A new academic year means changes of the past and new. Three new college deans, 19 new faculty members and 600 new freshmen joined the West Liberty family for the first full year of West Liberty University Aug. 26.

Even though West Liberty said goodbye to five faculty members last year, growth in several programs throughout campus sought the hiring of the following new faculty members:

• Michael Aulick– Associate Professor of Theater
• Brianne Bayer– Instructor of Communications
• Jenna Cook– Instructor of Mathematics
• Craig Crow– Instructor of Management
• Dr. Mark Even– Assistant Professor of Chemistry
• Jasmine Garcia–Instructor of Broadcast Journalism
• Dr. Shannon Halicki– Assistant Professor of Foreign Languages
• Lina Hixson– Instructor of Nursing
• Aaron Huffman– Instructor of Physical Education
• Dr. Tracy Hutchison– Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene
• Moonjung Kang– Assistant Professor of Graphic Design
• Dr. Dongsoo Kim– Assistant Professor of Political Science
• Ryan McCullough– Instructor of Communications
• Catherine Monteroso- Instructor of Physical Education
• Mark Pissos– Instructor of Computer Information Systems
• Sarah Schimmel– Instructor of Special Education
• Sara Smith– Assistant Professor/Program Director of Nursing
• Traci Tuttle– Instructor of Special Education
• Dr. Matthew Zdilla– Assistant Professor of Biology

Three new college deans were hired as well. Dr. Loren Wenzel leads the College of Business Administration. Dr. Keely Camden is the Dean for the College of Education, and Dr. Thomas Michaud heads up the School of Professional Studies.

Wenzel comes to West Liberty from Marshall University, where he served as a Professor and as Division Head for Accountancy and Legal Environment.

“I am very excited to be at West Liberty University during a time where there are a number of opportunities to take the University to places it’s never been before,” said Wenzel.  He succeeds Elizabeth Robinson, who retired June 30.

Camden recently served as the Education Department Chair at Bethany College, where she also held the role of an Associate Professor of Education and NCATE coordinator for teacher education accreditation. Camden succeeds Dr. Beth Musser, who retired June 30 after 33 years of service to WL.

Twenty-year Ohio Valley Resident Dr. Thomas Michaud joined the West Liberty University faculty as the institution’s first Dean for the School of Professional Studies.

“I am very excited to be a part of a dynamic and growing institution like West Liberty. I am especially enthusiastic about West Liberty’s development of new program areas for adult and continuing education, on the undergraduate and post-graduate levels,” Michaud said.

Michaud will oversee continuing education and professional development beyond a bachelor’s degree at WLU. Michaud’s office is located at the new Highlands Center.

Meanwhile, William Baronak has been re-appointed as Interim Dean for the College of Liberal Arts.

Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Dr. John McCullough re-assumed his duties as Provost. Former Provost, Dr. Donna Lukich assumed a new role as Vice-Provost.

For contact information for any West Liberty University employee, you can find the campus directory at westliberty.edu.

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