Faculty

2024-2025 Full-Time Faculty
School of the Arts and Sciences

Kevin Auman, M.A. (2008)
Associate Professor of Music Business
Chair, Studies in Communication and the Arts
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.A., Montreat College
M.A., University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Paul Babelay, M.M. (2023)
Director and Instructor of Instrumental Music
Studies in Communication and the Arts
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.M., Mars Hills College
M.M., The University of North Texas

Benjamin Brandenburg, Ph.D. Candidate (2014)
Assistant Professor of History
Studies in History, Language, and Literature
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.A., Northwestern College
A.B.D., Temple University

Peter Buchwald, M.S. (2018)
Assistant Professor of Music Business
Studies in Communication and the Arts
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.M., University of North Texas
M.S., University of Colorado Denver

Kelli Burgin, M.S. (2016)
Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity
Studies in Cybersecurity
Director, Faculty of Technology and Human Industry
B.A., University of Northern Iowa
M.S. Bellevue University

Michelle Coleman, D.S.L. (2024)
Assistant Professor of Business
B.A., University of North Carolina, Asheville
M.S. United States Sports Academy
D.S.L., Regent University

Merry Leigh Dameron, Ph.D. (2024)
Assistant Professor of Psychology and Human Services
B.A., Gardner-Webb University
M.A. Lenoir-Rhyne University
Ph.D. University of North Carolina, Charlotte

John Doncevic, J.D., M.L.S. (2023)
Director of the L. Nelson Bell Library
B.S., Geneva College
M.L.S., University of Pittsburgh
M.T.S., Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary
J.D., Widener University

Micajah Durham, MLIS (2024)
 Reference Instruction Librarian
B.A., MLIS, University of North Carolina at Greensboro  

Tate Fegley, Ph.D. (2022)
Assistant Professor of Economics
Chair, Studies in Business and Economics
Faculty of Technology and Human Industry
B.A., Boise State University
M.A., Boise State University
M.A., George Mason University
Ph.D, George Mason University

Amy Flagler, Ed.D. (2022)
Assistant Professor and Director of Teacher Education
Studies in Education and Outdoor Recreation
Faculty of Science and Human Services
B.A., Simmons College
M.A., Simmons College
Ed.D., Southern Wesleyan University

Scott Foran, Ph.D. (2022)
Assistant Professor of English
Studies in History, Language, and Literature
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.A., Simpson University
M.A., California State University, Chico
M.A., Pacifica Graduate Institute
Ph.D, Pacifica Graduate Institute

William Forstchen, Ph.D. (1993)
Professor of History and Writing
Studies in History, Language, and Literature
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.A., Rider College
M.A., Ph.D., Purdue University

Anna Hardy, Ph.D. (2023)
Assistant Professor of Natural Science
Studies in Natural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Science and Human Services
B.S., Wheaton College
M.S., Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Thomas Hill, M.S. (2019)
Instructor of Cybersecurity
Studies in Cybersecurity
Faculty of Technology and Human Industry
B.S., Montreat College
M.S., University of Maryland

Joshua Holbrook, Ph.D. Candidate (2017)
Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Science
Studies in Natural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Science and Human Services
B.S., Palm Beach Atlantic University
M.S., Florida Atlantic University

Mark Hunter, Ph.D. (2021)
Associate Professor of Psychology, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Chair, Studies in Psychology and Human Services
Faculty of Science and Human Services
B.A. Western Kentucky University
M.A. East Tennessee State University
M.Div. Samford University
Ph.D. University of Alabama

InChan Hwang, Ph.D. (2024)
Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity (Data Science)
B.S., Georgia Southwestern State University
M.S., Ajou University
Ph.D., Kennesaw State University

Tara Kenyon, Ph.D. (2024)
Assistant Professor of Business (Finance and Accounting)
B.A., Nicholls State University
M.B.A., Louisiana State University
Ph.D., International School of Management, Paris.

