KOKOMO, Ind. – Indiana University Kokomo welcomes 16 new faculty members, teaching in subjects ranging from business to radiologic science, and English to nursing.
Mark Canada, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs described them as “talented, dedicated people,” who will educate and inspire students. “With these new faculty members, we will continue to serve our students well.”
They include:
Division of Allied Health Sciences:
Lalatendu Acharya, assistant professor health sciences. He earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Purdue University, a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India, and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.)from BJB College, Utkal University, Orissa, India. He was a National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities Scholar, and was a faculty member in communications, public health, and consumer sciences at Purdue University.
Stacey Bettegnies, assistant professor of radiologic science/clinical coordinator. She earned a Master of Public Management (M.P.M.) and a B.S. in Medical Imaging Technology from IU Kokomo, and an Associate of Science (A.S.) in Radiography from Ball State University. She previously was an adjunct professor for IU Kokomo.
School of Business
Tsarai Chimhanda, visiting lecturer of business. He earned an M.B.A. from IU Kokomo, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Loyola University Chicago. Formerly, he was an adjunct professor at IU Kokomo and Ivy Tech Community College, Anderson. He also was a staff accountant at Myers and Stauffer, Indianapolis.
School of Education
Cheryl Moore-Beyioku, lecturer in education. She earned a Doctor of Education from Ball State University; a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Special Education from California State University, Los Angeles; and an M.A. in Urban Planning and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Environmental Design from the State University of New York Buffalo. She was a visiting lecturer at IU Kokomo and IU South Bend.
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Julie Brunson, assistant professor of psychology. She earned a Ph.D. in Social Psychology and an M.A. in Psychology from University of Houston, and a B.A. in Psychology from Ball State University. Previously, she was an assistant teaching professor at The Pennsylvania State University.
Christopher Buckman, lecturer of philosophy. He earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy from University at Buffalo, an M.A. in Philosophy from Stony Brook University, and a B.A. in Political Science from State University New York New Paltz. He was an instructor at Auburn University, Alabama.
Dennis Henry, visiting lecturer of theatre. He earned a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in directing for stage and screen from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a B.A. in Theatre, with an emphasis on performance, from the School of Theatre, Television, and Film at San Diego State University. He was a visiting assistant professor of theatre at Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan.
Aaron Pickens, assistant professor of fine arts and new media. He earned an M.F.A. in painting from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A) in digital arts from Bowling Green State University, Ohio. He was an adjunct instructor at Adrian College, Michigan, and an artist technician for Paramedia LLC, Bowling Green, Ohio.
Felicia Williams, visiting lecturer in English. She earned an M.A. in English from IU East, an M.A. in Secondary Administration from University of Central Oklahoma, and a B.A. in English, African American studies, and secondary education from Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Previously, she was an adjunct professor at IUPUI and North Central Texas College
School of Nursing
Erin Geiselman, assistant professor of nursing. She earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) from University of Southern Indiana, and a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.), and Associate of Science in Nursing (A.S.N.) from IU Kokomo. She was a quality nurse at Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo, and an adjunct professor at IU Kokomo.
Jennifer Hunt, lecturer in nursing. She earned an M.S.N. from Walden University, and a B.S.N. from IU Northwest. She was an assistant professor of nursing at Ivy Tech Community College, Anderson.
Naomi Jones, lecturer in nursing. She earned an M.S.N. from Walden University, and a B.S.N. from Ball State University. She was previously an assistant professor at Ivy Tech Community College, Anderson, and a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation nurse at Riverview Hospital, Noblesville.
Susan Plough, lecturer in nursing. She earned an M.SN. and B.S.N. from IU. She had been an adjunct faculty member at IU Kokomo and Legacy CNA school, and also was director of care coordination/social work at St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana, Cardiovascular Services, Indianapolis.
School of Sciences
Christopher Caruvana, assistant professor of mathematics. He earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics from University of North Texas, Denton; and a B.S. in Mathematics from Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas. He was a visiting assistant professor of mathematics at IU Kokomo, and an adjunct instructor at University of North Texas.
Nisreen Hamarshah, lecturer of biology. She earned an M.S. in biology from Northern Illinois University, a B.S. in Biology from Loyola University Chicago, and an A.S. in Science from Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills, Illinois. She was an adjunct faculty member at Elgin Community College, American InterContinental University Online, and Rasmussen College, all in Illinois.
Mahdokht Jasmine Jalaie, visiting lecturer in mathematics. She earned an M.S. in Applied Statistics and a B. S. in Pure Mathematics from IUPUI. Previously, she was an associate adjunct lecturer at University of Indianapolis.
Indiana University Kokomo celebrates 75 years as north central Indiana’s choice for higher education.