Aug. 29, 2006 issue
Forty-one new tenure-track faculty start this fall

By Ron Podell

 

The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents approved the appointments of 41 new tenure-track faculty at its regular meeting June 20.

Of the 41 appointments, 22 are female (55 percent) and 19 are male (46 percent). Demographics of the group include 30 Caucasian (73 percent), four Hispanic (10 percent), three African American (7.5 percent), three Asian-American (7.5 percent) and one Native American (2 percent). These new tenure-track faculty appointments are effective Aug. 30.

New tenure-track faculty and their departments are:

Booth

Anthony Aristar, of Ann Arbor, professor, English language and literature. Prior to coming to EMU, Aristar was at Wayne State University from 1998-2006, most recently serving as head of the LINGUIST Technology Center. Aristar received his doctorate in linguistics from the University of Texas-Austin; his master's degree in linguistics from the University of Chicago; and his bachelor's degree in Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic from the University of Melbourne, Australia.

Susan Badger Booth, of Maumee, Ohio, assistant professor, communication and theatre arts. Booth was a full-time instructor in the department of theatre and film at Bowling Green State University from 2004-2006. Booth received her master's degree in theatre management from Columbia University and her bachelor's degree in scene design from Boston University.

Barr

Mark Barr, of Nashville, Tenn., assistant professor, English language and literature. Barr previously was an instructor and lecturer in the English department at Vanderbilt University from 1999-2006. Barr received his doctorate in English from Vanderbilt University; his master's degree in English Romantic Studies from Oxford University; and both his Juris Doctorate and bachelor's degree in English and philosophy from the University of Victoria.

Burton-Hoyle

Sally Burton-Hoyle, of Brighton, assistant professor, special education. Burton-Hoyle most recently was executive director of the Autism Society of Michigan from 1994-2006. Hoyle received her doctorate in special education from the University of Idaho; her master's degree in special education from the University of Kansas; and her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Avila College.         

Bruce Carroll, of Asheville, N.C., assistant professor, political science. Carroll most recently was an assistant professor of political science at Western Carolina University from 2002-2006. Carroll received his doctorate of philosophy in political science from the University of Houston; his Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law; and his bachelor's degree in history from Saginaw Valley State University.

Cowdery

Joan Cowdery, of Ann Arbor, assistant professor, School of Health Promotion and Human Performance. Before coming to EMU, Cowdery was an assistant professor in the School of Health Professions and Studies at the University of Michigan-Flint from 2001-2006. Cowdery received her doctorate in health education/promotion from the University of Alabama; her master's degree in physical education, health and recreation studies from Purdue University; and her bachelor's degree in health education from Ohio State University.

Daza

Stephanie Daza, of Dublin, Ohio, assistant professor, teacher education. Prior to coming to EMU, Daza was a graduate teaching associate at Ohio State University from 2001-2006. Daza received both her doctorate in educational policy and leadership, and her master's degree in cultural studies in education from Ohio State University. She received her bachelor's degree in English from Otterbein College.

Marisa Ensor, of Ypsilanti, assistant professor, sociology, anthropology and criminology. Ensor has been at Eastern Michigan University since 2004 and had previously taught courses at Rollins College and the University of Florida. Ensor received both her doctorate in anthropology and her master's degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Florida. She received her bachelor's degree in anthropology and sociology from Florida International University.

Johnson

Amy Flanagan Johnson, of Pembroke, N.C., assistant professor, chemistry. Johnson previously was a lecturer of chemistry courses at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke from 2004-2006. Johnson received both her doctorate in curriculum and instruction (science education) and her master's degree in chemistry from Purdue University. She received her bachelor's degree in chemistry from Knox College in Galesburg, Ill.

Derrick Fries, of Clarkston, assistant professor, special education. Fries previously was deputy superintendent at Avondale Schools from 1996-2006. Fries received his doctorate in educational administration from the University of Michigan; his master's degree in special education from Oakland University and his bachelor's degree in teacher education from Michigan State University.

Gibson

Faison Gibson, of Ann Arbor, assistant professor, computer information systems. Most recently, Gibson was an assistant professor of computer and information systems at the University of Michigan from 1997-2006. He received his doctorate in information systems from Carnegie Mellon University; a master's degree in business administration from the University of Pennsylvania; and a bachelor's degree in linguistics and French from Georgetown University.

Haque

Suzanne Gray, of Ypsilanti, assistant professor, Halle Library. Prior to EMU, Gray worked at the University of Michigan Library from 1999-2006. Gray received her master's degree in information from the University of Michigan and a bachelor's degree in English from Miami (Ohio) University.

