Faculty & Staff
Please use the accordions below to view all faculty and staff information for the College of Arts & Sciences.
The art and design faculty at UAFS are all working designers and artists with years of experience doing exactly what they teach. Our studio art faculty show their work nationally and internationally while our award-winning design faculty stay on the forward edge with work in the design field. Each faculty member is committed to their students and works hard to give them the tools necessary to succeed in their chosen field of study. All faculty have terminal degrees and maintain strong ties to artistic development through art exhibition as well as design.
Katie Waugh, M.F.A.
Colin McLain, M.F.A.
Bryan Alexis, M.A., M.F.A.
Matthew Bailey, Ph.D.
Ernest Cialone, M.F.A.
Sophia Farmer, Ph.D.
Peter Cullum, M.F.A.
Dr. Meredith Akins
Dr. Sandhya Baviskar
James Brandli
Dr. Thomas M Buchanan
Email: Tom.Buchanan@uafs.edu
Dr. Joshua Burns
Dr. Joey Cornell
Cassie Duffin
Dr. Kristine Garner
Dr. Ragupathy Kannan
Roger Lightner
Dr. David A McClellan
Dr. Becky Mroczek
Dr. Jeff Shaver
Dr. Amy Skypala
Email: Amy.Skypala@uafs.edu
Biological Sciences Staff
Jennifer Burns
Email: Jennifer.Burns@uafs.edu
Computer Science Faculty
John Hightower
Gail Fulenwider
Andrew Mackey
Dr. Brian McLaughlan
Dr. Janet Renwick
Dr. Brittany Bright
Office: Baldor Technology Center 119-C
Email: Brittany.Bright@uafs.edu
Israel Cuevas
Office: Baldor Technology Center 121-A
Computer Science Staff
Cindy Boyd
Office: Baldor Technology Center 249
Phone: 479-788-7756
Email: Cindy.Boyd@uafs.edu
Dr. Steve Wilson
Dr. Dennis Williams
Mary Isis Wuestewald
Don Balch
Bio: Don Balch is a full-time instructor in the Western Arkansas Technical Center at UAFS.
He obtained his Bachelor of Science in occupational education from Southern Illinois
University Carbondale in 1983 and his Master of Education from the University of Arkansas
in 2011. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force Security Police. After his military
service, he joined the Fort Smith Police Department, working in every division of
the department during his career. He is a retired corporal from the Fort Smith Police
Department where he was a certified crime scene analyst and technician.
Dr. Brian Rice
Bio: Dr. Brian Rice joined UAFS in 2015. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice
from UALR in 2008 and a Master of Arts in public administration from Arkansas State
University in 2014. He received his D.P.A. from Valdosta State University in 2020.
Dr. Rice retired in 2108 from the Fort Smith Police Department where he served as
a captain in several divisions including Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Administration,
and Internal Affairs.
Roxy Wylie
Bio: Roxy Wylie is the administrative specialist for the department and a 2021 UAFS alumna with a bachelor's in history. She is pursuing a master's degree in library science with a concentration in archives.
Engineering Faculty
John Hightower
Office: Baldor Technology Center 249-A
Phone: 479-788-7883
Email: John.Hightower@uafs.edu
Dr. Kevin Lewelling
Office: Baldor Technology Center 234
Phone: 479-788-7736
Email: Kevin.Lewelling@uafs.edu
Nick Huisman
Instructor of Mechanical Engineering
Office: Baldor Technology Center 238
Phone: 479-788-7733
Email: Nick.Huisman@uafs.edu
Engineering Staff
Cindy Boyd
Administrative Specialist
Office: Baldor Technology Center 249
Phone: 479-788-7756
Email: Cindy.Boyd@uafs.edu
English, Rhetoric and Writing, and Media Communication Faculty
Charmaine Beleele, M.A.
Erik Carlson, Ph.D.
Christian Anton Gerard, Ph.D.
Brandon Goldsmith, Ph.D.
Visiting Instructor
Bio: Dr. Brandon Chase Goldsmith, PhD., is a Visiting Instructor of Media Communication.
He wrote and produced The Western District play and book. Dr. Goldsmith is the Writer,
Co-Producer, and Co-Director for The Western District feature length documentary.
