Faculty

Tricia Anderson (’23)
Assistant Professor of Education
B.S., Mercer University
M.Ed., Ed.S., Central Michigan University

Elaine LeCreurer Bailey (’11)
Chair, Natural Sciences Department

Associate Dean, School of Humanities and Sciences
Professor of Chemistry

B.S., Armstrong Atlantic State University
Ph.D., Auburn University

Toni Bailey (’21)
Chair, Department of Advanced Graduate Studies
Director, Student Learning Outcomes
Assistant Professor of Education
B.A., M.A.T., Xavier University of Louisiana
Ph.D., Mercer University

Haley Barnett (’23)
Assistant Professor of Nursing
A.S., Reinhardt College
B.S.N., M.S.N., Emory University

Mindie, Blackshear-Turner (’23)

Chair, Mental Health Counseling Department

Assistant Professor of Mental Health Counseling

B.A., Piedmont College

MS, Mercer University

PH.D., Mercer University

Kathy Blandin (’12)
Chair, Theatre & Drama Education Department
Director, Theatrical Productions
Associate Professor of Theatre
B.A., Case Western Reserve University
M.F.A., University of Texas
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin 

Jefferson B. Bowers (’18)

Chair, Interdisciplinary Studies Department
Associate Professor of Spanish

B.A., Presbyterian College
M.A., Appalachian State University

Rebecca Brantley (’16)

Director, Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art
Assistant Professor of Art
B.A., B.F.A, M.A., University of Georgia

Katherine Breithaupt (’10)
Professor of Education
B.A., Berry College
M.Ed., Ph.D., Clemson University

Savannah Brookshire (’21)
Assistant Professor of Accounting
B.B.A, M.S., University of Georgia

Angela H. Brown (’97)
Professor of Education
B.S., M.Ed., Ed.S., Ed.D., University of Georgia

Jeff W. Bruns (’17)
Associate Dean, Walker College of Business
Professor of Business
M.S., Southeast Missouri State University

D.B.A., Wilmington University
B.S., M.S., M.B.A., Ph.D., Illinois State University

Douglas Butts ('23)

Assistant Professor of Biology
B.S., Central Wesleyan College
M.Ed., Ph.D., University of Georgia

Carlos D. Camp (’83)
Professor of Biology
B.S., Georgia Southwestern College
M.S., Auburn University
Ph.D., University of Georgia

Chanda Carlan (’15)
Associate Dean, R.H. Daniel School of Nursing

Associate Professor of Nursing
A.S.N., North Georgia College and State University
M.S.N., Walden University

Stephen C. Carlson (’06)
Professor of Business
B.A., Jacksonville State University
M.S., Georgia State University
D.B.A., Nova Southeastern University

Sean W. Carrigan (’97)
Professor of Chemistry
B.S., Rhode Island College
Ph.D., University of Georgia

R. Windy Charles (’89)

Coordinator, Writing Center
Professor of English
B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of Georgia

Jonathan Elias Clinton (’17)

Associate Dean, College of Education
Chair, Exceptional Child Education Department
Associate Professor of Education
M.A., Piedmont University
B.S., Ph.D., University of Georgia

Megan Cuellar (’24) 
Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders 
B.A., Ph.D., University of Tennessee 
M.A., University of Memphis

Laura Pitts Darby (’20)
Associate Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., M.S.N., D.N.P, Georgia College and State University

Hugh Davis (’08)
Chair, Humanities Department
Professor of English
B.A., Belhaven College
M.A., University of Alabama
Ph.D., University of Tennessee

Joseph Dennis (’16)
Chair, Mass Communications Department

Advisor, Student Publication (radio)
Associate Professor of Mass Communications
B.A., North Central College
M.A., Ph.D., University of Georgia

Jaydn Dewald (’19)
Director, Creative Writing
Associate Professor of English
A.A., Sacramento City College
B.A., San Francisco State University
M.F.A., Pacific University
Ph.D., University of Georgia

Lindsay Dilbeck ('24)

Assistant Professor of Health Sciences 
B.S., Berry College 
M.S., University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Debra F. Dooley (’96)
Coordinator, Science Education
Faculty Athletics Representative

