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. 

Colleges and graduate program coordinators should develop an appropriate timeline for recommending graduate faculty. Faculty applications are reviewed by the department chair/director for recommendation and, upon approval, are submitted to the college dean and dean of graduate and professional studies with final approval by the provost. Graduate faculty status is reviewed every five years. 

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)

• Baker, Helen, Lecturer/Field Placement Coordinator. A.S., Hagerstown Community College, 2006; B.A., Shepherd University, 2009; M.S., Mountain State University, 2012. (2014)

• Bankhurst, Benjamin, Assistant Professor of History. B.A., University of New Mexico, 2003; M.A., 2005, Ph.D., 2011, King’s College London. (2015)

• 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)

• 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)

• Broomall, James, Associate Professor of History and Director, George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War. B.A., University of Delaware, 2000; M.A., University of North Carolina, Greensboro, 2006; Ph.D., University of Florida, 2011. (2015)

• 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)

• Burker, Cara, Assistant Professor of Nursing. B.S.N., Shepherd University, 1992; M.S.N., Towson University, 2015; D.N.P., Shepherd University 2018. (2016)

• 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)

• 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)

• Donovan, Laureen, Assistant Professor of Nursing. B.S.N, Our Lady of Elms College, 1986; M.S.N., Saint Joseph’s College, 2005; Ph.D., Capella University, 2015. (2020).

• 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)

• Fetty, Angela, Assistant Professor of Nursing Education. B.S.N., Mountain State University, 2010; M.S.N., University of South Alabama, 2013; D.N.P., University of South Alabama, 2014. (2017)

• Fletcher, Arnetta, Assistant Professor of Nutrition. B.S., University of Delaware, 2011; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 2015. (2018)

• Gocmen, Tuncer, Professor of Economics. B.A., Ankara University, 1994; M.A., Ohio University, 1998; Ph.D., West Virginia University, 2005. (2004)

• 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)

• 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)

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

• Hovatter, Rhonda, Associate Professor of Physical Education and Fitness for Life Coordinator. B.S., Ashland University, 1994; M.S., Ohio University, 1996; Ed.D., Ashland University, 2009. (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)

• Johnston, Brenda, Assistant Professor of Nursing. A.S.N., Shenandoah University, 1985; B.S.N., Shenandoah University, 2005; D.N.P., George Mason University, 2014. (2020)

• 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)

• Krantz, Rachel, Associate Professor of French. B.A., Grinnell College, 1988; M.A., University of Munich, Germany, 1993; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2001. (2004)

• 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)

• Melton, Cecilia, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies. Undergraduate Diploma, 1998, M.S., 2001, Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande; Ph.D., Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 2011. (2018)

• 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)

• Modler, David, Associate Professor of Art. B.S., 1990, M.Ed., 1996, Towson State University; M.F.A., James Madison University, 2009. (2012)

• Murphy, Sytil, Associate Professor of Physics. B.A., Monmouth College, 1999; M.S., 2001, Ph.D., 2008, Montana State University. (2011)

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

• Penland, Jennifer, Associate Professor of Education and Director, School of Education. B.S., 1989, M.Ed., 2001, and Ed.D., 2007, Lamar University. (2018)

• 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)

• Ray, George, Assistant Professor of Business Administration. B.S., University of Maryland, 1982; M.S., West Virginia University, 2006; D.M., Swiss Management Center, 2013. (2018).

• Riffe-Snyder, Kellie, 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)

• Sandy, Julia, Associate Professor of History. B.S., 1990, M.A., 1992, University of Virginia; Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2006. (2009)

• 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)

• Showen, Austin, Assistant Professor of Music. B.M.E., Shepherd University, 2011; M.M., Capital University, 2015; Ph.D., Arizona State University, 2020. (2020)

• 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)

• Tracy, Julia, Assistant Professor of Physical Education. B.S., Longwood College, 1997; M.S., 2001, and Ed.D., 2015, West Virginia University. (2019)

• 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)

• Wenger, Christy, Associate Professor of English. B.A., Susquehanna University, 2004; M.A., Drew University, 2005; Ph.D., Lehigh University. (2011)

• 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/school director for recommendation and, upon approval, are submitted to the college dean and dean of graduate and professional studies with final approval by the provost. Duties and privileges of affiliate graduate faculty are found in the faculty handbook. The date in parentheses is the date of status review and renewal.

• Aytac, Berren, B.S., Middle East Technical University, 2001; M.S., Ph.D., Lehigh University, 2004, 2009. (2022)

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

• Baker, Evora, B.A., Macalester College, 1996; M.A.Ed., University of Phoenix, 2008; Ed.D., American College of Education, 2020. (2025)

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

• Bauer, Brian, B..A., Shepherd University, 2009; M.Ed, American Public University, 2012 and 2016. (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. (2022)

• Cable, Danette, B.S., Shippensburg University, 1977; M.A., Hood College, 1983. (2023)

• Casanova, Robert, M.H.S, University of Denver, 1992 (2026)

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

• Dixon, Michael, B.A., M.B.A, Mt. Saint Mary’s College, 2004, 2007 (2022)

• Dudash, Michael, B.A., Lock Haven State College, 1983; M.A., Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 1987. (2022)

• 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)

• Hernandez, Susana, B.A., University of Wyoming, 2007; M.Ed., Iowa State University, 2009; Ph.D., Texas A&M University, 2020 (2025)

• Hillman, Donald, B.A., California State University, Sacramento; M.S., M.B.A, D.Mgmt., University of Maryland, University College, 2009, 2010, 2013. (2023)

• Hooper, Sarah, B.S.N, 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)

• Jarman, Lois, B.A., Goucher College, 1982; M.A., Hood College, 2006; D.P.S. Shenandoah University, 2011. (2025)

• 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. (2024)

• 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)

• Lovett, David, B.S., M.S, Shippensburg University; Ed.D. University of Virginia (2024)

• Lutman, Margaret, B.S. Towson University, 1978; M.Ed., Hood College, 1985. (2022)

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

• McPherson, Stephen, B.A., Messiah College, 1995; M.S., Capella University, 2010. (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)

• Mulford, Peter, B. A. University of Vermont, 1966; M.B.A. Cornell University, 1972. (2024)

• 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.  (2022)

• Shaw, John, B.S., M.S., Mississippi State University, 1965, 1967; Ph.D. University of Kentucky, 1970.  (2023)

• 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)

• Shetler, Sandra, B.S., Lock Haven University, 1975; M.S., West Virginia University, 1982. (2025)

• Swartz, Suzanne, B.A. Shepherd College, 1985; M.A., West Virginia University, 1999. (2024)

• Tarantino, Kristin, B.A. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006; M.Ed, Ph.D., College of William and Mary, 2012, 2016. (2024)

• Toole, Georgiann, B.A., Shepherd College, 1979; M.M., Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University, 1997; Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2003. (2024)

• Unger, John, B.A., West Virginia University, 1993; M.A., University of Oxford, 1996; M.Div. Wesley Theologicial Seminary, 2013. (2023)

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

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