He is CEO of BCG Creative Solutions where he designs social media videos and television
commercials for small business, politicians, events, and local cities. As a professional
speechwriter, he composes major addresses and presentations for political and business
leaders throughout the region and across the state. Dr. Goldsmith serves as a Commissioner
on the City Advertising and Promotion Commission of Fort Smith, Arkansas. He teaches
public speaking, theater, and media communication, including classes on iPhone movie
making, editing and media production. Dr. Goldsmith is the President and Co-Founder
of the River Valley Film Society, and Executive Director for the Fort Smith International
Film Festival.
Ann-Gee Lee, Ph.D.
Monica Luebke, Ph.D.
Mary Lutze, Ph.D.
Kimberly Robinson, D.A.
Amanda Schafer, Ph.D.
Dennis Siler, Ph.D.
Susan Simkowski, Ph.D.
Nicki Reamer Stancil, Ph.D.
Jennifer Stewart, M.D.
Adjunct Instructor
Email: Jennifer.Stewart@uafs.edu
Bret Strauch, Ph.D.
Dusan Stojanovic, M.A.
Adjunct Instructor
Email: Dusan.Stojanovic@uafs.edu
Cammie Sublette, Ph.D.
Carolyn Thompson, M.A.
Jeffery Warndof, M.A.
Terri Wells, Ph.D.
Carol Westcamp-Sessums, Ph.D.
Sarah Winterberg, Ph.D.
Laura Witherington, Ph.D.
English, Rhetoric, and Writing & Media Communication Staff
Taylor Wright
History, Social Sciences, and Philosophy Faculty
Dr. Steven Kite
Department Head/Associate Professor
Office: Gardner Building, Room 215
Phone: 479-788-7362
Email: Steve.Kite@uafs.edu
Dr. Ben Anderson
Instructor
Office: Echols 113-B
Phone: 479-788-7513
Email: Ben.Anderson@uafs.edu
Dr. Eric Baker
Assistant Professor
Office: Vines 114
Phone: 479-788-7579
Email: Eric.Baker@uafs.edu
Dr. Svetla Dimitrova
Assistant Professor
Office: Vines 110
Phone: 479-788-7531
Email: Svetla.Dimitrova@uafs.edu
Billy Higgins
Associate Professor
Office: Gardner 222
Phone: 479-788-7588
Email: Billy.Higgins@uafs.edu
Dr. Daniel Maher
Professor / Diversity Studies Minor Degree Coordinator
Office: Gardner 226
Phone: 479-788-7572
Email: Daniel.Maher@uafs.edu
Dr. Matt McCoy
Associate Professor
Office: Gardner 223
Phone: 479-788-7565
Email: Matt.McCoy@uafs.edu
Dr. Joshua Packwood
Associate Professor
Office: Gardner 233
Phone: 479-788-7571
Email: Joshua.Packwood@uafs.edu
Dr. Evan C. Rothera
Assistant Professor
Office: Gardner 218
Phone: 479-788-7243
Email: Evan.Rothera@uafs.edu
Dr. Todd Timmons
Professor
Office: Vines 109
Phone: 479-788-7630
Email: Todd.Timmons@uafs.edu
Tom Wing
Director of the Drennen-Scott Historic Site/Assistant Professor
Office: Drennen-Scott House
Phone: 479-262-2750
Email: Tom.Wing@uafs.edu
Dr. Williams Yamkam
Associate Professor
Office: Vines 112
Phone: 479-788-7981
Email: Williams.Yamkam@uafs.edu
History, Social Sciences, and Philosophy Staff
Roxy Wylie
Administrative Specialist
Office: Gardner 219
Phone: 479-788-7570
Email: Roxy.Wylie@uafs.edu
Shelley Blanton
Archivist - The Pebley Center
Office: Boreham Library 137
Phone: 479-788-7213
Email: Shelley.Blanton@uafs.edu
Mathematics Staff
Dr. Linus Yu
Associate Dean/Department Head
Office: Math-Science 112
Phone: 479-788-7415
Email: Linus.Yu@uafs.edu
Sarah Durham
Senior Instructor
Office: Math-Science 211-A
Phone: 479-788-7668
Email: Sarah.Durham@uafs.edu
Emily Foss
Assistant Professor
Office: Math-Science 221
Phone: 479-788-7419
Email: Emily.Foss@uafs.edu
Steve Henderson
Assistant Professor
Office: Math-Science 315
Phone: 479-788-7163
Email: Steve.Henderson@uafs.edu
Dr. Brandon Hutchison
Assistant Professor
Office: Math-Science 217
Phone: 479-788-7414
Email: Brandon.Hutchison@uafs.edu
Dr. Chizuko Iwaki
Assistant Professor
Office: Math-Science 223
Phone: 479-788-7629
Email: Chizuko.Iwaki@uafs.edu
Dr. Jack Jackson II
Professor
Office: Math-Science 229
Phone: 479-788-7620
Email: Jack.Jackson@uafs.edu
Grizel Macias Mendez
Instructor
Office: Math-Science 238-B
Phone: 479-788-7628
Email: Grizel.MaciasMendez@uafs.edu
Casey McEver
Senior Instructor
Office: Math-Science 211-B
Phone: 479-788-7666
Email: Casey.McEver@uafs.edu
Dr. Kayla Murray
Assistant Professor
Office: Math-Science 238-C
Phone: 479-788-7626
Email: Kayla.Murray@uafs.edu
Roberta Parks
Assistant Professor
Office: Math-Science 238-A
Phone: 479-788-7777
Email: Roberta.Parks@uafs.edu
Dr. Myron Rigsby
Associate Professor
Office: Math-Science 227
Phone: 479-788-7632
