Orientation Faculty Mentors (OFM) are some of Winthrop's best faculty members who volunteer their time to assist you with your transition to the university during Freshmen Orientation. OFMs pair up with Orientation Leaders and are available throughout the Orientation experience to both new students and their family members. We welcome you to get to know this wonderful group and ask any questions you may have.
If you are a current Winthrop faculty member and are interested in participating as an OFM, please email Callie Smith for more information.
Dr. Jennifer Disney
Academic College: College of Arts & Sciences
What should students call you? Dr. Disney
Hometown: Lansdowne, Maryland
Favorite Class at WU to Teach: I enjoy ALL of my classes at Winthrop because teaching is my passion! I love teaching introductory courses like WMST 300 (Introduction to Women's & Gender Studies), which truly transforms students' lives. I also love teaching upper level courses in my expertise like Women & Global Politics, Social Movements, and Comparative Intersectional Feminisms to watch students grow and develop while reading and thinking critically about things they may never have read or thought about before!
Advice to New Students to Succeed Academically: The most important things you can do to succeed are: (1) get to know your faculty members; (2) get to know your peers; (3) get engaged in your academics AND campus/community life. We are all here to help you grow and learn. Come to faculty office hours. Send us an email. Don't be afraid to go to an opening meeting of a new student organization to see what it's about. Take a chance to reach out to others for help and support. At Winthrop, you will not be sorry that you did!
How I chose my major when I was in college: I started undergrad as a Psychology major. Intro to Psychology was closed my first semester, so I took Intro to Political Science instead with Dr. Leahy. She changed my life! She introduced me to Mozambique, Comparative Politics, Feminist Theory, and so much more! She is the reason I chose the dissertation topic I did, which eventually became my book, Women's Activism and Feminist Agency in Mozambique and Nicaragua (available for rent at Dacus Library or for purchase on Amazon). I ended up being a double major in Political Science and Psychology, and then pursued Political Science and Women's & Gender Studies in graduate school ALL because of my amazing professor. So, I know firsthand that teachers change lives!
Education: BA in Political Science and Psychology from Western Maryland College; MA, MPhil, Women's Studies Certificate, and PhD with distinction in Political Science from The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York (CUNY)
Fun Fact: My research abroad has afforded me the opportunity to visit China, Mexico, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Panama, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zanzibar!
Conversation Starters: Mozambique and Nicaragua, Intersectional Feminism, what to do with a Political Science major, what to do with a Women's & Gender Studies minor, How can we learn to disagree politically without being disagreeable?
Dr. Sherell FullerAcademic College: College of Education
What should students call you? Dr. Fuller
Hometown: Martinsville, Virginia
Favorite Class at WU to Teach: EDCO 101 is an intro class for Teacher Ed students, focusing on diversity and cultural responsiveness. I love talking about culture and our amazing differences/similarities with students. I also enjoy helping students reflect on their own lives and the importance of diversity and equity in schools. It is engaging, and I really get to see student personalities!
Favorite Thing about Winthrop: My favorite thing is the connection that many faculty have with students. We are small enough for faculty to know students' names and to get to know them personally. I also like that so many faculty are involved in cocurricular things (like being an OFM!) and get to know students outside the classroom. This is great for new students because it can help in their transition and in adjusting to campus life!
Favorite Winthrop Tradition: My FAVORITE tradition at Winthrop is when faculty line up on both sides of the aisle at graduation to applaud graduates as they recess. Many of us use this opportunity to hug students and say our last goodbyes. It is emotional and an opportunity to celebrate the full circle moment of watching students go from Orientation to Graduation! I've heard from students that they appreciate this send-off as well.
Education: BA in English from George Mason University; MEd in Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University; PhD in Elementary Education from the University of Virginia
Fun Fact: Not sure if it's fun or scary, but I love and am totally addicted to murder shows, especially ones on the Investigation Discovery channel!
Conversation Starters: music, my mama, anything focused on diversity/equity/inclusion, and murder TV shows!
Dr. Philip GibsonAcademic College: College of Business Administration
What should students call you? Dr. Gibson
Hometown: Manchester, Jamaica
Favorite Class at WU to Teach: Financial Literacy
Advice for New Students to Succeed Academically: Do not procrastinate! Figure out a system that works for you, and stick to it.
Favorite Winthrop Tradition: I love being an Orientation Faculty Mentor! It gives me a chance to meet our incoming class of students.
Education: BS in Finance from Prairie View A&M University; PhD in Financial Planning from Texas Tech University
Fun Fact: I have done a Spartan race!
Conversation Starters: tennis, music, money
Dr. Adam GloverAcademic College: College of Arts & Sciences
What should students call you? Adam or Dr. Glover
Hometown: Glasgow, Kentucky
Favorite Class at WU to Teach: I enjoy teaching Latin American Poetry. It's fun to help students see that they do love poetry after all!
Favorite Thing about Winthrop: I love being in class with our students. It's exhilarating to see new perspectives and to learn interesting things from interesting people.
How I chose my major when I was in college: I loved Spanish, and I loved Philosophy. I knew that's what I wanted to study from the beginning, and I never really considered anything else.
Education: BA in Spanish and Philosophy from Georgetown College; PhD in Hispanic Studies from the University of Kentucky
Fun Fact: I teach Spanish, but I love dead languages (especially Latin and Greek)!
Conversation Starters: Anything from Bach to bacteria and back again - just name a topic! If I know something about it, I'll share. If I don't, I'll learn!
Dr. Joanna JacksonAcademic College: College of Business Administration
What should students call you? Dr. J
Hometown: I am from all over the Midwest (and Midwest-adjacent) - Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky
Favorite Class at WU to Teach: I love HCMT 200 (Introduction to Healthcare Management)! It counts as a social science so I get students from all across campus. Students also increase their health literacy which I know will help improve not only their health outcomes but those of their family and friends. It is fun and rewarding - who can ask for more?
Favorite Spot on Campus: I love Scholar's Walk! It is so nice to see students smiling, studying, and having fun! It gives me life!
How I chose my major when I was in college: I knew I wanted to be in healthcare but I wasn't sure what area. I got sick my sophomore year and was hospitalized for 2 weeks. I fell in love with my nurses. The nurses more than any other health profession helped me get better, and I wanted to do that for others. I changed my major as soon as I was discharged.
Education: BS in Nursing from Midway College; MS in Nursing Administration from Xavier University; PhD in Health Policy & Management from Indiana University School of Public Health
Fun Fact: I binge watch TV like it is my job! I am most productive when a show is on in the background!
Conversation Starters: Dr. Who, Real Housewives (of any city)
Dr. Stacy MartinAcademic College: College of Education
What should students call you? Dr. Martin
Hometown: Sumter, South Carolina
Favorite Class at WU to Teach: I love teaching ACAD 101 (Principles of the Learning Academy). This course allows me to teach and get to know students outside the College of Education. I also enjoy helping students navigate and adjust to the challenges of college life.
Favorite Spot on Campus: I love walking and sitting under the oak trees along the front of campus – so peaceful and relaxing. I encourage everyone to find their “happy place” on campus.
How I chose my major when I was in college: I originally thought I wanted to be an accountant. I loved math and thought it would be a good fit; however, a few life experiences helped me realize I did not want to be sitting at a desk all day and I needed a career that would have a positive impact on others. One of my high school teachers made such a difference in my life that I chose to be a teacher. I have a passion for working with students and I love what I am doing each day. In the courses I teach, I challenge my students to find their “why” in what they choose. Life is too short to not be happy with your career.
Education: BS in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina; MEd in Education Administration the University of South Carolina; PhD in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of South Carolina
Fun Fact: I climbed to the top of St. Peter's Basilica - literally the top of the dome! What an amazing view of Rome!
Conversation Starters: college sports, golf, track and field, I love to cook!
Prof. Kent MillerAcademic College: College of Business Administration
What should students call you? Prof. Miller or Kent
Hometown: Rogers, Arkansas
Favorite Class at WU to Teach: BADM 250 (Legal and Ethical Environment of Business) is a great class to start conversations about how the American legal system works. We talk about a wide variety of topics: the U.S. Constitution, contracts, torts, ethics, and many more.
Advice for New Students to Succeed Academically: Keeping organized and learning to navigate challenges are two essential skills to the college experience. I recommend treating college as an opportunity to learn something new every day.
How I chose my major when I was in college: I chose something that interested me. I knew that I was planning to attend law school or graduate school after college, so I wanted to make sure that I studied an area which fascinated me and in which I could perform well. Growing up, I enjoyed learning about other countries and cultures, including how diplomacy works on a functional level. I combined my studies in international relations with a business minor so that I could better understand international finance and economics. I still use those interests in my teaching and research today!
Education: BA in International Business from the University of Arkansas; MEd from the University of Arkansas; MBA from University of Florida; JD from the College of William & Mary
Fun Fact: I've lived in 6 different states!
Conversation Starters: sports, science fiction, cars
Dr. Nick MoellmanAcademic College: College of Business Administration
What should students call you? Dr. Moellman
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Favorite Class at WU to Teach: I enjoy teaching ECON 315 (Microeconomics Analysis) because I get to show students the actual methodology used to do economics, peeling back the curtain a bit and showing students the nuts and bolts of how economics really works.
Favorite Spot on Campus: I love the sidewalk lined by huge oak trees that runs along the front of campus and in front of Tillman Hall. Walking through those trees is incredibly peaceful and makes me feel like I've stepped 200 years back in time!
How I chose my major when I was in college: I started college as a Journalism major, with the goal of never taking another math class in my life. I decided that I really liked the framework of economics provided to analyze the world, so I declared that as a second major. I eventually graduated with dual degrees in Economics and Letters (humanities), which I kept because I loved writing and literature, as well as a math minor to prepare for graduate school.
Education: BA in Economics and a BA in Letters from the University of Oklahoma; MS in Economics from the University of Wisconsin (Madison); MS in Economics from the University of Kentucky; PhD in Economics from the University of Kentucky
Fun Fact: I used to give tours of the US Capitol Building as a Congressional Intern. I also collect currency from around the world.
Conversation Starters: economics, superheroes, guitars, bourbon, fantasy novels
Dr. April MustianAcademic College: College of Education
What should students call you? Dr. M
Hometown: Stanley, North Carolina
Favorite Class at WU to Teach: SPED 281 (Introduction to Special & Gifted Education) is my favorite because I get to center the voices of people with disabilities and because we create a truly interconnected learning community in which we challenge some of the misconceptions we all have about what it even means to be "normal" or "typical." I love seeing students make realizations that each of us is incredibly unique and that we can celebrate our differences and the ways in which we are connected.
Favorite Thing about Winthrop: Winthrop feels like a small, loving, and supportive family. Students, faculty, and staff from all walks of life join together on this campus to share with and learn from one another, and there are some great opportunities that faculty and students have beyond the classroom to build authentic and supportive connections that will last far beyond the 4 years students spend here.
Advice for New Students to Succeed Academically: Don't be afraid to reach out to your professors and advisors with your questions. We want you to succeed, and we want you to feel supported. We aren't as scary as you think we are! Also, use a planner and lay out all major assignment/project deadlines. Get into a routine that works for you in being able to keep track of everything, and find a buddy in each of your classes!
Education: BA in Exercise & Sport Science and Psychology from the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill); MEd in Special Education from the University of North Carolina (Charlotte); PhD in Special Education from the University of North Carolina (Charlotte)
Fun Fact: I had my front two teeth knocked out playing all-star fast-pitch softball when I was 17. And, let’s just say that the trauma of that day still comes with me to every dental visit.
Conversation Starters: ableism/disability rights, neurodivergence/ADHD, TikTok trends, where to get the tastiest food in this area, basketball
Dr. Danko TarabarAcademic College: College of Business Administration
What should students call you? Danko
Hometown: Belgrade, Serbia
Favorite Class at WU to Teach: I enjoy teaching ECON 215 (Principles of Microeconomics) because it’s the first economics class most students take, and it's the gateway to
the wonderful world of economics. It’s exciting to be a part of this initial process
of discovery.
Advice for New Students to Succeed Academically: Don't miss class! Talk to your professors early and often! Have fun!
How I chose my major when I was in college: I considered two main factors: the subject and the professors. I knew economics was for me when I realized so much of our world could be understood through the economic way of thinking. My professors made the subject come to life and made it interesting. It was that very first semester of my freshman year that I knew economics was the right major for me.
Education: BA in Economics and Mathematics from Beloit College; PhD in Economics from West Virginia University
Fun Fact: I lived in 4 different countries without ever having moved.
Conversation Starters: Anything! college life, being a student at Winthrop, video games, why economics is the best