Graduate Faculty

Graduate Faculty

Graduate Faculty Status and Qualifications

Graduate faculty play an essential role in graduate education. They are responsible for program content, serve on graduate student committees, and assure the quality of preparations of Shepherd University’s graduates. Service as a graduate member, member of the graduate council, or other graduate faculty committee should be recognized in the faculty member’s annual report, as well as any applications for pre-tenure, tenure, and promotion. 

Schools and graduate program coordinators should develop an appropriate timeline for recommending graduate faculty. Faculty applications are reviewed by the department chair for recommendation and, upon approval, are submitted to the school dean and dean of graduate studies with final approval by the provost. The current cycle of graduate faculty serve for five years, with the next review of status taking place in 2019.

Full qualifications may be found in Appendix J of the Faculty Handbook.

• Alexander, Keith, Associate Professor of History and Director of Archives, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education. B.A., Penn State University, 1992; M.A., 1996, Ph.D., 2003, University of Maryland, College Park. (2006)

• Allen, Jason, Assistant Professor of Education. B.A., Shepherd College, 1998; M.A., West Virginia University, 2002; Ed.D, West Virginia University, 2009. (2020)

• Barnett, Andro, Professor in Recreation and Leisure Studies and M.B.A. Sport Management Coordinator. B.S., Jackson State University, 1990; M.S., Mississippi State University, 1991; Ph.D., Temple University, 2005. (1999)

• Beard, R. Scott, Provost and Professor of Music. B.M., Peabody Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 1986; M.M., 1990, D.M.A., 1996, University of Maryland, College Park. (1999)

• Best, Jason, Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics and Director, Strategic Research Initiatives. B.S., Indiana University, 1992; Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 1997. (1997)

• Brasher, Sally M., Professor of History and Chair, Department of History. B.A., University of Colorado, 1983; M.A., Minnesota State University, 1994; Ph.D., Catholic University of America, 2001. (2004)

• Burke, Dawne, Professor of Education. B.A., Shepherd College, 1995; M.A., West Virginia University, 1998; Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2004. (2004)

• Burkey, Doris, Associate Professor of Nursing Education and Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration Coordinator. A.S.N., Shepherd University, 1988; B.S.N., 1997, M.S., 2003, University of Maryland at Baltimore; D.N.P., West Virginia University, 2014 (2015)

• Cantrell, Mark, Associate Professor of English and Director of Honors Program. B.F.A., University of Georgia, 1993; A.B., University of Georgia, 1996; M.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1998; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2005. (2009)

• Cole, Tauna, Professor of Education. R.B.A., 1990, M.A., 1990, 1996, 1998, Ed.D., 1998, West Virginia University. (2006)

• Coltrin, Chris, Associate Professor of Art History and Chair, Department of Contemporary Art and Theater. B.A., 2003, M.A., 2005, Brigham Young University; Ph.D., University of Michigan, 2011. (2011)

• Cook, Mark, Professor of Music. B.M.E., Peabody Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 1978; M.A., Catholic University, 1990; Ph.D., Catholic University, 2004. (2005)

• Coyle, Mary, Assistant Professor of Nursing. B.S.N., Boston College, 1975; M.S.N., Rutgers University, 1977; Ph.D., Catholic University of America, 2009. (2015)

• DiLella, Dan, Professor of Chemistry and Chair, Department of Chemistry. B.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1972; Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, 1978. (1994)

• Dobish, Heidi B., Associate Professor of Psychology. B.S., Northeastern University, 1994; M.S., Tufts University, 1999; Ph.D., Tufts University, 2004. (2005)

• Ellzey, Mary Elizabeth, Professor of English and Chair, Department of English and Modern Languages and Co-Director, Gender and Women’s Studies. B.A., Carnegie-Mellon University, 1969; M.A., University of Pittsburgh, 1971; Ph.D., Catholic University of America, 1988. (1989)

• Evanisko, Sonya E., Professor of Art and Coordinator of Painting Program. B.F.A., Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 1989; M.F.A., Indiana State University, 1992. (1993)

• Files, Michelle, Assistant Professor of Accounting. B.S., 2006, and M.B.A, 2013, Shepherd University.(2019)

• Gonzol, David, Professor of Music. B.S., Messiah College, 1977; M.M.E., Temple University 1979; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 1995. (2005)