Email: Myron.Rigsby@uafs.edu
Dr. Noel Sagullo
Associate Professor
Office: Math-Science 219
Phone: 479-788-7934
Email: Noel.Sagullo@uafs.edu
Robbin Stockton
Instructor
Office: Math-Science 238-E
Phone: 479-788-7606
Email: Robbin.Stockton@uafs.edu
Dr. Daiho Uhm
Associate Professor
Office: Math-Science 225
Phone: 479-788-7636
Email: Daiho.Uhm@uafs.edu
Dr. Jerry West
Assistant Professor
Office: Math-Science 215
Phone: 479-788-7654
Email: Jerry.West@uafs.edu
Mathematics Staff
Julie Martin
Email: Julie.Martin@uafs.edu
Music Faculty
Dr. Andrew DeBoer
Don Bailey
Terri Bailey
Jarrett Bastow
Adjunct Instructor - String Bass
Email: Jarrett.Bastow@uafs.edu
Website: jarrettbastow.com
Bio: Jarrett Bastow is a professional bassist based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, originally from
Albany, New York. He is a section bassist for the Tulsa Symphony, assistant principal
bass for the Springfield (Missouri) Symphony Orchestra, and principal bass for the
Symphony of Northwest Arkansas. His Suzuki training began at Northwestern University.
He has also taught with the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, Tulsa and Bartlesville
public school districts respectively, the bART Conservatory of Music, and Brigham
Young University. He is currently teaching for Harmony Project Tulsa. Jarrett received
his Bachelor and Master of Music in double bass performance from Ithaca College and
Northwestern University, respectively. He also holds a Master of Arts in leadership
and cultural management from Colorado State University. His certifications include
a graduate certificate in change management from Cornell University and a certificate
in grant proposal writing from Fort Hays State University.
Damian Cheek
Adjunct Instructor - Saxophone
Email: Damian.Cheek@uafs.edu
Bio: Damian Cheek is an emerging saxophonist, educator, and music theorist currently based
in Fort Smith. He is nearing completion of a doctorate in musical arts and master’s
in music theory from the University of Oklahoma, and holds a master’s in music from
Oklahoma State University (2016) and a bachelor’s in music education from Tennessee
Tech University (2014). Damian has been recognized as an award-winning soloist and
chamber performer, having performed as a soloist with various ensembles locally, nationally,
and internationally. As a proponent of chamber music, Damian strives to broaden the
range of music for the saxophone through arrangements and commissioning works by young
composers.
Louann Dooly
Bio: Louann Dooly received her undergraduate degree in music education - vocal and instrumental education from Arkansas Tech University and her master’s degree in conducting from the University of Central Arkansas. She has performed with many workshops, symphonies, orchestras, and musical groups across the state and is the double reed instructor for area River Valley schools as well as the assistant choir director at First United Methodist Church in Fort Smith.
David Holland
Ginny Hudson
Dr. Stephen Husarik
Professor - Humanities / Music History
Office: Breedlove 212
Phone: 479-788-7555
Email: Stephen.Husarik@uafs.edu
Bio: Dr. Stephen Husarik has authored and/or contributed to more than a half dozen books,
co-edited 30 issues of Interdisciplinary Humanities (2009-2020), and published more
than 30 learned articles in the area of music history. In addition, Husarik has lectured
on Beethoven’s music in almost three dozen venues from Beijing to Rome. He is the
first to discover “The Psycho Theme” in music for the film of that title, de-code
Vladimir Horowitz’s “Carmen Variations” from the piano roll, author a survey of 2,000
American keyboard players, and uncover dramatic envelopes in the form of several Beethoven
compositions. As head carillonneur of the Donald W. Reynold’s Bell Tower and Carillon,
he has performed more than 300 weekly Sunday concerts and was the dedicatee of an
original UAFS fight song arrangement by celebrated carillonneur Aimee Lombaert. He
is currently working on a digital transcription of Archduke Rudolph’s MUSIKALIEN REGISTER
(Katalog Nr. 9) in cooperation with the Geszellschaft Für Musikfreunde, Archiv – Bibliothek,
Wien. This open access source will make the archduke’s massive collection of music
available to scholars worldwide.
