2022 New Faculty Profiles | University of Portland

2022 New Faculty Profiles

Air Force ROTC

Capt. Jonathan Hotchkiss, B.S.

Capt. Jonathan Hotchkiss, B.S. Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force ROTC

"I am passionate about leading, coaching and mentoring the next generation of Air Force officers."

Learn more about Capt. Jonathan Hotchkiss

Lt. Col. Natasha Waggoner, M.A.

Lt. Col. Natasha Waggoner, M.A. Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force ROTC

"I look forward to a leadership role to guide, mentor, and develop future generations in the Air Force."

Learn more about Lt. Col. Natasha Waggoner

Army ROTC

M.Sgt. Eric Bol, B.A.

M.Sgt. Eric Bol, B.A. Senior Military Science Instructor, Army ROTC

Learn more about M.Sgt. Eric Bol

Sgt. 1st Class Wesley Buhr

Sgt. 1st Class Wesley Buhr Senior Military Science Instructor, Army ROTC

"I am honored to be partnered with this group of professionals and look forward to working with and building collaborative relationships with our team to help shape the future leaders of the U.S. Army!"

Learn more about Sgt. 1st Class Wesley Buhr

Maj. Robert Murphy, B.S.

Maj. Robert Murphy, B.S. Assistant Professor of Military Science, Army ROTC

Learn more about Maj. Robert Murphy

Lt. Col. John Toll, M.A.

Lt. Col. John Toll, M.A. Commander, Professor of Military Science, Army ROTC

"I’m grateful to be a member of this team, and look forward to teaching, coaching, and mentoring future leaders of the Army. "

Learn more about Lt. Col. John Toll

Clark Library

Federico Martínez-García, Jr., M.L.I.S.

Federico Martínez-García, Jr., M.L.I.S. Head of Public Services, Clark Library

"I am fully committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and madly in love with copyright."

Learn more about Federico Martínez-García

College of Arts and Sciences

Michael DeVaughn, Ph.D.

Valerie Banschbach, Ph.D. Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

"I am honored to have the opportunity to partner with faculty and staff to advance excellence in teaching, scholarship, and creative work, within the values-based framework that distinguishes a UP education."

Learn more about Valerie Banschbach

Biology

Kayla Delventhal, M.S.

Kayla Delventhal, M.S. Visiting Instructor, Biology

"I am motivated to empower students and bolster scientific literacy amidst and changing global climate."

Learn more about Kayla Delventhal

Mihail Iordanov, Ph.D.

Mihail Iordanov, Ph.D. Visiting Instructor, Biology

"I am excited to meet my new students and show them the fascinating world of microorganisms."

Learn more about Mihail Iordanov

Molly Matty, Ph.D.

Molly Matty, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Biology

"As a scientist and educator, I seek to reduce the institutional barriers to STEM success and build communities within and beyond my classroom."

Learn more about Molly Matty

Communication Studies

Faith Curammeng, M.A.

Faith Curammeng, M.A. Instructor, Communication Studies

"I believe communication is the key to connection and community."

Learn more about Faith Curammeng

Azeb Madebo, Ph.D.

Azeb Madebo, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Communication Studies

"I hope to connect with and mentor students from all walks of life—especially those who share an interest in the scholarly interrogation of media, identity, culture, and power."

Learn more about Azeb Madebo

English

Jen McDaneld, Ph.D.

Jen McDaneld, Ph.D. Instructor, English

"My favorite aspects of teaching are the twin creative processes of designing a syllabus from scratch and then working with students to discover new ways of thinking about texts and topics we think we know."

Learn more about Jen McDaneld

Environmental Studies

Kiya Riverman, Ph.D.

Kiya Riverman, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies

"I want to spark curiosity in my students regarding their home landscapes so they are motivated to understand and protect the land in their future careers."

Learn more about Kiya Riverman

Mathematics

Alex John Quijano, Ph.D.

Alex John Quijano, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Mathematics

"I am looking forward to teaching mathematics and data science while applying them to solve problems in language evolution and social justice."

Learn more about Alex John Quijano

Philosophy

Brian Eckley, Ph.D.

Brian Eckley, Ph.D. Visiting Instructor, Philosophy

"I left every class of my first ever philosophy course as a student with my mind blown and I look forward to sharing that love of philosophy with my students."

Learn more about Brian Eckley

Political Science and Global Affairs

Maye Henning, Ph.D.

Maye Henning, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Political Science and Global Affairs

"I aim to help students develop the critical thinking skills necessary to understand and navigate uncertain political times. "

Learn more about Maye Henning

Pamplin School of Business

Ashley Hass, Ph.D.

