University of Scranton Announces New Faculty Members

Sep 19, 2017
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The University of Scranton has appointed 15 new full-time faculty members for the 2017-18 academic year.

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Bryon C. Applequist, Ph.D., of Henderson, Nevada, was named assistant professor of exercise science and sport. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees, both in kinesiology, from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is completing a doctorate in exercise science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He was a graduate assistant at both universities and has published papers in a number of scholarly journals. Dr. Applequist currently resides in Clarks Summit.

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Kelly M. Banyas of Mountain Top, was named assistant professor in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library. She previously was a research and teaching fellow at the University of Maryland’s Teaching and Learning Services and has a decade of experience working in various library environments. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history and classical civilization from Boston University and a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Maryland.

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Tiffany M. Bordonada of Columbia, South Carolina, was named assistant professor in the counseling and human services department. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fairmont State University, and earned two master’s degrees from West Virginia University – one in rehabilitation counseling and one in public administration. She completed a doctorate in counselor education and supervision from the University of South Carolina. Professor Bordonada has worked as a clinical therapist in West Virginia and has presented her research at conferences throughout the United States.

 

Thomas G. Concannon, Ph.D., of Mountain Top, was named visiting assistant professor in the Physics and Electrical Engineering Department. He previously worked for 17 years as a software applications consultant and applications engineer instructor for Synopsys, Inc. He earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and physics from The Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree in mathematics from Lehigh University and a doctorate in physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He has also taught math and physics at King’s College, Elon College, Wake Forest University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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Francis T. Conserette of Dunmore, was named assistant professor in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library. He previously worked as a library metadata specialist at The University of Scranton, as a property title analyst, as a document imaging specialist and as a curator assistant at the Eisenhower National Historic Site in Gettysburg. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Gettysburg College and a master’s degree in library and information science from Drexel University.

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Christopher A.F. Howey, Ph.D., was named assistant professor in the Biology Department. He previously was a post-doctoral research scholar at The Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Howey earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife conservation from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in biology from the University of Central Arkansas. He earned a doctorate in biological sciences from Ohio University, where he also taught for several years. Dr. Howey has received numerous grants, including a $500,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to study “Effects of Prescribed Burning in Pennsylvania’s Mixed Oak Forest on Wildlife Taxa of Concern.”

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Joel B. Kemp, Ph.D., of Pittsburgh, was named assistant professor of theology.  He previously taught at Boston College, where he completed a doctorate in theology. He earned a bachelor’s degree in religion and American history from Harvard College, a juris doctorate from Harvard Law School and a Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School.  In addition to teaching theology, Professor Kemp was also a practicing attorney for more than a decade. He is fluent in Biblical Hebrew and can read Greek, Akkadian, Aramaic, German and French.

 

John Kilker, was named assistant professor of communication. He served as a faculty specialist in television and video for the University’s Department of Communication for the 2016-17 academic year. He has worked in the film and television industry for more than 15 years as a producer, director, writer and editor. His work has been nominated or won awards at numerous film festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival. He has taught screenwriting, sound and directing at several universities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from The University of Scranton, a master’s in industrial and organizational psychology from Fairfield University, and a master of fine arts in film production from the University of Southern California.

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Linda C. Mlodzienski of Moosic, was named faculty specialist in the Accounting Department. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA in finance, both from The University of Scranton. She has many years of industry experience, having worked for accounting firms, as director of finance for Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Scranton, as business manager for the Notre Dame Regional Schools, and as director of operations for the Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area. She has also taught accounting previously at the University, Wilkes University and East Stroudsburg University.

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Anne Royer, Ph.D., of Salem, Oregon, was named assistant professor of biology. She was previously a visiting assistant professor and postdoctoral scholar at Willamette University. Dr. Royer earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and German studies from Oberlin College. She received her doctorate in ecology, evolutionary biology and behavior from Michigan State University. Her research focuses on the evolutionary ecology of interspecific interactions, primarily plant-pollinator systems. She has presented her work at conferences around the nation and has been published in several academic journals.

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Janette Scardillo, D.P.T., of Whiting, New Jersey, was named faculty specialist in the physical therapy department. Dr. Scardillo previously was an assistant professor and co-director of clinical education at Thomas Jefferson University.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in health science as well as master’s and doctoral degrees in physical therapy from the University of Scranton. She worked as a physical therapist in New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and Maryland before joining the faculty of Thomas Jefferson University.

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Jong-Hyun Son, Ph.D., of Salt Lake City, Utah, was named assistant professor of biology. He earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Dankook University, South Korea, a master’s degree in biological science from Western Illinois University, and a doctorate in neuroscience and experimental therapeutics from Texas A & M University of the Health Sciences. For the past eight years he has worked for the University of Utah, as a postdoctoral fellow in the department of pharmacology and toxicology and as a postdoctoral research associate in the School of Medicine.

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Leona Sparaco, Ph.D., of Tallahassee, Florida, was named visiting instructor in the Mathematics Department. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Siena College and a doctorate in mathematics from Florida State University. Since 2012, she has taught a variety of calculus, trigonometry, college algebra and other math classes at Florida State.

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Krista Stevens, Ph.D., of Birmingham, Alabama, was named visiting assistant professor of theology. She earned a bachelor’s degree in theology and English from Spring Hill College, a Master of Divinity degree from Weston Jesuit School of Theology, and a doctorate in theology from Fordham University. She was also a teaching fellow and postdoctoral teaching fellow at Fordham and a visiting assistant professor at Marquette University. Her research has been published in several academic journals.

 

Laurie B. Valunas was named faculty specialist in the nursing department. Professor Valunas has more than 20 years of experience as a pediatric nurse practitioner. She previously worked for Physicians Health Alliance in Dickson City, Goldsboro Pediatrics and Duke University Medical Center. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from The University of Scranton and a master’s degree in nursing and her pediatric nurse practitioner certification from Duke University.

 

Note: images for Thomas G. Concannon, Ph.D., John Kilker and Laurie B. Valunas are not available.

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