Help us Welcome the New Full-Time Faculty

New Full-Time Faculty 

Fall 2023

Barney School of Business

Kenneth Goroshko: Executive in Residence

Professor Goroshko has over 35 years of experience in Corporate Risk Management and Insurance, having worked at The Travelers Insurance, UnitedHealthcare, and The Hartford. He is experienced in group benefits, pension investment analysis, absence management, integrated benefits, P&C, Workers Compensation, and Disability and Life Insurance. In addition to serving as a part-time faculty member at UHart for several years, he is also a proud alumnus, having earned his BS in Economics, MA in Economics and Research, and MBA in Finance from the Barney School of Business. He will be teaching Principles of Insurance and Social Insurance this fall.  

Shreya Malhotra: Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics

Professor Malhotra served as an Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Delhi as well as a Researcher at Policy Futures Network, Washington where she focused on developing a new framework for savings and wealth accumulation across Americans. She earned a BA in Economics from the University of Delhi, MA in Economics from Jamia Millia Islamia, and MPhil and PhD in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University. She has a teaching experience of over 8 years. She will be teaching Principles of Macroeconomics, Applied Regression Analysis and Forecasting, and Economics for Managers this fall. She began her appointment in the spring of 2023.

College of Arts and Sciences

Olusola Agboola: Visiting Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Professor Agboola is experienced in Java, HTML/CSS, Python, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, and Data Science. He joins UHart from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), where he served as a faculty member in the Department of Computer Electronics and Graphic Technology. He has also held several business and software analyst roles. He earned his BS in Physics from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, MS in Computer Information Technology from CCSU, and is pursuing a PhD in Information Technology (Cyber Engineering) at the University of the Cumberlands. He will be teaching Introduction to Computers, Fundamentals of Computing, and Architecture and Assembly Language this fall.

Marlene Baldizon: Clinical/Applied Teaching Assistant Professor of Psychology (GIPP)

Professor Baldizon is a clinical psychologist who has spent the past six years working as a psychologist and faculty member for Middlesex Health Crescent Center for Mental Health in the child and adolescent program. Prior to this, she worked in the New Haven Public Schools as a central office administrator of school psychology, special education, bilingual and ELS services, and as a school principal. She also served as a part-time faculty member at Southern Connecticut State University. She earned her BA in Developmental Psychology from Purdue University, MA in Psychological Studies from Seton Hall University, and EdS in School Psychology and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Seton Hall University. She will be teaching Psychological Assessment III and a Professional Seminar in Diversity this fall.

Benjamin Berger: Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy

Professor Berger specializes in 19^th Century Philosophy, Philosophy of Nature, Environmental Philosophy, and Philosophical Anthropology. He served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Kent State University, Haverford College, and Trinity College. He earned a BA in Philosophy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, MA in Continental Philosophy and PhD in Philosophy from the University of Warwick.  He will be teaching introductory courses in philosophy this fall.

Carlita Elias: Clinical/Applied Teaching Assistant Professor of Psychology (GIPP)

Professor Elias specializes in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and has spent most of her clinical career working with children, adolescents, and families in her private practice. She brings extensive teaching and clinical experience, including serving as a part-time instructor in the Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology at Uhart. She earned her BA in Psychology from Roberts Wesleyan College and her MA in Clinical Practices and PsyD from the University of Hartford. She will be teaching Community Psychology and Child Psychotherapy this fall.

Joe Larios: Jackie McLean Fellow

Professor Larios is currently finishing his PhD in Comparative Literature at Emory University. His dissertation is entitled: “Recollected Forward: Repetition, Action, and Fantasy in 20^th and 21^st Century Literature of the Americas.” He earned a BA in Modern Culture and Media from Brown University, an MA in Philosophy from Louisiana State University, and MA in Comparative Literature from Emory University. His areas of teaching and research include global approaches to modernity and modernism, ecocriticism and environmental humanities, French and German Modern Thought, and Feminist, Queer, and Psychoanalytic Theory. He will be teaching Introduction to Latin American Literature this fall.

