Five Faculty Join the College of Arts and Humanities

The College of Arts and Humanities is proud to announce the addition of five new faculty members for the 2025-26 academic year. These talented educators bring a wide range of expertise across disciplines, enriching the student experience with new perspectives, practices, and passion.

Trevor Frost, DMA
Assistant Professor, Music

Dr. Trevor Frost joins as an assistant professor specializing in wind band conducting. Originally from Milford, New Hampshire, Frost earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Band Conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Master of Music in Conducting, and a Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of New Hampshire.

Frost said, "I became a professor to invite students to think about musical topics in a different way that gives students ownership over their creative development as individuals and in group settings through questioning and experimentation while providing guidance and support to their development."

Cassidy Huscher, MFA
Assistant Professor, Theatre

Cassidy Huscher joins the theatre faculty as an assistant professor specializing in costumes. Originally from Wichita, Kansas, Huscher holds an MFA in Costume Technology from Ohio University, a BFA in Theatre Design, and a BGS in Film and Media Studies from the University of Kansas.

Mariko Kumanomido, MFA
Assistant Professor, Dance

Mariko Kumanomido joins the college as an assistant professor, specializing in ballet and contemporary dance. A St. Louis native, Kumanomido earned her an MFA in Dance from Washington University in St. Louis and BFA in Dance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

She has served as an adjunct instructor in Dance at Lindenwood for the past five years and now steps into a full-time faculty role. "I love working at LU," she shared. "I love the students, my fellow faculty, and the energy here. I became a professor because I love sharing my passion for dance."

Trey Warren, PhD
Visiting Faculty, Political Science

Dr. Trey Warren joins Lindenwood as a visiting faculty member of political science. A Texas native, Warren holds a a PhD in Political Science from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and BA in History from the University of Texas at Austin.

"I find the depth of interaction between Lindenwood faculty and students exciting," Warren said. "What a great opportunity and a great place to help students prepare for their first career. I am thrilled to be a part of this team and can't wait to get started!"

Katie Watson
Assistant Professor, Art and Design

Katie Watson joins the college as an assistant professor. From Carthage, Missouri, Watson specializes in illustration, visual storytelling, and graphic design. Watson earned her MFA in Illustration from the University of Arizona and BFA in Illustration and Graphic Design from the University of Central Missouri.

"I come from a family of teachers, educators and forever students. On my path through higher education, I found myself always falling back into teaching roles and positions," Watson said. "I love working in classrooms and with students, watching them get excited over topics and sharing their interests encourages me to dig deeper into my own artistic career and passions. I am excited to be joining such a friendly and supportive community such as Lindenwood."

With the addition of these faculty, the College of Arts and Humanities continues to build on its commitment to provide immersive learning experiences that engage students and help them succeed in their careers and lives.