First Generation Students

First in your family to go to college? We are too.

As first-generation college graduates, we remember what it was like to try to find our way through the college process, figure out how we would pay for college, and find the right balance between school obligations and other responsibilities. We learned a lot along the way - and are here to help you.

Apply for a First Gen Mentor

First Generation SSU Faculty and Staff

Jacqui Allen, B.S.B.A
Library Specialist II - Acquisitions

Catherine Bailey, DNP, RN, CNE, CHSE
Professor, School of Nursing

Christina Baker
Coordinator, Women's and Gender Equity Center

Greg A. Ballengee
Controller

April Barnette
Associate Professor/ Clinical Coordinator, Physical Therapy Assistant Program

Michael Barnhart, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Music and Media, VP University Faculty Senate

Jeff Bauer, Ph.D.
University President

Richard Bayless
Adjunct Instructor: Math, Geology, & Scientific Reasoning

Sandy Belford, MBA
Adjunct Professor, Business

Elizabeth Blevins
Director, Marketing & Communications

Gabriel (Gabe) Brown, MSSA
Director, Upward Bound Math Science/ Adjunct for Social Sciences.

Maurus Brown
Adjunct Professor, Natural Sciences

Sarah Brown
Adjunct Professor

Eugene Burns Jr., Ph.D.
Professor, Biology

Marlita Cadogan, M.S.
Coordinator |Student Life, Diversity & Inclusion 

Heather Cantrell, M.Ed.
Assistant Director of Advising & Academic Resources

Weni Carpenter, R.N.
Senior Instructor, Nursing

Rebecca Carter, MBA
Adjunct Professor, Business

Dan Chaffin
Professor, Natural Science

Gail Chinn, B.I.S.
Secretary, Office of the Dean

Sarah Clausing, MBA, Assistant Professor 
Dept. of Business

Marilyn Clay, B.I.S.
Administrative Assistant, School of Business

Jonna Cook,  B.I.S.
Administrative Assistant II, Dean of Students/Student Life

Matt Cram
Professor in Graphic Design

Corey Culbertson
Payroll & Records Coordinator

Doug Darbro, Ph.D.
Graduate Director & Professor, Mathematica Studies

Deborah Davis, Ed.D.
Adjunct Professor of English

David Deacon
Adjunct Professor, Engineering Technologies

Barb Duncan, Professor Emeritus

Jodi Dunham
Assistant Professor, Teacher Education

Sean Dunne, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Sociology

Janet Feight (Holtman)
Associate Professor, English & Humanities

Amy France, M.S. RRT
Program Leader, Respiratory Therapy

Ron Goodson
Soccer Coach

Tiffany Hartman
Director, Student Life

Glenna Heckler-Todt, Ed.D.
Director, Advising & Academic Resources

Cynthia Hermanson, M.S.Ed.
Senior Lecturer, University College

Melissa Garrett Hughes
Student Business Center Associate

Cheryl Irish,  PhD 
Assistant Dean and Director of the School of Education

Sarah Ivers, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Biology

Kelcie Jenkins
Admissions Associate

Linda Koenig
Interim Dean of Students

Erik B. Larson, PhD
Assistant Professor of Geology, Department of Natural Sciences

Travis Lynn, BS Digital Simulation & Game Engineering Technology
Full-time Instructor - Asst Esports Coach - Shawnee Game Conference Coordinator

Greg Lyons
Professor, Fine, Digital & Performing Arts

Jaime Madden
Project Manager, ITS

Paul Madden, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Professional Studies

Rhoni Maxwell-Rader, Ph.D.
Professor, Psychology

DeAnn McKenzie
Manager, General Accounting Services

Amanda M. Means
Assistant Director, Recruitment and Transfer

Adam Miller
Assistant Professor, Plastics Engineering Technology

Jim Miller, Ph. D.
Associate Professor, Sociology

Larry M. Miller, Ph.D.
 Professor, Dept. Engineering Technology/Plastics

Lindsay Monihen
Director, Literacy Leaps Program

Amber Montavon
Assistant Director, Annual Giving & Advancement Communications

Chris Moore
Director of Development 

Kim Moore, MOT, OTR/L
Program Director - Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Cathy Mullins
Adjunct Professor, English & Humanities

Jen Napper
Associate Professor, Biology

Andy Napper, Ph.D.
Professor Dept. Natural Sciences

Christopher O’Connor
Associate Professor, Mathematics

Monica Orlando
Assistant Professor, English & Humanities

Doug Parsley
IT Support Specialist

Erica Parsley MOT,OTR/L
Adjunct Professor in the OTA program

Lee Anne Pate, M.Ed.,RRT
Instructor, Respiratory Therapy

Lori Perry, B.S.
Administrative Assistant, Department of Allied Health Sciences

Thomas Piontek
Associate Professor, English & Humanities

Tiffany Pistole
Adjunct Professor, English & Humanities

Clifford Poirot
Professor, Social Science

Sherri Powell
Senior Instructor, Coordinator of First Year Experience

Marie Richey RDH, MSDH 
Assistant Professor, Dental Hygiene

Bill Rockwell
Manager, Athletics Operations

Holly D. Scott, MBA
Administrative  Assistant, Athletics 

Tami Sheets
University Registrar

Dr. Crystal Sherman, DNP, RN
Associate Professor-Nursing

Sheena Shifko
Program Leader, Radiologic Technology

Kelli Smith
Academic Advisor & Testing Coordinator Sudent Success Center

Mikhail R. Smith
Adjunct Faculty, English & Humanities

Alice Stephens, MBA, RT(R)(BSRS)
Assistant Professor, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

Heather Thacker
Academic Administrative Assistant II, Natural Sciences

David Utley
Adjunct Professor, Mathematics

Tracy Walters BBA
Administrative Assistant I, Social Sciences

Aimee Welch
Director, Development Foundation

Joe VanDeusen, MBA
Director, Risk Management & Contract Services

Elizabeth Wood, Masters/PhD 
Adjunct Faculty

Virginia (Ginny) Young
Coordinator, Academic Advising & Student Support Services for College of Arts & Sciences

Roberta Andrea Zaph MA Ed., MT(ASCP)
Assistant Professor, Medical Technology Program