Professor of Earth Science
B.S., Indiana University
Ph.D., University of Georgia

Andrew Duitsman ('23)
Assistant Professor of Biology
B.S.,Piedmont University
Ph.D., University of Georgia

Jackie Ellett (’18)

Coordinator, Art Education
Professor of Art Education
B.S.Ed., M.A.Ed., Ed.S., Ph.D., University of Georgia

Mark Evans ('19)
Assistant Professor of Education
A.A., New Mexico Military Institute
B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County
M.Ed., University of North Georgia
Ed.S., University of Georgia

Kimberly Farinella (’24) 
Director, Communication Sciences and Disorders 
Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders 
B.S., M.A., State University of New York at Genesco 
Ph.D., University of Arizona

Kristin Ford (’23) 
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science 
B.S., James Madison University 
M.A., Argosy University 
Ph.D., Capella University 

Jennifer Fortunato ('23)
Assistant Professor of Biology
B.S., Florida State University
Ph.D., University of Alabama

Ryan Franklin (’14)
Chair, Department of Social Sciences

Coordinator, History Education

Associate Professor of History
B.A. North Georgia College & State University
M.A. University of West Georgia
Ph.D., Georgia State University

Kevin Freeman (’24) 
Assistant Professor of Mental Health Counseling 
B.S., M.S., Mercer University 
Ph.D., Capella University 

John Michael Friedline ('18)
Associate Professor of Psychology
A.B., M.S., M.P.H., Ph.D., University of Georgia

Mary Leah Friedline (’24) 
Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion 
B.A., Furman University 
M.T.S., Emory University 
Ph.D., Southern Methodist University

Tony Frye (’08)

Associate Dean, School of Humanities and Sciences
Professor of Political Science
B.A., Ohio State
M.A., University of Akron
Ph.D., Miami University

William Gabelhausen (’06)
Director, Theatrical Production

Professor of Theatre
B.F.A., Illinois Wesleyan University
M.F.A., Pennsylvania State University
M.Ed., University of Georgia

Ann Gazell (’18)
Chair/Program Coordinator, Tier I Leadership
Professor of Education
A.A., Georgia State University
B.S., Kennesaw State University
M.Ed., University of West Georgia
Ed.S., Ed.D., Piedmont University

David Gibbs (’11)
Associate Librarian for Collection Development
B.A., University of Georgia
M.L.I.S., University of Alabama

Jennifer Gilstrap (’18)
Associate Professor of English
B.F.A., Brenau University
M.A., Ph.D., Georgia State University

Bob Glass (’95)
Dean of Libraries & University Librarian
B.A., Delta State University
M.M., Louisiana State University
M.L.S., University of Southern Mississippi

Rebecca Godwin (’20)

Assistant Professor of Biology
B.S., M.S., Auburn University
Ph.D., University of California Davis

Amanda Gomez (’23)

Director, Clinical Education
Assistant Professor of Speech Language Pathology
B.A., Georgia State University
M.S., Western Kentucky University

Brittany Harmon (’24) 
Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders 
B.S.Ed., M.S.Ed., Valdosta State University 
Ed.D., Nova Southeastern University

Shahryar Heydari (’92, ’94)
Professor of Mathematics
B.S., M.S., University of South Carolina
Ph.D., Florida State University

Landis Hicks (’24)
Assistant Professor of Education 
B.S., Berry College 
M.Ed., University of Georgia 
Ed.S., Brenau University 

Robert Ivey (’20) 
Associate Professor of Music 
B.M.Ed., University of Montevallo 
M.M.Ed., Ed.S., University of Georgia 

Melissa Jackson (’18) 
Advisor, ROAR Student Film Productions 
Associate Professor of Mass Communications 
B.A., University of South Alabama 
M.F.A., University of Georgia

Steven Jacobs (’12)
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Professor of Sociology
B.A., Pennsylvania State University
M.A., Ph.D., University of Florida

Jaime Johnson-Huff (’07)
Dean, College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., Medical College of Georgia
M.S.N., Georgia State University
D.N.P., Medical College of Georgia

