A Large Group of Women Faculty Receive Promotions and Tenure at Texas Woman’s University

Nasrin Mirsaleh-Kohan has been granted tenure and promoted to associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is an expert on surface-enhanced raman scattering, the interaction of anticancer drugs with DNA, radiation damage to DNA, and spectroscopy techniques. Dr. Mirsaleh-Kohan is a graduate of the University of Tehran in Iran where she majored in physics. She holds a master’s degree in physics from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Tennessee.

Vicki Baker has been promoted to professor of music in the College of Arts and Sciences. She also serves as coordinator of the music education program. Dr. Baker is a graduate of Texas A&M University Corpus Christi where she majored in political science. She holds a master’s degree in music education from Texas Woman’s University and a Ph.D. in fine arts with a music education emphasis from Texas Tech University.

Manal Omary has been promoted to professor of chemistry and biochemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her primary teaching interests areas are inorganic and analytical chemistry and her research interests include the synthesis and characterization of novel new molecular materials. Dr. Omary is a graduate of Yarmouk University in Irbid, Jordan where she majored in chemistry. She holds a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the University of Maine.

Christina Bejarano has been granted tenure at the rank of professor in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is the incoming chair of the department of multicultural women’s and gender studies. Dr. Bejarano is a graduate of the University of North Texas where she majored in psychology. She holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Iowa.

Dundee Lackey has been granted tenure and promoted to associate professor of English, speech, and foreign languages in the College of Arts and Sciences. He research interests include digital/community rhetorics and literacies. Dr. Lackey holds a Ph.D. from Michigan State University.

Brandi Falley has been granted tenure and promoted to associate professor of mathematics and computer science in the College of Arts and Sciences. She teaches courses in both mathematics and statistics. Dr. Falley is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. She holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. both from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

Tina Gumienney has been granted tenure and promoted to associate professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on cell communication. Dr. Gumienney is a graduate of Texas A&M University where she majored in genetics. She holds a Ph.D. in genetics from Stony Brook University in New York.

Claudia Pyland has been granted tenure and promoted to associate professor of psychology and philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research interests include emotional intelligence, negative self-schemas, romantic attachment styles, and intimate partner violence. Dr. Pyland is a graduate of Texas Tech University where she majored in psychology. She holds a master’s degree in educational psychology with a specialization in counseling psychology and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology both from Oklahoma State University.

Danielle Woolery has been granted tenure and promoted to associate professor of music in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her academic interests include clarinet and music history. Dr. Woolery is a graduate of the University of North Texas where she majored in music education. She holds a master of music degree in clarinet orchestral performance from Webster University in Missouri and a doctor of musical arts degree in clarinet instrumental performance from the University of Miami.

Maria Barua has been granted tenure and promoted to associate professor of international business in the College of Business. Her research interests include international trade, marketing strategy, supply chain management, and Hispanic markets. Dr. Barua holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing, an MBA, and a Ph.D. in international business with a concentration in marketing all from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Lizabeth Spoonts has been promoted to clinical professor of dental hygiene in the College of Health Sciences. Professor Spoonts is a graduate of Texas Woman’s University. She holds a master’s degree from the University of North Texas.

Asha Vas has been granted tenure and promoted to associate professor of occupational therapy in the College of Health Sciences. Her research focuses on integrating principles of cognitive neuroscience into functionally relevant cognitive training and rehabilitation programs. Dr. Vas is a graduate of Christian Medical College in Vellore, India where she majored in occupational therapy. She holds a master of occupational therapy from St. Catherine University in St. Paul. Minnesota, and a Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Catherine Bailey has been promoted to professor of nursing in the College of Nursing. Her primary teaching areas include adult competencies, research, and quality improvement in nursing. Dr. Bailey holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and Ph.D. all from Texas Woman’s University.

Robin Toms has been promoted to professor of nursing in the College of Nursing. Her primary teaching interests include nursing leadership and administration. Dr. Toms holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in nursing from Wichita State University in Kansas, and a Ph.D. from Kansas State University.

