St. Lawrence University: Faculty

NEW FACULTY, ACADEMIC SUPPORT STAFF, and ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF BIOGRAPHIES – FALL 2009

These biographies are of the faculty, academic support staff and administrators who joined St. Lawrence between August 2008 and August 2009.

ACADEMIC ADVISING PROGRAMS
Melissa Pittelli '07 is the new Assistant Director of Academic Services for Students with Special Needs. Melissa was appointed to the position as of July 1, 2009 and has begun her duties. She earned both her Bachelor’s Degree (Psychology) and her Master’s Degree from St. Lawrence University. Melissa’s office is in Whitman room 171D.

Sarah E. Todd '07 is the new Program Coordinator for the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program and the McNair Scholars Program. She anticipates earning a Masters of Education in the field of Education Leadership from St. Lawrence University in May 2011. Besides possessing strong interpersonal skills, Sarah has experience in research and analysis and survey and assessment creation. She has volunteered for a number of campus committees in the past and has worked closely supervising and teaching student interns and workers.

ADIRONDACK SEMESTER:
Calvin Croll comes to St. Lawrence as an Assistant Director for the Adirondack Semester after spending the past four years teaching for Outward Bound in the Boundary Waters Wilderness of northern Minnesota. While there he instructed canoeing, backpacking, and dog sledding programs year round. He received his B.S. in Natural Resources Management from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. His studies focused mainly on forest ecology and human impacts on watersheds. As a student he instructed various classes for Cornell Outdoor Education. The Adirondacks were the place Calvin first went backpacking as a teenager, and he escaped to the park whenever he could during college. He is excited about returning to New York and the learning opportunities that this semester program offers.

Rachel Landis '03 is returning to once again fill the role of Assistant Director with the Adirondack Semester. Rachel previously held this position in 2004 and 2005. While not working for the ADK semester, Rachel works as adjunct faculty for Colorado Mountain College's Outdoor Recreation & Leadership Program, as well as, for the National Outdoor Leadership School. Rachel holds a rock certification through AMGA, as well as, a number of avalanche certifications through American Avalanche Association. Within the guiding and outdoor educational arena, Rachel specializes in group development, gender leadership, personal coaching, avalanche and backcountry skiing education, and southwestern ecology.

ADMISSIONS
A graduate of Bucknell University, Kevin Mathes, assistant director of admissions, worked in the admissions office as an undergraduate, taking on increasing responsibility throughout his four years. He then earned his M. Ed. at Ohio University, where he served as a graduate assistant in the Graduate College, and completed practica in the undergraduate admissions, financial aid, and alumni offices. Kevin’s undergraduate degree is a BA in Mathematics and Education and he served as an Orientation Assistant in addition to his work in admissions.
ANTHROPOLOGY/AFRICAN STUDIES:
Wendi Haugh comes to St. Lawrence as Assistant Professor in Anthropology and African Studies from a visiting position at Williams College. Wendi earned her Ph.D. in cultural and linguistic anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2005. Her research focuses on national identity in Namibia as it is constructed in songs, speeches, and conversations. Wendi will be teaching classes on environmental conservation and popular culture in Africa, as well as a general course on the peoples and cultures of Africa and an introductory course in cultural anthropology.
ASIAN STUDIES
Edwin Zehner comes to St. Lawrence as Visiting Teaching Fellow for Thailand and Southeast Asia. He has a Ph.D. in anthropology from Cornell University, and in addition to holding teaching positions at liberal arts colleges, for several years he also headed the publishing program in Southeast Asian Studies at Northern Illinois University. He is fluent in the Thai language, he has also studied Arabic and European languages, and he has interdisciplinary research interests focusing primarily on religion and society. Most recently he was Visiting Fellow in the Southeast Asia Program at Cornell University, and at St. Lawrence he will be teaching classes on Thailand, Southeast Asia, and the Thai language.

CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL & INTERCULTURAL STUDIES:
Sajana Blank '08 is the Interim Assistant Director for Off-Campus programs in the Center for International and Intercultural Studies. She graduated cum laude with honors in Global Studies and studied abroad in Kenya and India while at SLU. In the summer of 2008 she co-led a high school group on a Putney Student Travel Community Service Trip to rural Tanzania. She continued her travels that summer throughout Israel. Most recently, Sajana was residing in Burlington, Vermont where she was working at a local community center as the Refugee and Immigrant Outreach Specialist and Mentoring Coordinator.

CHEMISTRY:
Brian Anderson comes to St. Lawrence as Assistant Professor in Chemistry from a postdoctoral research assistant at the University of Utah. Brian earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Dartmouth College in 2008. His research is in organometallic chemistry. Brian will be teaching classes in general chemistry.

Stacy Vassar is the new Director of General and Organic Chemistry Laboratories in the Department of Chemistry. He earned the M.A. degree in Natural Sciences with an emphasis in Organic Chemistry from SUNY Plattsburgh and has been a member of the adjunct faculty of SUNY Plattsburgh, Clinton Community College, and North Country Community College since 1997. In addition to extensive laboratory teaching experience, Stacy comes to St. Lawrence after nine years in the pharmaceutical industry. As Laboratory Director, Stacy will be responsible for the instruction of two general chemistry and three organic chemistry sections of lab per semester.

Dining and Conference Services
Tim Gilbert is the manager of Pub 56. Tim earned his culinary arts degree from Paul Smiths College. He has worked as SLU concessions manager as well as kitchen manager at Canaras over the past few years. He also has previous experience in restaurant management.
ECONOMICS:
Jeremy Horpedahl comes to St. Lawrence as Visiting Assistant Professor in Economics. Jeremy earned his Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University in May 2009. His research is in economic history and public choice economics. Jeremy will be teaching introductory economics, public sector economics, and American economic history.

Patrick Ryan Murphy comes to St. Lawrence University as a new Visiting Assistant Professor in Economics. Ryan earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Florida State University in 2009. His research is in Economics of Education. Ryan will be teaching Quantitative Methods and Strategic Decision Making.
GLOBAL STUDIES:
Jayantha Jayman comes to St. Lawrence as Assistant Professor in Global Studies from Binghamton University, where he was Assistant Professor (Research) at the Institute of Global Cultural Studies. He earned his Ph.D. in International Relations from the London School of Economics in 2005. In his research he is interested in how powerful nations and their societies influence the global system, and how and under what circumstances less powerful nations and their citizens would accept their subordinate situations. Jayman will be teaching Introduction to Global Studies (Political Economy) and Theories of Global Political Economy.
GOVERNMENT:
Osman Antwi-Boateng comes to St. Lawrence as Visiting Instructor in International Relationsfrom an instructor position at the University of Delaware. Osman is a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Delaware and earned two Masters Degrees in International Security (2006) from Georgetown University and International Affairs-Communication and Development from Ohio University (2003). His research is in International development and security and Osman will be teaching classes on International Politics, African Politics and International Political Economy.

Shelley McConnell is joining St. Lawrence as Assistant Professor in Government. She will teach courses on comparative and Latin American politics, and contribute to the Caribbean and Latin American Studies program. She earned her Ph.D. from Stanford University, taught at Bard College and then conducted policy work at The Carter Center before returning to academia in a visitors post at Hamilton College. Shelley publishes on democratic development in Nicaragua and on inter-American relations.

