Wilkes University recently welcomed fifteen new faculty members for the fall semester. The new faculty and their areas of specialization include:
Martha Agbeli has joined the College of Health and Education as an assistant professor in the Passan School of Nursing. She previously served as an assistant professor in the Tan Chinfen Graduate School of Nursing at University of Massachusetts Medical School. Agbeli also served as an adjunct professor at Wilkes. She earned her doctor of nursing practice degree from Walden University, master of science degree in nursing from Drexel University and bachelor of science in nursing degree from the University of Rhode Island.
Joel Graham has joined the College of Arts and Sciences as an assistant professor in the Division of Performing Arts. He previously served as a visiting assistant professor of music at Allegheny College and a visiting assistant professor at the College of Wooster. Graham earned a doctorate of musical arts in conducting from George Mason University. He earned a master of arts degree in music conducting from the University of New Hampshire and a bachelor of music degree in music education from the University of Southern Maine.
Joshua Harper has joined the College of Arts and Sciences as an assistant professor in the Division of Performing Arts. He previously served as an associate professor of choral music at Yavapai College and an associate instructor at Indiana University. Harper earned a doctor of music degree in choral conducting from Indiana University, a master of music in choral conducting from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and bachelor of arts degrees in both vocal performance and music composition and theory from Lipscomb University.
Gina Harrison has joined the College of Health and Education as faculty of practice in the Passan School of Nursing. She has served as a psychiatric-mental health certified registered nurse practitioner at the State Correctional Institution at Dallas and an adjunct faculty member in the graduate program at Wilkes. Harrison is currently pursuing her doctor of nursing practice degree at Wilkes, where she earned her master in nursing science degree. She earned a bachelor of science in nursing degree from Penn State Scranton.
Umer Hussain has joined the College of Business and Engineering as an assistant professor in the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership. He previously served as an assistant professor at Ripon College and a postdoctoral researcher at Texas A&M University. Hussain speaks a total of seven languages. He earned his doctor of philosophy degree in health and kinesiology at Texas A&M University. He earned his master of science degree in management sciences and bachelor of business administration degree from COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Angela Jones has joined the College of Health and Education as an assistant professor in the Passan School of Nursing. She previously served as faculty of practice at Wilkes and as a per diem float RN and house supervisor for Lehigh Valley Hospital in Hazleton. Jones earned her doctor of philosophy in nursing degree at Wilkes. Jones earned her master of science degree in nursing education and her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing.
Marlene Knaub has joined the College of Health and Education as a visiting professor in the School of Education. She previously served as an instructor of education, adjunct lecturer and educational studies internship supervisor at King’s College. Knaub also spent several years teaching elementary school students. She earned a master of arts degree in leadership in teaching from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and a bachelor of science degree in elementary and early childhood education from Misericordia University.
Kaitlyn Langendoerfer has joined the College of Arts and Sciences as an assistant professor in the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences. She previously served as an adjunct instructor at Fisher College, project director of the Elderly Care Research Center at Case Western Reserve University and is currently the managing editor of the Journal of Elder Policy. Langendoerfer earned a doctor of philosophy degree and master of arts degree in sociology from Case Western Reserve University. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from the College of Holy Cross.
Kyung Eun Park has joined the College of Arts and Sciences as an assistant professor in the Department of Math, Physics and Computer Science. She previously served as an assistant professor at Graceland University and a full-time lecturer at Towson University. Park earned a doctor of science degree in information technology from Towson University, as well as a master of science degree in computer science and a bachelor of science degree in computer science and statistics from Seoul National University.
Mona Pearl has joined the College of Business and Engineering as an assistant professor in the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership. She previously served as an adjunct faculty member at Loyola University and a senior adjunct professor at DePaul University. Pearl earned a doctor of business administration degree and a master of arts degree in international business from DePaul University. Pearl earned a bachelor of arts degree in Spanish and communication from Northeastern Illinois University.
Ashrafur Rahman has joined the College of Health and Education as an assistant professor in the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. He completed a post-doc from Texas Tech University, served as an assistant professor at North South University in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and was a teaching assistant at the University of Toyama, Japan. Rahman earned his doctor of philosophy degree in brain science from the University of Toyama. He earned his master of pharmacy degree and bachelor of pharmacy degree from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Kelly Sklanka has joined the College of Health and Education as an assistant professor in the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. She previously served as a pharmacy coordinator, an assistant residency program director and an ambulatory care clinical pharmacist at Geisinger Health System. She also served as an adjunct faculty member at Wilkes University and a staff pharmacist at CVS Health. Sklanka earned her doctor of pharmacy degree at Wilkes University.
Faith Wellings has joined the College of Health and Education as an assistant professor in the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. She previously served as faculty of practice and an adjunct faculty member at Wilkes. Wellings also served as a clinical pharmacist and PGY1 residency program director at Moses Taylor Hospital, a clinical pharmacist educator for RxPrep/UWorld and a clinical pharmacy specialist at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital and Tufts Medical Center. She earned her doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy.
Judith Williams has joined the College of Health and Education as an assistant professor in the Passan School of Nursing. She previously served as the dean of the nursing program at Jersey College and an adjunct professor at East Stroudsburg University. Williams earned a doctor of philosophy degree in health promotion from Marywood University, a master of science degree in health education from East Stroudsburg University and a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Kutztown University.
Monique Woodard has joined the College of Arts and Sciences as an assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Media, Art and Design. She previously served as a curriculum designer, lead instructor and researcher at Drexel University. Woodard earned a doctor of philosophy degree in education with a STEM concentration and a master of science degree in digital media from Drexel University. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in integrative media and theatre with a design concentration from Wilkes University.
