The University of Illinois Springfield has announced 15 new faculty appointments. Three faculty members will teach in the College of Business and Management; three in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; one in the College of Health, Science and Technology; and seven in the College of Public Affairs and Education.
College of Business and Management appointments:
Dana Kinion, instructor of accounting, economics and finance, earned a juris doctor degree from theUniversity of Tulsa and a master’s of law in taxation from Southern Methodist University. Her professional interests include federal income taxation, qualified and non-qualified deferred compensation, and financial and tax planning. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, walking her dogs, traveling and irritating her teen and college-age children.
Zihan Liu, assistant professor of organizational behavior, received a doctorate in industrial-organizational psychology from the University of Houston. Her research and professional interests include leadership, work relationships and career development. Her personal interests include music, baking and listening to people in different jobs.
Tammy Schlosky, assistant professor of finance, accounting, economics and finance, has a doctorate in economics from West Virginia University. Her research focuses on financial economics. Outside of work, she enjoys eating good food.
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences appointments:
Maria Duenas, assistant professor of sociology/anthropology, earned a doctorate in sociology from the University of California Merced. Her research and professional interests include race and ethnicity, immigration, Latinx sociology and families. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, acrylic painting and writing.
Patricia Johnson, visiting instructor of liberal studies, earned a doctorate in systematic theology/social ethics from Northwestern University. Her research and professional interests include "The Beloved Community," i.e, Ethics, WGS, theology, philosophy and social justice/transformation. Her personal hobbies include thinking, walking, coloring, reading and interior design from second hand stores.
Shannon Pivoney, clinical instructor of counseling and social work, earned a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at UIS. Her research interests include trauma, vicarious trauma, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and resiliency. Her personal interests include hiking, kayaking, camping and wildlife photography.
Neeraj Rajasekar, assistant professor of sociology/anthropology, received a doctorate in sociology from the University of Minnesota. His research and professional interests include diversity, race, and political/cultural discourse in the media. Outside of work, he enjoys football, cricket, cooking and playing with his dog.
College of Health, Science and Technology appointments:
Abigail Kroke, assistant professor of psychology, is expected to earn her doctorate in experimental psychology from the University of North Dakota Grand Forks in 2023. Her research focuses on social psychology, including the social perceptions of gender issues and interpersonal relationships, as well as health-related social beliefs. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, photography, houseplants and taking care of her two dogs.
College of Public Affairs and Education appointments:
Timothy Bill, instructor and director of oral communication basic course in the School of Communication and Media, is expected to earn a doctorate in communication from the University of Kentucky (UK) in 2024. He has a master’s degree in communication from UK. His research and professional interests include political communication, speech and debate, persuasion, argumentation and instructional communication. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, hiking and running.
Brandon Bolte, assistant professor of politics and international affairs, earned a doctorate in political science fromPenn State University. His research and professional interests include international politics, civil wars, rebellion, political violence and peacebuilding. His hobbies include camping and hiking, college sports, and “nerd stuff” like Tolkien and Star Wars.
Leah Bueso, assistant professor of urban education, has a doctorate in education from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Her professional interests include civic education and engagement, special education law and pedagogy, racial and socioeconomic inequality in schools, social studies education and mixed methods. Outside of work, she enjoys salsa dancing, snowboarding, scuba diving, hiking, yoga, tennis and softball.
Claire Gordon, instructor and director of speech and debate in the School of Communication and Media, received a doctorate in communication theory from The Ohio State University. Her professional interests include speech anxiety management and interpersonal communication competence. Her personal interests include performing in and attending musicals and plays, gardening, travel, fitness, healthy eating and Star Trek.
Pamela Hoff, the James J. Stukel distinguished professorin educational policy and equity, earned a doctorate in educational studies, educational sociology and anthropology, and transformative education from the University of Cincinnati. Her research and professional work is focused on decolonizing education. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and all things fashion.
Keyria Rodgers, visiting clinical instructor of human services/alliance for experiential problem-based learning, is expected to earn a doctorate in public administration from UIS in Fall 2023. Her professional interests include public administration, public policy, criminal justice issues, reentry, social justice, expungement, diversion, deflection, restorative justice, probation and program development. Her personal interests include spending time with family and friends, traveling, building massive Lego sets, volunteering/serving and occasionally playing video games.
Suyang Yu, assistant professor of public management and policy, is completing a doctorate at Arizona State University and is expected to graduate in 2023. Her research and professional work is focused on public safety and emergency management, human resource management, public organization theory and behaviors. Outside of work, she enjoys kayaking and hiking.