K.P. O’Reilly comes to St. Lawrence as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Government. K.P. earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of South Carolina in May 2009. His research focuses on Foreign Policy and International Security. K.P. will be teaching classes on International Relations, US Foreign Policy, and International Law.
HISTORY:
Howard Eissenstat comes to St. Lawrence as an Assistant Professor of History from a post-doctoral position at the Crown Center for Middle East Studies at Brandeis University. Howard earned his Ph.D. in History from UCLA in 2007. His research is on nationalism in the late Ottoman Empire and in the Turkish Republic. He will be teaching courses on Middle Eastern and Islamic history.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Kent Goodrow joined the Information Technology team as Computing Facilities Coordinator. He is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the standard operating system images for all of the computers on campus, as well as maintaining the software packages available on the computer network. Kent grew up in St. Regis Falls, New York and was an Augsbury Scholar at SLU earning his Bachelor's degree in Biology in 2008. He is currently working on his Master's degree in secondary science education.
Richard Nelson joined the Information Technology team as Systems Administrator, after working in the IT Department for the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation. Richard brings an extensive IT background in server and network technologies from local, state and federal environments. He is a native of Saratoga County and recently moved to the North Country after a brief stint in Boston, MA. Richard is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Information Systems with a concentration in security.
Kimberly Coleman joined the Information Technology team as Junior Applications Programmer/Web Developer. She is involved in the development of ‘Faculty Voting’ and’ Idea Connect’ web applications, database and reporting projects along with several training initiatives. Kimberley received her Master’s degree in Information and Communications Technology from SUNY Potsdam. Before coming to St. Lawrence University, Kimberly worked in Arts Administration for Community Performance Series at SUNY Potsdam.

Karen Smith joined the Information Technology team as Executive Secretary and is responsible for the smooth running of the department’s administrative function. Karen’s background is in business administration and human resources, primarily gained in the professional services sector in London, England. She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Marketing & Languages from Dublin City University, Ireland.
MODERN LANGUAGES & LITERATURES/AFRICAN STUDIES:
Khadidatou Guèye (Khadi) comes to St. Lawrence as Visiting Assistant Professor in French, African and Francophone Studies from a lecturer position in French at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Khadi earned her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Pennsylvania State University in December 2006. Her research is in mixed-race women. Khadi will be teaching classes in French, African and Francophone Studies.

MODERN LANGUAGES & LITERATURES:
Beatriz Carolina Peña comes to St. Lawrence as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Spanish language and literature from a full-time lector position at the Department of Spanish and Portuguese of Yale University. Beatriz earned her Ph.D. in Hispanic and Luso Brazilian Literatures and Languages from the Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York in 2007. Her research is in Colonial Latin American Literature and Spanish Golden Age Literature. Beatriz will be teaching classes on Spanish language and literature. She was an Adjunct Assistant Professor last semester at St. Lawrence University.

MATHEMATICS, COMPUTER SCIENCE & STATISTICS:
Dan Look comes to St. Lawrence as an Assistant Professor in Mathematics from a visiting position at Williams College. Dan earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Boston University in 2005. Dan’s research areas are complex dynamical systems and circles. Outside interests include music (the faster the better) and Transformers.

Ivan Ramler comes to St. Lawrence as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Statistics. Ivan earned his Ph.D. in Statistics from Iowa State University in 2008. His research is in cluster analysis. Ivan will be teaching classes on Applied Statistics and Probability.

Lisa Torrey comes to St. Lawrence as an Assistant Professor in the Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics department. Lisa earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin in 2009. Her research is in artificial intelligence and machine learning. She will be teaching classes in programming, algorithms, and other areas of computer science.
NEWELL CENTER FOR ARTS TECHNOLOGY:
Josephine Skiff is the new Assistant Director of the Newell Center for Arts Technology. She earned her M.S. in Education from SUNY Potsdam and taught in a K-12 public school for 15 years. She served as the computer coordinator for Lisbon Central School in Lisbon, New York. Jo will be primarily supporting the Arts and Music departments as they continue to explore the intersections among digital technologies and the arts.

