Welcome to River Forest: Meet CUC’s newest faculty

This fall, Concordia University Chicago extends a warm welcome to new faculty members as they join the CUC community. Across each of the four colleges, these educators bring a shared commitment to growth, discovery, and faithful service. Keep reading to meet some of the newest faces around campus and learn about the most recent faculty promotions and tenure recipients.

College of Business (COB)

Susan Carlson
Affiliate Instructor and Discipline Chair for Communication

Susan Carlson holds a Master of Arts in Communication and a Master of Science in Education in Instructional Technology from Northern Illinois University, where she is currently completing her Doctor of Philosophy in Instructional Technology. Her research focuses on generative artificial intelligence and student self-efficacy in higher education. Carlson has more than 20 years of experience in video production and media, along with 13 years of teaching experience in higher education. She is passionate about media and helping students develop the communication, storytelling, and critical thinking skills they need to succeed in today's digital world. Outside the classroom, Carlson enjoys spending time in nature with her friends, family, and pets.

Dr. Jacqueline McCoy
Affiliate Assistant Professor of Business and Discipline Chair for the Doctor of Business Administration Program

Dr. Jacqueline McCoy (DBA '20) holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Baker University. She later earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and a Doctor of Business Administration from Concordia University Chicago. Her professional experience combines business, law, and higher education. A long-time adjunct and discipline chair for CUC's Doctor of Business Administration program, McCoy is passionate about helping students connect scholarly research with practical business challenges. Outside of her academic work, McCoy enjoys traveling, attending her grandchildren's activities, fly fishing, reading, cooking, and gardening.

College of Health, Science & Technology (CHST)

Dr. Karrie Curry
Affiliate Assistant Professor of Health and Human Performance

Dr. Karrie Curry holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas Christian University. Curry also holds a Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas (UNT) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Studies from Texas Woman's University. Before joining the faculty at CUC, Curry served as an assistant professor for UNT's Master of Science in Lifestyle Health Sciences and Coaching program. She also worked as a research development support specialist at UNT's Health Science Center. At the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, she served as a clinical exercise physiologist and research coordinator for the third phase of the Dallas Heart Study. Curry owns two schnoodles named Rose and Blanche and a giant labradoodle named Waffles.

Kevin Fox
Affiliate Associate Professor of Practice in Nursing 

Kevin Fox (BSN '95) graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Concordia University Chicago and its affiliate program at the West Suburban College of Nursing. He later earned a Master of Nursing in Nursing Education from Western Governors University. Fox returns to CUC after three decades of experience as a nurse and nurse educator to inspire and prepare practice-ready nurses through immersive, experience-informed instruction grounded in real clinical application.

Dr. Austin Shaw
Affiliate Assistant Professor of Health and Human Performance 

Dr. Austin Shaw graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies on a pre-physical therapy track. He later earned a Master of Science in Kinesiology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Performance and Movement Science from the University of North Texas. Shaw comes to CUC after a decade of formal instruction in exercise, both clinically and recreationally, and with over six years of teaching in a university setting. Shaw loves serving by being involved in children's ministry at church and teaching college students about the Bible.

CHST faculty members who received promotions or tenure:

• Dr. Lawrence Behmer advanced to associate professor of psychology.
• Dr. Victor Govindaswamy, professor of computer science and program leader, was granted tenure.
• Dr. Fredrick Peters advanced to associate professor of applied exercise science.

College of Theology, Arts & Humanities (CTAH)

Allison Maschhoff
Affiliate Assistant Professor of English

Allison Maschhoff has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Truman State University. She then earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing with an emphasis in fiction from Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minn. She has published short stories, devotions, and poetry-and is currently working on a young adult dystopian novel. A St. Louis native, she grew up attending Lutheran schools and is excited to return to Lutheran education on the other side of the classroom.

Rev. Roger Mullet
Instructor of Theology

Rev. Roger Mullet earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Michigan State University. He later earned his Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Theology from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Mullet is currently completing his PhD at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Before coming to CUC, Mullet taught theology at Luther Classical College in Casper, Wyo., and was a parish pastor for seven and a half years, serving congregations in Indiana and Wyoming. Mullet and his wife, Megan, have three sons.

CTAH faculty members who received promotions or tenure:

• Dr. John (Furman) Daniel advanced to professor of political science and was granted tenure.
• Dr. Ann Frkovich, professor of research and doctoral program leader for qualitative research and research design, was granted tenure.
• Dr. Steven Harthorn, professor of English and program leader, was granted tenure.
• Anton Jones advanced to associate professor of English.
• Rev. Dr. James Lee, associate professor of theology, division chair, and Honors program director, was granted tenure.

College of Education (COE)

Dr. Noelle Blevins
Affiliate Assistant Professor of Teacher Education

Dr. Noelle Blevins holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Wheaton College. She later earned a Master of Arts in Education Curriculum and Design from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Arts in American History from Pace University. She also holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Concordia University in Portland. Blevins returns to Chicago after 30 years in Arizona, where she served as director of a gifted and talented program at a middle school and taught eighth-grade history, bringing a love for experiential learning to her classroom. She concurrently served for eight years as an adjunct professor for Northern Arizona University, instructing future educators on best practices in history and writing instruction. After recently moving here, Blevins said she is already beginning to find herself at home.

Erica Hamel
Affiliate Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education

Erica Hamel received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. She later earned a Master of Education in both Multicultural and Bilingual Education and Early Childhood Development from Northern Arizona University. She is currently a candidate for a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership: Curriculum and Instruction at Concordia University Chicago. Hamel has worked as a classroom teacher for 18 years and spent seven years as an adjunct professor for Northern Arizona University. When she is not in the classroom, she enjoys quilting and other crafting hobbies.

COE faculty members who received promotions or tenure:

• Dr. Jamie Kowalczyk, vice president for strategy and innovation and chief of staff, advanced to professor of curriculum and instruction
• Dr. Jenna Nelson, associate professor of curriculum and instruction and assistant division chair, was granted tenure.
• Dr. Katie Wozniak, associate vice president for institutional strategy and marketing, advanced to professor of educational technology.