New Faculty 2018-2019

Dr. Salvatore Blair is a new Assistant Professor of Biology. He has a PhD in Physiology, Cell, and Developmental Biology from the University of Alberta, and an MS in Cell and Molecular Biology from Appalachian State University. He recently completed a postdoc at Athabasca University/University of Alberta, and his research interests include conservation physiology, fish physiology, and thermoregulation.

Ms. Amanda Campbell is a new Instructor of English. She has an MA in English from East Carolina University, and is currently pursuing a PhD in English Literature and Criticism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has taught English and Writing courses as an adjunct faculty member at Winthrop since 2013. Her research interests include literature, gender studies, digital literacy/pedagogy, and pop culture.

Dr. Chen Chen is a new Assistant Professor of English (Rhetoric and Composition). She has a PhD in Communications, Rhetoric, and Digital Media from NCSU, and an MS in Professional Writing from Towson University. Her research interests include writing disciplinarity, digital rhetoric and social network sites, and writing pedagogy.

Ms. Amanda Covington is a new Instructor of English. She has an MA in English from Winthrop University, and is currently pursuing a PhD in English with a certificate in Film and Media Studies from Texas A&M University. She has previously taught Writing and HMXP courses at Winthrop, and writing, literature, and film courses at Texas A&M. Her research interests include contemporary American and transnational literature, film and media studies, trauma studies, and Cold War studies.

Dr. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight is a new Assistant Professor of History. She has a PhD in History from UNC Chapel Hill and an MA in History from NCCU. She previously taught History courses at Tidewater Community College, Regent University, and Old Dominion University. Her research interests include US History, African-American History, and Women's and Gender History, with a particular focus on using oral history to examine social movements forged by African-American women.

Ms. Karin Evans is a new Instructor of Human Nutrition. She is a Registered Dietitian with an MA in Nutrition Education from Immaculata University, and she has taught Nutrition and Health courses as an adjunct faculty member at Winthrop since 2013. She has also worked as a Clinical Dietitian and Nutrition Therapist at various locations for the past twenty years.

Ms. Stephanie Herring is a new Instructor of Mathematics. She has an MS in Applied Mathematics from NCSU, and she has taught Mathematics courses as an adjunct faculty member at Winthrop for the past two years. She has previously taught at York Tech and NCSU.

Dr. Anthony Hill is the new chair of the department of Social Work, and is also Graduate Director and Associate Professor of Social Work. He has a PhD and MSW from Howard University, and has been a licensed Clinical Social Worker in Minnesota, Delaware, and Washington DC. He has taught Social Work courses at Delaware State University, Catholic University of America, and Washington Adventist University.

Ms. Sarah Hopkins is a new Instructor of Social Work. She has an MSW from Binghamton University, where she also taught Social Work courses for four years. She has also worked as a bereavement counselor and medical social worker at several locations.

Dr. Joseph Kasko is a new Assistant Professor of Mass Communication (Digital Media). He has a PhD and Master of Mass Communication from the University of South Carolina, and he has previously taught journalism and media courses at SUNY Buffalo State, the University of South Carolina, and Benedict College. His professional experience includes a variety of roles at radio, broadcast, and print publications.

Dr. Joshua Kirven is a new Associate Professor of Social Work. He has a PhD from the Ohio State University and an MSW from the University of South Carolina. He previously taught at North Carolina A&T State University, UNC Greensboro, Cleveland State University, and the University of Central Florida. He has also worked as a researcher and practitioner for a variety of intervention and community engagement programs, and as a licensed social worker and therapist.

Dr. Hope Lima is a new Assistant Professor of Human Nutrition. She has a PhD and MS in Nutrition Science from NCSU, and is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She has taught a variety of courses at Central Carolina Community College and NCSU, and her research interests include maternal and infant nutrition, human milk science, and social issues related to breastfeeding.

Dr. Adrienne McCormick is Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and Professor of English. She has a PhD in English and a certificate in Women's Studies from the University of Maryland at College Park, as well as an MA in Literature from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She previously served as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at SUNY Oswego.

Dr. Joshua McDonald is a new Assistant Professor of Human Nutrition. He has a PhD in Human Nutrition from the Ohio State University, and his research interests include the use of food to prevent and treat disease, such as egg- and dairy-based dietary interventions for prediabetic adults.

Dr. Ty Miller is a new Assistant Professor of Sociology. He has a PhD and MS in Sociology from Purdue University, and he has also taught courses in Criminology and Sociology there. His research interests include crime and deviance, substance use, immigration, and religion.