Rubina Haque, of Orchard Lake Village, assistant professor, School of Health Sciences. Haque previously was a clinical dietitian at Huron Valley Hospital from 2005-06 and a part-time faculty member at Wayne State University. Haque received both a doctorate and master's degree in nutrition and food science, from Wayne State University.

Benedict Ilozor, of Hampton, Va., associate professor, School of Engineering Technology. Prior to coming to EMU, Ilozor was an associate professor of architecture at Hampton University from 2003-2005. Ilozor received his doctorate in design, architecture and building from the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia. He received both his master's and his bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Nigeria.

Jefferson

Stephen Jefferson, of Omaha, Neb., assistant professor, psychology. Jefferson most recently was an assistant professor of psychology at Creighton University from 2003-2006. Jefferson received both a doctorate and master's degree in clinical psychology from Michigan State University. He received his bachelor's degree in psychology from Florida A&M University.

Kao

Tsuo-Sui (Annie) Kao, of Ann Arbor, assistant professor, School of Nursing. Before coming to EMU, Kao was a staff nurse at the University of Michigan Medical Center from 1999-2003. Kao received her master's degree in community health nursing from the University of Michigan and her bachelor's degree in nursing from Eastern Michigan University.

Jennifer Kellman-Fritz, of Huntington Woods, Mich., assistant professor, School of Social Work. Kellman-Fritz has been a lecturer in Eastern Michigan University's School of Social Work since 1999. She has been executive director of the nonprofit Bear Hug Foundation from 2000-2006. She received her doctorate in social work and sociology; separate master's degrees in sociology and social work; and her bachelor's degree in sociology, all from the University of Michigan.

Kindred

Jeannette Kindred, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., assistant professor, communication and theatre arts. Kindred most recently was an assistant professor of communication at Marist College from 2000-2006. Kindred received her doctorate in philosophy and communication from Wayne State University; her master's degree in communication from Eastern Michigan University; and her bachelor's from Central Michigan University.

Kovacevic

Natasa Kovacevic, of Atlanta, Ga., assistant professor, English language and literature. Prior to coming to EMU, Kovacevic was a literature instructor at the University of Florida from 2002-2006. Kovacevic received her doctorate in English from the University of Florida; her master's degree in English from Miami (Ohio) University; and her bachelor's degree in English language and literature from the University of Kentucky.

Thomas Kovacs, of Newport News. Va., assistant professor, geography and geology. Before coming to EMU, Kovacs was an assistant research professor at Hampton University from 2000-2006. Kovacs received both his doctorate and master's degree in meteorology from Penn State University. He received his bachelor's degree in meteorology from Northern Illinois University.

LaGore

William LaGore, of Tallahassee, Fla., assistant professor, accounting and finance. LaGore most recently was an accounting and finance instructor at Florida State University from 2001-2006. LaGore received his master's degree in business administration from the University of Wyoming and a bachelor's degree from Adrian College.

Aaron Liepman, of East Lansing, assistant professor, biology. Prior to EMU, Liepman was a student mentor/adviser at Michigan State University from 2002-2006. Liepman received his doctorate, master's and bachelor's degree in biology, all from the University of Michigan.

Parfitt

Diane Parfitt, of Ypsilanti, assistant professor, leadership and counseling. Parfitt most recently was an assistant professor of counseling at Oakland University from 2004-2006. Parfitt received her doctorate in counselor education and supervision from the University of Toledo. She earned separate master's degrees in counseling and special education, and a bachelor's degree in special education, from Eastern Michigan University.

Tamara Penix Sbraga, of Midland, assistant professor, psychology. Prior to EMU, Sbraga was an assistant professor of clinical psychology at Central Michigan University from 2001-2006. Sbraga received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno; her master's degree in community psychology from New York State University; and her bachelor's degree in psychology from Kent State University.

Peurach

Donald Peurach, of Ann Arbor, assistant professor, leadership and counseling. Peurach was in a number of positions at the University of Michigan from 1994-2006, most recently as a senior research area specialist in the School of Education from 2005-2006. Peurach received both his doctorate in educational foundations and policy; and his master's degree in public policy from the University of Michigan. He received his bachelor's degree in computer science from Wayne State University.

Robbins

Christopher Robbins, of Wyomissing, Pa., assistant professor, teacher education. Before coming to EMU, Robbins was an assistant professor of education at Pennsylvania State University from 2005-2006. Robbins received his doctorate in philosophy; his master's degree in education; and his bachelor's degree in elementary and kindergarten education, all from Pennsylvania State University.

Andrew Ross, of Bethlehem, Pa., assistant professor, mathematics. Ross most recently was an assistant professor at LeHigh University from 2002-2006. Ross received both his doctorate in industrial engineering and operations research, and his master's degree in operations research from the University of California-Berkeley. He received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvey Mudd College.