Joan Edwards has been granted tenure and promoted to professor of nursing in the College of Nursing. Her research interests include perinatal nursing; birth practices and beliefs of the Acehnese; lived experience of Indonesian nursing faculty; maternal, morbidity, and mortality and nursing education; and capacity building in developing countries. Dr. Edwards holds a bachelor of nursing degree from the University of Illinois, a master of nursing degree from the University of Washington, and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Tyler.

Susan Mellott has been granted tenure and promoted to professor of nursing in the College of Nursing. Her research interests include patient safety, performance/quality improvement, women veterans, and evidence-based practice. Dr. Mellott is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she majored in nursing. She holds a master’s degree in pediatric nursing from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in health education and wellness from Texas A&M University.

Vi Ho has been promoted to clinical professor of nursing in the College of Nursing. Her teaching interests include health assessment, adult nurse practitioners, and adult health. Dr. Ho holds bachelor of nursing and master of nursing degrees from the University of Texas Health Science Center and a Ph.D. from Texas Woman’s University.

Jennifer Wilson has been promoted to clinical professor of nursing in the College of Nursing. She teaches undergraduate courses in child health competencies and nursing honors education. Dr. Wilson is a graduate of the University of Maryland where she majored in nursing. She holds a master’s degree in nursing from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia,  and a doctor of nursing practice degree from American Sentinel University.

Mikyoung Lee has been granted tenure. She is an associate professor of nursing in the College of Nursing. Her research focuses on designing, building, and testing the health information technology capacity for nursing data acquisition, nursing effectiveness measurement, big data analytics, information exchange, and consumer health informatics. Dr. Lee holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree both in nursing from Kyungpook National University in Korea, and a Ph.D. in nursing administration from the University of Iowa.

Becky Spencer has been granted tenure and promoted to associate professor of nursing in the College of Nursing. She currently teaches in the college’s doctoral and master’s programs. Her research focuses on health disparities and breastfeeding promotion and education in underserved populations. Dr. Spencer is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati where she majored in nursing. She holds a master’s degree in nursing education from the Research College of Nursing in Kansas City and a Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Kansas.

Jennifer Milligan has been promoted to associate clinical professor of nursing in the College of Nursing. She currently teaches undergraduate courses in adult health competencies and conducts research on simulation and nurse driven protocols. Professor Milligan is a graduate of Texas A&M University. She holds a second bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree both from Texas Woman’s University.

Suzanne Scheller has been promoted to associate clinical professor of nursing in the College of Nursing. Her primary teaching interests include general nursing and child health. Professor Scheller is a graduate of Seton Hall University in New Jersey where she majored in nursing. She holds a master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University.

Michele Trinka has been promoted to associate clinical professor of nursing in the College of Nursing. Her research interests include best practices in simulation, developing clinical reasoning skills through simulation, and pediatric critical care.

Professor Trinka is a graduate of Texas Tech University where she majored in nursing. She holds a master of nursing degree from the University of Texas at Tyler.

Diane Myers has been promoted to professor of teacher education in the College of Professional Education. She is also chair of the department of teacher education and the program coordinator of the special education program. Dr. Myers is a graduate of Connecticut College where she majored in English. She holds a master’s degree in special education from Southern Connecticut State University and a Ph.D. in special education from the University of Connecticut.

Amy Burke has been granted tenure and promoted to associate professor of reading in the College of Professional Education. Her research interests include language, literacy, and identity; sociocultural theory and literacy practices; social semiotic and multimodal composition; and qualitative research. Dr. Burke holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in teaching both from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, a master of education from Texas Woman’s University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas.

Paula Cutter has been granted tenure and promoted to professor of nursing in the College of Nursing. Her teaching interests include adult health and clinical nurse leadership. Dr. Cutter holds a bachelor of nursing degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, a master of nursing degree from the University of Florida, and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas Health Science Center.

Elizabeth McCarroll has been promoted to professor of family sciences in the College of Professional Education. Her research interests include the social and emotional development of children, the impact of hospitalization on children and on parents/parenting, and infant and toddler development. Dr. McCarroll is a graduate of the University of Texas where she majored in human development and family studies. She holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. both in human development and family studies.

Nerissa Gillum has been promoted to professor of family sciences in the College of Professional Education. She was an associate professor.

Lin Moore has been promoted to professor of family sciences in the College of Professional Education. She was an associate professor.