Shalon Lester
Email: Shalon.Lester@uafs.edu
Bio: Hsin-I "Shalon" Lester was born in Tainan, Taiwan, and began studying piano at the age of 3. She went on to study and pursue her music career at Tainan University of Technology music school, where she earned her five-year junior college music program. During this period she was frequently given the “Excellent Performance” award in the piano performance exam. In 2007 she moved to the U.S. and continued her passion of piano at Oklahoma City University, earning both a bachelor's and master's in piano performance. Shalon currently performs with the Fort Smith Symphony and, along with her husband, leads music at Heritage Church.
Dr. Elizabeth Momand
Professor - Voice
Office: Breedlove 204-C
Phone: 479-788-7540
Email: Elizabeth.Momand@uafs.edu
Bio: Elizabeth Blanton Momand, soprano, directs the Opera and Musical Theatre Workshop
and teaches applied voice, vocal pedagogy, diction, secondary vocal methods and materials,
and aural skills. She received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in vocal
performance from Mississippi College where she was an active performer of chamber
and solo recital music. She completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts in vocal performance
at the University of Texas at Austin. As a soprano soloist, Dr. Momand has performed
numerous oratorio roles with orchestra. Her students at UAFS have been winners of
state, regional, national, and international competitions and scholarships, and many
have been admitted to prestigious graduate programs and summer festivals across the
United States and abroad. Dr. Momand is an active researcher on the music of women
composers and has presented her peer-reviewed work at the regional, national, and
international levels of prestigious professional organizations. Dr. Momand has been
recognized for her work both as an educator and scholar. She is the current president
of the South Central Chapter of the College Music Society and has served as governor,
president, vice-president, and secretary of the Arkansas chapter of the National Association
of Teachers of Singing and is a trained accreditation visitor for the National Association
of Schools of Music.
Dr. Ryan Patterson
Visiting Assistant Professor - Percussion
Office: Breedlove 204-A
Phone: 479-788-7581
Email: Ryan.Patterson@uafs.edu
Bio: Dr. Ryan Patterson is a percussionist and educator based in Fort Smith. At UAFS he
oversees private instruction for percussionists, directs the UAFS Percussion Ensemble
and the Lions Athletic Band, and is the instructor for music technology. He previously
served as performer and director of The Pans of Texas steel pan ensemble based on
the University of Texas – Austin campus and has performed and studied with the Saakamu
Dance Troupe at the Bernard Woma Dagara Music Center and the Dagbe Cultural Institute,
both in Ghana. Dr. Patterson is an active performer and presenter and holds a Bachelor
of Music from Furman University, a Master of Music from the University of Missouri,
and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Texas.
Dr. Scott Tomlison
Associate Professor - Music / Coordinator - Music Education
Office: Breedlove 204-B
Phone: 479-788-7538
Email: Scott.Tomlison@uafs.edu
Bio: Dr. Scott Tomlison's duties include supervising student teachers, teaching methods
courses, and conducting the Jazz Band and Brass Ensemble. Prior to his appointment
at UAFS, he was the coordinator of music education and chair of the D’Angelo Department
of Music at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania. He taught public school music
for a total of nine years in Missouri, Kentucky, and Ohio. His previous collegiate
experience also includes director of bands at McPherson College and Manchester University
and assistant conductor of the University of Missouri Wind Ensemble and Concert Band,
as well as drill writer for “Marching Mizzou” and the Murray State University Marching
Band. He has also served on the brass staff for various drum and bugle corps in Ohio,
Tennessee, Connecticut, and Louisiana. His research interests include using recordings
as models in the rehearsal setting, concert program development, and ensemble grading
practices. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Eastern Kentucky University,
a Master of Music Education from Murray State, and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction
from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Dr. Timothy Workman
Director of Choral Activities / Associate Professor - Voice
Office: Breedlove 113
Phone: 479-788-7543
Email: Timothy.Workman@uafs.edu
Bio: Timothy James Workman conducts the Leonis Chamber Singers, the university’s elite
ensemble, as well as the UAFS Women’s Chorus and has been integral in the formation
of a brand new men’s chorus, which started in the fall of 2019. He was previously
selected by the Arkansas Choral Directors Association to direct the Arkansas Region
4 Senior High Mixed Choir for All Region Convention and judge the Region 6 Choral
Performance Assessments. He has led several outreach initiatives including a summer
vocal workshop and the formation of two a cappella groups. He holds a bachelor's in
vocal performance and a master's in choral conducting from Brigham Young University
and a doctorate in choral conducting from the University of Texas at Austin. Before
coming to Arkansas, he was the director of choral studies at Florida State College
at Jacksonville. He has enjoyed success as a community choir director and has a growing
career as a tenor and counter-tenor soloist.
