30-Plus Faculty Members Join WT for Start of 2023-24 Academic Year

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — More than 30 new scholars have joined the West Texas A&M University faculty as the 2023-24 academic year begins.

“West Texas A&M University is fortunate to add an outstanding group of scholars this year,” said Dr. Neil Terry, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “The strength of academic programs at the University is inextricably linked to the quality of the faculty, and we are confident the talented scholars joining us will advance our efforts to serve students and the regional community.”

New faculty members have been hired in each 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.

Additionally, several new administrators are in place for the academic year.

As previously announced, Dr. Gary Bigham is the new dean of the Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, and Dr. Holly Jeffreys is the new dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Dr. Lisa Garza is associate dean for the Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, with Dr. Betty Coneway, the Geneva Schaeffer Professor of Education and Social Sciences, serving as head of the Department of Education. Dr. Reed Welch is head of both the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice and the Department of Psychology, Sociology and Social Work.

Dr. Angela Phillips, the Mike Wartes Professor of Nursing and Health Sciences, is serving as interim associate dean for nursing, and Dr. Colette Loftin, the Nancy and John Kritser Professor of Nursing, is interim head for the Department of Nursing.

Also as previously announced, Dr. B.J. Brooks is the director of the School of Music. Dr. Mark Bartley, the Lilith Brainard Professor of Music, now serves as associate dean for the Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities.

Dr. David Lust is the new head of the Department of Agricultural Sciences. Dr. Jason Yarbrough is head of both the Department of Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Chemistry and Physics.

The newest Buffs join an approximately 350-member faculty.

Before classes began Aug. 22, 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:

• Dr. Goutham Abotula, assistant professor of finance—Ph.D. in business administration, Washington State University;
• Sara Back, instructor of biology—M.S., biology, West Texas A&M University;
• Dr. Conor Bell, assistant professor of bassoon— D.M., Indiana University;
• Piper Biery, assistant professor of political science— Ph.D. in political science, George Mason University;
• Andrea Blakely, assistant professor of management— Ph.D. in business administration, University of Mississippi;
• Cody Bonds, instructor and rodeo coach—M.S. in agricultural and animal science, West Texas A&M University;
• Dr. Joshua Brown, assistant professor of biology—Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary, University of Texas–El Paso;
• Dr. Kaleb Demerew, assistant professor of political science—Ph.D. in politics and international affairs, University of South Florida;
• Dr. Fernando Diaz, assistant professor of biology—Ph.D. in biology, Universidad del Valle, Colombia;
• Dr. Whitney Dowd, assistant professor of nursing—DNP, Liberty University;
• Sidney Dunkel, instructor of animal science—M.S. in animal science, University of Arkansas;
• Lauren Eames, instructor of nursing—M.S. in nursing education, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center;
• Dr. Andrew Escudero, instructor of English—Ph.D. in English literature, University of California–San Diego;
• Dr. Daniel Evans, assistant professor of music therapy— Ph.D. in music therapy, Florida State University;
• Kassi Gregory, assistant professor of psychology— Ph.D. in educational psychology, Texas Tech University;
• Dr. Eduardo Huaytan-Martinez, visiting assistant professor of Spanish—Ph.D. in Spanish, Purdue University;
• Dr. Steven Hubbard, instructor of psychology— Ph.D. in educational psychology; Oklahoma State University;
• Dr. Stephen Jennings, assistant professor of counseling—Ph.D. in counselor education, Texas Tech University;
• Dr. Alicia Macchione, assistant professor of psychology— Ph.D. in psychology, University of Southern Mississippi;
• Alyssa Moore, instructor of mathematics—M.S. in mathematics, West Texas A&M University;
• Dr. Nicholas Moore, assistant professor of mathematics—Ph.D. in mathematics, Texas Tech University;
• Joy Newton, instructor of biology—M.S. in biology, West Texas A&M University;
• Zachary Oehm, instructor of theatre—M.A. in theatre; Kansas State University;
• Dr. Juganta Roy, assistant professor of chemistry—Ph.D. in chemistry, Jackson State University;
• Dr. Abraham Sen, assistant professor of computer information systems—Ph.D. in information systems, Virginia Commonwealth University;
• Dr. Dan Shaw, assistant professor of accounting—Ph.D. in accounting, Louisiana State University;
• Dr. Ting Hao Tsou, assistant professor of mass communication—Ph.D. in journalism, University of Missouri-Columbia;
• Dr. Malachai Williams, clinicial assistant professor of biology—Ph.D. in biological sciences, Auburn University;
• Dr, Mingrui Xu, assistant professor of management—Ph.D. in business administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign;
• Dr. Lan “Misty” Song, instructor—Ed.D. in higher education, Abilene Christian University;
• Nydia Sotelo, instructor of social work—MSW, West Texas A&M University; and
• Elizabeth Thompson, instructor of nursing—MSN, Aspen University.

New faculty members hired in January include Dr. Emilie Baker, assistant professor of animal science (Ph.D. in animal breeding, Texas A&M Unviersity); and Dr. Ryan Ingebritsen, assistant professor of music technology (Ph.D. in informatics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign).

Recruiting and retaining the best faculty and staff is a key mission of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic, $125 million One West comprehensive fundraising campaign. To date, the campaign — which publicly launched in September 2021— has raised more than $125 million and will continue through 2025.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

—WT—