Charles W. Jarrett, Ph. D. a native of Hurricane, West Virginia and earned a BA (1972) and MA (1974) from Marshall University before graduating with a Ph. D. in Rural Sociology from The Ohio State University (1982). Associate Professor at Ohio University Southern, Dr. Jarrett teaches sociology and psychology courses, publishes, and actively serves the university and the people of southeastern Ohio.

In 2001, Charles began a long-term study of Gullah culture and the descendants of enslaved Africans living on the Sea Islands and coastal regions of South Carolina, Georgia, and northern Florida. He created a course entitled Journey to Wholeness that challenges undergraduates to learn about a culture different from their own; Guest speakers from the Gullah community are annually invited to address students and community members.