Winter 2024 Edition
The following MBU Community Update provides information for faculty and staff about personnel changes — new hires, internal transitions/promotions, and departures — since last June.
The list was sourced from offices and departments across the university, but may not be comprehensive. If you would like to add information, please email [email protected].
New Faculty and Staff
Academic Affairs
- Elena Lavrentyeva, Student Success Advisor
- Madison Mattfield, Executive Assistant to Vice Presidents for Academic Colleges
- Connie Meeks, Student Success Advisor
- Elizabeth Moore, Student Success Advisor
Admissions and Financial Aid
- Ace Brown (he/they), Admissions Counselor
- Grace Clem, Coordinator of Prospective Student Communications
- Brooklyn McLain (she/her), Admissions Counselor
- Shalia Purce ‘19 (she/her), Admissions Counselor
Athletics
- Allison Babb, Volleyball and Basketball Statistician
- Bryce Mackey, Assistant Baseball Coach
- Austin Martin, Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach
- DeEarnest McLemore, Head Women’s Basketball Coach
- Courtney Simpkins, Assistant Athletic Trainer
Business and Finance
- Avalyn Cohall, Manager, Human Resources
- Kay Shirey (she/her), Campus Store Manager
Dining Services
- Joshua Banks, University Cafe Manager
- Jerry Berry, Pantry
- Angelina Cespedes, Kitchen Assistant
- Codman Cohall, University Cafe Associate/Barista
- Sylvia Godfrey, University Cafe Associate/Barista
- Peggy Hinegardner, Administrative Assistant – Dining Services
- Trae Hulse, University Cafe Associate/Barista
- Maryia Kartyshava, University Cafe Associate/Barista
- Adam Layer, Cook
- Esteban Salazar, Kitchen Assistant
- Richard Smith, Assistant University Cafe Manager
- Sally Strawderman, University Cafe Associate/Barista
- Jirutsiri Teachavittayapanitkun, Cook
- Elizabeth Weatherton, Dining Room Attendant
- Rhonda Williams, University Cafe Associate/Barista
Facilities
- Carol Burns, Housekeeper
- John Fariss, Maintenance Technician – Plumber
- Lacy Hinegardner, Stockroom Coordinator
- Mariano Jimenez, Housekeeper
- Mitchell Marvin, Engineering Technician
- Jeffrey McFarland, Grounds/Campus Support Technician
- Brian Whetzel, Supervisor of Grounds/Campus Support
Gold College of Arts and Sciences
- Alayah Austin, Adjunct Faculty – History
- Zachary Carter, Adjunct Faculty – Art
- Ghita Chraibi, Adjunct Instructor – Political Science
- Jessica Embach-Jankauskas, Adjunct Faculty – Music
- Anna Golden, Adjunct Faculty – Visual and Performing Arts
- Daniel Green, Adjunct Faculty – Philosophy
- Meghan Hartman, Adjunct Faculty – Asian Studies
- Drea Howenstein, Adjunct Faculty – Studio Art, Director of Hunt Gallery
- Chris Johnston, Adjunct Faculty – Shakespeare and Performance
- Benjamin Jones, Adjunct Faculty – Arts and Sciences
- Andrew Knight, Professor of Practice – Theatre
- Connor Koellner, Visiting Professor – Chemistry
- Elizabeth Larson – Physics
- Dylan Mabe, Adjunct Faculty – English
- Aidan O’Reilly, Professor of Practice – Arts and Sciences
- Olivia Rominiyi, Adjunct Faculty – Music
- Jeffrey Ryman, Adjunct Faculty – Music
- Melle Scholten, Adjunct Instructor – Political Science
- Kristin Soler, Visiting Assistant Professor – Art
- Madeleine Stout, Adjunct Faculty – History
Grafton Library
- Holly Smartt (they/them), Instruction and Outreach Librarian
- Jennifer Switzer, Instruction and E-Resources Librarian
Integrated Communications
- Chelsea Crouch (she/her), Graphic Designer
- Melissa Martin (she/her), Director of Operations
- Keith Taylor ‘21, MFA ‘23 (he/him), News and Media Relations Coordinator
McCree Center for Life Success
- Suzie Dull (she/her), Director for Employer Relations and Workforce Development
- Rachel Hirsh (she/her), PhD, Senior Director
- Jada Smith (she/her), Career Design Advisor
Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences
- Barbara Acord, MSN, CRNA, CCRN, Director of Simulation and Faculty, Nurse Anesthesiology Program
- Frank Barrett, Adjunct Faculty – PT Program
