Joy Newton, M.Sc.
Instructor of Biology
Office: Natural Sciences Building, Room 330
Email: jnewton@wtamu.edu
Phone: 806-651-2963
Professional Profile
Joy Newton M.Sc. is a third-generation Buffalo who completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at West Texas A&M University. She completed additional graduate-level work at the University of Nevada, Reno, and Grand Canyon University. Previously, she was a tenure-track faculty member and department head for Lyon County Cooperative Extension at the University of Nevada, Reno, and a continuing contract Instructor at Clovis Community College. She joined the Department of Life, Earth, and Environmental Science full-time in August 2023.
Teaching and Related Service
Newton currently teaches major’s and non-major’s introductory biology courses and Zoology with experience teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Plant Science, Animal Science, Special Topics in Agricultural IPM, and a wide range of community programming when working for Cooperative Extension. They have a broad background in teaching, outreach, and online instruction. She has formal training in face-to-face and online course development, holds credentials in “Applying the Quality Matters Rubric”, a certification program for online instruction, micro-credential “Teaching with AI” from Auburn University, and a micro-credential “Learning Experience Design Program” from the University of Central Oklahoma in addition to her formal graduate courses and years of experience working with learners of all ages, educational backgrounds, and learner settings.
Newton has received the NISOD Excellence in Teaching Award in 2020 and 2023.
Research and Creative Activity
Newton’s research interests are in the ecology and biodiversity of terrestrial arthropods and the curation of the WTAMU arthropod collection. Though her appointment focuses on teaching, she is working on publishing several manuscripts and co-leads the entomology quiz bowl team that attended the Southwestern Branch of the Entomological Society of America meeting in 2024 after a break in participation since 2011. She has research experience in biodiversity of arthropods, fire effects in prairie and forest habitats, noxious and invasive weed management, agriculture, pesticide safety, 4-H, youth nutrition, STEM education, and home canning safety.
Newton is a member of the Entomological Society of America and the Society of Southwest Entomologists. She held multiple state-wide positions in Nevada, managing USDA grants and serving as the only entomologist for Nevada Cooperative Extension. She has published 19 peer-reviewed publications, 7 formal research reports, 4 published professional photographs, and presented research more than 70 times. She has received various awards from the Entomological Society of America, the Rocky Mountain Conference of Entomologists, and the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society.