Mr. Emmanuel Nwachukwu is a new Instructor of Mass Communication (Integrated Marketing Communication). He has an MA in Communication from Texas Southern University, and is currently completing a PhD in Mass Communication from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has taught media and public relations courses, and worked as a social media coordinator, sales agent and financial consultant, and radio presenter. His research interests include the role of public relations in society, and the use of social media in developing countries.

Ms. Jane Wilkes is a new Instructor of Mathematics. She has a BA in Mathematics from Winthrop, and an M.Ed. from Converse College. She has taught Mathematics courses as an adjunct faculty member at Winthrop since 2010, in addition to mentoring students in Winthrop's summer WISE program. She previously taught Math at Union High School.

Dr. Brent Woodfill is a new Assistant Professor of Anthropology. He has a PhD and MA in Anthropology from Vanderbilt University, and he has previously taught at Georgia State University, la Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan, the University of Louisiana ay Lafayette, and Slippery Rock University. He has had additional academic appointments with the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of Natural History, the University of Minnesota's Institute for Advanced Study, and el Colegio Profesional de Humanidades in Guatemala.

Ms. Emma Lloyd Best, JD, is a new Assistant Professor of Business Law. She teaches business law and organizational leadership and communication. She taught business law in law school for over six years. She has practiced as corporate counsel for Belk, a retail company, and Inmar, a supply chain logistics company, for a total of 10 years. She received her JD and MBA from Wake Forest and is currently working on her Doctorate in Business Administration at UNC Charlotte.

Dr. Clovia Hamilton is a new Assistant Professor of Management. She teaches Sustainable Operations, Supply Chain, and Business Ethics. Her research focuses on business law and ethics and new technology product development and commercialization operations. She received her Ph.D. in Industrial & Systems Engineering from the University of Tennessee, an MBA from Wesleyan College, a Master of Laws in Intellectual Property from the University of Illinois, and her JD from John Marshall Law School.

Dr. Nicholas Moellman, a new Assistant Professor of Economics, is an economist studying labor, public, and health economics, specializing in assessing the effects of program participation for low-income households participating in multiple safety-net programs. He earned undergraduate degrees in economics and letters from the University of Oklahoma, a M.S. in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a M.S. and PhD in economics from the University of Kentucky. Prior to earning his PhD, he worked as a health data analyst, and has significant experience with healthcare claims data, service evaluation and assessment, and physician contracting.

Dr. Steven Muzatko, a new Assistant Professor of Accounting, earned his doctorate in accounting and information systems at the University of Wisconsin (Madison). Prior to joining Winthrop University, Steve was an Associate Professor of Accounting at the University of Wisconsin — Green Bay. His research interests include auditing, financial accounting, and assurance related to e-commerce, and he has published in Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, Issues in Accounting Education, and Banking and Finance Review.

Dr. Alex Perri is a new Assistant Professor of Management. He teaches International Business, Global Strategy, International Marketing, Operations and Supply Chain. His research focuses on International Business, International Trade, Internationalization Strategy, Global Value Chains and Cross-Cultural Negotiations. Alex received his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina in International Business, a Post MBA Master of Global Management from Thunderbird Graduate School of Management and an MBA from the New York University Stern School of Business

Dr. Edward Charles Randle is an Assistant Professor of Accounting. He received his Ph.D. in Accounting from Jackson State University, and his dissertation focused on the decision usefulness of auditor communication to external stakeholders. Dr. Randle received his MBA from Jackson State University and his bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University. Dr. Randle's research interests include stakeholder responses to auditor communication and exploration of demographic differences among institutions in higher ed. His research has been published in the Journal of Accounting and Finance. He is a CPA licensed in the state of Mississippi. He is a member of the American Accounting Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and a host of other organizations.

Ms. Rosemarie Agosto is a lead preschool teacher at Macfeat Early Childhood Laboratory School. She has a B.S. in Psychology from the College of New Rochelle in New York and an MSED In Early Childhood Education from Hunter College in NYC. For the past 18 years, Ms. Agosto worked as a lead teacher at the prestigious Independent Preschool in New York City.

Dr. Jennifer Bossi is an Assistant Professor of Exercise Science. She comes from Bristol, Connecticut but has lived in South Carolina for the past three years. She earned a bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from Wingate University, a master's degree in Exercise Science from Central Connecticut State University, and Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from Springfield College. Before coming to Winthrop she was an assistant professor of Kinesiology and the Human Performance and laboratory director at Anderson University.