- Christopher Chapman, Adjunct Faculty – Health Sciences
- Rachel Church, Simulation Coordinator
- Zachary Duell, Adjunct Faculty – PT Program
- Hannah Harris, Adjunct Faculty – OT Program
- Nathan Johnson, Adjunct Faculty – MHA Program
- David McLeod, PhD, Associate Professor of Health Sciences
- Michael O’Grady, PT, MS, Instructor – PT Program
- Jessica Ray, DNP, CRNA, NAP Program
- Todd Telemeco, PT, DPT, PhD, Vice President and Dean
- Katherine Wilford, PT, DPT, Cert. MDT, Associate Professor – PT Program
- Anna Williford, Adjunct Faculty – OT Program
- Deborah Ziebarth, PhD, MSN, RN-BC, Professor – RN to BSN Program
- Carlos Yanez, Administrative Assistant – PT Program
Palmer College of Professional Studies
- Jared Browne, Adjunct Faculty Member – Criminal Justice
- Crista Cabe, Adjunct Faculty – Marketing Communication
- Kathryn Glodowski, Director of Clinical Education/Assistant Professor of ABA
- Wendy Gonzales, Adjunct Faculty Member – Education
- Jennifer Hackley, Field Placement Coordinator
- Christina Harrison, Adjunct Faculty – Social Work
- Tiffanie Hegerty, Adjunct Faculty Member – Criminal Justice
- Courtney Jane, Adjunct Faculty – School of Business
- Elizabeth Letz, EdD, Assistant Professor – Education
- Timothy Martin, Adjunct Faculty Member – Criminal Justice
- James McNamara, Adjunct Faculty – OT Program
- Gerald Ndikintum, Adjunct Faculty – Education
- Amanda Randall, Adjunct Faculty Member – Education
- Patricia Reynolds, Adjunct Faculty Member – Education
- Jorge Rivera-Saenz, Adjunct Faculty – Business and Professional Studies
- Lori Teague, Adjunct Faculty Member – Education
- Melanie Whitaker, Adjunct Faculty Member – Education
- Tamra Willis, Adjunct Faculty Member – Education
President’s Office
- Cameron Shirley (she/her), Chief of Staff and Associate Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
- Jeff Stein (he/him), PhD, President
Student Engagement
- LaRhonda Johnson Horton, Assistant Vice President of Student Engagement
- Also serving as Interim VP while the university conducts a search for a new leader of student affairs
University Advancement and Alumni Engagement
- Kiefer Fairbanks, Assistant Director of Alumni and Donor Events
Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership and MBU Band
- Major Todd Parsont, USAF, Retired, VWIL Director for Leadership Development
- Shelby Shelton, VWIL Percussion Instructor
Internal Transitions and Promotions
Academic Affairs
- Sarah Cochran, Associate Vice President of Learning Experience and Associate Dean of Student Success
- Formerly Associate Vice President of Learning Experience
- Paul Menzer (he/him), PhD, Provost and Professor of Shakespeare and Performance
- Formerly Vice President/Dean of the Gold College of Arts and Sciences/Dean of the Faculty
- Meghan Munsey (she/her), Director of Academic Advising
- Formerly Associate Director of First Year Experience
- Will Webb (he/him), Chief Growth Officer and Senior Vice President/Dean of the Palmer College of Professional Studies
- Formerly Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Palmer College of Professional Studies
Gold College of Arts and Sciences / Palmer College of Professional Studies
- Clayton Brooks, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Education and the History Department
- Formerly Assistant Professor, History Department
- Amy Diduch (she/her), PhD, Vice President/Dean of the Gold College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Economics
- Formerly Associate Dean/Director, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Grafton Library
- Karissa DeTrana (she/her), Access Services Coordinator
- Formerly Executive Assistant to Vice President of Academic Affairs and Academic Leadership Council
Inclusive Excellence
- Destiny Woodall (she/her), Director, Office of Inclusive Excellence
- Formerly Fellow, Office of Inclusive Excellence
Information Technology
- Robert Harvill, System Administrator
- Formerly Technology Support Specialist