Sacksteder

Amy Sacksteder, of Chicago, Ill., assistant professor, art. Prior to coming to EMU, Sacksteder taught "Fundamentals of Design" and "3-D Design" at the Illinois Institute of Art from 2004-2006 and "2-D Design" at EMU in 2006. Sacksteder received her master's of fine art degree in painting from Northern Illinois University and her bachelor's degree from the University of Dayton.

Sheila Sasser, of Taylor, assistant professor, marketing. Sasser was most recently a senior lecturer in marketing at Wayne State University from 2000-2006. Sasser received her doctorate in interdisciplinary marketing and communication; and her master's and bachelor's degree in business administration, all from Wayne State University.

Shapla

Tanweer Shapla, of Bowling Green, assistant professor, mathematics. Shapla had been a graduate teaching assistant in mathematics and statistics at Bowling Green State University from 2002-2006. Shapla received a doctorate in statistics from Bowling Green and a master's degree in actuarial science from Ball State University. She also received a master's and a bachelor's degree in mathematics, both from Jahangirnagar University.

Tsai-Shan (Sam) Shen, of Tempe, Ariz., assistant professor, English language and literature. Shen most recently was a graduate teaching associate at Arizona State University from 2001-2006. Shen received his doctorate in communication from Arizona State University; his master's degree in communication from the University of Colorado at Denver and his bachelor's degree in psychology from Soochow University, in Taipei, Taiwan.

Phil Simmons, of New York City, assistant professor, communication and theatre arts. Simmons has been a freelance audition coach, a director, actor and a choreographer throughout the country. He was a teaching assistant at the University of Georgia, Langston University and Oklahoma State University. Simmons received a master's of fine arts degree in acting from the University of Georgia and his bachelor's degree in theatre and English from Oklahoma State University.

Simoes

Solange Simoes, of Ann Arbor, assistant professor, sociology, anthropology and criminology. Simoes most recently was an adjunct faculty associate at the University of Michigan's Center for Political Studies Institute for Social Research from 1995-2006. Simoes received her doctorate in sociology from the University of London and both a master's in political science and a bachelor's in social sciences from Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Stevens

Robert Stevens, of Clawson, assistant professor, University Library. Stevens previously was a lecturer/information services librarian at Eastern Michigan University from 2005-2006. Stevens received a master's degree in library and information science from Wayne State University and a bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University.

Barbara Walters, of Tucson, Ariz., assistant professor, School of Social Work. Walters most recently was an adjunct faculty member in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University from 2003-2005. Walters received her doctorate in social work from Boston College; her master's degree in social work from the University of Illinois; and her bachelor's degree in communication studies from DePaul University.

Mark Waymire, of Ypsilanti, assistant professor, music and dance. From 2003-2006, Waymire was a full-time lecturer of music at Eastern Michigan University and is the associate director of bands at EMU. Waymire received his master's degree in instrumental conducting and music history from Louisiana State University and his bachelor's degree in music education from Sam Houston State University.

Linda Williams, of Southfield, assistant professor, teacher education. Williams most recently was an eighth grade teacher at the Detroit Waldorf School from 2000-2006. Williams received her doctorate in curriculum teaching and educational policy from Michigan State University; her master's degree in education from the University of Detroit Mercy; and her bachelor's degree from Michigan State University.

Wilmes

Gregg Wilmes, of Bismarck, N.D., assistant professor, chemistry. Before coming to EMU, Wilmes had been a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California-Berkeley's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Material Sciences Division from 2004-2006. Wilmes received his doctorate in organometallic and polymer chemistry from Stanford University and his bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Melissa Witkow, of Los Angeles, Calif., assistant professor, psychology. Before coming to EMU, Witkow had been a psychology instructor at UCLA and was a teaching assistant there from 2001-2004. Witkow received her doctorate and master's degree in developmental psychology from UCLA and her bachelor's degree in psychology from Pomona College.

James Zboja, of Tallahassee, assistant professor, marketing. Previously, Zboja was a graduate teaching assistant at Florida State University from 2003-2006 and a graduate research assistant there from 2002-2006. Zboja received his doctorate in marketing from Florida State Unviersity, and both his master's degree in business administration and his bachelor's degree in marketing from Middle Tennessee State University.

Laura Zionts, of Shaker Heights, Ohio, assistant professor, special education. Zionts most recently was an associate professor of special education at Kent State University from 2002-2006. Zionts received her doctorate in philosophy from the University of North Texas; her master's degree in education from San Diego State University; and a bachelor's degree from the University of San Diego.