Thirty new faculty members join UIS for fall 2015

Thirty new faculty members have joined the University of Illinois Springfield for Fall Semester 2015. Thirteen will teach in programs within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, four in the College of Business and Management, four in the College of Education and Human Services, and nine in the College of Public Affairs and Administration.

Sherine Antoun, assistant professor of computer science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, holds a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Wollongong, Australia. His research includes how to make navigation and localization in disaster scenes where dust renders cameras and lasers ineffective and creating a safe, manageable risk task. Outside of UIS, he enjoys robotics, action and sci-fi movies, classical music, ballet and sailing.

Cheng-Chia “Brian” Chen, assistant professor of public health in the College of Public Affairs and Administration, holds a Ph.D. in health behavior from Indiana University. His professional interests include obesity research using multi-dimensional and systems approach and health policy analyses. Personally, he enjoys playing sports, traveling and exploring new places.

William Cox, visiting instructor of computer science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, holds a M.S. in management information systems from the University of Illinois Springfield. His professional interests include teaching computer science. Personally, he enjoys spending time with his family and golf.

Tessica Dooley, visiting instructor of legal studies in the College of Public Affairs and Administration, holds a J.D. from the University of Arkansas. Her research interests include U.S. health policy, ERISA, the impact of the Affordable Care Act on business, and Medicaid expansion. Outside of UIS, she enjoys mentoring youth, spending time with her husband and family, dog rescue and dance.

Egbe Egiebor, assistant professor of public health in the College of Public Affairs and Administration, holds a Ph.D. in toxicology from the University of Maryland. Her research includes the effects of chemicals such as organics, inorganics and emerging contaminants of concern on humans and the environment. Outside of UIS, she enjoys reading, people watching, traveling and kayaking.

Frank Fuchs, instructor of computer science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, holds a B.A. in business management from Sangamon State University. Professionally he enjoys encouraging students to pursue a successful career using digital forensics and cyber security techniques. Outside of UIS, he enjoys helping his family and children develop their careers and life interests.

Roya Gholami, associate professor of management information systems in the College of Business and Management, holds a Ph.D. in management information systems from the National University of Singapore. Her research interests include the economic, environmental and societal value of IT, IT for development and healthcare information systems. Her personal interests include hiking, reading, singing Persian folk songs and international relations.

Betsy Goulet, clinical assistant professor of public administration in the College of Public Affairs and Administration, holds a D.P.A. from the University of Illinois Springfield. Her professional interests include child protection and advocacy issues, systems response to child maltreatment, mandated reporting, and public sector and nonprofit collaboration. Outside of UIS, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, composing music and singing.

Ping Guo, assistant professor of computer science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, holds a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Wyoming. Her professional interests include scientific and high-performance computing, parallel and distributed systems, big-data and cloud computing. Outside of UIS, she enjoys reading, traveling, cooking and listening to music.

Yanhui Guo, assistant professor of computer science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, holds a Ph.D. in computer science from Utah State University. His research include image processing, pattern recognition, computer-aided detection and diagnosis, computer-assisted surgery and neurosophic theory. In his free time, he enjoys soccer, badminton and ping-pong.

Helena Hall, instructor of English and modern languages in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, holds a Ph.D. in second language acquisition and teacher education from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Her professional interests include writing across the curriculum and second language writing and development, assessment and instruction. Outside of UIS, she enjoys travel, photography and baking.

Carlee Hawkins, assistant professor of psychology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, holds a Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. Her professional interests include understanding and reducing the impact of unwanted bias on social and political judgment and behavior. Personally, she enjoys cycling, traveling, gardening and walking her dog, Finn.

Stephanie Hedge, assistant professor of English and modern languages in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, holds a Ph.D. in English, rhetoric and composition from Ball State University. Her research includes rhetoric and composition with specialization in digital literacies and social media, digital research and digital pedagogies. Outside of UIS, she enjoys watching Survivor, drinking wine and cheering for Toronto sports teams.

David Holland, clinical instructor of biology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, holds an M.A. degree in teaching from Central Michigan University, and is an educational specialist in curriculum, teaching and educational policy from Michigan State University. His research includes the Illinois River Watch, stream monitoring in Sangamon County. His professional interests include the American Scientific Affiliation and Illinois Audubon Society. Personally, he enjoys, birding, biking, and kayaking, traveling, grandparenting, and science and religion interactions.

