NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University is welcoming 33 new faculty for the 2021-22 academic year, according to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Greg Handel.
New faculty in the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health are Dr. Mattie “Geneva” Caldwell, Emily H. Horton, Tamra Manns, Dr. Stacy Mayeux, Kelli Rachal, Dr. Susan Steele-Moses and Lamia Zeidan.
James D. Cox and Dr. Joseph Straub are new faculty in the School of Biological and Physical Sciences.
Joining the faculty in the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts are Dr. Sean Bartley, Dr. Robert E. Cardwell, Jonathan Clayton, Dr. John Franklin, Pedro Guevara and Andrew Killion.
The School of Education is welcoming new faculty Dr. Amy Craig, Dr. Jonathan Elmore, Dr. Kathryn Gentry, Dr. Debra Jo Hailey, Dr. Christy Hornsby, Dr. Ginger Kelso, Dr. Laura Beth Norman and Kristen Walker.
New faculty in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Dr. Zidong Li and Dr. Tara Tietjen-Smith.
Dr. David Clark, Catherine B. Faucheaux and McKenna Marsh are new faculty in the College of Business and Technology.
Also joining the faculty are Dr. Jie (Jessica) Zhang of the Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts, Dr. Adonay Sissay of the Louisiana Scholars’ College, Dr. Khirsten Doolanof the Department of English, Foreign Languages and Cultural Studies and Jessica Fultz and Kirby Peddy of the Department of Social Work.
Here is a brief profile of each new faculty member.
Name: Sean Bartley
Degrees earned including the institution: BA, American University
MFA, American Repertory Theatre/Moscow Art Theatre Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University
Ph.D., Florida State University
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Introduction to Theatre Arts, Theatre History I, Theatre History II, Theatre History III, Script Analysis, World Theatre Studies, Contemporary Theatre
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? This is my fifth appointment at a public university, and NSU is by far the most student-focused institution I have ever encountered. I absolutely love my colleagues, chair, director, dean and provost, all of whom have been incredibly supportive since the moment I arrived on campus last semester.
Name: Geneva Caldwell, DNS, APRN, NEA-BC
Degrees earned including the institution: Doctorate in Nursing Science (DNS)- LSUHSC- New Orleans School of Nursing
Master of Science Nursing (MSN)– Texas Woman’s University,
Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) – University of Texas at Tyler
Diploma/ADN of Nursing- Texas Eastern School of Nursing
Associate Degree, Biology Tyler Junior College, Tyler
Subjects you will be teaching this year: NURG 5120 Nursing Theory, NURG 5110 Leadership in Healthcare, NURG 5140 Leadership Role Development
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I’m glad to be a member of this faculty because it provides me an opportunity to help others build a career. My legacy is to be about “helping others to be all they can be.”
Name: Robert E. Cardwell, DMA
Degrees earned including the institution: Doctor of Music in Performance: Opera Studies – University of North Texas
Master of Music Performance – West Texas A&M University
Bachelor of Music Performance – West Texas A&M University
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Applied voice and lyric diction for singers
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? After spending some time working with the students and faculty as a Visiting Professor, I realized the extreme potential and talent at NSU. I feel incredibly privileged and honored to work alongside my new colleagues to help mold these extraordinary students into the best singing-artists that they can be.
Name: Dr. David A. Clark
Degrees earned including the institution: Bachelor of Arts – Kent State University
Master of Arts – The Ohio State University
Doctor of Business Administration – California Southern University
Subjects you will be teaching this year: financial accounting, managerial accounting, intermediate accounting
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I have been welcomed with open arms. This school reminds me of Kent State, with its rolling hills and a mixture of new and old buildings, less three feet of snow. I am looking forward to teaching future accountants.
Name: Jonathan Clayton
Degrees earned including the institution: BA- Louisiana College
MFA – Louisiana Tech University
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Photography, Intro to design
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? Northwestern has a great campus. My fellow instructors are really nice and the students are amazing.
