MC welcomes new faculty for 2022-23
Aug. 11, 2022
This fall, Maryville College welcomes to its campus one lecturer, four assistant professors, one associate professor and four visiting lecturers, bringing the total number of full-time faculty members to 76.
Dr. Samantha Astor joins the Division of Education as a lecturer in education. Astor earned a bachelor’s degree in English, communications and photography from Albright College in Reading, Pa., as well as an M.Ed. in early childhood education and a Ph.D. in elementary education from the University of Georgia. Most recently, she served as an adjunct professor in education at Maryville College, where she served as a student teaching supervisor and taught EDU312: Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners (a course she created) and EDU299: Contemporary and Professional Issues in Education. She also served as a data coordinator for the College’s Educator Preparation Program Reaccreditation Committee. She taught pre-K and kindergarten, as well as first, second and third grades, in Athens, Ga.
In the Division of Languages and Literature, Dr. Naiara Centeno joins the faculty as an assistant professor of Spanish. Centeno holds a bachelor’s degree in English philology from the University of Deusto in Spain; a master’s degree in Hispanic linguistics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and a Ph.D. in linguistics from the University of the Basque Country in Spain. Her areas of expertise are linguistics, philology, language acquisition and pedagogy. Since 2016, she has been an adjunct instructor at Maryville College, where she has taught Spanish language and culture. Previously, she taught Spanish language courses at Clayton Bradley STEM Academy in Alcoa, Tenn. She also was a senior lecturer at the University of Duesto in Spain.
Dr. Leire Echevarria-Canal joins the Division of Languages and Literature as an assistant professor of Spanish. Echevarria-Canal earned a bachelor’s degree in modern languages from the University of Deusto in Spain; a master’s degree in Hispanic linguistics from the University of Illinois at Chicago; and a Ph.D. in Hispanic linguistics from the University of Florida. Her dissertation title is “Complexity, Accuracy and Fluency values among different learner populations.” Her research interests include second and heritage language acquisition, bilingualism, sociolinguistics and technology in language teaching. Previously, she was a graduate instructor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies at the University of Florida.
In the Division of Behavioral Sciences, Dr. Aqualus Gordon joins the faculty as an associate professor of counseling psychology. Gordon holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and English from Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind., as well as a master’s degree in educational psychology and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. His dissertation title is “Men, Masculinity, and Heterosexual Exclusivity: A Study of the Perception and Construction of Human Sexual Orientation.” Previously, he was an associate professor of psychology at the University of Central Missouri. His research and scholarly interests include neurodivergence, personality theory, sports and performance psychology, human sexuality and gender, and race, ethnicity and culture.
Michael Barron Hall joins the Division of Fine Arts as a visiting lecturer in art. Hall earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in 3-D studies from the University of South Florida in Tampa and a master of fine arts degree with a ceramics concentration from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Most recently, Hall was an adjunct instructor in the Division of Fine Arts at Maryville College, where he has taught ceramics and sculpture since 2016. He also has taught courses in art appreciation, art history, sculpture and ceramics at Walters State Community College. He is a practicing artist in Knoxville, Tenn., and he has exhibited his work in numerous shows throughout the country.
Dr. Shannon Heath joins the Division of Languages and Literature as a visiting lecturer in English. Heath holds a bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in writing, literature and journalism from Concord University in Athens, W.V.; a master’s degree in English from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Va.; and a Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Her dissertation title is “Irish Harps, Scottish Fiddles, English Pens: Romantic Satire and British Nationalism.” Most recently, she was an adjunct instructor of English at Maryville College. Previously, she was a lecturer in English at the University of Tennessee.
In the Division of Behavioral Sciences, Stephanie Horvath joins the faculty as an assistant professor of American Sign Language. Horvath earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts studies with an emphasis in special education from California State University in Channel Islands, Calif., and a master’s degree in bilingual Deaf education from McDaniel College in Westminster, Md. She is currently pursuing a doctor of education in education leadership and policy analysis (expected spring 2023). Most recently, she has served as an interpreting education specialist for Sorenson Communication, an online adjunct instructor in American Sign Language for Niswanger Foundation Online, and a clinical assistant professor in American Sign Language at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tenn.
Dr. Rachel Ponder joins the Division of Social Sciences as an assistant professor of criminal justice. Ponder holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Florida in Tampa; a master’s degree in criminal justice from Boston University; and a Ph.D. in sociology with an emphasis in criminology, political economy and globalization from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Most recently she served as an adjunct instructor at Maryville College, as well as a graduate teaching associate in UT’s Department of Sociology. She also worked for the Knox County Sheriff’s Office as a corrections/patrol officer. Her research and teaching interests include criminal justice, transitional justice, oppression, violence and harm, public health, law and policy, political/state violence and genocide.
MaryLeith Turner joins the Division of Languages and Literature as a visiting lecturer in English. Turner holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in English with a specialty in pedagogy and first-year writing from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton. Previously, she was a graduate assistant in the English program at the University of West Georgia, where she served as a teaching assistant, consultant for the Writing Center and research assistant.
In the Division of Fine Arts, Andrew Vaught joins the faculty as a visiting lecturer in theatre. Vaught earned bachelor’s degrees in drama and history from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and a master of fine arts degree in creative writing from the University of New Orleans. A playwright, actor, director and producer, Vaught was previously a Murphy Visiting Fellow in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. He also served as adjunct instructor in the School of Humanities at Dillard University in New Orleans, La.
Promotions and Title Changes
- Dr. Karen Beale has been promoted to professor of psychology
- Dr. Jennifer Brigati, chair of the Division of Natural Sciences, has been promoted to professor of biology
- Doug Davis has been promoted to lecturer in chemistry
- Dr. Heather McMahon, professor of theatre, has been named assistant dean for academic success
- Dr. Gabie Kerr has been promoted to assistant professor in management
- Dr. Zach Himmelberger has been promoted to assistant professor of psychology
- Dr. Jennifer Oody has been promoted to associate professor of exercise science
- Christina Seymour has been promoted to assistant professor of writing communication
- Dr. Kathie Shiba, professor of psychology and previous chair of the Division of Behavioral Sciences, has been named assistant dean of institutional equity
- Dr. Jesse Smith has been promoted to senior lecturer in mathematics
- Jan Taylor, who previously served as assistant dean, is returning to the classroom as senior lecturer in composition