Tomás Barrett joins Mount Union as an assistant professor of exercise, sport and nutrition sciences while currently completing his Ph.D. in neuroscience at Central Michigan University. Prior to that, he earned a Master of Arts in kinesiology and in exercise physiology from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science in sports and exercise science from the University of Limerick in his home country of Ireland.

The newest member of the Department of Political Science and International Studies is Dr. Lee Dionne. Dionne earned a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California-San Diego, a J.D. from the Northwestern University School of Law, a Master of Arts degree from California State University-San Bernardino and a Bachelor of Arts from University of California-Riverside.

Dr. Lynn Dudash joins the School of Engineering as an assistant professor specializing in biomedical engineering. She earned Ph.D. and Master of Science degrees from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Arron Foster is a new teaching fellow in the Department of Art and with the institution’s Integrative Core program. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in printmaking from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in printmaking and art education from East Carolina University.

Dr. Vahraz Honary also joins the School of Engineering as an assistant professor. He earned a Ph.D. in computer engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Master of Science degree in mobile broadband communication from Lancaster University and a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical and electronic engineering from National University of Guilan in Iran.

The Department of Business welcomes Dr. Tim Koba as a visiting assistant professor of sport business. He worked in sport medicine and fitness for 12 years prior to earning his Ph.D. in sport management from the University of South Carolina. He also earned a Master of Science degree in sport management and a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training from the State University of New York-Cortland.

Dr. Tim Meyers joins Mount Union after 13 successful years at Kent State University. He will lead the Department of Nursing as a professor and chair. He earned a Ph.D. from Kent State University, a Master of Science in Nursing from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Maureen Morton joins the Department of Mathematics as an assistant professor. She earned a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian language and literature from the University of Kansas.

The Department of World Languages and Cultures welcomes Dr. Noriko Okura to its Japanese program as a visiting assistant professor. She earned a Doctor of Education degree in leadership and policy studies from Eastern Kentucky University, Master of Arts degrees in Japanese language pedagogy from Columbia University and Mary Baldwin College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Doshisha Women’s College.

Dr. Zhongkun “Frankie” Ouyang is the final new member of the School of Engineering and joins the institution as an assistant professor of civil engineering. He earned a Ph.D. in geotechnical and geo-environmental engineering and a Master of Science degree in civil engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Engineering degree in civil engineering from The University of Hong Kong.

Lisa Parnell also joins the Department of Art as an assistant professor. She comes to Mount Union following more than two decades of global industry experience. She earned a Master of Fine Arts in visual communication from Kent State University and a Bachelor of Science form Bournemouth University in the United Kingdom.