Dr Dixie F. Abernathy is Associate Professor of Education at Queens University of Charlotte, serving as the Department Chair of Cato Programs and the Director of the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program in the Wayland H. Cato, Jr. School of Education. With over twenty peer-reviewed academic articles and books, and over thirty-five academic presentations, Dr Abernathy is recognized nationally and globally for her research interests, which include school violence prevention, religious pluralism in the preparation of educators, effective online course design, and student engagement in online learning. A 40-year veteran educator, Dr Abernathy has formerly served as a classroom teacher, a principal, and as Assistant Superintendent of Elementary and Secondary Schools for the ninth largest school district in North Carolina.