Name: James (JD) Cox
Degrees earned including the institution: Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Natural Science Concentration and Minor in Anthropology from Northwestern State University
Master of Science in Geoscience with an Environmental Geoscience Concentration from Mississippi State University
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Plant Taxonomy(lab and lecture), soil science (lab and lecture), Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (lab and lecture), Basic Concepts of Biological Science II
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I have always felt at home at NSU. The relationships that I built with my professors as an undergrad have carried through the years, and now those same professors are my colleagues. I am surrounded by my own teachers and mentors except now I am the professor. I hope I can have the same positive impact on students that my professors at NSU had on me.
Name: Amy Craig
Degrees earned including the institution: Educational Doctorate (Ed.D), University of Louisiana Lafayette.
M.Ed., Northwestern State University,
B.S. Northwestern State University,
Elementary Education Certification, Louisiana College,
Montessori Certification for Elementary Education, Southwestern Training Institute of Texas.
Subjects you will be teaching this year: EDCI 5020, EDUC 502, EDUC 5611/5612, EDUC 5601/5602
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? As an NSU alum, I am excited to join the faculty in the School of Education as they continue preparing highly effective teachers and leaders in the educational community Everyone across the campus has been very welcoming, and with over 20 years in education, I am thankful for the opportunity to continue doing what I love — supporting students – back “home” at Northwestern State University.
Name: Khirsten Doolan
Degrees earned including the institution: PhD – University of Louisiana at Lafayette,
MA – Northwestern State University
BA – Northwestern State University
Subjects you will be teaching this year: English 1010 & 1011 (Co-Req Program), Composition & Rhetoric I, English 1020, Composition & Rhetoric II, English 2110, Introduction to Literature
Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I am incredibly glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty because it’s a coming home of sorts; not only is the campus gorgeous, but the people here are and have always been so wonderfully supportive and dedicated. I am now part of that educational tradition that geared me up for success as a student, and I can’t wait to repay that energy and dedication forward to my own students.
Name: Jonathan S. Elmore
Degrees earned including the institution: Associates of Fine Arts Telecommunications – Bossier Parish Community College
Bachelor of Science Organizational Management – Wiley College
Masters Business Administration Marketing – American InterContinental University
Doctorate Adult Education – Capella University
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Adult Learning and Development, Leading and Learning in Groups and Organizations, Research for Making Educational Decisions, Planning and Measuring Transformative Adult Learning Programs, Practicum in Adult Learning and Development
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I am proud, thrilled, and excited to be part of Northwestern State University’s family. I am proud to help guide my students to their goals in their educational journey. I am thrilled to work with fellow faculty and staff to continue the growth and help cultivate the Adult Learning Division, as well as work with others across campus. I am excited for the opportunity to research, write, expand, and progress the field of adult learning.
Name: Catherine Faucheaux, M.S.
Degrees earned including the institution: Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, minor in Marketing from Louisiana Tech University;
Master of Science in Communication with a concentration in public relations and strategic communication from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Marketing 2200: Salesmanship, Marketing 4200: Personal Selling, Marketing 4600: Search Engine Optimization & Social Media Marketing.
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? Northwestern State is a place like no other. Positivity swirls through the air on this campus. I am thankful to have the opportunity to not only be a part of this incredible community but contribute to the encouraging atmosphere and help students succeed beyond the classroom.
Name: John Franklin
Degrees earned including the institution: Doctor of Music in Wind Conducting (Indiana University); Master of Music Education – Instrumental (Indiana University); Bachelor of Music Education – Instrumental (Florida State University)
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Marching Band, Pep Band, Wind Ensemble, Brass Class 1; Techniques of Conducting
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I decided to come here because of the rich history and record of excellence by both the band and overall music program. The programs at NSU are regarded as a “hidden gem” by those familiar with the work that students and faculty have been doing here. As I became more familiar with the programs, it became very clear that NSU places high value on the student experiences within the band and wider music programs.
Name: Jessica Fultz
Degrees earned including the institution: Bachelor’s degree in Religious Education, Louisiana College, 2006
Master’s degree in Social Work, Western Kentucky University, 2010
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Social Work 3180: Techniques of Interviewing, Social Work 3130: Generalist Practice with Groups, Social Work 3090: Human Diversity, Social Work 4220: Personal Development and Self-Care.
