaching; and book chapters in edited volumes dealing with the dissertation and college student athletes. She authored or co-authored four books dealing with faculty success in academe, faculty incivility, graduate student advising, and graduate student socialization. Her current book updates the research on graduate student socialization.

When she left Dayton, she transitioned to teach students online and prepare online doctoral courses in higher education administration for Dayton, the Union Institute and University,  and Pitt.

Career minded, Darla found the single life quite exciting and enriching. She showed her two English bulldogs at dog shows across four states. While at Auburn, she audited ground school, took flying lessons, and soloed at Allegheny County Airport. She received her pilot’s license in 1999 at Dayton-Wright Brother’s Airport. Since the P&LE railroad transformed into the Great Allegheny Passage 20 years ago, she’s amassed over 25, 000 miles on her bikes. Appointed to the Mon Yough Trail Council board, she served as vice-president and then as president for 2 years during which time she also oversaw the annual Yough ‘n Roll bike ride.

Learning to sew as a teenager, she’s made apparel, embroidered, cross-stitched, and crocheted numerous articles. Several times per month she meets with her women’s devotional group. She treasures the experience and loves to author many of the devotional lessons they examine. Their on-going mission project even allows her to incorporate her love for sewing. Since returning to PA, she enrolled in private ballroom lessons and group dance classes. With multiple dance partners, she spends several nights per week perfecting the skill and art of dancing. Her love for online instructional delivery continues as she’s completed a dozen MOOC courses.

Education

PhD, University of Pittsburgh
MA, University of Pittsburgh
MA, Duquesne University
BA< Geneva College

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

Higher Education Administration
Graduate Student Advising
Graduate Student Socialization
Faculty Success
Faculty Incivility

Personal Interests

Ballroom Dancing
Trail Biking
Reading
Writing
Sewing
Flying

Books