Christine Kaiser (’17)
Coordinator, BSN Program in Athens
Coordinator, AceMapp & Credentialing
Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., South Dakota State University
M.S.N., University of West Georgia

Christopher M. Kelly (’08)
Associate Dean, School of Fine Arts and Communications
Professor of Art
B.F.A.,University of Montevallo
M.F.A.,Rochester Institute of Technology

Areatha Ketch (’18)
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
B.S., North Georgia College and State University
Ph.D., University of Georgia

Kelly Land (’15) 
Associate Dean, College of Education 
Coordinator, Field Placement 
Associate Professor of Education 
B.S., ECE, Mercer University 
M.Ed., Troy University 
Ed.S., Ed.D. Piedmont University 

John M. Lanneau (’23) 
Director, Georgia Forensics Academy 
Assistant Professor of Forensic Science  and Criminal Justice 
A.S., Middle Georgia College 
B.B.A., M.S., Georgia College and State University 

Jay Long ('20)
Assistant Professor of Accounting

B.B.A., University of North Georgia
M.Acc., University of Georgia

Kimberly Lovell (’92)
Associate Professor of Business
B.A., Piedmont University
M.B.A., Brenau College
Ed.S., Valdosta State University

Robert Lutz (‘23) 
Professor of Computer Science 
B.M.E., Villanova University 
M.B.A., Rutgers University 
Ph.D., New Jersey Institute of Technology 

Timothy F. Lytle (’95)
Professor of Philosophy and Religion
B.A., Toccoa Falls College
M.A., Western Kentucky University
Ph.D., University of Georgia

Tad MacMillan (’19)
Assistant Professor of Education
B.A., M.Ed., University of Georgia

Santanu Majumdar (’22)

Chair, Department of Art

Professor of Art

B.Des., National Institute of Design

M.F.A., Louisiana State University

Sandra Maughon (’15)

Director, Grants Research

Coordinator, Center of Teaching and Learning

Professor of Business
B.A., Georgia State University
M.S., George Washington University

Ethan Carter McCormick (’24) 
Assistant Professor of Mass Communications 
B.A., Mercer University 
M.F.A., Savannah College of Art and Design 

Brian McDermott (‘23) 
Assistant Professor of Spanish 
B.A., Utah State University 
M.A., Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat 
Ph.D., University of Georgia

Kris McWhite (’20)
Associate Professor of Economics
B.S., Francis Marion University
M.A., Ph.D., Clemson University

Mark Merges (’23) 
Chair, EDS 
Coordinator, Off Campus Programs 
Assistant Professor of Education 
B.S., State University of New York at Brockport 
M.A., University of Alabama 
Ed.S., Lincoln Memorial University 
Ed.D., Samford University 

Drema Montgomery (’22)

Assistant Professor of Art

B.F.A., University of Montevallo

M.F.A., University of Georgia

Janice W. Moss (’94)
Advisor, Debate Team

Professor of Mass Communications
B.A., Shaw University
M.A., University of Louisiana-Monroe
D.A., Clark Atlanta University

Octavius Mulligan ('23)
Dean, College of Education 
Professor of Education  
B.A., M.A.,  Ed.S., Ed.D., Piedmont University 

Steven D. Nimmo (‘09) 
Professor of Mathematics  
B.A., Monmouth College 
M.S., Ph.D., Iowa State University 

Sherry Nourizadeh (’24) 
Assistant Professor of Spanish 
B.A., Kennesaw State University 
M.A., Georgia State University 
Ph.D., University of Georgia 

William Nye (’18)
Associate Professor of Education
B.S., Georgia Institute of Technology
M.Ed., Georgia State University
Ph.D., University of Georgia

Taryn Ogle (‘23) 

Assistant Professor of Nursing 
B.S.N., Augusta University 
M.S.N., University of West Georgia 

Heejin Park (‘19) 
Associate Instructor of Music 
B.M., M.M., Georgia State University 
D.MA., University of Georgia 

Albert J. Pleysier (’82)
Professor of History
B.A., Calvin College
M.A., Western Michigan University
Ph.D., West Virginia University