• Groves, Michael, Associate Professor of Nursing Education and R.N. to B.S.N. Program Coordinator, and M.B.A. Health Administration Concentration Coordinator. B.S.N., Seton Hall University, 1978; M.G.A., University of Maryland University College, 1993; Ph.D., Texas Woman’s University, 2011. (2012)

• Guzide, Osman, Professor of Computer and Information Sciences. B.S., 1989, M.S., 1989, Hacettepe University; Ph.D., Lehigh University, 2000. (2004)

• Hancock, Mary, Associate Professor of Nursing. B.S., Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia, 1987; M.S., University of Phoenix, 2007; Ph.D., University of Phoenix, 2015. (2013)

• hannah, c. lynne, Professor of Education. B.S., 1979, M.A., 1984, West Virginia University; Ph.D., 1991, McGill University. (1999)

• Hanrahan, Heidi, Professor of English. B.A., Roanoke College, 1999; M.A., 2001, Ph.D., 2005, University of North Carolina at Greensboro. (2007)

• Hargrove, Dori, Assistant Professor of Education. B.S., Missouri State University, 1986; M.Ed., Marymount University, 2004; M.Ed., George Mason University, 2010; Ph.D., George Mason University, 2015. (2015)

• Hendrickson, Sher, Associate Professor of Biology. B.S., 1994, M.S., 1995, University of Wisconsin-Parkside; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 2003. (2012)

• Hicks, Virginia L., Professor of Health and Physical Education and Assistant Provost, Academic Community Outreach. A.A., Kirkwood Community College, 1970; B.S., University of Iowa, 1972; M.A., University of Iowa, 1981; Ph.D., University of New Mexico, 1992. (2006)

• Hippensteel, Scott, Associate Professor of Music/Director of Bands. B.M., Indiana University Bloomington, 1990; M.A., Ball State University, 1998; D.A., Ball State University, 2011. (2011)

• Holtslag, Arend (Aart), Associate Professor of Political Science, Co-Chair, Department of Political Science, Global Studies, and Geography, and Director, Global Studies. Doctoraal, Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen, 1989; Diplome, International Institute of Human Rights, 1992; Ph.D., Florida International University, 2004. (2012)

• Howard-Bostic, Chiquita, Associate Professor of Sociology and Chair, Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Criminal Justice. B.A., 1999, M.U.P., 2001, State University of New York at Buffalo; Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2011. (2013)

• Johnson, LeAnn, Associate Professor of Education and M.A.T. Coordinator. B.S., Utah State University, 1983; M.Ed., 1987, Ph.D., 1993, University of Maryland, College Park. (2012)

• Kendig, Stacey M., Associate Professor of Recreation, Sports, and Director, School of Recreation, Sport, and Exercise Science. B.S., 1983; M.S., 1999, Frostburg State University; Ph.D., West Virginia University, 2013. (2006)

• Kennard, Douglas F., Professor of Education. B.S., Ball State University, 1971; M.A., 1974, Ph.D., 1978, Ohio State University. (1992)

• Levitan, Lindsey, Associate Professor of Psychology. B.S., Carnegie Mellon University, 2001; M.A., 2004, Ph.D., 2007, University of Chicago. (2013)

• Li, Meng Yang, Associate Professor of Chemistry. B.S., Nanjing University, 1982; M.S., Beijing University, 1985; M.S., University of Rochester, 1989; Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1995. (2008)

• Liao, Weidong, Professor of Computer and Information Sciences. B.E., 1991, M.E., 1994, Northeastern University, China; M.S., 1999, Ph.D., 2003, Kent State University. (2004)

• Lovelace, Christopher, Associate Professor of Psychology. B.A., Wake Forest University, 1990; M.A., American University, 1993; Ph.D., American University, 2000. (2011)

• Lynch, Michael, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. B.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1979; M.B.A., Babson College, 1981; A.L.M., Harvard University, 2012; Ed.D., New England College, 2016. (2017)

• Mailey, Sharon, Professor of Nursing Education, Dean, College of Nursing, Education, and Health Sciences, and Director, School of Nursing. B.S.N., Berea College, 1969; M.S., University of North Carolina, 1976; Ph.D., University of North Carolina, 1993. (2008)

• Martz, William Benjamin, Dean, College of Business, Chair, Department of Business Administration, and Professor of Business Administration. B.B.A., College of William and Mary, 1981; M.S., 1985, Ph.D., 1989, University of Arizona, Tucson. (2016)

• Messenger, Carrie, Associate Professor of English. B.A., Yale University, 1994; M.F.A., University of Iowa, 2000; Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago, 2010. (2010)