Don King, Ph.D. (1974)
Professor of English, Faculty Fellow
Studies in History, Language, and Literature
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.A., Virginia Polytechnic Institute
M.A., Southern Illinois University
Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Mark Lassiter, Ph.D. (1992)
Professor of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science
Chair, Studies in Natural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Science and Human Services
B.S., M.A., College of William and Mary
Ph.D., North Carolina State University

Ashley Lippard, M.F.A. (2022)
Assistant Professor of Visual Communication and Design
Studies in Communication and the Arts
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.F.A., The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
M.F.A., Miami University of Ohio

Joseph Martin, Ph.D. (2016)
Professor of Communication
Studies in Communication and the Arts
Director, Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.A., George Mason University
M.A., Ph.D., Regent University

Maddison Melchionna, Ph.D. (2022)
Assistant Professor of Natural Science
Studies in Natural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Science and Human Services
B.S., The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Ph.D., The University of Tennessee at Knoxville

Steve Noble, M.A. (2024)
Senior Fellow of the College
B.S., University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
M.A., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Paul Owen, Ph.D. (2001)
Professor of Bible and Ministry
Studies in Bible, Theology, and Ministry
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.A., Life Pacific College
M.A., Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
Ph.D., University of Edinburgh

Zachary Rhone, Ph.D. (2022)
Assistant Professor of English
Chair, Studies in History, Language, and Literature
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
Director of the Writing Program (Writing Scholar Mentor Program and the Writing Center)
B.A., Houghton College
M.A., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Ph.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Robert Roth
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice

Stephanie Roth (2020)
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Studies in Psychology and Human Services
Faculty of Science and Human Services
B.A., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
M.S., West Chester University

Gregory Sayadian, M.S. (2018)
Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity
Chair, Studies in Cybersecurity
Faculty of Technology and Human Industry
B.S., West Virginia University
M.S., The George Washington University

Brandon Schneeberger, Ph.D. (2022)
Assistant Professor of English
Studies in History, Language, and Literature
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.S., Emporia State University
M.A., Kansas State University
Ph.D., University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Timothy Shanahan, D.B.A. candidate (2023)
Assistant Professor of Business
Studies in Business and Economics
Faculty of Technology and Human Industry
B.B.A., University of Notre Dame
M.P.A., SUNY at Brockport
D.B.A. candidate, Indiana Wesleyan University

Dorothea Shuman, Ph.D. (1996)
Professor of Outdoor Recreation Studies
Studies in Education and Outdoor Recreation
Faculty of Science and Human Services
B.S.Ed., State University College at Cortland
M.S., Pennsylvania State University
Ph.D., University of Idaho

Whitney Simms, B.S. (2022)
Director of the Team and Leadership Center
Instructor of Outdoor Recreation Studies
Studies in Education and Outdoor Recreation
Faculty of Science and Human Services

Alexander Sosler, M.Div., Ed.D. (2018)
Assistant Professor of Bible and Ministry
Chair, Studies in Bible, Theology, and Ministry
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.A., Southern Evangelical Bible College
M.Div., Ed.D., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Jared Spencer, Ph.D. (2017)
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Studies in Natural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Science and Human Services
B.S., Campbell University
Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Katie Talsma, M.A. (2019)
Assistant Professor of Music
Studies in Communication and the Arts
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.A., Dordt College
M.A., California State University

Lisa Toland, Ph.D. (2016)
Professor of History and Honors Program Director
Studies in History, Language, and Literature
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.A., Indiana Wesleyan University
M.A., Miami University of Ohio
M. St., University of Oxford, Jesus College
D. Phil., University of Oxford, Jesus College

Amy Van Buren, Ed.D. (2023)
Assistant Professor of Teacher Education
Studies in Education and Outdoor Recreation
Faculty of Science and Human Services
B.S., East Tennessee State University
M.S., University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Ed.D., East Tennessee State University

