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UMU Experts Guide

UMU Experts

  1. Art

    Margo Miller
    Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Art
    Email: cah@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    B.F.A., University of Akron
    M.F.A., Kent State University

    Fields of expertise: Painting, drawing, design, color theory, digital media, graphic design

    Spotlight

  2. Biology

    Phillip LaScola
    Instructor of Biology
    Email: cnhs@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    B.S., Exercise Science, Mount Union College
    M.S., Education of Exercise of Physiology, University of Akron
    A.B.D., Exercise Physiology, Kent State University

    Fields of Expertise: cardiovascular physiology, cardiac rehabilitation, electrocardiography.

    Amy McElhinney
    Associate Professor and Department Chair, Biology
    Email: cnhs@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    B.A., Biology, Wartburg College
    M.S., Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington
    Ph.D., Biology (molecular, cellular and developmental biology), Indiana University

    Fields of Expertise: molecular biology, developmental biology, marine biology, invertebrate biology, general biology

    Kim Risley
    Professor of Biology, Milton J. Lichty Chair in Biology
    Email: cnhs@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    B.S., Microbiology, North Dakota State University
    Ph.D., Microbiology and Immunology, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine

    Fields of Expertise: microbiology (study of bacteria, fungi and parasites) and immunology (study of the immune system)

    Spotlight

  3. Chemistry and Biochemistry

    Keith Miller 
    Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry 
    Email: cnhs@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., University of North Carolina
    B.S., University of Mount Union

    Fields of Expertise: biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, immunotherapy, antibiotics, vaccines, immunology

    Carolyn Reid
    Assistant Professor of Chemistry
    Email: cnhs@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees:
    Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, Tulane University
    B.S. Chemistry, University of West Indies, Jamaica

    Fields of Expertise: synthetic organic chemistry and Green chemistry

    Spotlight 

    Robert Woodward
    Assistant Professor of Chemistry
    Email: cnhs@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., synthetic organic chemistry, The Ohio State University
    B.A. and B.S., The Ohio State University

    Fields of Expertise: organic chemistry, carbohydrates and their chemistry, antibiotics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, virulence of bacteria

  4. Communication

    Adelina Cooper
    Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication
    Email: cah@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., Journalism and Communication, The Ohio State University
    M.A., Mass Communication, University of Akron
    B.A., Public Relations, University of Akron

    Fields of Expertise: social media, multimedia storytelling (shooting, editing and producing video for the web)

    Andrea Ferraro
    Associate Professor of Public Relations
    Email: cah@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees:
    Ph.D., Urban Policy and Public Affairs, The University of Akron
    B.A., M.A., Communication, The University of Akron

    Fields of Expertise: public relations, integrated marketing communications, strategic issues management, crisis communication, differences between the public and private sectors, leadership, shopping center industry

  5. Computer Science

    Blase Cindric
    Associate Professor, Computer Science
    Email: cass@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    M.S., Computer Science, Pennsylvania State University
    B.S., Computer Science and Accounting, Westminster College

    Fields of Expertise: relational database technology, computer programming languages, computer graphics, web design

  6. Education

    Melissa Askren-Edgehouse
    Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Education
    Email: schoolofed@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ed.D., Leadership Studies, Bowling Green State University
    M.Ed., Administration and Supervision, Ashland University
    B.A., Elementary Education, University of Mount Union

    Fields of Expertise: educational technology, assessment, evaluation and data, leadership in education, professional development, educational policy, accreditation

    Mandy Capel
    Director of Graduate Programs & Professor in the School of Education 
    Email: med@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction, Kent State University
    M.A., Art of Teaching, Marygrove College
    B.A., Elementary Education, University of Mount Union

    Fields of Expertise: Leadership development, strengths-based teaching and leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, independent and international school models, curriculum and instruction, early childhood development (cognitive, social, moral, physical, emotional, and psychological), educational technology, professional development, and strategic planning.

