New Full-Time Faculty 2021-22
This year we welcome 30 new full time faculty members to the University of Hartford, representing all of our seven schools and colleges, and twenty-three different academic disciplines. Three of these new faculty members are on Clinical or Applied appointments, and thirteen are on the Tenure Track. The others are here for one-year appointments, serving in situations such as late resignations and failed searches. This is also the most diverse group of full-time faculty to ever join the University—55% identify as female and 49% as Black, Asian or Latinx. Of the 16 hired to long-term (tenure-track or clinical/applied) contracts, 56% are female and 56% are Black, Asian or Latinx. The range of accomplishments these new faculty are truly impressive. On Sept. 30, from 4 p.m.-6 p.m., the full-time faculty are invited to join the Faculty Mentor Network in meeting these new members of our academic community. Please contact T. Stores (stores@hartford.edu) for more information.
Taylor Bacon joins the College of Arts & Sciences as a Visiting Instructor of Mathematics and Director of the Math Secondary Education Program. Professor Bacon holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and Bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Secondary mathematics Instruction from University of Connecticut, as well as a Master’s degree in Data Analytics from Capella University. She has been a secondary school Math teacher since 2012.
Jill Bambury is Assistant Professor of Architecture in the College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture. Her Master’s degree and Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Architecture are from Cambridge University, where her dissertation was The Church in the ‘Hyperghetto’: An Architectural Investigation into an African American Neighbourhood in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Bambury previously taught at University of British Columbia, University of Oregon, and University of Louisiana, among others. She has extensive professional experience as an architect and numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
Stephen Charry begins this year as Clinical Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences, Prosthetics and Orthotics in the College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions after eight years as an adjunct professor in the department. Professor Charry is an alumnus of the University of Hartford, with a M.S. in Prosthetics and Orthotics from ENHP and a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from CETA. His professional experience includes eight years as Certified Prosthetist and Lead Clinician at Hanger Clinic.
Kristal Cloft joins the College of Arts & Sciences as Visiting Instructor of Mathematics after having served as an adjunct professor in the department for several years. Professor Cloft is a Ph.D. candidate in Curriculum and Instruction for Mathematics Education at University of Connecticut. She earned her M.A. in Mathematics Teaching from Central Connecticut State University (C.C.S.U.), and two Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Hartford (in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics). She previously taught at C.C.S.U. and Manchester Community College.
James Cody joins the College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions as Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy and Assistant Director of Clinical Education. Professor Cody’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) is from American International College, and he is a licensed physical therapist with more than eight years professional experience. His teaching experience includes Adjunct Professor at Springfield College, the Site Coordinator of Clinical Education through Middlesex Health, and as an APTA Level II Certified Clinical Instructor. He was awarded the Educational Leadership Scholarship Grant Award from The American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) as a part of the Educational Leadership Conference 2020.
Walter Gorak joins the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy after teaching part-time in the department since 2011, as well as at Naugatuk Community College. Dr. Gorak’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree is from the A. T. Still University of Health Sciences, and his Master’s is from University of Miami. He also holds an M.B.A. with a focus in healthcare management from the University of Hartford. Dr. Gorak has been a practicing physical therapist for more than twenty years and has published several papers in peer-reviewed journals. His research focuses on mobility and risk of falling in older adults.
Jonathan Gordils joins the College of Arts & Sciences as Assistant Professor of Psychology. His Ph.D. and M.A. in Social Psychology are from University of Rochester, and his B.S. is from University of Connecticut. Dr. Gordils has published two peer-reviewed papers and presented widely.
Edwin Grimsley is a Jackie McLean Fellow joining the Department of Criminal Justice in the College of Arts & Sciences. He is a Ph.D. candidate at the City University of New York, where his dissertation focuses on The Collateral and Cumulative Effects of Marijuana Criminalization. His B.A. is from Wesleyan University. Professor Grimsley previously taught at N.Y.U., John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and Hunter College (CUNY). His prior experience includes research with Yale Law and the Data Collaborative for Justice and professional work at the Innocence Project and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Raza Kazmi is Visiting Assistant Professor of Foundations in the Hartford Art School. Professor Kazmi is a Pakistani Asian Modern & Contemporary artist who was born in 1990. His work was featured in an exhibition at the Interstate Projects in Brooklyn, New York. He received his BFA in New Media Art from the Hartford Art School and his MFA in Sculpture from the Yale School of Art.