Dr. Adrienne Edwards is an Assistant Professor and the Director of the Human Development and Family Studies program in the Richard W. Riley College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences.  She received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Clemson University, her master's in Counseling and Development from Winthrop, and a Ph.D. degree in Human Development with a concentration in child and adolescent development from Virginia Tech.  Dr. Edwards served as an assistant professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Nevado, Reno prior to joining the Winthrop faculty.  In 2015 she received the Jessie Bernard Outstanding Contribution to Feminist Scholarship Paper Award from the National Council on Family Relations.

Dr. Larry Fisher is an Assistant Professor of Special Education and recently completed his Ph.D. in Special Education at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. He earned both his M.A.Ed. in Special Education, Severe and Profound Disabilities, and his BSEd in Special Education with a focus in Art from Western Carolina University. Dr. Fisher also completed a post-masters certificate in school administration. He is a National Board Certified Teacher in Special Education and holds licensures in School Administration, Severe and Profound Intellectual Disabilities, and Learning Disabilities.

Dr. Koti Hubbard is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education. She comes from Fair Play, South Carolina and earned both a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and a master's degree in Literacy Education from Clemson University. She recently completed her Ph.D. in Language, Literacy, and Culture at Clemson University. While at Clemson, Dr. Hubbard served as co-director of the America Reads program. She has also worked as a kindergarten teacher in Oconee County, South Carolina.

Ms. Chelsea Whitten is a lead preschool teacher at Macfeat Early Childhood Laboratory School. She received a B.A. in Early Childhood Education and M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning from Clemson University. She formerly taught first grade at Doby's Bridge Elementary School in Fort Mill.

Ms. Sara Brown is an instructor of fine arts in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Brown began her time at Winthrop in the 2017-18 school year, and previously taught at Old Dominion University in Virginia and Pitt Community College in North Carolina. Sara received her M.F.A. in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design from Indiana University-Bloomington. For four years, Sara has been the co-coordinator of The Smitten Forum held which allows "makers from the metals and jewelry field a place to come together in a creative environment and work side by side in a studio for one week."

Dr. Wanda K. W. Ebright is the associate dean and the director of graduate studies for the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Dr. Ebright holds a Ph.D. in dance from Texas Woman's University, an M.F.A. in dance performance and choreography from Florida State University, and a B.A. in french from Memphis State University (now University of Memphis). Prior to joining CVPA, she served as coordinator of the dance program and the visual & performing arts major at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she taught all levels of classical ballet, pointe, Graham-based modern, and jazz dance. She is artistic director of The Wanda Project, a ballet-based contemporary dance company, and her research is focused on the history of dance in historically black colleges and universities. She is a former President of the South Carolina Dance Association and has helped to revise state K-12 dance curriculum standards in both Georgia and South Carolina. Her choreography has been performed in Charlotte's Festival in the Park, the Piccolo Spoleto Festival (SC), Arts Alive! Festival (SC), Panoply Choreography Festival (AL), and the Denver Independent Choreographers Project (CO), and was featured this past spring in the Atlanta Fringe Festival (GA).

Ms. Julianna Hane is an instructor of dance in the Department of Theatre and Dance in Winthrop University's College of Visual and Performing Arts. A native of South Carolina, Hane holds an M.F.A. in modern dance from the University of Utah and a B.A. in dance performance from Winthrop University. She has previously taught at Winthrop University, Columbia College, The University of Utah, and the College of Charleston. Hane is a graduate of the Professional Training Program at New England Center of Circus Arts (NECCA). In 2008, she founded Revolve Aerial Dance as a studio and performing company, and her recent performance credits include Flight Collaborative in Boulder, Colorado, and the Atlanta Aerial Arts Festival. Hane is the author of the Aerial Teacher's Handbook and co-author of several aerial dance manuals as well as The Aerial Teacher's Creative Handbook.

Dr. Justin Isenhour is an Assistant Professor of music in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Isenhour teaches trombone and music theory in Winthrop's Department of Music. Isenhour earned his D.M.A. in music performance from the University of South Carolina, M.M. in instrumental performance from University of Northern Colorado, and B.M. in music performance at Appalachian State University. He is a former member of the Arkansas Symphony and has performed with the Charlotte Symphony, Augusta Symphony, Blumenthal Theater, Greeley Philharmonic, and the South Carolina Philharmonic. Prior to his appointment at Winthrop, Isenhour taught at Ouachita Baptist University, Converse College, the University of Northern Colorado, and the University of South Carolina.