• Mills, Donald, Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Data Analytics and Graduate Coordinator of M.S. DAIS. B.S., Bob Jones University, 1993; M.S., 1995, and Ph.D., 1999, Clemson University. (2014)

• Mitchell, Belinda B., Associate Professor of Education and M.A. C&I Program Coordinator. B.S., Radford University, 1996; M.S., Radford University 2006; Ph.D., University of Kansas, Lawrence, 2011. (2011)

• Nixon, Timothy, Professor of English. B.A., Belmont University, 1987; M.A., William and Mary, 1992; Ph.D., George Washington University, 2005. (2006)

• Nolan, Colleen J., Professor of Biology. B.S., Washington State University, 1982; M.S., University of Idaho, 1984; Ph.D., Texas A&M University, 1987. (2009)

• Place, Greg, Professor of Recreation and Leisure. B.A., Spring Arbor College, 1984; M.S., Central Michigan University, 1997; Ph.D., Indiana University, 2000. (2011)

• Renninger, Laura A., Professor of Music History and Dean, Ruth Scarborough Library and Center for Teaching, Learning, and Instructional Resources. B.M., Miami (Ohio) University, 1991; M.M., 1993, Ph.D.,1999, University of Illinois. (1999)

• Riffe-Snyder, Kelli, Assistant Professor of Nursing. A.S.N., Bluefield State College, 1985; B.S.N., 1989, and M.S.N., 1999, West Virginia University; Ph.D., University of Arizona, 2017. (2019)

• Rini, Elizabeth, Assistant Professor of Nursing. B.S.N., 1987, M.S.N., 1993, George Mason University; Ph.D., West Virginia University, 2014. (2016)

• Santana, Brian, Lecturer of English. B.A., University of North Carolina at Asheville, 2003; M.A., North Carolina State University, 2005; Ph.D., George Washington University, 2012. (2015)

• Shurbutt, Sylvia Bailey, Professor of English and Coordinator, Appalachian Studies Program. B.A., West Georgia College, 1965; M.A., Georgia Southern College, 1974; Ph.D., University of Georgia, 1982. (1987)

• Slocum-Schaffer, Stephanie, Associate Professor of Political Science and Co-Director, Gender and Women’s Studies. B.A., Bucknell University, 1989; Ph.D., American University, 1996. (2002)

• Stevens, Richard A., Dean, School of Graduate and Professional Studies and Faculty Affairs, Associate Professor. B.A., College of William and Mary, 1989; M.S., Iowa State University, 1991; Ph.D., University of Maryland, 2000. (2008)

• Tuttle, James II, Associate Professor of Education. B.A., James Madison University, 1982; M.A., James Madison University, 1984; Ph.D., University of Virginia, 2001. (2003)

• Vance, Cynthia, Associate Professor of Accounting and Chair, Department of Accounting. B.S., Shepherd College, 1988; M.B.A., Shenandoah University, 1995; Ph.D., Northcentral University, 2017; Certified Public Accountant. (2011)

• Wang, Qing, Professor of Mathematics. B.S., 1999, M.S., 2002, Hunan Normal University, China; Ph.D., University of Waterloo, 2007. (2007)

• Warburton, Robert J., Professor of Biochemistry, Dean, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. B.Sc., University of Essex, England, 1981; M.S., 1984, Ph.D., 1990, Duquesne University. (1993)

• Watson Huffer, Kelly, Assistant Professor of Nursing Education. A.S.N., Frederick Community College, 1988; B.S.N., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1995; M.S., 1997, D.N.P., 2013, University of Maryland, Baltimore. (2016)

• Wendle, Ann, Clinical Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator for College Student Development Administration. B.A., 2001, and M.S., 2003, Shippensburg University; Ph.D., Old Dominion University, 2012. (2019)

• Williams, Kevin, Professor of Mass Communications. B.A., Ramapo College of New Jersey, 1987; M.A., William Patterson College of New Jersey, 1990; Ph.D., Ohio University, 1995. (1993)

• Xie, Yuying, Professor of Economics. B.A., Southwestern University, 2001; M.B.A., Baldwin-Wallace College, 2003; Ph.D., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2008. (2008)

Affiliate Graduate Faculty

As defined in Appendix J of the Faculty Handbook, affiliate graduate faculty must remain current and adept in the discipline, and must demonstrate evidence of currency (defined as within the last five years) in the area of scholarship and creative activities. Schools, departments, and graduate program coordinators should develop an appropriate timeline for recommending affiliate graduate faculty. Faculty applications are reviewed by the department chair for recommendation and, upon approval, are submitted to the school dean and dean of graduate studies with final approval by the provost. Duties and privileges of affiliate graduate faculty are found in the faculty handbook www.shepherd.edu/employees/senate/documents/handbook.pdf. The date in parentheses is the date of status review and renewal.