Deborah Lifton joins the tenure-track faculty in The Hartt School as Assistant Professor of Voice after three years as a Visiting Professor. Professor Lifton’s M.M. is from Manhattan School of Music. She previously taught at Western Connecticut State University, Ithaca College, Syracuse, Cornell, and N.Y.U. She has performed in operas and concerts worldwide, and has also done voice-over work commercially.
Jacqueline Lubin comes to the College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions as Assistant Professor of Special Education from Tennessee State University where she was an Associate Professor and from Fort Hays State University where she was an Assistant Professor. Her Ed.D. is from University of Lynchburg, and her professional background includes fifteen years as a genderal and special educator in St. Lucia. Dr. Lubin has published and presented widely in her discipline.
Mary Mattingly joins the Hartford Art School as Visiting Assistant Professor and Acting Director of MFA in Interdisciplinary Art Program. Professor Mattingly’s work has been exhibited at Storm King, the International Center of Photography, the Seoul Art Center, the Brooklyn Museum, the New York Public Library, de Cordova Museum and Sculpture Park, and the Palais de Tokyo. She has been awarded grants and fellowships from the James L. Knight Foundation, Eyebeam Center for Art and Technology, Yale University School of Art, the Harpo Foundation, NYFA, the Jerome Foundation, and the Art Matters Foundation. Her work has been featured in Aperture Magazine, Art in America, Artforum, Art News, Sculpture Magazine, The New York Times, New York Magazine, Le Monde Magazine, New Yorker,and on BBC News, MSNBC, Fox News, News 12, NPR, WNBC, and on Art21's New York Close Up series.
Maria Mitchell will teach as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics in Hillyer College. She holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Capella University, where her dissertation focused transforming teaching in a preservice mathematics course. She is a tenured Associate Professor of Mathematics at Central Connecticut State University.
Nicholas Misenti joins the Barney School of Business as Visiting Assistant Professor of Accounting. He was previously Professor of Business Law and Accounting at Quinnipiac University and at Capitol Community College. Professor Misenti holds a J.D. from University of Connecticut School of Law and the M.S. in Accounting from University of Connecticut. His professional experience includes work as both an attorney and a C.P.A. He is the author of a book and several peer-reviewed papers.
Jinsook Park is Visiting Instructor of Mathematics in the College of Arts & Sciences. She has served as an adjunct professor in the department for several years. Professor Park is a Ph.D. candidate in Mathematics Education at University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, where she previously completed a Master’s degree. She also holds a M.S. in Computer Science from Ball State University. She is co-author of a peer-reviewed article and numerous conference proceedings.
Nicole Pekrul, Visiting Clinical Assistant Teaching Professor and Clinical Coordinator of Radiologic Technology Program in the College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions, is an alumnus of the radiology program at the University of Hartford she now joins as faculty. In addition to teaching part-time in the program for several years, Professor Pekrul has more than six years’ experience in Connecticut hospitals including St. Francis and Connecticut Children’s, among others.
Amanda Piccoli joins the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy. She has taught as an adjunct professor for the University of Hartford since 2017 and was named Clinical Educator of the Year. Her degrees include a Master’s in Physical Therapy from University of Connecticut and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University, where her thesis focused on strengthening exercises after surgery in older adults. Dr. Piccoli has worked as a physical therapist in Connecticut for twenty years.
Kasey Ramirez joins the Hartford Art School as Assistant Professor of Printmaking. Her M.F.A. is from Indiana University, and she taught previously at University of Arkansas and Eastern Illinois University, as well as at Indiana. Professor Ramirez’s work has been exhibited in numerous group and solo shows, and her honors include grants, prizes and residences in dozens of competitions.
José Ramos-Santana is Associate Professor of Instrumental Studies/Piano in The Hartt School. His Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Music are from Julliard, and he taught at N.Y.U., Smith College, and Catholic University, among others, before coming to the University of Hartford. Professor Ramos-Santana has performed with orchestras and in festivals around the world, and he is the winner of the 2020 Issac Albeniz Medal of the Fundacion Issac Albeniz Camprodon. He is the founder and artistic director of the Puerto Rico International Piano Festival.