PERFORMANCE & COMMUNICATIONS ARTS/ENGLISH:
Juraj Kittler comes to St. Lawrence as Assistant Professor with a double appointment in the Performance and Communication Arts department and the English department. A native of Slovakia, he earned his Ph.D. in Mass Communications from The Pennsylvania State University in 2009. His research focuses on the public sphere – its various historical metamorphoses from the time of classical Greece to its articulations in modern Western democracies. Juraj will be teaching journalism and communication classes. Aside from teaching, he will work with the student community publishing The Hill News.

PHILOSOPHY:
Curtis Rigsby comes to St. Lawrence as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Philosophy. Curtis just completed his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Hawaii. His research is in Comparative Philosophy, including a year of studies in (Asian) Indian Philosophy on an Infinity Foundation Grant, and two years of study in modern Japanese Philosophy at Kyoto University in Japan, as funded by a Monbusho Grant. Curtis will be teaching classes in Philosophy of East & West, and in Asian Philosophy.

PSYCHOLOGY:
Jim Fryer comes to St. Lawrence as Assistant Professor in Psychology from a visiting position at SUNY Potsdam. Jim is earning his Ph.D. in Social and Personality Psychology from the University of Rochester. His research is in achievement motivation; specifically, the development and stability of achievement goals. Jim will be teaching classes on Research Methods, Introductory Psychology, and Social Psychology.

RELIGIOUS STUDIES:
Mari Rethelyi comes to St. Lawrence as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Religious Studies from a visiting position at the University of Iowa. Mari earned her Ph.D. in Jewish Studies from the University of Chicago in 2009. Her research is in Modern Judaism and Jewish Identity. Mari will be teaching classes on the Bible, Introduction to Religion, Modern Judaism and Jewish Mysticism.

RHETORIC & COMMUNICATION PROGRAM:
Claire Plagge ’09 is the Interim Director of the WORD Studio. She earned a B.A. in History from St. Lawrence and has tutored and mentored for three years in St. Lawrence’s programs. Claire has recently been training and teaching at a therapeutic horseback riding center in Cape May, New Jersey. In addition to her efforts in the WORD Studio, she is also working with and training the mentors of the First Year Program.

SOCIOLOGY:
Xiaoshuo Hou comes to St. Lawrence as Assistant Professor in Sociology from a visiting position at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Xiaoshuo earned her Ph.D. in sociology from Boston University in January 2008. Her research interests are economic sociology, social change, and transitional societies like China. Xiaoshuo will be teaching classes on the sociology of development.

STUDENT LIFE:
Kevin A. Lobdell – Kevin joined our Residence Life staff as a Residential Coordinator on August 1st. Kevin earned a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs degree from the University of Connecticut and a Bachelor of Science degree from Clarkson University. While at UConn, Kevin was a graduate assistant for fraternity and sorority life and a practicum student in Housing Services and in the School of Business Advising Office. He was a part of the UConn Connects Mentoring Program.

Christopher Morrin – The Coordinator for Sexual Health Education and Violence Prevention (formerly titled Director of the Advocates Program) is Christopher Morrin. Chris has a Master of Arts in Political Science from Lehigh University. He brings experience in sexual violence prevention and victim advocacy through his work at Lehigh University Women’s Center, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Residential Life.
Amy K. Saito – Amy comes to St. Lawrence with a Master of Education Administration and Student Personnel from Kent State University. She earned her BA degree from Hiram College. At Case Western Reserve University, Amy has served as Greek Life Assistant/Leadership, graduate manager of residential program centers, and graduate intern for leadership programs. Also, Amy served as a graduate intern for Student Outreach Programs at Kent State University.

UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT:
With a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a 1992 graduate of St. Lawrence University, Katrin Laird Anderson joined St. Lawrence in June 2009. As Associate Director of Major Gifts, her responsibilities include communicating St. Lawrence’s initiatives under the new leadership of President William Fox ‘75 to the constituents in her designated territory and fostering relationships that garner stronger philanthropic knowledge and activity from current and prospective donors.