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I am excited to contribute to the profession of social work nationwide. NSU’s social work department has been rated as the 3rd most affordable BSW program in the nation; what an honor to teach and mentor students from around the country. I also love the spirit of NSU and the impact it has on this community.
Name: Kathryn Gentry
Degrees earned including the institution: B.A. English (Concentration in Professional Writing)—NSU
M.A. English (Concentration in Writing & Linguistics)—NSU
M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction—NSU
Ed.D. Curriculum & Instruction—ULM
Subjects you will be teaching this year:
EDUC 2020—Foundations of Multicultural Education; EDUC 3140—Planning Instruction; EDUC 4080—Applications of Teaching Literacy; RDG 5150—Content Area Literacy for Adolescent Learners; UNIV 1000—The University Experience
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I am glad to be a part of Northwestern State’s faculty because it feels like coming home. Having earned three degrees from this university, I felt many people, past and present, had a hand in helping me become the ambitious and successful individual I am today.
Name: Pedro Guevara
Degrees earned including the institution:
B.F.A. in Theatre, Concentration Design & Technology – Texas State University
M.F.A. in Dramatic Arts, Scenic Design – University of Connecticut
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Special Problems in Theatre – Props, 2-D Visual Techniques, Designing Rocky Horror, and leading the paint and prop shop for the Fall semester.
For the Spring semester, I will be teaching Scenic Painting, Concepts of Design, continuing to lead the paint and prop shop and design shows for the university.
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I am glad to be a part of the NSU faculty so I can share my experiences and knowledge with the students here. I see that they are hungry to learn, and I want to push them to get to the best of their ability while they are here at NSU.
Name: Dr. Debra Jo Hailey
Degrees earned including the institution: B.S. in Early Childhood Education, Louisiana Tech University
M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, Texas A&M University at College Station
Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge
Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Parenting, Professionalism in Family and Child Studies, Individual and Family Management
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I have had a close relationship with NSU for many years as a student, a teacher, an adjunct professor, and a spouse of a professor. I am glad to be back where purple reigns, demons can be cute and everyone knows how to pronounce Natchitoches.
Name: Christy L. Hornsby
Degrees earned including the institution: Bachelor’s in General Studies; Northwestern State University
Master’s in early childhood education; Northwestern State University
Specialist in Educational Leadership and Instruction ; Northwestern State University
Doctor of Education- Higher Education Administration; University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Interim Coordinator of Adult Learning and Development Masters and Doctoral Program
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? As a three-time graduate, I have wanted to work for Northwestern State for years. I am so proud to give back to the university that fostered my love of teaching and connecting with others.
Name: Emily Horton
Degrees earned including the institution: BSN, Northeast Louisiana University
MSN, Northwestern State University
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Fundamentals of Nursing, NURA 1100 and NURA 1110, Methods of Medication Dosage Calculation NURA 1160, Introduction to Nursing Skills NURA 1081
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I have been a Northwestern State faculty member since 2009. I took a short break from 2013-2014 as I transitioned to a new location with my Air Force husband. I am so glad to be back here full-time. NSU holds a special place in my heart as I received my MSN from NSU in 2008 and NSU was my first teaching job. I feel like I have a lot of support here as I transition back to full-time status. I feel like I have the resources needed to be successful as a nursing professor.
Name: Ginger Kelso
Degrees earned including the institution: Bachelor of Arts and Applied Sciences – Major: Applied Human Services – Stephen F. Austin State University
Master of Education – Major: Special Education – Stephen F. Austin State University
Master of Education – Major: Instructional Design – Western Governors University
Doctor of Philosophy – Major: Disability Disciplines – Utah State University
Subjects you will be teaching this year: I will teach a variety of special education courses including topics related to disability, assessment, collaboration, and behavior management.
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? Being a member of Northwestern State’s faculty gives me the opportunity to work with students who are engaged in their field and who are striving to improve themselves and their practice. I enjoy being a faculty member at a school whose alumni are so proud of their alma mater and their accomplishments.