Devin Hunter, assistant professor of history in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, holds a Ph.D. in U.S. history and public history from Loyola University in Chicago. His professional interests include public history and modern United States history. His personal interests include sports and fitness, but also good food and drink.

Carol Jessup, associate professor of accountancy in the College of Business and Management, holds a Ph.D. in management from St. Louis University. Her professional interests include preparing pedagogical cases in real-world fraud situations, state and local government accounting topics and audit topics. Her personal interests include relaxing at the movies, playing with pets and enjoying music.

Troy Lepper, visiting assistant professor of environmental studies in the College of Public Affairs and Administration, holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Colorado State University. His research interests include the intersection between human and natural environments in reference to water use and sustainable development. Outside of UIS, he enjoys grooving through funky parts of the universe with a thirst for adventure, while still possessing time to make a friendship.

Kathy Massey, clinical assistant professor of educational leadership in the College of Education and Human Services, holds an Ed.D. from Illinois State University. Her current research includes educational technology, student achievement, online learning and the administrative role. Outside of UIS, she enjoys reading, gardening, traveling and playing golf.

Peggy Mayfield, visiting instructor of human services in the College of Education and Human Services, will graduate this year with a Ph.D. in public service leadership from Capella University. Her research includes resilience, trauma-enforced care and neuroscience informed practice. Personally, she enjoys painting, bird watching and taking nature walks.

Frank Nation, assistant professor of accountancy in the College of Business and Management, holds a Ph.D. in business administration and accountancy from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. His professional interests include behavioral accounting and research in auditing and fraud. Outside of UIS he enjoys hunting, fishing and outdoor activities.

Tiffany Nielson, assistant professor of human development counseling in the College of Education and Human Services, holds a Ph.D. in counselor education and counseling from Idaho State University. Her professional interests include couple and family counseling, play therapy, child sexual abuse, trauma and spirituality in counseling. Personally she enjoys music, traveling, camping, hiking and cooking.

Kristen Osiecki, assistant professor of public health in the College of Public Affairs and Administration, holds a Ph.D. in environmental and occupational health from the University of Illinois Chicago. Her research includes utilizing GIS methods to investigate how environmental burden and disadvantage contribute to negative health outcomes in urban areas. Her personal interests are spending time with her family, cooking, reading and binge watching TV shows.

John Phillips, visiting professor of public administration in the College of Public Affairs and Administration, holds a D.P.A. from the University of Illinois Springfield. His professional interests include the influence of religion on the adoption of scientific management in Britain and the United States. Personally, he enjoys classical music, piano, organ, the history of baroque and classical performance practice.

Carol Rankin, visiting associate professor of human services in the College of Education and Human Services, holds a Doctorate of Rehabilitation in rehabilitation counseling from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Her research includes alcohol and substance abuse and dependence issues, motivational interviewing skills, dual diagnosis such as mental health and substance abuse and dependence. Her personal interests include traveling, reading, watching quirky movies and staying physically active.

Tracy Schatteman, clinical instructor of biology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will receive her Ph.D. from the Southern Illinois School of Medicine in pharmacology this year. Her professional interests include neurophysiological research, including aging, trauma in sensory systems and how that relates to animal behavior. Outside of UIS, she enjoys cooking, baking and outdoor activities such as camping and skiing.

Sudeep Sharma, assistant professor of management in the College of Business and Management, holds a Ph.D. in organizational behavior from Washington University in St. Louis. His research interests include negotiation, personality and individual differences, emotions in the workplace, power and status and psychometrics. Personally, he enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with his family.

Thomas Sidener, instructor of computer science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, holds an M.S. in computer science, network programming from the University of Illinois Springfield. His professional interests include mobile application development, Android and iOS, database development and optimization and software engineering. Outside of UIS, he enjoys playing board games, playing the guitar and drums and writing poetry.

Annuradha “Anette” Sikka, assistant professor of legal studies in the College of Public Affairs and Administration, holds a J.D. from Dalhousie University in Canada and an LL.D. from the University of Ottawa, Canada. Her research interests include human rights, migration and gender and security. Personally, she is passionate about animal rescue and welfare.

Magic Wade, lecturer of political science in the College of Public Affairs and Administration, holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Minnesota. Her professional interests include public policy, state and local politics and labor unions. Outside of UIS, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, travel, pub trivia, wine, food and Shiba inu dogs.

William Wilson, assistant professor of clinical laboratory science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, holds a M.S. in management information systems from the University of Illinois Springfield. His professional interests include health care and chemistry. Outside of UIS, he enjoys running and triathlons.