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New faculty and staff bios from 2005-2006

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Past Features Return to Faculty Page	NEW FACULTY, ACADEMIC SUPPORT STAFF, and ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF BIOGRAPHIES – FALL 2009 These biographies are of the faculty, academic support staff and administrators who joined St. Lawrence between August 2008 and August 2009. ACADEMIC ADVISING PROGRAMS Melissa Pittelli '07 is the new Assistant Director of Academic Services for Students with Special Needs. Melissa was appointed to the position as of July 1, 2009 and has begun her duties. She earned both her Bachelor’s Degree (Psychology) and her Master’s Degree from St. Lawrence University. Melissa’s office is in Whitman room 171D. Sarah E. Todd '07 is the new Program Coordinator for the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program and the McNair Scholars Program. She anticipates earning a Masters of Education in the field of Education Leadership from St. Lawrence University in May 2011. Besides possessing strong interpersonal skills, Sarah has experience in research and analysis and survey and assessment creation. She has volunteered for a number of campus committees in the past and has worked closely supervising and teaching student interns and workers. ADIRONDACK SEMESTER: *Calvin Croll* comes to St. Lawrence as an Assistant Director for the Adirondack Semester after spending the past four years teaching for Outward Bound in the Boundary Waters Wilderness of northern Minnesota. While there he instructed canoeing, backpacking, and dog sledding programs year round. He received his B.S. in Natural Resources Management from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. His studies focused mainly on forest ecology and human impacts on watersheds. As a student he instructed various classes for Cornell Outdoor Education. The Adirondacks were the place Calvin first went backpacking as a teenager, and he escaped to the park whenever he could during college. He is excited about returning to New York and the learning opportunities that this semester program offers. Rachel Landis '03 is returning to once again fill the role of Assistant Director with the Adirondack Semester. Rachel previously held this position in 2004 and 2005. While not working for the ADK semester, Rachel works as adjunct faculty for Colorado Mountain College's Outdoor Recreation & Leadership Program, as well as, for the National Outdoor Leadership School. Rachel holds a rock certification through AMGA, as well as, a number of avalanche certifications through American Avalanche Association. Within the guiding and outdoor educational arena, Rachel specializes in group development, gender leadership, personal coaching, avalanche and backcountry skiing education, and southwestern ecology. ADMISSIONS A graduate of Bucknell University, Kevin Mathes, assistant director of admissions, worked in the admissions office as an undergraduate, taking on increasing responsibility throughout his four years. He then earned his M. Ed. at Ohio University, where he served as a graduate assistant in the Graduate College, and completed practica in the undergraduate admissions, financial aid, and alumni offices. Kevin’s undergraduate degree is a BA in Mathematics and Education and he served as an Orientation Assistant in addition to his work in admissions. ANTHROPOLOGY/AFRICAN STUDIES: *Wendi Haugh* comes to St. Lawrence as Assistant Professor in Anthropology and African Studies from a visiting position at Williams College. Wendi earned her Ph.D. in cultural and linguistic anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2005. Her research focuses on national identity in Namibia as it is constructed in songs, speeches, and conversations. Wendi will be teaching classes on environmental conservation and popular culture in Africa, as well as a general course on the peoples and cultures of Africa and an introductory course in cultural anthropology. ASIAN STUDIES Edwin Zehner comes to St. Lawrence as Visiting Teaching Fellow for Thailand and Southeast Asia. He has a Ph.D. in anthropology from Cornell University, and in addition to holding teaching positions at liberal arts colleges, for several years he also headed the publishing program in Southeast Asian Studies at Northern Illinois University. He is fluent in the Thai language, he has also studied Arabic and European languages, and he has interdisciplinary research interests focusing primarily on religion and society. Most recently he was Visiting Fellow in the Southeast Asia Program at Cornell University, and at St. Lawrence he will be teaching classes on Thailand, Southeast Asia, and the Thai language. CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL & INTERCULTURAL STUDIES: *Sajana Blank '08* is the Interim