FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 19, 2011

MUW hires 18 new faculty members; grants promotion and tenure to 15 others

By Jill D. O’Bryant

COLUMBUS, Miss. -- Mississippi University for Women’s campus is enjoying the start of a new academic year. In addition to welcoming a new freshmen class and many other new students, the university also has welcomed 18 new faculty members.

“MUW was excited to welcome a wonderful class of new faculty for the opening convocation on August 15,” said Dr. E.E. Caston, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We were also highly pleased with the professional accomplishments of numerous faculty relative to promotions in rank, higher degree acquisitions and other professional achievements.”

In the College of Arts and Sciences, four new faculty members were hired. They are Ian Childers, assistant professor of art; Dr. Marta Guerra, instructor of physics; Dr. Amber Handy, assistant professor of history; and Dr. Melissa Smith, visiting assistant professor of communication.

Six professors within the College of Arts and Sciences earned promotions. They are David Carter to associate professor of theater with tenure, Dr. Dionne Fortenberry to professor of chemistry, Dr. Bryan Hilliard to professor of philosophy with tenure, Carmen Osburn to associate professor of music therapy with tenure, Dr. Van Roberts to associate professor of communications with tenure and Dr. Michael Smith to associate professor of English with tenure.

The College of Education and Human Sciences welcomed four new faculty members and saw five members receive promotions. New hires are Dr. Kenneth Anthony, assistant professor of education; Brenda Dickey, assistant professor of education; Dr. Marilyn Evans, assistant professor of education; and Angelia Taylor, instructor of psychology.

Promotions include Dr. Kerry Randell Foxworth, associate professor of health and kinesiology, received tenure; Dr. Jeanne Holland, associate professor of education, received tenure; Dr. Youn Mi Lee was promoted to associate professor of family studies; Dr. Angelia Pascal was promoted to associate professor of health education; and Dr. Monica Riley was promoted to professor of education.

Eight new faculty members were hired to the College of Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology. They are Hannah Bascomb, instructor of nursing (BSN); Clara Hurd, instructor of nursing (BSN Tupelo); Gladys Mooneyham, instructor of nursing (BSN); Bobbie Pearson, instructor of nursing (BSN); Shonda Phelon, instructor of nursing (MSN); Kimberly Schnurbusch, instructor of nursing (BSN); Adrian Sligh, instructor of nursing (ASN); and Dr. Mary Smith, assistant professor of nursing (MSN).

Dr. Tammie McCoy was promoted to professor of nursing with tenure, and Dr. Deborah Miranda was promoted to associate professor of nursing.

The two new faculty members in the School of Professional Studies are Dr. Kyle Dempsey, instructor of business, and Shannon Lindell, instructor of culinary arts. Receiving a promotion was Dr. Scott Tollison, who has been promoted to associate professor of management information systems.

In other promotions, Gail Gunter was promoted to associate professor of library services with tenure.