Clarksville, TN – A total of 26 new tenure-track faculty members have become part of the Austin Peay State University community, beginning with the Fall 2014 semester.
Dr. Kadi Bliss, assistant professor of health and human performance, earned her Ph.D. in health education from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist and a member of the American Association of Health Education and the Society of Public Health Education.
Christopher Brown, assistant professor of library science, received his Master of Library and Information Science, at the University of South Carolina. He previously served as manger of information services at the Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar.
Dr. Mollie Cashner, assistant professor of biology, earned her Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology from Tulane University, specializing in animal behavior, evolutionary biology, ichthyology, phylogenetics and molecular ecology.
Dr. Joseph Elarde, assistant professor of computer science, received his Ph.D. in computer science from DePaul University. He previously served as assistant professor of information technology at Upper Iowa University.
Lucinda Fowinkle, assistant professor of engineering technology, earned her Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Memphis, where she conducted research as part of a National Science Foundation grant.
Dr. George M. Frogge, assistant professor of public management and criminal justice, earned his Ed.D. at Lipscomb University, his M.C.J. from Middle Tennessee State University/Tennessee State University and his B.S. from Belmont University. In addition to working as a criminal justice instructor at APSU, he previously served as a police officer for 20 years.
Dr. Lana Haddy, assistant professor of education, received her Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction from Northern Illinois University. She recently served as an instructional coach and academic facilitator for the Deer Valley Unified School District in Arizona.
Dr. Chenchutta Jackson, assistant professor of computer science, earned her Ph.D. in engineering science-computer science from the University of Mississippi. She previously served as an adjunct instructor at Belmont University and as an information technology specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Pamela Magrans, languages and literature instructor, earned her B.A. and her M.A. from Austin Peay State University. She also works as a staff writer for Clarksville Family Magazine.
Dr. John McConnell III, assistant professor of education, earned his Ph.D. in educational psychology and research from the University of Memphis. His research interests include statistics and quantitative methodology, teacher job satisfaction and retention, and the use of large-scale data analysis.
Dr. Jason Phillips, communication instructor, earned his Ph.D. in communication from the University of Memphis, specializing in rhetorical theory/criticism and media theory/criticism. He previously served as assistant professor of communication at Spalding University.
Amy Ritchart, communication instructor, earned her M.A. in mass communication from Bowling Green State University. She is the recipient of numerous journalism awards, including Tennessee Press Association first place awards for investigative journalism, education reporting and public service journalism.
Tasha Ruffin, assistant professor of nursing, received her M.S.N. ED. from the University of Phoenix. She previously served as a clinical instructor for Cumberland University and APSU, and as a staff nurse for Skyline Medical Center’s Emergency Department.
Dr. Adriane Sanders, assistant professor of psychology, earned her Ph.D. in experimental psychology from the University of Memphis. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Society of Industrial-Organizational Psychology, the Society for Teaching Psychology and the Society for Environmental, Population and Conservation Psychology.
Laura Schultz, languages and literature instructor, earned her M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She previously served as a lecturer in Spanish for Longwood University.
Dr. Marisa Sikes, assistant professor of languages and literature, earned her Ph.D. in English from the University of New Mexico. She specializes in medieval literature, especially in Middle English, but has research interests that include gender studies, early women authors, conduct literature and religious history.
Dr. Ling Wang, assistant professor of education, earned her Ph.D. in literacy studies from Middle Tennessee State University. She previously served as an adjunct instructor in Chinese at APSU and an instructor of Chinese at the Nashville Chinese School.
Robert Waugh, assistant professor of music, holds a masters degree in trumpet performance from the University of Oklahoma and is pursuing his Doctorate in Music at Indiana University. Previous appointments include instructor of trumpet at Indiana State University and principal trumpet for the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra.
Dr. Timothy Wesley, assistant professor of history, earned his Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University, specializing in Civil War and Reconstruction Social History. Before coming to APSU, he was a Fellow with the George and Ann Richards Civil War Era Center. LSU Press published his book “The Politics of Faith during the Civil War” in 2013.
Dr. Jeffrey Williams, assistant professor of music, earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in vocal pedagogy and performance from the University of Miami. He has worked with the Florida Grand Opera, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Allentown Symphony Orchestra and the Metropolitan Opera Guild.
Dr. Kathryn Woods, assistant professor of professional studies, earned her Doctor of Education from Trevecca Nazarene University, specializing in leadership and professional practices. Her research interests include marketing, distance learning, management, customer service, human resources, employee satisfaction and employee retention.
Dr. Jennifer Yantz, assistant professor of mathematics, earned her Ph.D. in mathematics and science education from Middle Tennessee State University. She previously served for three years as internal evaluator for a $2 million STEM project funded by the National Science Foundation.
