24 New Faculty Join WT for 26-27 Academic Year

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - The herd of faculty members at West Texas A&M University has grown by 24 for the new academic year.

Two dozen new faculty members have joined the ranks of WT's six Colleges: the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business, the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, the College of Engineering, the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities, and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

The newest Buffs join an approximately 350-member faculty.

"We are excited to welcome this new cohort of professors and instructors to the WT faculty," said Dr. Amy Andersen, associate provost. "Faculty members all play a pivotal role in building an academic framework of programs for our students, ultimately helping them to graduate and succeed in their chosen fields."

Before classes began Aug. 24, new faculty took part in an orientation session to learn about the University and to receive advice on how to make their first semester run smoothly.

New hires include:

• Brad Carlson, assistant professor of theatre-Master of Fine Arts in theatre, Southern Illinois University
• Angie Chadwick, instructor of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner-Master of Science in Nursing, West Texas A&M University
• Lezley Cummings, instructor of nursing-MSN, WTAMU
• Dr. Gregory Dedrick, associate professor of sports and exercise sciences-Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• Hailey Eakle, instructor of theatre-MFA in costume design, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Dr. Jannatul Ferdous Ema, assistant professor of mathematics-Ph.D. in mathematics, Texas Tech University
• Dr. Jagdish Gnawali, assistant professor of mathematics-Ph.D. in mathematics, Texas Tech University
• Dr. Steven Groth, assistant professor of voice-Doctor of Musical Arts, Colorado University-Boulder
• Emily Hinds, instructor of English-Master of Arts in English, WTAMU
• Nicholas Jaramillo, instructor of engineering-Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University
• Dr. Emilee Kinney, assistant professor of English-Ph.D. in English, University of Southern Mississippi
• Dr. Jade Knighton, assistant professor of environmental science-Ph.D. in geology, University of California
• Dr. Vicki Lavastida, assistant professor of political science-Ph.D. in political science, University of Oklahoma
• Andi Newberry, visiting assistant professor of art-MFA in art practices, Colorado University-Boulder
• Elisabeth Pignato, instructor of English-MA in English, University of Florida
• Dr. Penny Pollart, instructor and testing coordinator-Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction, Texas Tech University
• Meagan Price, instructor of social work-Master of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington
• Dr. Erika Schmitt, assistant professor of psychology-Ph.D. in school psychology, Texas A&M University
• Lauren Snyder, instructor of accounting-Master of Public Administration, WTAMU
• Lauren Stephens, instructor of math-MS in mathematics, WTAMU
• Dr. Amanda Tinsley-Mathias, assistant professor of counseling-Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy, St. Mary's University
• Dr. Mustafa Toprak, associate professor of educational leadership-Ph.D. in education sciences, Gaziantep University
• Dr. Ray Urbina, assistant professor of sports and exercise sciences-Ph.D. in health, sports and exercise sciences, University of Arkansas
• Dr. Tyler Webster, assistant professor of clarinet-DMA, University of Texas

About West Texas A&M University

West Texas A&M University is a Regional Research University in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers multiple options for students to graduate and succeed: 65 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 41 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and three doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

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