Francis Marion welcomes 25 new faculty members

Francis Marion University welcomed 25 new faculty members to campus as the 2017-2018 academic year began last week.

The large class includes some of first faculty members in the University’s Speech Pathology program as well as the University’s first archaeologist.

The new faculty members will teach in 10 different departments and come from a wide array of academic backgrounds.

A list of the University’s new faculty is below.

New faculty at FMU for 2017-2018

School of Business

Dr. Carla Nietfeld, assistant professor of economics. B.S. in applied mathematics, University of Dayton; M.S. in Economics, University of Kentucky; and Ph.D. in economics, University of Kentucky.

Mr. Steve Rubin, assistant professor of computer science. B.S. in electrical engineering, University of South Carolina, M.S. computer science, University of South Carolina.

School of Health Sciences

Ms. Traci Coward, assistant professor of Physician Studies. BS in Therapeutic Recreation, Clemson University and Master of Public Health, University of South Carolina

Ms. Wendy Hatchell, instructor of Nursing. BSN, Medical University of South Carolina and MSN, Grand Canyon University.

Mr. David James, assistant professor of Physician Studies. BA, Psychology, North Carolina State University; PA, Certificate of Physician Assistant Studies, Bowman Grey School of Medicine, Wake Forest University; and MA, Physician Assistant Studies, University of Nebraska.

Dr. Sarah Kershner, director of Health Care Administration program, assistant professor of Public Health. B.S., Clemson University; Master of Public Health, University of South Carolina and Ph.D. in Health Promotion.

Ms. April Martin, assistant professor of Physician Assistant Studies. B.S. in Biology, UNC-Pembroke and M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies, South University.

Dr. Allison Munn, assistant professor of Nursing. BSN, Clemson University and Ph.D. in Nursing Science, University of South Carolina.

Dr. Chico Umeweni, instructor of Nursing. BSN Drexel University; MS in Chemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology; DNP, Drexel University.

Dr. Freda Wilson-Campbell, director of the Speech Pathology Program. BA, Speech Language Pathology, South Carolina State University; AM, Speech and Hearing Science; and PhD, Speech Language Pathology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Note: Dr. Campbell is director of FMU’s new SLP program and joined the faculty midway through the 2016-17 academic year.

Department of Chemistry

Mr. Ernest Jenkins, instructor of Chemistry. B.S. in Chemistry, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and M.S. in Chemistry, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

Department of English, Modern Languages, and Philosophy

Dr. Lindsey Banister, assistant professor of English and assistant director of the Writing Center. B.A. in English from Pepperdine University; M.A. in English, San Diego State University; and Ph.D. in English, Syracuse University.

Dr. Landon Houle, assistant professor of English. B.A. in English, Sul Ross State; M.A. in English, Sul Ross State; and Ph.D. in English, Texas Tech University.

Department of Fine Arts

Mr. Jared Cole, assistant professor of Theatre Arts. BA, Music and Theatre, Greenville College and MFA, Master of Fine Arts, Wayne State University.

Dr. Fran Coleman, assistant professor of Music Industry. B.M. in Vocal Performance, Virginia Commonwealth University; B.M. in Music Education, Longwood University; M.M. in Vocal Performance, Shenandoah Conservatory; and Ph.D. in Vocal Performance, Shenandoah University.

Department of History

Dr. Christopher Barton, assistant professor of Archaeology. B.A. in History, Rowan University; M.A. in Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania; and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Temple University.

Dr. Erica Johnson, assistant professor of History. B.A. in History, University of Central Oklahoma; M.A. in History, University of Texas at Arlington; and Ph.D. in History, Florida State University.

Department of Mass Communication

Dr. Stan Diel, assistant professor of Mass Communication. B.A. in Economics and Journalism, University of Kansas; M.A. in Communication Management, University of Alabama at Birmingham; and Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences, University of Alabama.

Department of Mathematics

Dr. Kevin LoPresto, assistant professor of Mathematics Education. BA in Mathematics, State University of New York, Geneseo; MA in Mathematics, State University of New York, Albany; and PhD in Mathematics Education, University of Texas.

Mr. J. Lee Phillips, instructor of Mathematics. BA in Mathematics, Francis Marion University; MS in Mathematics, Clemson University.

Dr. Daniel Brauss, assistant professor of Mathematics. BS, Chemical Engineering, Clemson University; MS, Chemical Engineering, Clemson University; and PhD, Mathematics, Auburn University

Dr. Minerva Brauss, instructor of Mathematics. BS, Mathematics, Auburn University; Masters of Probability and Statistics, Auburn University; and PhD, Administration in Higher Education, Auburn University

Department of Political Science

Dr. Jennifer Titanski-Hooper, assistant professor of Geography. B.S. in Geography from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, M.A. in Geography from West Virginia University, and Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University.

Department of Psychology

Dr. Susan Astary, assistant professor of Psychology. B.A. in Psychology and Comparative Religion from Miami University (Ohio), M.A. in School Psychology from the University of Florida and Ph.D. in School Psychology, University of Florida.

Dr. Megan Haggard, assistant professor of Psychology. B.A. in Psychology from Furman University, M.A. in Social Psychology from Baylor University and Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Baylor University.