The University of Illinois Springfield has announced 19 new faculty appointments. One faculty member will teach in the College of Business and Management; six in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; six in the College of Health, Science and Technology; five in the College of Public Affairs and Education and one as part of the Capital Scholars Honors Program.
College of Business and Management appointments:
Tammy Schlosky, visiting assistant professor of accounting, economics and finance, started teaching at UIS in January 2022. She earned a doctorate in economics from West Virginia University. Her research interest is financial economics. Outside of work, she enjoys eating good food.
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences appointments:
Akash Belsare, assistant professor of English and modern languages, earned a doctorate in English & African American Studies from Pennsylvania State University. His research and professional interests include multi-ethnic literatures, comparative race studies, animal studies and genre studies. His personal interests include reading fiction and graphic novels, playing video and tabletop games, basketball and football.
Maria Duenas is a pre-doctoral fellow in sociology/anthropology. She is completing her doctorate in sociology from the University of California. Her research 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.
Lesa Johnson, associate professor of sociology/anthropology, earned her doctorate in sociology from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Her research interests include sociological social psychology, race and ethnicity and social inequality. Her personal interests include low-income housing renovation/HGTV and community involvement.
Allison Lacher, instructor and visual arts gallery director in the Department of Art, Music and Theatre, earned her master’s degree in fine arts from Indiana University. Her professional interests include sculpture, installation art, trends in contemporary art and experimental exhibition frameworks. Outside of work, she enjoys travel, cooking and spending time with her husband.
Sara Olivares, assistant professor of English and modern languages, earned her doctorate in English - creative writing/poetry from Western Michigan University. Her professional interests include creative writing, poetry and the poetics of nature. Her personal interests include poetry, meditating, hikes and yoga.
Debra Parker, instructor of English and modern languages, started teaching at UIS in January 2022. She has a doctorate in English studies from Illinois State University.
College of Health, Science and Technology appointments:
Samer AbuBakr, assistant professor of integrated sciences, sustainability and public health, earned a doctorate in microbiology from the University of Oklahoma Norman. His professional interests include environmental microbiology and soil bacteria. His personal interests include watching and playing soccer and watching movies.
Dylan Blaum, instructor of psychology, earned a master’s degree in cognitive psychology from Northern Illinois University. His professional interests include argumentation, science comprehension, problem solving and study skills. Outside of work, he enjoys badminton, one-wheeled electric transportation, disc golf and video games.
Kyle Blount, assistant professor of integrated sciences, sustainability and public health, earned a doctorate in hydrology from the Colorado School of Mines. His research interests include ecohydrology, socio-hydrology, water resources, urban development, urban heat, environmental management, remote sensing, wildfires, equity and geoscience education. His personal interests include CrossFit, college athletics, outdoor recreation, gardening, running, dogs, LGBTQ+ issues, cooking and baking.
Tia Bolivar, assistant professor of psychology, earned a doctorate in psychology/behavior analysis from the University of Florida. Her research interests include behavior change, especially regarding addictive behaviors. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, reading, exercising, podcasts and spending time with her dog.
Shirley Huang, instructor of computer science, earned a doctorate in Computer Science from Temple University. Her professional interests include data privacy and security issues and network security. Her personal interests include cooking and reading.
Diana Zaleski, assistant professor of psychology, earned a doctorate in educational psychology from Northern Illinois University. Her research interests include educational psychology, educational policy, educational measurement, assessment and evaluation. Outside of work, she enjoys volunteering in the community.
College of Public Affairs and Education appointments:
Brooke Depenbusch, assistant professor of legal studies, earned her doctorate in history from the University of Minnesota. Her professional interests include interdisciplinary scholarship studying the intersection between poverty, mobility and policy in the contemporary U.S. Her personal interests include reading fiction, hiking, exercising, traveling and cooking (along with her fiancé and their cat Truvy).
Beth Hatt, professor and director of the School of Education, earned her doctorate in culture, curriculum and change from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Her professional interests include restorative practices in schools, sociology of intelligence and the school-to-prison pipeline. Outside of work, she enjoys kayaking, gardening and traveling.
Arwi Kriz, associate professor of public management and policy, earned her doctorate in public administration from the University of Illinois Springfield with a focus on public management, budgeting and finance. Her research interests include public budgeting and finance. Her personal interests include gardening, attending concerts and exercising.
Isabel Skinner, assistant professor of politics and international affairs, is completing her doctorate in government and public policy from the University of Arizona. Her professional interests include American politics, immigration and refugee issues. Outside of work, she enjoys walking and hiking, cats, plants, cardio dance, food and cooking, art and crafting.
Matthew Sprong, assistant professor of public management and policy, earned a doctorate in rehabilitation from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. His research interests include substance use disorders and Neurofibromatosis Type 1. His personal interests include playing the guitar, singing and Marvel movies.
Capital Scholars Honors Program appointments:
Katie Carlson, Capital Scholars Honors Program instructor, earned her doctorate in English from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Her professional interests include nineteenth-century British literature. Outside of work, she enjoys travel, photography, house rabbits and gardening.