Name: Andrew (Andy) Killion
Degrees earned including the institution: A.A. Music – Laramie County Community College
A.A. Theatre – Laramie County Community College
B.A. Theatre – Colorado State University
M.F.A. Theatre – University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Lighting for the Stage, Lighting Programming and Networking
Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I am looking forward to growing and maintaining the excellence of the Theatre and Dance program here. To be in a place where collaboration in the arts in encouraged on a daily basis is a wonderful thing.
Name: Zidong Li
Degrees earned including the institution: Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology, University of New Mexico
Master in Kinesiology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Bachelor in Sports Science, Beijing Sport University, China
Subjects you will be teaching this year: HED 1010 First Aid & CPR; HP 2270 Physical Fitness;
HP 3560/3561 Exercise Physiology/Labs; HP 4170 Testing, Evaluation and Prescription of Exercise
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty?
I was warmly welcomed by the HHP department faculty members, the Dean Dr. McAlister, the Provost Dr. Handel and former President Dr. Maggio when I first visited our campus in January. As a junior faculty member who just earned Ph.D. last year, I couldn’t be more glad and grateful to start my career at NSU.
Name: Tamara Manns MSN, RN, CCRN-Pediatrics
Degrees earned including the institution: MSN Nursing Education May 2021 Loyola University New Orleans, LA
BSN Dec 2010 University of Toledo, Toledo Ohio. Magna Cum Laude
Subjects you will be teaching this year: BSN Adult Health 3130, Pharmacology 3150
BSN Third Level pediatric clinical at Ochsner LSU Shreveport (St. Mary’s) and Ochsner LSU ACC Pediatric Clinic
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I am passionate about giving back to the nursing profession by sharing my knowledge with students and creating the next generation of competent and caring nurses. I greatly enjoyed my practicum with Dr. Rennie in the CON and I cannot wait to contribute my experience, enthusiasm, and love for the nursing career field to both faculty and students. While this will be new and challenging, I cannot wait to see my growth as a faculty.
Name: McKenna Marsh
Degrees earned including the institution: Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management & Tourism with a minor in Culinary Arts from Northwestern State University
Master of Business Administration in Hospitality Management from University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Hospitality management and culinary arts
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I am thrilled to be a part of Northwestern State’s faculty because attending this university for my undergraduate was one of the best decisions I have made so far in my life. I love my time here as well as the faculty and staff that impacted me so much. My hope is to impact students the same way and help them find their way into the hospitality management business world.
Name: Stacy Mayeux
Degrees earned including the institution: BSN, Louisiana College, 1986
MSN in Nursing Education, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2011
Ph.D. in Nursing Education and Administration, William Carey University, 2019
Subjects you will be teaching this year: ASN program in Alexandria: Transition course, LPN-RN, and MS 1
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? The professionalism of NSU CONSAH program has made me happy to be a part of NSU. Also, the opportunity for research is promising. The faculty and staff have been welcoming.
Name: Susan Steele-Moses
Degrees earned including the institution: BSN: Southeastern Louisiana University 1988
MN: LSUMC 1990
DNS: LSUHSC 2004
Subjects you will be teaching this year: NURG 7003 Biostatistics
Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? Support DNP students as they develop their statistical analysis knowledge, collaborate with colleagues that I have worked with in the past. I am returning to the faculty role from an administrative one.
Name: Laura Norman
Degrees earned including the institution: Bachelor of Arts in French : Louisiana College
Master of Arts in Teaching : Louisiana College
Doctor of Education: Higher Education Administration : University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Subjects you will be teaching this year: EDAL 5000, EDAL 7000, EDUC 7060, and EDUC 7100
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I am excited to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty to create a collaborative and engaging educational experience for our graduate students in the School of Education. My hope is that as I guide and mentor students through the learning process, I continuously learn alongside them. I am excited to work amongst amazing students and colleagues! Fork em’ Demons!
