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Arts and Sciences | Business and Industry | Health Education and Human SciencesAugust 18, 2025

25 New Faculty Members Join UAFS

Written By: Rachel Putman

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith has hired 25 new full-time faculty members for the 2025-26 academic year, strengthening programs across its three colleges and expanding academic resources for students.

“Welcoming new faculty is always one of the highlights of the academic year,” said Dr. Shadow Robinson, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “The depth of knowledge and diversity of experience they bring will not only enrich our programs but also inspire our students. I am eager to see the impact they will have in classrooms, in laboratories, and across our community.”

 

College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Deborah Chun, Department Head and Professor of Mathematics. Dr. Chun earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics in 2011 from Louisiana State University. She joins UAFS after teaching at West Virginia University Tech.

 

Dr. Radwa Hanafy, Assistant Professor of Microbiology. Dr. Hanafy comes to UAFS from the Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), Food & Drug Administration, Division of Microbiology in Jefferson, Arkansas. She has 10+ years of experience in environmental and Molecular microbiology. Dr. Radwa earned her Ph.D. in Microbiology from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

 

Kang Ma, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design. Mr. Kang earned his Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Yale University School of Art in 2021. He joins UAFS from St. Joseph’s University New York, in Brooklyn, New York, where he taught as an adjunct professor.

 

Dr. Michael Maguigan, Visiting Assistant Professor of Physical Science. Dr. Maguigan earned his Ph.D. in Geology and Earth Science from Mississippi State University in 2015. Before joining us at UAFS, he taught courses in geology and environmental science at Louisiana State University-Shreveport.

 

Dr. Christopher Pierret, Department Chair and Professor of Biological Sciences. Dr. Pierret earned his Ph.D. in Biology/Biological Sciences from the University of Missouri in 2008. Before coming to UAFS, he served as Collaborator with the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, as well as Associate Professor of Clinical and Translational Science at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester, MN.

 

Dr. Peter Sassman, Assistant Professor of Mathematics. Dr. Sassman earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics in 2025 from Northern Illinois University. Prior to coming to UAFS, he was a Graduate Assistant at Northern Illinois University. He also taught Math at a high school in Hiroshima, Japan.

 

Dr. Tom Sokolowski, Assistant Professor, English, Rhetoric and Writing, and Media Communication. Dr. Sokolowski holds an MFA from the University of Central Florida, where he was awarded a Provost’s Fellowship, and a Ph.D. from Florida State University. His fiction has appeared in Southern Indiana Review, The Barcelona Review, Shenandoah, and elsewhere. He's currently at work on a speculative novel about the Second Seminole War.

 

College of Business and Industry

Mike Franks, Instructor of Welding Technology for the WATC program. Mike holds a Technical Certificate in Welding Technology from Twin Lakes Vo Tech and a Technical Certificate in Communications from Bossier Parrish Community College. Mike has experience in heavy equipment operation and was a senior welder for Black Hills Energy for over ten years.

 

Pradip Kharbuja, Instructor of Network Engineering Technology for the WATC program. Pradip holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Maharishi University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Khwopa Engineering College in Nepal. Pradip has industry experience in Information Technology and Software Development, with his most recent role being Senior Identity and Access Management Engineer for Freddie Mac.

 

Dr. Yuchen Luo, Assistant Professor of Finance. Dr. Yuchen holds a Ph.D. in Finance from UA-Fayetteville. He comes to UAFS from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where he served as a Postdoctoral Associate.

 

Eric Rygaard, Instructor of Welding Technology for the WATC program. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Educational/Instructional Technology from Pittsburgh State University. He previously served as a Welding Instructor for Northwest Missouri State University and has worked in numerous manufacturing roles.

 

Lee Stovall Instructor of Accounting and Business. He holds a Master of Science in Accounting from Missouri State University and is a Certified Public Accountant. He is a retired Special Agent for the U.S. Department of the Treasury and worked as a Revenue Agent for the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Dr. Dillon Walker, Assistant Professor of Accounting, completed his Ph.D. in Accounting at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, this summer. Dr. Walker brings 11 years of experience to UAFS. His previous roles include serving as a Senior Graduate Assistant within the University of Arkansas System and working as a Senior Tax Accountant at Leggett & Platt, Incorporated.

 

College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences

Brittany Arnold Practical Nursing Instructor for the WATC program. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Carl Albert State College and has obtained various certifications in emergency nursing. Brittany comes to UAFS from her roles at Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center’s Emergency Room and as a Healthcare Adjunct Instructor at Kiamichi Tech – Spiro.

 

Dr. Stephen Berry, Assistant Professor of Psychology, received his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University in 2023, specializing in applied psychology. His current research interests involve media attitudes, brand personality perceptions, and consumer behavior. Dr. Berry’s academic work has been featured in four scholarly journal articles, such as Psychology of Popular Media, and in 14 conference presentations. Earlier this year, he presented his dissertation research at an international conference hosted by Global Awareness Society International.

 

Madison Branham, Instructor, School of Nursing, Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Program. Madison holds a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith. She comes to UAFS from her position as a labor and delivery RN at Mercy Hospital.

 

Corri Brosius, Visiting Instructor, Early Childhood Education. She holds a Master of Education in ESL Curriculum & Instruction. She comes to UAFS from 14 years of K-12 public education experience in South Korea and Texas and one year as the AmeriCorps Program Director for Jumpstart.

 

Dr. Netlla Cureton, Visiting Instructor, School of Education. Dr. Cureton holds a Doctor of Education from Harding University. She comes to UAFS with more than two decades of K-12 experience, including classroom teaching, school-level leadership, and district-level administration.

 

Serena Dodson, Visiting Instructor in Allied Health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Previously, she served as an adjunct instructor here at UAFS. Serena is the owner and director of Angel Wings Testing Center. As a licensed nurse and educator, she has several years of experience supervising LPNs and CNAs.

 

Michaela Lantz, Instructor, School of Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. Michaela holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Northeastern State University. She joins UAFS with a variety of clinical experiences, including Maternal and newborn care, postpartum care, and rehabilitation.

 

Lindsey Pannell, Visiting Instructor, School of Education. Lindsey holds a Master of Science in Education from Arkansas State University. She comes to us from her position as an Instructional Facilitator for the Ozark School District, bringing 18 years of K-12 experience.

 

Malia Price- Instructor, School of Nursing, Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Program. Mrs. Price holds a bachelor's degree in nursing. She comes to UAFS from Mercy Fort Smith, bringing over 15 years of clinical nursing experience.

 

Alicia Redding, Instructor of Imaging Sciences – Sonography, earned her Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences – Sonography from the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith. She comes to us from Baptist Health Imaging Plaza in Fort Smith, bringing with her seven years of experience as a radiographer and three years as a sonographer.

 

Boreham Library

Deidre Grzymala Collection Development Librarian. Deidre received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith and her Master of Library Science from the University of Oklahoma Norman Campus.

 

Roxy Wylie, Student Success Librarian. Roxy received her Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith and her Master of Library Science from Emporia State University.

 

 

 

Media Relations

The UAFS Office of Communications fields all media inquiries for the university. Email Rachel.Putman@uafs.edu for more information.

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Rachel Rodemann Putman

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