More than 50 new faculty members joined UCCS for the fall semester. Over the next few weeks, those who hold instructor, assistant professor or associate professor positions will be introduced to the campus. Today’s installment includes 11 assistant professors from the colleges of Business, Letters, Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and School of Public Affairs as well as the Kraemer Family Library
Jian James Ma, assistant professor, Department of Information Systems, College of Business. Ma previously was an assistant professor at Colorado State University, Pueblo, and as an instructor at Menlo College, the University of Arizona and Texas Tech University in addition to information technology-related positions in industry. Ma earned a bachelor’s degree from Peking University, Beijing, China, a master’s degree from the University of Texas, Dallas, and Ph.D. from the University of Arizona.
James Pearson, assistant professor, Department of Biology, College of Letters, Arts and Science. Pearson previously was a post-doctoral research officer at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, U.K., and also conducted post-doctoral research at the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine at Presbyterian Hospital, Dallas. Pearson earned a bachelor’s degree from Liverpool Johns Moores University, Liverpool, U.K., a master’s from the University of North Wales, Bangor, U.K., and Ph.D. from Bursary Student Brunel University, London.
Darshika Perera, assistant professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Perera recently completed a Ph.D. from the University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. She previously completed a master’s degree at the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
Stephanie Ryon, assistant professor, Department of Criminal Justice, School of Public Affairs. Ryon previously was a research assistant professor at Southern Methodist University, an adjunct professor at Florida State University and a research analyst. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a Ph.D. from Florida State University.
Stephanie Spratt, assistant professor, Department of Technical Services, Kraemer Family Library. Spratt previously was an acquisitions specialist at Kansas State University and held library positions at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. She earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska, Omaha, and master’s from the University of Missouri.
Dustin Stewart, assistant professor, Department of English, College of Letters, Arts and Science. Stewart previously was an assistant instructor at the University of Texas, Austin, and a visiting instructor at Agnes Scott College, Atlanta. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Texas, Austin, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Baylor University.
Joel Tonyan, assistant professor, Department of Web Services, Kraemer Family Library. Tonyan previously was a systems librarian and multimedia specialist for NorthWest Arkansas Community College, worked in industry and was a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Arkansas. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Missouri, a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas and master’s from the University of Oklahoma.
James Van Scotter, assistant professor, Department of Marketing, College of Business. Van Scotter previously taught business courses at the University of Florida in addition to working in industry and service in the U.S. Air Force. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and Ph.D. from the University of Florida.
Jonathan Ventura, assistant professor, Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Ventura recently completed a Ph.D. at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He previously completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UCSB.
Emilie Vrbancic, assistant professor, Department of Instruction Services, Kraemer Family Library. Vrbancic previoiusly was a graduate assistant, tutor and multicultural services assistant at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and a research assistant and library assistant at Lake Forest College. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Lake Forest College and a master’s from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.
Robert Wonnett, assistant professor, Department of Public Administration, School of Public Affairs. Wonnett previously was an assistant clinical professor in the School of Public Affairs and program adviser in the Student Affairs in Higher Education Program of the UCCS College of Education. His UCCS career dates to 1981 and includes leadership of the Department of Public Safety, Office of the Dean of Students and Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Success. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Colorado, Boulder, master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Denver and a law degree from the University of Denver.
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