Assistant Director for Off-Campus programs in the Center for International and Intercultural Studies. She graduated cum laude with honors in Global Studies and studied abroad in Kenya and India while at SLU. In the summer of 2008 she co-led a high school group on a Putney Student Travel Community Service Trip to rural Tanzania. She continued her travels that summer throughout Israel. Most recently, Sajana was residing in Burlington, Vermont where she was working at a local community center as the Refugee and Immigrant Outreach Specialist and Mentoring Coordinator. CHEMISTRY: *Brian Anderson* comes to St. Lawrence as Assistant Professor in Chemistry from a postdoctoral research assistant at the University of Utah. Brian earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Dartmouth College in 2008. His research is in organometallic chemistry. Brian will be teaching classes in general chemistry. *Stacy Vassar* is the new Director of General and Organic Chemistry Laboratories in the Department of Chemistry. He earned the M.A. degree in Natural Sciences with an emphasis in Organic Chemistry from SUNY Plattsburgh and has been a member of the adjunct faculty of SUNY Plattsburgh, Clinton Community College, and North Country Community College since 1997. In addition to extensive laboratory teaching experience, Stacy comes to St. Lawrence after nine years in the pharmaceutical industry. As Laboratory Director, Stacy will be responsible for the instruction of two general chemistry and three organic chemistry sections of lab per semester. Dining and Conference Services Tim Gilbert is the manager of Pub 56. Tim earned his culinary arts degree from Paul Smiths College. He has worked as SLU concessions manager as well as kitchen manager at Canaras over the past few years. He also has previous experience in restaurant management. ECONOMICS: *Jeremy Horpedahl* comes to St. Lawrence as Visiting Assistant Professor in Economics. Jeremy earned his Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University in May 2009. His research is in economic history and public choice economics. Jeremy will be teaching introductory economics, public sector economics, and American economic history. *Patrick Ryan Murphy* comes to St. Lawrence University as a new Visiting Assistant Professor in Economics. Ryan earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Florida State University in 2009. His research is in Economics of Education. Ryan will be teaching Quantitative Methods and Strategic Decision Making. GLOBAL STUDIES: *Jayantha Jayman* comes to St. Lawrence as Assistant Professor in Global Studies from Binghamton University, where he was Assistant Professor (Research) at the Institute of Global Cultural Studies. He earned his Ph.D. in International Relations from the London School of Economics in 2005. In his research he is interested in how powerful nations and their societies influence the global system, and how and under what circumstances less powerful nations and their citizens would accept their subordinate situations. Jayman will be teaching Introduction to Global Studies (Political Economy) and Theories of Global Political Economy. GOVERNMENT: *Osman Antwi-Boateng* comes to St. Lawrence as Visiting Instructor in International Relationsfrom an instructor position at the University of Delaware. Osman is a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Delaware and earned two Masters Degrees in International Security (2006) from Georgetown University and International Affairs-Communication and Development from Ohio University (2003). His research is in International development and security and Osman will be teaching classes on International Politics, African Politics and International Political Economy. *Shelley McConnell* is joining St. Lawrence as Assistant Professor in Government. She will teach courses on comparative and Latin American politics, and contribute to the Caribbean and Latin American Studies program. She earned her Ph.D. from Stanford University, taught at Bard College and then conducted policy work at The Carter Center before returning to academia in a visitors post at Hamilton College. Shelley publishes on democratic development in Nicaragua and on inter-American relations. *K.P. O’Reilly* comes to St. Lawrence as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Government. K.P. earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of South Carolina in May 2009. His research focuses on Foreign Policy and International Security. K.P. will be teaching classes on International Relations, US Foreign Policy, and International Law. HISTORY: *Howard Eissenstat* comes to St. Lawrence as an Assistant Professor of History from a post-doctoral position at the Crown Center for Middle East Studies at Brandeis University. Howard earned his Ph.D. in History from UCLA in 2007. His research is on nationalism in the late Ottoman Empire and in the Turkish Republic. He will be teaching courses on Middle Eastern and Islamic history. