When classes begin this week at Austin College, several new faces will be among the faculty. Five appointments have been made to tenure-track positions and several individuals in visiting and adjunct appointments join the faculty.
Kelli Carroll has joined the biology faculty as an assistant professor. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Davidson College and her Ph.D. from Harvard University. Upon completing her doctorate in 2014, she was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center until this summer.
Ruchan Kaya joins the faculty as assistant professor of political science. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social and political sciences from Sabanci University in Istanbul, Turkey, then completed both master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Florida, where his major field was comparative politics. He previously served as a visiting assistant professor at Texas A& M University.
Claire M. Wolnisty joins the History Department as an assistant professor. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Creighton University and master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Kansas. She previously was an assistant professor of history at Angelo State University.
Huy V. Nguyen is not a new face at the College, having served two years as a visiting assistant professor of mathematics but this fall, he joins the department as a tenure-track assistant professor. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at Baylor University. He previously was a visiting assistant professor at the University of St. Thomas in Houston.
Lisha Daniels Story joined the Austin College community last year as the director of the Scarbrough Center for Writing. This fall, she also is named an assistant professor of writing. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Agnes Scott College and master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
This fall, Margaret “Meg” Brandl joins the campus community as a visiting assistant professor of English. She earned a master of fine arts from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. from Texas Tech University.
Eugenia Harris, who joined the Austin College staff during the 2018-2019 academic year as executive director of Institutional Research and Registrar, is granted the faculty rank of assistant professor. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and her master’s and doctoral degrees at Vanderbilt University.
Martinella Dryburgh, executive director of the Posey Leadership Institute, was granted the faculty rank of assistant professor of business administration. She has led the Posey Leadership Institute since 2014.
A number of individuals are new to the adjunct faculty. Adjunct faculty work on a contractual semester-to-semester basis as needed.
New adjunct faculty include Bill D. Anderson, adjunct assistant professor of mathematics; Paul Bowers, adjunct assistant professor of psychology; Stephen Clayton, adjunct instructor in economics; Laura Lawson, adjunct assistant professor of art; Joyce Elizabeth Mauk, public health physician-in-residence; and Tina Rice, adjunct assistant professor of psychology.
Also new to the adjunct faculty in music is Alan Harkey, who will serve as director of bands and adjunct instructor in music. He is to lead the initiative to form a new Pep Band at Austin College as well as teach within the department and direct the Wind Symphony. He has had a long career in public education and has led several successful high school marching bands.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with nearly 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and more than 100 expert faculty members allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. This year, the campus recognizes 100 years of co-education and has had several opportunities to recognize the history of women and accomplishments of current alumnae. Austin College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.