Ashley Hass, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Marketing, Pamplin School of Business

"I am excited to teach and mentor future marketers and business professionals to be ethical leaders that change our world for the better."

Learn more about Ashley Hass

Gilna Samuel, Ph.D.

Gilna Samuel, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Finance, Pamplin School of Business

"I endeavor to support students from all backgrounds so that they achieve academic and professional excellence."

Learn more about Gilna Samuel

School of Education

Megan Gill, M.A.

Megan Gill, M.A. Visiting Instructor, School of Education

"My aim is to provide an engaging learning experience for my students that models best practices, challenges them to reflect critically on their own teaching methods, and shares relevant and inclusive resources that can easily be used in their own classrooms."

Learn more about Megan Gill

Teresa Ketelsen, Ed.D.

Teresa Ketelsen, Ed.D. Instructor: Leadership, School of Education

"I am committed to helping others envision and create classrooms, schools, and learning systems where all students have a sense of belonging and can achieve their potential."

Learn more about Teresa Ketelsen

Anna Myers, Ph.D.

Anna Myers, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, School of Education

"I am thrilled to bring my dyslexia knowledge to the School of Education at UP and work to build dyslexia initiatives for our future and current teachers."

Learn more about Anna Myers

Shiley School of Engineering

Matthew Barner, Ph.D.

Matthew Barner, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, Shiley School of Engineering

"I enjoy working with students and faculty to develop new curriculum that enhances student engagement and spurs their passion for engineering. "

Learn more about Matthew Barner

Sean Gestson, Ph.D.

Sean Gestson, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, Shiley School of Engineering

"I am so excited to return to UP and share my love for teaching while providing the same level of thought, care, and passion for learning that I experienced as Pilot! "

Learn more about Sean Gestson

Mohammadhadi Hajilou, Ph.D.

Mohammadhadi Hajilou, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Shiley School of Engineering

"I am thrilled to be able to share my enthusiasm and knowledge in mechanical engineering with my students and assist them in achieving their professional career goals."

Learn more about Mohammadhadi Hajilou

Jacob Kimball, Ph.D.

Jacob Kimball, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Biomedical and Electrical Engineering, Shiley School of Engineering

"I enjoy helping students at all levels learn, apply, and develop engineering methods and tools to address problems in healthcare."

Learn more about Jacob Kimball

Steven Libby, Ph.D.

Steven Libby, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Shiley School of Engineering

"I have a strong interest in associative technology for blind and visually impaired users and how to incorporate programming language technology to improve the performance of screen readers."

Learn more about Steven Libby

Khondaker Salehin, Ph.D.

Khondaker Salehin, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Shiley School of Engineering

"I believe that my academic background, research credentials, and teaching experience will help nurture future generations of computer scientists and professionals at the University of Portland."

Learn more about Khondaker Salehin

Katie Stagl, M.S.

Katie Stagl, M.S. Instructor of Civil Engineering, Shiley School of Engineering

"I am excited to lead and encourage students in their pursuit of higher education and a career in STEM."

Learn more about Katie Stagl

Karsten Zuendel, M.B.A.

Karsten Zuendel, M.B.A. Instructor of Mechanical Engineering, Shiley School of Engineering

Learn more about Karsten Zuendel

School of Nursing and Health Innovations

Patrick Cochran-Green, B.S.

Patrick Cochran-Green, B.S. Clinical Teaching Associate: Standardized Patient Educator, School of Nursing and Health Innovations

"I am highly motivated to use my training and the art of storytelling in a purposeful way that promotes empathy and a holistic outlook in our future nurses."

Learn more about Patrick Cochran-Green

Reo Jones, M.S.N.

Reo Jones, M.S.N. Instructor, School of Nursing and Health Innovations

"My teaching philosophy is inspired by theories on liberation, inclusivity, and ongoing reflexivity in nursing education to support the growing need for compassionate healthcare."

Learn more about Reo Jones

Elizabeth Schmahl, M.S.N.

Elizabeth Schmahl, M.S.N. Instructor, School of Nursing and Health Innovations

"I am thrilled to return to The Bluff and support our future nurses as they find their calling in this amazing field."

Learn more about Elizabeth Schmahl

Kim Vermilya, B.S.N.

Kim Vermilya, B.S.N. Visiting Clinical Teaching Associate, School of Nursing and Health Innovations

"I serve in the Simulated Health Center, providing a team-based model which aligns with the current health care environment, promoting problem solving by encouraging our students to remain curious."

Learn more about Kim Vermilya