Dr. Alexandra Zacharella
Director of Bands / Associate Professor - Low Brass
Office: Breedlove 116
Phone: 479-788-7972
Email: Alex.Zacharella@uafs.edu
Bio: A native of New Jersey, Alexandra Zacharella holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in trombone
performance from the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music
with minors in conducting, music education, and jazz studies; a Master of Music in
trombone performance from the University of Michigan; and a Bachelor of Music in trombone
performance and music education from the University of Hartford's The Hartt School.
Zacharella is an active low brass and wind ensemble clinician and has presented clinics
and masterclasses, performances, and research at clinics, conferences, and festivals
across the country and around the world. Zacharella is a Bach Artist and a Signature
Artist for Warburton and currently serves as the president-elect of the College Music
Society - South Central Chapter and on the International Initiatives Committee for
the College Music Society.
Theatre Faculty
Pablo Guerra-Monje
Stephen Copeland
Melissa Schoenfeld
Bio: Melissa Schoenfeld has been with Western Arkansas Ballet for 29 years. Previous to
joining WAB, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts - ballet
pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, one of the top dance departments in the
country. She has performed with Oklahoma Festival Ballet Company, Renaissance Festival
Featured Presentation on PBS Television, and with Western Arkansas Ballet. Under her
direction WAB Company auditioned and was asked to become a performing member of Regional
Dance America/Southwest, a national organization of regional ballet companies.
Sally Story
Physical Sciences Faculty
Dr. Sayo Fakayode
Department Head/Professor
Office: Math-Science 102
Phone: 479-788-7622
Email: Sayo.Fakayode@uafs.edu
Brian Abbott
Dr. Souvik Banerjee
Assistant Professor - Chemistry
Office: Math-Science 317
Phone: 479-788-7826
Email: Souvik.Banerjee@uafs.edu
Dr. Jim Belcher
Dr. David Burkey
Office: Math-Science 320
Phone: 479-788-7793
Email: David.Burkey@uafs.edu
Dr. James Christiansen
Dr. Nawa Dahal
Dr. Jeremy Durchman
Chris Knubley
Phone: 479-788-7637
Dr. Jordan Mader
Dr. Dave Mayo
Dr. Archana Mishra
Dr. Maurice Testa
Phone: 479-788-7718
Email: Maurice.Testa@uafs.edu
Physical Sciences Staff
Jennifer Burns
Phone: 479-788-7735
Email: Jennifer.Burns@uafs.edu
Dr. Michael Comer
Lab Coordinator
Office: Math-Science 339
Phone: 479-788-7621
Email: Michael.Comer@uafs.edu
Mary Sobhani, Ph.D.
Gray Langston, M.A.
Madeline Martinez-Santiago, M.A.
Lynda McClellan, M.A.
Rosario Nolasco-Schultheiss, Ph.D.
Ana Maria Romo Blas, Ph.D.
Francesco Tarelli, Ph.D.
Jane Wineland, M.A.
Email: Jane.Wineland@uafs.edu
Bio: Jane Wineland's love for France was ignited nearly a half-century ago with a life-changing
year of language immersion in Paris. As an instructor at UAFS, she takes a low-stress
approach, placing equal emphasis on language and culture. "Madame W" loves working
with university students and teaches with passion and humor. She views teaching not
as a job, but a calling.
In addition to teaching all French courses at UAFS, she provides translation services for Immigration and Naturalization hearings and on two occasions has worked with the U. S. Marshals Service to provided translation assistance in Lyon, France, for symposia hosted by INTERPOL, the world's largest international police organization.