Everything
we achieve at Virginia Wesleyan is possible because of our employees
and their dedication to our purpose and mission. Our faculty and staff
are the driving force behind our success, and for that, I say thank you.
Today
I’d like to share the addition and advancement of several employees and
the transition of others into new roles that better serve the
institution from an efficiency and budgetary standpoint.
New Hires and Advancements
Takeyra Collins,
currently Visiting Instructor of Recreation and Leisure Studies, will
advance to the rank of Assistant Professor following the completion of
her Ph.D. at Old Dominion University this summer.
Lauren Frantz
(M.Ed., University of Maryland) began service as University Advising
Coordinator on June 5, serving alongside and learning the ropes from
Genai Hill who retires from the same position this month. Lauren was
formerly a Learning Specialist for men’s and women’s basketball at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Shawn Frazier (M.S.,
Applied Mathematics, Old Dominion University) joins the Mathematics
Department as Visiting Instructor, filling the position of the late
Linda Partridge. Shawn previously taught in Virginia Beach and Norfolk
public schools.
Margaret “Maggie” Henderson (M.L.S.,
University of New York at Buffalo) joined Hofheimer Library as a
Research Librarian on June 23. Previously Librarian/Assistant Professor
at Pensacola State College in Florida, Maggie fills the vacancy left by
Patty Clark’s departure.
Katrina Henry is completing a
Ph.D. in physics at New Mexico Tech and will defend her dissertation in
July. A specialist in hydrology, Katrina will be Assistant Professor of
Physics and Earth and Environmental Sciences, beginning in the fall. She
replaces the retiring Dr. Garry Noe.
Dr. Jeffrey Toussaint
(Ph.D., Sociology, Virginia Tech), currently a visiting faculty member,
becomes tenure-track Assistant Professor of Sociology/Criminal Justice
this fall, filling the position left open when Dr. Alison Marganski
departed.
Dr. Michelle Vachris (Ph.D., Economics, George
Mason University) will assume the position of Professor of Management,
Business, and Economics this fall, replacing Dr. Cheul Kang, who retired
after the spring semester. Currently Professor of Economics at
Christopher Newport University, Michelle has worked for the
International Monetary Fund and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Transitions
Kelly Cordova,
formerly Director of Corporate Relations in the Center for Advancement,
has filled the vacant role of Assistant Director of Annual Giving and
Alumni Relations. Kelly also serves as Coordinator of the Robert F. Boyd
Institute.
Kristi Lafoon, formerly Administrative
Assistant to the Registrar, has moved to the Office of Financial Aid to
serve as Loan Coordinator/Financial Aid Counselor. She fills the open
position left behind by Elizabeth “Betsy” Payne.
Christine Pritchard,
previously Administrative Assistant to The Lighthouse, has filled the
role of Administrative Assistant to the Birdsong School of Social
Science, taking over for Jane Kiefer, who retired at the end of May.
Christine also provides administrative support to Hofheimer Library.
Please
join me in welcoming our newest faculty and congratulating those who
are advancing, and wishing our transitioning staff well in their new
roles. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me directly.
