Pfeiffer University announces the hiring of 12 new members for its undergraduate and graduate faculties for the start of the 2011-12 academic year.
“This group of educators, most of whom possess terminal degrees in their fields, contribute to the current depth of scholarship and experience that exists among Pfeiffer’s excellent faculty,” said Dr. Tracy Espy, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “They will help all of us deliver to our students the quality that is intrinsic to the Pfeiffer experience.”
The newest members of the Pfeiffer University faculty are:
Tyra Dixon, visiting professor of psychology on the Misenheimer campus, earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Loyola University and master’s degree in human services administration from Spertus College, both in Chicago, and is a Ph.D. candidate in clinical psychology at Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Her professional experience includes facilitating the Project Chance Program at the University of Illinois and working for American Corrective Counseling in Chicago.
Dr. Kelli Fellows, assistant professor of business communications at the Charlotte campus, earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations and master’s degree in speech communication from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a doctorate in speech communication from the University of Georgia. Before pursuing graduate studies, Fellows gained corporate public relations experience and arrives at Pfeiffer after faculty experience at several universities, most recently the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Susan Bullard Furr, assistant professor of nursing at the Misenheimer campus, holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory; master’s degree in social work from Tulane University, New Orleans, La.; master’s degree and in nurse administration and post-master’s certification in education from Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs. Her teaching experience includes positions with Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, Stanly Community College and Garringer High School, Charlotte; clinical experience includes nursing positions with Presbyterian Hospital, Matthews; Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte; and Cabarrus Memorial Hospital, Concord.
Dr. Lane Graham, assistant professor of special education at the Misenheimer campus, holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Catawba College, master’s degree in psychological counseling/human development and learning from Appalachian State University, graduate certification in special education from UNC-Charlotte, and a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction from UNC-Greensboro. In addition to three decades of experience teaching in special education classrooms, he has served as an adjunct faculty member at Catawba College and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.
Dr. Valerie Johnston, assistant professor and assistant director of the master’s in healthcare administration program at the Charlotte campus, holds an associate degree in biology from Macon State College, Macon, Ga.; bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta; MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business; and a doctoral degree in health services research from UNCC, where she served as a graduate research assistant and graduated Phi Kappa Phi. Her most recent faculty experience is with University of North Florida, Jacksonville.
Dr. Blake Justice, assistant professor of exercise studies in Misenheimer, received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Appalachian State University in communications and exercise science, respectively, and served there as adjunct faculty while working in Boone, gaining practical experience in the rehabilitation and fitness fields. He recently completed doctoral studies in exercise physiology at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a graduate research assistant and lecturer.
Dr. Lisa Kelledy, assistant professor of social and behavioral science in Misenheimer, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and master’s and doctoral degrees in marriage and family therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist who comes to Pfeiffer with faculty experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels from several universities, including Northcentral University, Prescott Valley, Ariz., and Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale.
Dr. Angela Haywood Kern, visiting professor of elementary education at the Misenheimer campus, holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from North Carolina State University, master’s degree in elementary education from UNC-Greensboro and a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction from UNC-Chapel Hill. In addition to serving since 2008 as adjunct faculty for Pfeiffer University, she has taught at Montgomery Community College and has extensive classroom experience for Asheboro City Schools as a teacher and as a consultant for the academically and intellectually gifted program.
Dr. Ying (Laura) Lu, assistant professor of computer information systems in Misenheimer, earned a bachelor’s degree from Sichuan University, China, and a master’s degree from Pennsylvania State University before completing doctoral studies in business administration at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She comes to Pfeiffer from UNC-Charlotte, where she taught a variety of business courses at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels, and has private industry experience in bioinformatics and marketing.
Dana Martin, assistant professor of nursing at the Misenheimer campus, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from UNCC, the latter with a double concentration in nurse education and community/ public health nursing. In addition to experience working as a registered nurse and care technician, she has nurse education experience with Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte; UNCC, Pfeiffer University and the Mecklenburg County Health Department.
Dr. Patrick Meadors, assistant professor of marriage and family therapy at the Charlotte campus, is a licensed marriage and family therapist who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UNC- Chapel Hill, and a master’s in marriage and family therapy and doctoral degree in medical family therapy, both from East Carolina University. He will serve as coordinator of Pfeiffer’s new undergraduate human relations major for the School of Adult Studies as well as a clinical supervisor for the Pfeiffer Institute. His experience includes that of medical family therapist for the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute in Florida and faculty positions at the University of Florida and Eastern Carolina University.
Gwyndolan Swain, assistant professor of healthcare administration at the Charlotte campus, earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Dillard University, New Orleans, La., and combined MBA/master’s of health administration from Pfeiffer University, and is a Ph.D. candidate at Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. She has served since 2005 as an adjunct professor for Pfeiffer’s School of Adult Studies while working as an administrator for Carolinas Healthcare System and Mecklenburg County Health Department.