Marcia Straughn has been promoted to dean of the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing at McMurry University in Abeline, Texas. A full professor of nursing, she previously served as the school’s programs director. Earlier, she was dean of the Abilene Christian University School of Nursing. She is a member of numerous professional nursing organizations, including the American Nurses Association.
Dr. Straughn earned her bachelor of nursing degree, master of nursing degree, and a Ph.D. all from Texas Woman’s University.
Jodi Bennett is the new dean of arts, sciences, and K-12 programming at Montcalm Community College in Sidney, Michigan. She has over 30 years of experience in K-12 education and academia. For the past two decades, she has taught communications at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Her teaching interests include public speaking, gendered communication, family communication, conflict resolution, and interpersonal communication.
Dr. Bennett received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and her master’s degree in communication from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Earlier this year, she completed her doctorate in teaching and learning in higher education from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Christina Yoshimura has been selected to serve as interim dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Montana. A faculty member since 2006, she currently serves as professor of communication studies. As a scholar, she focuses on how families navigate challenging experiences, such as bereavement, interpersonal violence, and mental health diagnoses.
Dr. Yoshimura holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Syracuse University in New York, a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Montana, and a master’s degree and a Ph.D. both in interpersonal communication from Arizona State University.