    Beth Canfield-Simbro
    Associate Professor of Education
    Email: schoolofed@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., Public Health, The Ohio State University
    M.P.H., Public Health, The Ohio State University
    B.S., Biology, Wright State University

    Fields of Expertise: public health, health behavior, sexuality, school health

    Mary Beth Henning 
    Professor of Education
    Email: schoolofed@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University
    M.Ed., The University of Toledo
    B.A., The College of Wooster

    Fields of Expertise: social studies education, financial literacy education, economic education, elementary education, secondary education, teacher education, interdisciplinary curriculum, culturally responsive education

    Bruce Pietz
    Assistant Professor of Education
    Email: schoolofed@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ed.D., Education, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota
    M.A., Physical Education, Minnesota State University
    B.S., Physical Education, Minnesota State University

    Fields of Expertise: K-12 physical education, importance of physical activity on physical, social and emotional well-being, how to structure before and after-school physical activity programs, impact regular physical activity has on cognitive development and test scores, various physical education teaching strategies for all grades, importance of assessment in K-12 physical education, how to structure various assessment strategies in K-12 physical education

    Spotlight

    Peter Schneller
    Professor Emeritus of Education
    Email: schoolofed@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., Teacher Education, University of Idaho
    M.S., Reading Specialist, University of Akron
    B.A., English and Speech, Wittenberg University
    B.S., Elementary Education, Kent State University

    Fields of Expertise: creativity, comparative education, middle school pedagogy, integrated curriculum, adolescent development (cognitive, social, moral, physical, emotional and psychological)

  7. Engineering

    Chad Korach
    Associate Professor and Director of the School of Engineering
    Email: engineering@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees:

    Ph.D., Northwestern University
    B.S., M.S., Georgia Institute of Technology

    Fields of Expertise: engineering materials, tribology, composites, suface coatings and wear

    Spotlight

    Hans Tritico
    Associate Professor of Civil Engineering
    Email: engineering@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., University of Michigan
    M.S., Washington State University
    B.S., University of Michigan

    Fields of Expertise: water resources engineering

    Spotlight

  8. English

    Danielle Cordaro
    Associate Professor of English, Director of the Digital, Written and Oral Communication Studio
    Email: cah@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., English, Purdue University
    M.A., English, Western Michigan University
    B.A., English, Western Michigan University

    Fields of Expertise: teaching writing, administering a writing center

    Rodney Dick
    Director of Retention
    Email: cah@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., Rhetoric and Composition, University of Louisville
    M.A., English, University of Louisville
    B.A., English and History, Gonzaga University

    Fields of Expertise: writing, professional writing, writing for businesses, technical writing, rhetoric, the history of writing, publishing and editing, visual rhetoric, document design

    David Thiele
    Assistant Professor of English
    Email: cah@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., English, Boston College
    M.A., English, Boston College
    B.A., English, Kenyon College

    Fields of Expertise: the novel Dracula, liberal education, Victorian Britain

  9. Exercise, Sport, and Nutrition Sciences

    Ron Mendel
    Professor of Exercise Science, Chair of the Department of Exercise, Sport, and Nurtition Sciences
    Email: cnhs@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., Exercise Physiology, Kent State University
    M.A., Education, Walsh University
    B.S., Biology, Walsh University
    Fields of Expertise: exercise; sport performance training; sports nutrition

    Spotlight 

  10. Geology

    Lee Gray
    Professor Emeritus of Geology
    Email: cnhs@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees:
    Ph.D., Paleontology, University of Rochester
    M.S., Paleontology, University of Rochester
    B.A., Colgate University

    Fields of Expertise: geology; paleontology; earth history

    Andrew Hutsky
    Assistant Professor of Geology
    Email: cnhs@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees:

    Ph.D., Geology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    M.S., Geology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    B.S., Geology, University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown 

    Fields of Expertise: geology, earth history, paleoclimate, sedimentary geology, stratigraphy, petroleum geology

  11. History

    Theresa Davis
    Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of History
    Email: cass@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., History, University of Akron
    M.A., History, University of Akron
    B.A., History and Religion, Mount Union College

    Fields of Expertise: American, women’s and African American history

  12. Music

    Elaine Anderson
    Professor of Music
    Email: orchestra@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    D.M.A., Cello Performance, University of Alabama
    M.M., Cello Performance and Music Theory, Manhattan School of Music
    B.M., Public School Strings, Concordia College

    Fields of Expertise: cello, classical music, orchestral music, conducting; strings, music theory

    Jerome Miskell
    Professor and Chair of the Department of Music
    Email: music@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    D.M.A., Music Composition, University of South Carolina
    M.M., Music Composition, University of Akron
    B.M., Music Performance (Viola), University of Akron
    B.M., Music Composition/Theory, University of Akron

    Fields of Expertise: music technology, online education, Irish fiddle music, music of Gustav Mahler, orchestral management

