If in all of forever
I never endeavor
to fly, I won’t know if I can.
If I did endeavor, and found my wings clever,
I could see the world!
The college is excited for the adventures that lie ahead this academic year as 19 new faculty members join its ranks, strengthening the college’s commitment to impactful research, service to Arkansas and a caring culture.
“I’m thrilled our more than 6,000 students will have the opportunity to learn from these phenomenal new faculty members,” said Dean Kate Mamiseishvili. “As one of Holly Meade’s inspiring children’s books, If I Never Forever Endeavor, explores, I’m glad they flew our way and are ready to begin something new with us here in the college.”
Mamiseishvili chooses a theme to inspire her leadership approach each new academic year. Last year she sought wisdom from legendary coaches, including several who currently lead Razorback teams. For the 2025-26 year, she is finding leadership lessons in children’s literature.
Nine of the college’s new faculty members are tenure-track, and their research interests range from long-term voice disorders in people with Parkinson’s disease and higher education finance to outdoor recreation.
Three of the tenure-track faculty will teach in the college’s Department of Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy.
Miguel Garcia-Salas and Zoë Thijs were hired to teach in the communication sciences and disorders program. Garcia-Salas’ research revolves around supporting the language and early literacy development of children through family-centered initiatives. He holds a doctorate from Florida State University and is coming to the college from Tallahassee.
Thijs joined the college from Molloy University in Rockville Centre, New York, where she was an assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders. She earned a Ph.D. in health sciences from Texas Christian University, and her research focuses on developing multidimensional treatment approaches for people at risk for long-term voice disorders. She primarily focuses on those with Parkinson’s disease.
John Rider joined the occupational therapy doctoral program as a tenured associate professor. Previously at Touro University Nevada, he studies rehabilitation strategies for neurodegenerative diseases, including fall prevention, behavioral health, chronic pain and parenting with a disability. He holds a doctorate in interdisciplinary health sciences from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.
Taylor Enoch-Stevens, Jihee Hwang and Daniel Sparks were hired to teach in the college’s Department of Counseling, Leadership and Research Methods. Enoch-Stevens, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Arizona, will teach in the educational leadership program. She earned a Ph.D. in education policy from the University of Southern California and researches how education leaders design and implement K-12 policy.
Hwang, formerly a clinical associate professor at Texas A&M University, holds a Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University. Her research interests include adult learning, data analytics and work-to-school and school-to-work transitions.
Sparks, a postdoctoral fellow in economics and education at the University of Pennsylvania, will teach in the higher education program. He holds a Ph.D. in economics and education from Columbia University and researches higher education finance and policy.
The college has two new tenure-track faculty members in the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation. Zach McKenna, previously a postdoctoral fellow in exercise science at the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine in Dallas, earned his doctorate degree from the University of New Mexico. His research revolves around human environmental physiology.
Anup K C joined the college from the University of Maine, where he was a postdoctoral research associate. He has a degree in parks, recreation and tourism management from Clemson University, and his research revolves around those topics.
Carrie McDermott is a tenured associate professor and the new executive director of the college’s Eleanor Mann School of Nursing. McDermott was previously at Emory University, where she served as corporate director of academic practice integration and partnerships at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. Her research centers around the transition to nursing practice, competency assessment and academic practice integration.
Additional new faculty members include Niki Avery, who will teach in the college’s Adult and Lifelong Learning program; Cynthia Baeza, an instructor of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages; Brendan Cook, a clinical assistant professor in the occupational therapy doctoral program and the new academic fieldwork coordinator; Ashlyn Jendro, a teaching assistant professor of exercise science who studies the biomechanics of human movement; Arslan Khalid, a research assistant professor in the Department of Education Reform whose research focuses on teacher turnover and mobility; Benjamin Lugu, a teaching assistant professor in the college’s Educational Statistics and Research Methods program; Carla Smith, a teaching assistant professor of physical education; Beth Weichold, a teaching assistant professor in the public health program; Amy Williams, a clinical assistant professor in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing who specializes in nurse mentorship and transition to practice; and Joni Williamson, who will teach in the Recreation and Sport Management program.
The college will help acclimate these new team members through various New Faculty Engagement and Networking Series programs, which blend learning and fun. In addition to educational sessions, there will be activities like hikes, a pizza-making class with the leadership team and a visit to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
“Our new faculty are experts in their fields and uniquely qualified to prepare our students for all the places they’ll go after graduation — whether it be a clinic, school, hospital or sports field,” Mamiseishvili said. “We are ready to soar this fall.”
Friends of a feather,
I say, endeavor and
fly!