Ms. Karen Oremus, associate professor at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, has been selected as the new chair of the Department of Fine Arts in Winthrop University's College of Visual and Performing Arts. She will begin the new role on August 1. Oremus has worked at Zayed University since 2003 and has held numerous administrative roles during her time there, including chair of the Department of Art and Design and assistant dean of the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises. Most recently, she worked as the visual art major coordinator and associate professor of printmaking and visual arts. Prior to her time at Zayed University, Oremus served as an adjunct professor of printmaking at The Tyler School of Art at Temple University. Oremus holds an M.F.A. in printmaking from The Tyler School of Art at Temple University in Philadelphia and a B.F.A. in printmaking from Concordia University in Montréal, Canada.

Dr. Marvin McAllister joins the Department of Theatre and Dance as an assistant professor of theatre. Dr. McAllister comes to us as an assistant professor of English and African American studies at the University of South Carolina and is the author of the books "White People Do Not Know How to Behave at Entertainments Designed for Ladies and Gentlemen of Colour: William Brown's African and American Theatre," and "Whiting Up: Whiteface Minstrels and Stage Europeans in African American Performance." He has worked as a dramaturg for theatrical productions in New York, Chicago, the District of Columbia, and Seattle. Dr. McAllister holds a Ph.D. in theatre and drama from Northwestern University as well as a bachelor's degree in history with theatre studies from Yale University.

Ms. Claudia O'Steen joins us as an assistant professor of fine arts (interdisciplinary studio art) in the Department of Fine Arts. Often collaborating with various art forms in her work, O'Steen's work is inspired by the history of science, technology, and observation, and has been exhibited nationally and internationally. A faculty member in the fine art department at the University of West Florida since 2016, O'Steen has an M.F.A. in digital + media from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and a B.F.A. in design and film from Watkins College of Art.

Dr. Adam Snow has been named assistant professor of music after 13 years as part of the Department of Music at Winthrop as an adjunct professor and instructor of music. Throughout his career, Dr. Snow has performed with many legendary musicians and works closely with the Jazz Arts Initiative in Charlotte. Dr. Snow holds a Ph.D. in musical arts from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a master's degree in music and a bachelor's degree in music education from Winthrop University.

Ms. Jesse Weser joins the Department of Design as assistant professor of design after six years as an adjunct instructor and senior instructor. She also served as a faculty member at Domus Academy in Milan, Italy, and holds many years of experience as a creative director and designer for Moonlight Creative Group in Charlotte, N.C. Weser holds a master's degree in design from Domus Academy and a B.F.A in visual communication from Winthrop University.

Mr. Robert Wildman is the new director and Associate Professor for the arts administration programs at Winthrop University. Prior to coming to Winthrop, Wildman served as program director at LIU Post in the B.F.A. program in arts management and has been an adjunct faculty member for Goucher College's arts administration distance-learning program. He also created the M.F.A. program in performing arts management at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. In addition to faculty positions, he worked for 16 years in non-profit performing arts venues in marketing and public relations, and six years at the University of Connecticut's Department of Dramatic Arts. Wildman holds an M.F.A. in theatre administration from the Yale School of Drama at Yale University and a B.A. in English from Stanford University.

Ms. Hope Johnson is the new Outreach and Reference Librarian.  Hope took her Master of Library and Information Science degree from Florida State University, 2008, and earned her Bachelor of Design from the University of Florida in 1998. She is the liaison to the Departments of Design and Fine Arts.

Ms. Amanda McLeod is the new Government Documents & Reference Librarian. Amanda earned her Master's in Information Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2016 and her BA from Winthrop University in 2011. Amanda has worked at Dacus Library for just over two years, first as a Library Technical Assistant in Content Services and then moving into her current role as the Government Documents and Reference Librarian. She serves as the subject liaison for Psychology and Social work.

Ms. Diann Smothers is the new Head of Content Services.  Diann holds an MBA from Northeastern University, and took her Master's in Library and Information Sciences from the University of South Carolina. Her BA is from Haverford College.  She worked at Northeastern University as the Research and Instruction Librarian for Business & Economics before moving to SC to serve as the library director for the Marion County Library System She is the library liaison to accounting, finance, economics, political science, and mathematics. 

Mr. Cody Walters is the new Information Literacy & Reference Librarian.  Cody graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor's of English in 2011 and a Master's in Library and Information Sciences in 2013. He is the library's information literacy librarian, scheduling and promoting information literacy classes to help prepare our students for a successful college career. He is the liaison to ACAD and Nutrition.