Todd von Helms, D.Min. (2023)
Senior Fellow
B.F.A., The University of Texas at Austin
M.A., Southwestern Seminary
M.L.A., Dallas Baptist University
M.Div., Southern Seminary
Th.M., Duke University
D.Min., Southern Methodist University

Jarett Walbolt, Ph.D. (2021)
Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
Studies in Natural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Science and Human Services
B.A., Bethel College
Ph.D., Baylor University

Melissa Watkins, M.S. (2024)
Visiting Assistant Professor of Outdoor Recreation
B.S., M.S. Montreat College 

George “Robby” Webb, Jr., M.A. (2015)
Assistant Professor of Mathematics; Director of the Math Resource Center
Studies in Natural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Science and Human Services
B.A., University of North Carolina, Asheville
M.A., Western Carolina University

Mark Wells, Ph.D. (2006)
Professor of Bible and Ministry
Studies in Bible, Theology, and Ministry
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.A., Friends University
M.A., Fuller Theological Seminary
Ph.D., Baylor University

Marie Wisner, Ph.D. (2017)
Associate Dean for Learning, Calling, and Career
B.A., M.A., Bethel College
Ph.D., Azusa Pacific University

Peter Yoder, Ph.D. (2021)
Assistant Professor of Honors and History
Studies in History, Language, and Literature
Faculty of Christianity, Culture, and Human Expression
B.A., High Point University
M.A.T.S. Reformed Theological Seminary
Ph.D., University of Iowa

Robyn York, Ed.D. (2018)
Associate Professor of Exercise Science
Studies in Natural and Health Sciences
Director, Faculty of Science and Human Services
B.S., California State University, Fullerton
M.S., The Pennsylvania State University
Ed.D., Walden University

2024-2025 Full-Time Faculty
School of the Adult & Graduate Studies

Bola Bayode, PhD. (2008)
Assistant Professor of Business
Assistant Dean for Distance Learning
JM., Business Law and Regulations, Emory University School of Law
Ph.D., Applied Management, Walden University
MBA., Business Administration, Strayer University
BS., Political Science, Ogun State University

P. Gregory Blanton, Ed.D. (1997)
Professor of Psychology, Human Services, and Clinical Mental Health
B.S., Evangel College
M.Ed., Converse College
M.Ed., Clemson University
Ed.D., East Texas State University

Leslie-Ann Bovell, Ed.D. (2022)
Assistant Professor of Speech Language Pathology
B.S., Andrews University
M.Ed., Valdosta State University
Ed.D., Grand Canyon University

Anna Lee Brown, Ph.D. (2022)
Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
B.A., Asbury University
M.A., Asbury Theological Seminary
Ph.D., Regent University

James M. Cockerham, Ph.D. (2021)
Assistant Professor of Public Administration
B.S., Florida State University
M.P.A., Florida State University
Ph.D., Florida State University

Abigail Grant, Ph.D. (2024)
Assistant Professor Marriage and Family Therapy
B.S., University of Georgia
M.S., Mercer University School of Medicine
Ph.D., Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Paul C. Gratton, D.B.A. (2017)
Associate Professor of Business
B.S., Iowa State University
M.P.A., Drake University
D.B.A., George Fox University

Penny Hamblin, Ed.D (2014)
Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Ed.D.,  Argosy University
M.A., Argosy University
B.A., East Carolina University

Meaghan Howard, Ed.D (2019)
Assistant Professor of Kinesiology
Ed.D., University of North Carolina, Greensboro
M.A., University of Alabama
B.A., University of Tennessee

Tora Kincaid, Ph.D. (2024)
Visiting Assistant Professor for Clinical Mental Health Counseling
B.S.; M.A. Montreat College
Ph.D. Capella University

Robert W. Roth, Ed.D. (2019)
Interim Associate Dean for Adult and Graduate Studies
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
B.A., Bloomsburg University
M.S., West Chester University
Ed.D., Liberty University

Laurel Schneider, M.B.A. (2011)
Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity
M.B.A. Columbia College of Missouri
B.A. Lakeland College