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Kent Goodrow joined the Information Technology team as Computing Facilities Coordinator. He is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the standard operating system images for all of the computers on campus, as well as maintaining the software packages available on the computer network. Kent grew up in St. Regis Falls, New York and was an Augsbury Scholar at SLU earning his Bachelor's degree in Biology in 2008. He is currently working on his Master's degree in secondary science education. Richard Nelson joined the Information Technology team as Systems Administrator, after working in the IT Department for the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation. Richard brings an extensive IT background in server and network technologies from local, state and federal environments. He is a native of Saratoga County and recently moved to the North Country after a brief stint in Boston, MA. Richard is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Information Systems with a concentration in security. Kimberly Coleman joined the Information Technology team as Junior Applications Programmer/Web Developer. She is involved in the development of ‘Faculty Voting’ and’ Idea Connect’ web applications, database and reporting projects along with several training initiatives. Kimberley received her Master’s degree in Information and Communications Technology from SUNY Potsdam. Before coming to St. Lawrence University, Kimberly worked in Arts Administration for Community Performance Series at SUNY Potsdam. Karen Smith joined the Information Technology team as Executive Secretary and is responsible for the smooth running of the department’s administrative function. Karen’s background is in business administration and human resources, primarily gained in the professional services sector in London, England. She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Marketing & Languages from Dublin City University, Ireland. MODERN LANGUAGES & LITERATURES/AFRICAN STUDIES: *Khadidatou Guèye (Khadi)* comes to St. Lawrence as Visiting Assistant Professor in French, African and Francophone Studies from a lecturer position in French at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Khadi earned her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Pennsylvania State University in December 2006. Her research is in mixed-race women. Khadi will be teaching classes in French, African and Francophone Studies. MODERN LANGUAGES & LITERATURES: Beatriz Carolina Peña comes to St. Lawrence as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Spanish language and literature from a full-time lector position at the Department of Spanish and Portuguese of Yale University. Beatriz earned her Ph.D. in Hispanic and Luso Brazilian Literatures and Languages from the Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York in 2007. Her research is in Colonial Latin American Literature and Spanish Golden Age Literature. Beatriz will be teaching classes on Spanish language and literature. She was an Adjunct Assistant Professor last semester at St. Lawrence University. MATHEMATICS, COMPUTER SCIENCE & STATISTICS: Dan Look comes to St. Lawrence as an Assistant Professor in Mathematics from a visiting position at Williams College. Dan earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Boston University in 2005. Dan’s research areas are complex dynamical systems and circles. Outside interests include music (the faster the better) and Transformers. Ivan Ramler comes to St. Lawrence as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Statistics. Ivan earned his Ph.D. in Statistics from Iowa State University in 2008. His research is in cluster analysis. Ivan will be teaching classes on Applied Statistics and Probability. Lisa Torrey comes to St. Lawrence as an Assistant Professor in the Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics department. Lisa earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin in 2009. Her research is in artificial intelligence and machine learning. She will be teaching classes in programming, algorithms, and other areas of computer science. NEWELL CENTER FOR ARTS TECHNOLOGY: Josephine Skiff is the new Assistant Director of the Newell Center for Arts Technology. She earned her M.S. in Education from SUNY Potsdam and taught in a K-12 public school for 15 years. She served as the computer coordinator for Lisbon Central School in Lisbon, New York. Jo will be primarily supporting the Arts and Music departments as they continue to explore the intersections among digital technologies and the arts. PERFORMANCE & COMMUNICATIONS ARTS/ENGLISH: Juraj Kittler comes to St. Lawrence as Assistant Professor with a double