• Bair, Amy, B.A, Dickinson College, 1994; M.S., Springfield College, 1998; Ph.D., University of Hawaii, 2011. (2024)

• Barr, Bernadine, B.A., Brown University, 1965; M.F.A., University of Chicago, 1967; Ph.D. Stanford University, 1992. (2024)

• Booth, Adam, B.M. University of South Carolina, 2004; M.M. Case Western Reserve University, 2006. (2020)

• Brophy, James, B.A., Wright State University, 1978; M.P.A., University of Baltimore, 1988. (2019)

• Considine, John, B.S.N, Shepherd University, 2011; D.N.P., Shepherd University, 2018. (2024)

• Dudash, Michael, B.A., Lock Haven State College, 1983; M.A., Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 1987. (2019)

• Garland, John, A.A., Eastern Oklahoma State College, 1989; B.B.A, Northeastern State University, 2000; M.S., Northeastern State University, 2001; Ph.D., University of Maryland, 2010. (2022)

• Gibson, Alan, B.A., Washington and Lee University, 1970; M.S., Georgetown University, 1977. (2019)

• Haines, Renee, B.S., West Virginia University, 2005; M.A., West Virginia University, 2008. (2020)

• Hillman, Donald, B.A., California State University-Sacramento; M.S. 2009, M.B.A. 2010, D.Mgt. 2013, University of Maryland-University College. (2024)

• Hooper, Sarah, B.S., Salisbury State University, 1981; M.S., University of Maryland, Baltimore, 1993. (2022)

• Isherwood, Alex, B.A., San Diego State University, 1973; M.A., San Diego State University, 1975; Ph.D., University of Maryland, 1986. (2019)

• Klahre, Cynthia, B.S.N., University of Pittsburgh, 2001; M.S.N., University of Pittsburgh, 2004; Ph.D., University of Phoenix, 2015. (2019)

• Leggett, Lana, B.A., Kent State University, 1975; M.A., Kent State University, 1981; M.B.A., Ashland University, 1987; Ph.D., Kent State University, 1981. (2019)

• Liebowitz, Jay, B.B.A, 1979, M.B.A, 1980, D.Sc., 1984, George Washington University. (2023)

• Lochner, Wendy, B.A. Shepherd College, 1986; M.A., West Virginia University, 2005. (2023)

• Lopez-Piacquadio, Leslie, B.A., Bethany College, 2004; M.S., Slippery Rock University, 2007; M.B.A. Shepherd University, 2015. (2023)

• Madison, Mark, B.A. Macalester College, 1986; Ph.D., Harvard University, 1995. (2024)

• Meads, Rachael, B.A., Shepherd College, 1992; M.A., West Virginia University, 1994. (2020)

• Morreale, Diedre, B.S. Shippensburg State College, 1968; M.A., Western Maryland College, 1973. (2023)

• Ray, Jeffrey, B.S., University of Maryland, 1980; M.S., University of Maryland, 1982; J.D., University of Maryland, Baltimore, 1991; M.S. George Washington University, 2001; D. Mgmt., SMC University, 2014. (2020)

• Sandstrom, Dirk, B.S. University of Utah, 1990; M.P.H., University of Utah, 1994.  (2018)

• Sherman, Barbara, B.S.N, Shepherd College, 1998; M.S.N, Mountain State University, 2011; M.B.A, 2017, D.N.P, 2018, Shepherd University. (2023)

• Sechler, Elizabeth, B.S., West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1994; M.A., Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 1997; M.B.A., Radford University, 2005; Ph.D., Marywood University, 2015. (2021)

• West, Jimmie, B.A, 1975, M.A., 1978, University of Texas-Austin; Ph.D., North Texas State University, 1983 (2023)

• York, Judy, B.A., Virginia Tech, 1991; M.B.A. Penn. State University, 2001; M.S. Penn State University, 2003. (2019)

• Zarlengo, Theresa, B.S., Metropolitan State College, 1980; M.S., University of Wyoming, 1988. (2020)