Eleven Women Promoted to Full Professor at CalState Fullerton

California State University, Fullerton has announced the promotion of 19 faculty members to the rank of full professor. Eleven of the promotions went to women.

(L to R) Top row: Kristin P. Beals, Leah M. Brew, Barbara J. Cherry, Loretta C. Donovan, Maria C. Grant, and Stacey L. Mallicoat. Bottom row: Patricia A. Prunty, Christine Scher, Jule Selbo, Susan Sy, and Jing Yang.

Kristin P. Beals was promoted to full professor of psychology. Her research has focused on stigma experienced by lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals and  other stigmatized populations including HIV-positive individuals, overweight individuals, and ethnic minorities. Professor Beals earned a Ph.D. in psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. She joined the CalState, Fullerton faculty in 2005.

Leah M. Brew is a new professor of counseling in the College of Health and Human Development. She is chair of the counseling department. Dr. Brew holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in counseling, all from the University of North Texas in Denton. She is the co-author of three books including Applied Helping Skills: Transforming Lives (Sage Publications, 2007).

Barbara J. Cherry was named professor of psychology at the university. Her research concerns cognitive aging, particularly memory and attention, hemispheric asymmetries, hormones and behavior. Professor Cherry is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles. She earned a master’s degree at CalState, Fullerton and a Ph.D. in experimental psychology at the University of Southern California.

Loretta C. Donovan was appointed a professor of elementary and bilingual education. She joined the faculty at CalState, Fullerton in 2005. Dr. Donovan is a graduate of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. She earned a master’s degree in education and a Ph.D. in instructional technology from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

Maria C. Grant was named professor of secondary education at the university. Professor Grant is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she majored in geological sciences. She earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from San Diego State University and an educational doctorate in the joint doctoral program offered by the University of San Diego and San Diego State University.

Stacey L. Mallicoat is a new full professor of criminal justice. Professor Mallicoat is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, where she majored in sociology. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Dr. Mallicoat joined the faculty at CalState, Fullerton in 2003 and was promoted to associate professor in 2009.

Patricia A. Prunty was promoted to professor of music. She joined the faculty at the university in 2003. An active soloist, she continues to perform with such groups as Pacific Chorale, Pacific Symphony and Trillium Ensemble. She is a past winner of the Center for Contemporary Opera’s International Competition. Professor Prunty is a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. She earned a master’s degree in music from Yale University.

Christine Scher was appointed a full professor of psychology. Her research concerns psychological and health outcomes following traumatic stress. She earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the joint program of San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego. She then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for Trauma Recovery of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Jule Selbo was named professor of radio, television and film. She was an adjunct professor at the university from 1998 to 2004 and then joined the faculty full-time in 2005. She served as chair of the department from 2010-11. Professor Selbo is a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She earned a master of fine arts degree in theatre arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is currently completing work on a Ph.D. in film at the University of Exeter in England.

Susan Sy was promoted to full professor of psychology at the university. She joined the faculty at CalState, Fullerton in 2005 after teaching at Mount Saint Mary’s College in Los Angeles for three years. Her current research examines the influences of family support on female students’ transition into college, particularly among Latinas and Asian Americans. Professor Sy holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Jing Yang was appointed professor of finance in the College of Business and Economics. She joined the faculty at the university in 2004 and was promoted to associate professor in 2010. Her areas of expertise include corporate finance and real estate. Professor Yang earned a Ph.D. in finance from the University of Colorado at Boulder.