- Laura Sheffey, Senior Director, Enterprise Data and Applications Management
- Formerly Director of Enterprise Data Management
Integrated Communications
- Liesel Nowak Crosier (she/her), Vice President for Integrated Communication
- Formerly Associate Vice President of Integrated Communication
- Gabrielle Glassmann ‘22 (she/her), Brand Engagement Manager
- Formerly Social Media Manager
McCree Center for Life Success
- Christina Harris ‘14 (she/her), Director of Career and Life Design
Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences
- Barrie Holt, Director of Administration and Operations
- Formerly Operations Manager
President’s Office
- Amber Ocasio ’14, MS ’22 (she/her), Executive Assistant
- Formerly Administrative Coordinator
University Advancement and Alumni Engagement
- Caitlyn “Cait” Alexander ’19 (she/they), Manager of Advancement Services
- Formerly Coordinator, Research and Records
- Mary Harvey (she/her), Vice President of Advancement
- Formerly Associate Vice President for Advancement/Campaign Director
- Anne M. Holland ’88 (she, her), Director of Leadership Annual Giving
- Formerly Director of Special Projects
Departures
Academic Affairs
- Sandra Bagbey, Student Success Advisor
- Anna Grigoryan, Learning Experience Designer
- Kemi Weston, Student Success Advisor
Admissions and Financial Aid
- Hanley Carpenter, Coordinator of Prospective Student Communication
- Robin Dietrich, Senior Financial Aid Advisor
- Kelsey Heathcoat, Financial Aid Counselor
- Nick LaGrua, Admissions Counselor
- Current contact, Brooklyn McLain, Admissions Counselor
Athletics
- Wesley Arthur, Head Cross Country and Track Coach
- Amanda Evans, Head Women’s Soccer Coach
- Anthony Evans, Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach
- Michelle Johnson, Assistant Volleyball Coach
- Jordan Lohr, Head Volleyball Coach
- Brandon Sand, Assistant Athletic Trainer
- Christian Stambaugh, Head Tennis Coach
Dining Services
- Prince Antwi, Kitchen Assistant
- Herbert Armstead, Pantry
- Takara Armstead, Dining Room Attendant
- Lindsey Burke, Administrative Assistant
- Carl Organ, Dining Room Orderly
Facilities
- Robert Cannon, Utility
- Elizabeth Connelly, Production Manager
- James Daggy, Groundskeeper
- Kayleigh Miller, Housekeeper
- Valerie Purcell, Stockroom Coordinator
- Marisa Strickler, Housekeeper
- Rhonda Vines, Housekeeper
Gold College of Arts and Sciences
- Donna Bowyer, Faculty Resource Coordinator
- Nadine Gergel-Hackett, Professor of Physics
Grafton Library
- Lance Sean Crowley, Resource Sharing and Instruction Librarian
Health and Counseling Center
- Nadia Kuley, Director, Counseling/Psychological Services
- Marion Ward, Campus Counselor
Integrated Communications
- Liz Fravel, Project Manager
McCree Center for Life Success
- Kristen Sill, Director of Employer Relations and Workforce Development
Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences
- Courtney Bender, School of Nursing Administrative Assistant
- Imke Casey, Adjunct Faculty – DNP Program
- Amy Wielar, DNAP, CRNA, Assistant Program Director, Nurse Anesthesiology Program
- Current contact: Jennifer McPherson, NAP Program Director
Palmer College of Professional Studies
- Doris Dodson, Associate Professor of Social Work
- Deborah Margolies-Delarosa, Adjunct Faculty – Business and Professional Studies
- Suzanne Miller, Adjunct Instructor – Communications
- Darlene Winans, Adjunct Faculty – Business and Professional Studies
President’s Office
- Megan McAllister MEd ’18, Sr. Director of Board Operations and Principal Gift Officer to the President
Student Engagement
- Ernest Jeffries, Vice President of Student Engagement
University Advancement and Alumni Engagement
- Charles E.”Chuck” Davis, Vice President of University Advancement
- Christopher Progler, Assistant Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations
Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership
- Morgan McCown, VWIL Director of Operations
- Current contact: Brig. Gen. Terry Djuric, VWIL Commandant