Angela Rainwater (’23) 
Chair, Elementary Education Department 
Associate Professor of Education 
B.S.Ed., Georgia State University 
M.A., Ed.S., Piedmont University 
Ed.D., University of Georgia 

Kristin Randolph (‘22) 

Assistant Professor of Nursing  
B.S.N., Piedmont University 
M.S.N., Columbus State University 

Theresa Reilly (’24) 

Assistant Professor of Psychology 
B.S., Armstrong State University 
M.S., A.B.D., University of Georgia 

Perry Rettig (‘13) 
Distinguished University Professor of Education 
B.S.Ed., University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 
M.S., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 
Ph.D., Marquette University

James “Brandon” Reynolds (’21)

Director, Athletic Training

Assistant Professor of Health Sciences
B.S., Bridgewater College
M.Ed., Northwestern State University

Richard Rogers (’23) 
Site Manager, Middle Georgia 
Associate Instructor of Education 
B.S., M.Ed., State University of West Georgia 
Ed.S., Columbus State University 
Ed.D., Valdosta State University 

Morgan Sales (’18)
Assistant Professor of Business
B.S., M.B.A., Appalachian State University

Julia M. Schmitz (’11)

Coordinator, Symposium

Coordinator, Starfish
Professor of Biology
B.S., Sweet Briar College
Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham

Michael Selover ('24)

Assistant Professor of Education, Methodologist

B.A., M.S., University of Florida

Ed.D., University of Wisconsin-Stout

Katrina Short (’12)
Chair, Middle Grades Education Department

Associate Professor of Education
B.A., M.Ed., University of North Florida
Ed.S., Ed.D., University of Florida

Karen Sigers (’17)
Associate Professor of Music
B.Mus., Brenau University
M.Mus., University of Georgia
D.M.A., University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Natalie Simmons (’24) 
Assistant Professor of Biology 
B.S., University of North Georgia 
M.S., University of West Georgia 

Sarah Smith (’23) 
Assistant Professor of Health Sciences 
B.S., M.S., Piedmont University 

Tina Smith ('21)
Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N, Brenau University
M.S.N., Kennesaw State University
D.N.P., Wilkes University

Candice Southall (’11)
Professor of Education
B.S., M.A., Ph.D., University of Georgia

John Spiegel (’09)
Associate Professor of Theatre
Director, Theatre Productions
B.A., Davidson College
M.F.A., University of North Carolina

Jeb Stacy (’22)

Assistant Professor of Physics

B.S., Arkansas Technical University

M.S., Ph.D., University of Arkansas

Nancy Sharpe Strawbridge (’18)
Professor of Education
M.Mus., Temple University
Ed.S., Georgia State University
B.MEd. Ed.D., Vanderbilt University

Gerald F. Sullivan (’13)
Professor of Business
B.B.A., University of Georgia
M.B.A., Georgia State University
D.B.A., Nova Southeastern University

Sarah Sumners (’21)
Associate Professor of Education

B.S., M.A.T., Mississippi University for Women
Ph.D., Mississippi State University

Douglas Torrance (’15)

Chair, Mathematical Sciences Department
Associate Professor of Mathematics
B.A., Northwestern University
M.S., Ph.D., University of Idaho

J. Kerry Waller (’11)
Dean, Walker College of Business
Professor of Business
B.A., Dickinson College
Ph.D., Clemson University

Susanna Warnock (’14)
Director, Travel Study

Associate Professor of Business

B.A., Berry College
Ph.D., University of Dublin

Stephen R. Whited (’93)
Professor of English
B.A., M.A., Georgia State University
Ph.D., University of Kentucky

Shannon Williamson (’24) 
Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders 
B.A., Columbia College 
M.S., Ph.D., University of South Carolin

Naomi Woodbury (‘23)

Assistant Professor of Mathematics

B.S., B.M., Anderson University

M.S., College of Charleston

Yunxuan Yang (’24) 
Coordinator, Chemistry Lab and Chemical Hygiene Officer 
B.S., University of Provence-Aix Marseille I 
M.S., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee