East Central University welcomes new faculty with the beginning of the fall semester set for Monday, Aug. 14.
NEW FACULTY WHICH STARTED IN THE SPRING 2017
Marla Lobley
Instructor/Librarian, Linscheid Library
Lobley holds a master of library science from the University of North Texas (2016) and a bachelor of science in human development and family studies, also from the University of North Texas (2013). She was employed with the Ray County Library in Richmond, Missouri since 2015 and was a graduate teaching assistant at the University of North Texas, working with distance learners. Lobley brings to ECU her knowledge and experience in reference, instruction and programming.
Janet Nelson
Instructor of Nursing
Nelson earned a bachelor of science in nursing from Northwest Missouri State University (2012) and a master of science in nursing from Western Governors University (2016). Nelson was a nursing instructor at North Central Missouri College in Maryville, Missouri for one year. She has professional experience in long-term and acute care as well as nursing administration.
Annie Oldenburg
Assistant Professor, Mass Communication
Oldenburg holds a master of fine arts in visual studies from the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon and a bachelor of arts in studio art from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She served as an adjunct faculty for Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin before coming to ECU. In addition to teaching, she was responsible for managing the darkroom lab and
maintaining the supply budget for it. She has extensive knowledge of managing and
troubleshooting a digital photography print lab which will allow ECU students to print and exhibit their work.
Gayla Reed
Instructor in Nursing
Reed earned her master of science degree in nursing education from Western Governors University in December 2016. She earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing from East Central University in 2011. Her professional experience has been in obstetrics and gynecological nursing at Alliance Health in Durant and at Texoma Medical Center in Denison.
Lisa Sheffield
Instructor, Human Resources
Sheffield holds a bachelor of arts degree in counseling services (1985) and a master of science degree in Human Resources (2009), both from East Central University. She has served as the director of the interpreting services program for the past six years. Prior to becoming the director, she was the lead interpreter since 1985. She taught regularly as an adjunct faculty member for the Department of Human Resources from 2006-2016.
Shelly Spangler
Instructor in Nursing
Spangler earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing from East Central University (2011) and a master of science degree in nursing education from Walden University (2013). Spangler holds Oklahoma licensure as a registered nurse and holds several certifications which include pediatric cardiac life support and advanced cardiac life support. Spangler taught in the fall 2016 as an adjunct faculty for ECU and worked as a surgery nurse at Mercy Hospital in Ardmore for the last 10 years.
FACULTY PREVIOUSLY ON A ONE-YEAR APPOINTMENT - RETURNING IN A PERMANENT POSITION FALL 2017
Jeanene Taylor
Instructor, Human Resources
Taylor earned her bachelor of arts degree in human resources counseling at East Central University in 1993 and her master of science in human resources – rehabilitation counseling at East Central University in 1995. She is a certified vocational rehabilitation counselor (CRC). Taylor has taught primarily undergraduate courses in the ECU Human Resources Department since 1999 as a part-time instructor. She held a temporary lecturer position in the Human Resources Department during the 2016-17 academic year, the 2014-15 academic year, in the spring 2014 semester and the spring 2013 semester. From 1999 to 2013, she taught as a part-time instructor for the Human Resources Department during various semesters. Since 2004, Taylor has been owner of Taylor Consulting Firm which specializes in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. From 1998 to 2003, she was director of the Vocational Department at Midlands Injury Management and, from 1992-1994, was a counselor at the Family Crisis Center in Ada.
NEW FACULTY STARTING FALL 2017
Dr. Christopher Braun
Assistant Professor, Cartography/Geography
Braun earned a doctor of philosophy in geography and geoinformation science from George Mason University (2016), master of science in computer science from James Madison University (1999) and a bachelor of arts in cartography from the University of Montana (1983). He has experience teaching courses in geography from his time as an adjunct faculty at Lord Fairfax Community College in Warrenton Virginia. Braun is also prepared to teach a variety of courses in the areas of unmanned autonomous sensors (drones) for research and data collection, terrorism and insurgency and regional geography. Technical expertise and real world experience gained during employment in the public sector and in the military, have prepared him to inspire and educate students regarding essential professional skills. Braun’s experiences also position him to interact with students in the new Master of Science in Water Resource Policy and Management Program and faculty in the Oka’ Institute.
Dr. Douglas Bryhan
Assistant Professor of Physics
Bryhan holds a doctor of philosophy in chemistry (2007), master of science in physics (2001) and bachelor of science in physics and in mathematics (1995), all from Northern Illinois University. He also has an associate of applied science in computer science from Rock Valley Community College (1986). Bryhan served as an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith since 2007 teaching physics, engineering and chemistry courses. Bryhan has worked extensively with undergraduate students on research covering nuclear safety and long term health effects of radiation as well as high temperature crystal synthesis. He has experience with assessment of student learning outcomes, writing the annual assessment report for the department of physical sciences at UAFS. Bryhan has published in international journals and presented at national conferences.
Dr. Leah Dudley
Assistant Professor of Biology
Dudley earned a doctor of philosophy in biological sciences from the University of Missouri (2006) and a bachelor of arts in biology at Truman State University (1999). She has teaching experience as a visiting lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and as a sabbatical replacement at Warren Wilson College. Dudley worked as a post doctorate at the University of California at Santa Barbara for six years. Her research focus is on plant ecophysiology and mating systems which should be of interest to students in the biology program.
Dr. Darcy Duncan
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Duncan earned a bachelor of science in nursing from East Central University (2011), master of science in nursing (2014) and doctorate of nursing practice (2017) from Walden University. She has clinical expertise in emergency medicine, medical-surgical, pediatrics and leadership/management. Duncan taught as an adjunct faculty for ECU in spring 2017, which strengthened her desire to seek a fulltime position. She has worked the last 18 years at Mercy-Ardmore and holds a national certificate in pediatrics.
Dr. Deanna Hartley Kelso
Assistant Professor, Business Administration
Hartley Kelso earned her juris doctor (1993) from the University of Tulsa and a bachelor of arts in political science, minor in business administration, from the University of Texas at Arlington (1989).
For the past seven years, Hartley-Kelso has taught as an adjunct for the University of Tulsa College of Law, in the Masters of Jurisprudence in Indian Law degree program. Hartley-Kelso is currently an adjunct at East Central University teaching business law in the Stonecipher School of Business. She previously taught as an adjunct at ECU in the Legal Studies Department from 2003-2008.
Megan Hasler
Instructor/Librarian, Linscheid Library
Hasler earned her master of library science and information studies from Louisiana State University in December 2016. She earned a bachelor of arts in early childhood education from Harding University in May 2011.Hasler has worked the last five years as a technical services assistant at Harding University. During this time, she was heavily involved in completing the reclassification of the stacks from Dewey to Library of Congress. She also processed new
materials, downloading records from OCLC into Voyager and editing them.
Dr. Dwight Hite
Assistant Professor, Business Administration
Hite earned his doctor of philosophy in management (2009) from the University of North Texas, master of business administration (2004) from the University of Texas at Arlington and bachelor of science in electrical engineering (2000) from Kansas State University. Hite has taught for the past eight years at Cameron University, attaining tenure and the rank of associate professor in 2015. He has also taught as a teaching fellow at the University of North Texas in Denton. Prior to teaching, Hite worked with Motorola, Inc., the Venator Group, Inc. and Cinemark USA, Inc. In addition to his professional experience, Hite served in the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division, based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He has published in peer-reviewed journals as well as presented at several conferences.
Melonie Johnson
Instructor of Education
Johnson earned a bachelor of science in elementary education (2003) and master of education - library media specialist (2011) from East Central University. She is an experienced classroom educator of nearly 20 years in Oklahoma elementary and secondary classrooms. Johnson holds certification in early childhood, elementary education, English, family consumer science and speech/drama/debate. She has also served concurrently as a library media specialist for the last 14 years.
Dr. Katherine Lang
Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Dr. Lang earned a doctor of philosophy from the University of Chicago in near eastern languages and civilizations (1997) and bachelor of science in foreign service from Georgetown University in comparative and regional studies (1983). Her areas of scholarship include Medieval Islamic history, and Arab American history. She has served for 10 years as chair of the history department at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and as interim-chair of the psychology department for two years. She additionally has served for the past six years as the academic director for the bachelor of professional studies in organizational leadership and communication, UW-EC’s online degree completion program that she developed. In all her roles, Lang managed enrollment, facilitated student progress toward degree, collaborated with internal and external stakeholders and developed and led faculty. She has experience building laboratory space for research and overseeing graduate programs. Highlights of her professional experience include establishing a center for history teaching and learning, collaborating with universities in the United Kingdom for sharing students and faculty, developing two international immersion courses and establishing a peer advising program.
Dr. Suzanne Pottratz
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Pottratz received a doctor of philosophy in sport and exercise psychology in May 2017 from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts; master of science in sport and exercise psychology (2013) from Brunel University in London, England, and bachelor of arts in psychology (2012) from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. She has been actively involved with research, presenting at regional and state conferences associated with the professional organizations of sports psychology. Pottratz has completed all the supervision hours necessary to complete the certificate process for the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) and will be eligible for certification in October of 2017.
Richard Strickler
Instructor, Business Administration
Strickler earned his master of business administration (2000) and master of science in information systems (2005) from Baylor University. He also holds a master of science in human resource management (2007) from Tarleton State University and bachelor of business administration (1988) from Saint Bonaventure University. Strickler has been teaching for over 15 years, but his most recent experience includes teaching at Lindenwood University and Washington University in St. Louis. Previous experience includes a fulltime visiting professor position at Baylor University, fulltime business instructor at McLennan Community College, adjunct instructor positions at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Texas A&M University-Central Texas and the University of Texas-Arlington. He has earned 18 or more graduate hours in marketing, management, human resource management, information systems and higher education administration. In addition, Strickler earned a certificate from Southern Methodist University in mediation and certificate in healthcare mediation from Pepperdine University.
Dr. Dwaine Turner
Assistant Professor, Human Resources
Turner holds a doctor of philosophy from the University of Iowa in rehabilitation counseling education with a specialty in aging studies (2015) and holds a graduate certificate in college teaching. He earned a master of science in rehabilitation counseling from Langston University, with an emphasis in vocational evaluation and work adjustment (2007). His bachelor of science, also from Langston, is in gerontology (1994). Turner holds a national certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and is eligible to sit for the Oklahoma Licensed Professional Counselor.
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