Eight Women Appointed to Assistant Professor Posts at Colgate University

Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, has announced the addition of a large number of new faculty members hired to tenure-track positions. Eight women have been named assistant professors.

L. Mieka Erley was appointed assistant professor of Russian and Eurasian studies. She was a visiting assistant professor at Colgate during the 2013-14 academic year.  Dr. Erley is a graduate of Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, and holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.

Elodie Fourquet was named assistant professor of computer science. She was a visiting assistant professor of computer science at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Dr. Fourquet is a graduate of Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, Quebec, and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo in Ontario.

Rachel Lavenda was named assistant professor and special collections librarian. She was a project cataloger in the rare book and manuscript library at the University of Illinois. Lavenda is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania and holds a master of library and information science degree from the University of Illinois.

Danielle Lupton is a new assistant professor of political science. She is a graduate of Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. She holds a master’s degree and recently completed her Ph.D. at Duke University, where her dissertation was entitled, “Leaders, Perceptions, and Reputations for Resolve.”

Lakshmi Luthra was appointed assistant professor of art and art history. She was an assistant professor of photography and media art at the University of Tennessee. Luthra is a graduate of Marlboro College in Vermont. She holds a master of fine arts degree from the California Institute of the Arts.

Abigail Mechtenberg was named an assistant professor of physics and environmental studies. She was a visiting assistant professor of energy systems at the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering in Needham, Massachusetts.  Dr. Mechtenberg is a graduate of Texas A&M University. She holds a master’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Ayse Sapci was appointed assistant professor of economics. She was a visiting assistant professor of economics at Colgate during the previous academic year. Dr. Sapci is a graduate of Dokuz Eylul University in Konak, Turkey. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University.

Jennifer Tomlinson is a new assistant professor of psychology. In the 2013-14 academic year, she was a visiting assistant professor of psychology at Colgate. Dr. Tomlinson is a graduate of the University of Rochester. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Stony Brook University of the State University of New York System.