Md Kamruzzaman Sarker is Assistant Professor of Computing Sciences in the College of Arts & Sciences. His Ph.D. in Computer Sciences is from Kansas State University, where he was also a postdoctoral research fellow at the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. Dr. Sarker’s research at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Data Analysis, Semantic Web, and their application has been presented in numerous conferences. His professional experience includes work at Samsung and Intel, as well as grant funding from Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Department of Defense (DoD).
Xin Shin joins the College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture as Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Dr. Shin earned a Ph.D. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from University of Connecticut, and two other M.S. engineering degrees from Doshisha University and Xidian University. He was Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts before coming to the University of Hartford. His peer-reviewed articles have been published in dozens of journals.
Anae Sobhani is Assistant Professor of Business Analytics and Data Science in Barney School of Business. Dr. Sobhani holds a Ph.D. in transportation engineering from McGill University. Before coming to the University of Hartford, she was an Assistant Professor in the Social Urban Transitions Section and a member of the Machine Learning Applications committee at the Applied Data Science Centre at Utrecht University (Netherlands). Her research on developing next-generation integrated micro-simulation models based on Big Data for transport and other urban systems in association with health (e.g., ride- sharing, Automated Vehicles, etc.) has been published in many journals.
Stephen Smith is Visiting Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Director in Architecture in the College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture. He is the principal of Stephen Charles Smith Architects. Professor Smith was Practitioner in Residence at the University of New Haven and has previously taught at Barnard College, Harlem Academy, and has been an invited design critic at Pratt Institute. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University.
Carol Schwartz joins Hartford Art School as Visiting Assistant Professor of Illustration. She is an alumnus of the University of Hartford, with an M.F.A. in Illustration. Her illustrations have appeared in over 60 picture books and countless magazines, newspapers and advertisements, including Scholastic, Hyperion, National Geographic Society, National Wildlife Federation, and The Washington Post. Her children’s books have been chosen as Outstanding Science Trade Books by the National Science Teachers’ Association and Children’s Book Council and have been honored with the Children’s Choice Book Award and included in the Original Art exhibition at the Society of Illustrators in New York.
Juliana Cantarelli Vita joins The Hartt School as Assistant Professor of Music Education. Dr. Vita’s Ph.D. is from the University of Washington, and her research interests include ethnomusicology, children’s musical cultures, gender and music. She taught at University of Washington and West Virginia University and in primary schools in Seattle and Brazil before joining The Hartt School faculty. She has published several peer-reviewed articles in journals and has presented, conducted, and led workshops in a variety of settings, including orchestras, tribal communities, hospitals, and conferences.
Nayomi Walton is Assistant Professor of Nursing in the College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions. Dr. Walton’s degrees (B.S., M.S., Ph.D.) in Nursing are from the University of Connecticut, where her dissertation was a mixed-methods study on improving transitions of care for persons with dementia from the hospital to the long-term care setting. She taught at Westfield State University as well as at University of Connecticut, and she has worked as nurse for more than ten years at UConn Health Center.
Song Wang joins the College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture as Assistant Professor of Structural Engineering. Dr. Wang’s Ph.D. in Structural Engineering is from Missouri University of Science and Technology. He comes to the University of Hartford from Georgia State University, where he was previously a Visiting Assistant Professor. He is the author of several peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
Laura Wheeler joins the College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions as an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy. Her post professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy is from Quinnipiac University, and she was previously Clinical Assistant Professor at Western New England University. Her professional experience includes twenty years as an occupational therapist in a variety of settings.
Goyland Williams is a Jackie McLean Fellow joining the School of Communications in the College of Arts & Sciences. Professor Williams is a Ph.D. candidate at University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where his research is informed by performance (auto)ethnography, Africana critical theory, and rhetorical criticism. Animated by the dual, and sometimes conflicting nature of African American expressive culture, his dissertation theorizes what he has coined as Black Interruptions to address the complex interplay between African American resistance and cultural expression. Professor Williams holds Master’s degrees from Texas State University and University of Kansas. He taught previously at Seton Hall University.
Linda Yamamoto joins the College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions as Clinical Assistant Professor of Exercise Science and Program Director. Her Ph.D. in Kinesiology is from the University of Connecticut, where her dissertation focused on intravenous and oral rehydration. Dr. Yamamoto was previously Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Exercise Science at Central Connecticut State University and, in addition to teaching, has professional experience as a personal trainer. She has published dozens of peer-reviewed articles in journals and presents widely on exercise science.