  13. Philosphy and Religious Studies

    Susan Haddox
    Associate Professor and Chair of Philosophy and Religious Studies
    Email: cah@mountunion.edu
    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., Hebrew Bible, Emory University
    M.Div., Pacific School of Religion
    M.S., Biological Sciences, Stanford University
    B.A., Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Gustavus Adolphus College

    Fields of Expertise: the Bible, gender and religion, religious music

    Nicole Johnson
    Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies
    Email: cah@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Th.D., Practical Theology, Boston University School of Theology
    M.A., Applied Theology, Wheeling Jesuit University
    B.A., Religion and Political Science, Westminster College

    Fields of Expertise: Christianity (history, theology, ethics); peace and social justice; religious conflict and peacebuilding

  14. Physical Therapy

    Megan Salvatore
    Director of Clinical Education
    Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
    Email: cnhs@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    DPT, Physical Therapy, Wheeling Jesuit University
    M.S., Physical Therapy, Wheeling Jesuit University
    B.S., Biology, Wheeling Jesuit University

    Fields of Expertise: Certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation.  Neurology, geriatrics, amputee rehab, balance, fall risk reduction, safe patient handling.

    Spotlight 

  15. Physics and Astronomy

    Colin Campbell
    Assistant Professor of Physics
    Email: cnhs@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., Physics, Pennsylvania State University
    B.S., Physics, Westminster College

    Fields of Expertise: computational physics, biological physics, and complex systems

    Publications

  16. Political Science

    Michael Grossman
    Professor of Political Science and International Studies
    Email: cass@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., International Studies, University of South Carolina
    M.A., Political Science, Northeastern University
    B.A., International Relations, George Washington University

    Fields of Expertise: Foreign affairs; U.S. foreign policy; international politics; Russian politics; Ukranian politics

  17. Psychology

    Tamara Daily
    Lewis Miller Professor of Psychology
    Email: cnhs@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    M.A., Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    B.A., Psychology, Ohio Wesleyan University

    Fields of Expertise: social psychology

    Michael Knepp
    Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Human Development

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., Developmental and Biological Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    M.S., Developmental and Biological Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    B.S., Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh

    Fields of Expertise: anxiety and worry, temperament, stress, cardiovascular system research, neuroscience/biological psychology, neuropsychological testing, autonomic nervous system, informed consent, academic entitlement, cultural psychology and neuroscience

    Kevin Meyer
    Associate Professor of Psychology
    Email: cnhs@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., Human Development and Family Science: Marriage and Family Therapy, The Ohio State University
    M.S., Human Development and Family Science: Early Childhood Development, The Ohio
    State University
    B.A., Psychology, The Ohio State University

    Fields of Expertise: marriage and family therapy, humor, child development, child psychopathology, general mental illness, diagnosis and treatment

    Spotlight

    Melissa Muller
    Associate Professor of Psychology
    Email: cnhs@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., Biopsychology, Kent State University
    M.A., Biopsychology, Kent State University
    B.S., Psychology, California Lutheran University

    Fields of Expertise: animal cognition and behavior, learning and conditioning

    Kristine Turko
    Associate Professor of Psychology
    Email: cnhs@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., cognitive psychology, Lehigh University
    M.S., Cognitive Psychology, Lehigh University
    B.S., Psychology, Drexel University

    Fields of Expertise: cognitive psychology: attention, memory and language, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Autism: training of behavior specialists

  18. Sociology and Criminal Justice

    Aaron Howell
    Assistant Professor of Sociology
    Email: cass@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees:
    Ph.D., University of Cincinnati
    M.A., University of Cincinnati
    B.S. Kansas State University

    Fields of Expertise: social inequality, urban sociology, race and ethnicity, international migration, globalization, social movements

  19. Theatre

    Kevin P. Kern
    Assistant Professor
    Email: theatre@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    M.F.A., Acting, Brandeis University
    B.A., Drama, California Lutheran University

    Fields of Expertise: Shakespeare, acting in and the production of live theatre, film, television

    Spotlight

  20. World Languages and Cultures

    Mark Himmelein
    Professor of German
    Email: cah@mountunion.edu

    Academic Degrees
    Ph.D., Foreign Language Education, University of Akron
    M.A., German and Educational Administration, University of Pittsburgh
    B.A., German and Business Administration, Baldwin-Wallace College

    Fields of Expertise: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, German politics, German economic issues, German-American relations