appointment in the Performance and Communication Arts department and the English department. A native of Slovakia, he earned his Ph.D. in Mass Communications from The Pennsylvania State University in 2009. His research focuses on the public sphere – its various historical metamorphoses from the time of classical Greece to its articulations in modern Western democracies. Juraj will be teaching journalism and communication classes. Aside from teaching, he will work with the student community publishing The Hill News. PHILOSOPHY: Curtis Rigsby comes to St. Lawrence as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Philosophy. Curtis just completed his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Hawaii. His research is in Comparative Philosophy, including a year of studies in (Asian) Indian Philosophy on an Infinity Foundation Grant, and two years of study in modern Japanese Philosophy at Kyoto University in Japan, as funded by a Monbusho Grant. Curtis will be teaching classes in Philosophy of East & West, and in Asian Philosophy. PSYCHOLOGY: Jim Fryer comes to St. Lawrence as Assistant Professor in Psychology from a visiting position at SUNY Potsdam. Jim is earning his Ph.D. in Social and Personality Psychology from the University of Rochester. His research is in achievement motivation; specifically, the development and stability of achievement goals. Jim will be teaching classes on Research Methods, Introductory Psychology, and Social Psychology. RELIGIOUS STUDIES: Mari Rethelyi comes to St. Lawrence as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Religious Studies from a visiting position at the University of Iowa. Mari earned her Ph.D. in Jewish Studies from the University of Chicago in 2009. Her research is in Modern Judaism and Jewish Identity. Mari will be teaching classes on the Bible, Introduction to Religion, Modern Judaism and Jewish Mysticism. RHETORIC & COMMUNICATION PROGRAM: Claire Plagge ’09 is the Interim Director of the WORD Studio. She earned a B.A. in History from St. Lawrence and has tutored and mentored for three years in St. Lawrence’s programs. Claire has recently been training and teaching at a therapeutic horseback riding center in Cape May, New Jersey. In addition to her efforts in the WORD Studio, she is also working with and training the mentors of the First Year Program. SOCIOLOGY: Xiaoshuo Hou comes to St. Lawrence as Assistant Professor in Sociology from a visiting position at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Xiaoshuo earned her Ph.D. in sociology from Boston University in January 2008. Her research interests are economic sociology, social change, and transitional societies like China. Xiaoshuo will be teaching classes on the sociology of development. STUDENT LIFE: Kevin A. Lobdell – Kevin joined our Residence Life staff as a Residential Coordinator on August 1st. Kevin earned a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs degree from the University of Connecticut and a Bachelor of Science degree from Clarkson University. While at UConn, Kevin was a graduate assistant for fraternity and sorority life and a practicum student in Housing Services and in the School of Business Advising Office. He was a part of the UConn Connects Mentoring Program. Christopher Morrin – The Coordinator for Sexual Health Education and Violence Prevention (formerly titled Director of the Advocates Program) is Christopher Morrin. Chris has a Master of Arts in Political Science from Lehigh University. He brings experience in sexual violence prevention and victim advocacy through his work at Lehigh University Women’s Center, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Residential Life. Amy K. Saito – Amy comes to St. Lawrence with a Master of Education Administration and Student Personnel from Kent State University. She earned her BA degree from Hiram College. At Case Western Reserve University, Amy has served as Greek Life Assistant/Leadership, graduate manager of residential program centers, and graduate intern for leadership programs. Also, Amy served as a graduate intern for Student Outreach Programs at Kent State University. UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT: With a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a 1992 graduate of St. Lawrence University, Katrin Laird Anderson** joined St. Lawrence in June 2009. As Associate Director of Major Gifts, her responsibilities include communicating St. Lawrence’s initiatives under the new leadership of President William Fox ‘75 to the constituents in her designated territory and fostering relationships that garner stronger philanthropic knowledge and activity from current and prospective donors. New faculty and staff bios from 2007-2008 New faculty and staff bios from 2006-2007 New faculty and staff bios from 2005-2006
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