Name: Kirby Peddy, MSW, LCSW
Degrees earned including the institution: Bachelor of Social Work – Northwestern State University
Master of Social Work – Stephen F. Austin State University
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Social Work Values and Ethics, Social Work Field Seminar, Social Work Analysis of Contemporary Social Policy Issues
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? Serving as faculty at Northwestern State University has been a goal of mine for many years. As an alumnus of NSU and an involved member of the Natchitoches community, I am honored to have the opportunity to impact our students. With over 6 years of medical social work experience, I look forward to supporting the advancement of the Social Work Department.
Name: Kelli Rachal
Degrees earned including the institution: BSN – University of Louisiana at Monroe
MSN – University of Louisiana at Lafayette (will be completed by Dec 2021)
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Teaching: NURB 3041, NURB 3141, Proctoring: NURB 3220, 2170
Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I had the opportunity to shadow a faculty member on the Shreveport campus in the spring of 2021. I loved the feeling of “family” that I witnessed within the nursing faculty members across all campuses. I knew that I wanted to be a part of that family with my first teaching job in nursing.
Name: Adonay Sissay
Degrees earned including the institution:Southern University and A&M College – BS
Louisiana State University – Ph.D.
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Honors General Chemistry Lecture and Lab and Independent Study Courses.
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I am glad to be a member of this great institution because I was impressed by what the school had to offer in terms of academics, research, and services to its students. NSU’s mission, vision, and values statements were also attractive reasons for me to join as a faculty member.
Name: Dr. Tara Tietjen-Smith, MCHES
Degrees earned including the institution: D.A. (Doctor of Arts) in Health & Physical Education (concentration: Kinesiology & Exercise Science), Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro,TN
M.Ed. in Health Promotion, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana
B.A. in Psychology, Northwestern State University
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Statistics, Health and Exercise Psychology, Research Methods
Why are you glad to be a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I am a two-time alumna and a Demon for life. This university supports students in realizing their dreams. I am so excited to be part of the future of the Department of Health & Human Performance.
Name: Joseph Straub
Degrees earned including the institution: Doctor of Philosophy – Louisiana Tech University
Bachelor of Science – Northwestern State University
Subjects you will be teaching this year: genetics for biology majors (BIOL 3270), genetics for nursing majors (BIOL 2240)
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I am glad to be a Northwestern State faculty because my family lives here in Natchitoches and it allows me to be closer to them than I have been in the last six years. I am a graduate of Northwestern State University and it is a pleasure to return to teach newer generations of students. My colleagues in the Department of Biology are also wonderful to work with and promote a familial atmosphere.
Name: Kristen Walker
Degrees earned including the institution: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education-Northwestern State University- 2012
Master of Education in Educational Leadership-Louisiana College- 2020
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Education 4010, Education 4981
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? Having received my undergraduate degree from Northwestern State University, I fell in love with the atmosphere that surrounds you on campus. Being able to join the faculty gives me a chance to be a part of the NSU family again. It truly feels like coming home.
Name: Lamia Zeidan
Degrees earned including the institution: Bachelor of Science in Nursing- Northwestern State University 2014
Master of Science in Nursing Education- Western Governors University 2021
Subjects you will be teaching this year: 1st Level in the BSN program, Lab (NURB 3061) and Clinicals (NURB 3041), as well as assisting in Dosage Calc (NURB 2170)
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? I am glad to be a member of the Northwestern State faculty as I had the pleasure of going to school here and obtaining my BSN degree. I enjoyed my educational experience while here and have now decided to bring it full circle by working as an assistant professor in the BSN program, working alongside the fabulous instructors I’ve had in the past, as well as with the newer fabulous instructors I have met thus far. I am proud to have been an NSU alumni and look forward to teaching and preparing the future nurses and future NSU alumni.
Name: Jie (Jessica) Zhang
Degrees earned including the institution: PhD in advertising at University of Texas at Austin
Subjects you will be teaching this year: Principles of Strategic Communication and Strategic Communications Management
Why are you glad to me a member of Northwestern State’s faculty? NSU faculty members are generally down-to-earth, fun-loving and friendly. Faculty members do know each other and help each other through the university system or other social networks.