Anastasiia Minenkova: Assistant Professor of Mathematics  

Professor Minenkova specializes in numerical analysis and perturbation theory, as well as machine learning, quantum information theory, and other applications of linear algebra. She served as a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Mount Holyoke College. She has also worked on projects with UConn Health Center for Quantitative Medicine and Jackson Labs for Genomic Medicine. She earned her Bachelor's and Magister’s Degree in Mathematics from Donetsk National University, MS in Mathematics from the University of Mississippi, and PhD in Applied Mathematics from UConn. She will be teaching Linear Algebra & Matrix Theory and Applied Math for Civil Engineers this fall.

Chencheng Zhou: Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Professor Zhou’s scholarly interests are in data analysis, nonparametric testing, blockchain, reliably of complex systems, probabilistic risk assessment, Internet of things, dependable computing and networking, and cybersecurity. In addition to a variety of corporate experiences, Professor Zhou has served as a Visiting Instructor at UHart, teaching Contemporary Mathematics. He earned his Bachelor of Business at Tianjin University, Master of Math Finance and PhD in Computing and Information Systems at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a PhD in Computer Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He will be teaching Modeling with Elementary Functions this fall. 

College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions

Brittany McGowan: Visiting Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Professor McGowan provides tailored wellness, prevention, and health promotion solutions for optimal patient outcomes in adults and children. She earned her BS in Athletic Training and Exercise Science and went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy as well from Sacred Heart University. She currently practices in the inpatient acute care hospital setting with both the adult and pediatric populations. She has also worked in the outpatient clinic setting assisting adult and pediatric patients with Cystic Fibrosis. She will be teaching coursework in Diagnosis and Intervention in Acute Care, Pathophysiology, and Professional Practice in Physical Therapy. She will also be assisting with coursework in Musculoskeletal Examination and Intervention as well as Pediatrics.

Sujata Norman: Assistant Professor of Special Education

Professor Norman focuses on special educational instructional strategies to improve literacy and numeracy strategies among children with diverse learning. She served as an Assistant Professor in Special Education at West Chester University and Edinboro University and is an experienced special education teacher both domestically and abroad. She earned her BS in Education from Annamalai University, MS in Special Education from the University of Waikato, and PhD in Special Education from the University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa. She is teaching Psychology of Exceptionalities, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, and Theoretical Foundations: Children and Adults with Special Needs this fall.  

Chrissy Ross: Clinical/Applied Teaching Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Professor Ross has over 11 years of experience as a Geriatric Clinical Specialist within the area of neurodegenerative disease. She served as a Physical Therapist, Clinical Specialist, and Clinical Education Lead at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health where she worked primarily with Alzheimer’s patients and those with moderate to late-stage neurocognitive disease. She earned her BA in Exercise Science from University of North Carolina at Wilmington, MA in Physical Education Teaching from University of Northern Iowa, Doctor of Physical Therapy from Creighton University, and a Geriatric Physical Therapy Accredited Post-Professional Residency at the University of Delaware.

Barbara Sanchez: Assistant Professor of Exercise Science

Professor Sanchez focuses on resistance exercise and its role in health, fitness, and performance with a specific focus on the female population. She just recently earned her PhD in Kinesiology from The Ohio State University; her dissertation was entitled “Assessing Responses to Exercise in the Heat in Trained Women.” She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist, women’s coaching specialist, and certified pre- and post-natal coach. Her BS is in Exercise Science from University of South Florida and her MS is in Kinesiology from The Ohio State University. She will be teaching Exercise Physiology this fall.

College of Engineering, Technology, & Architecture

Mohammadmehdi Danesh: Assistant Professor of Architecture

Professor Danesh’s areas of interest include Building Technology, Sustainable Design and High-Performance Building, Energy Simulation, and Architectural Design. Prior to his appointment at the University of Hartford, he served as an Assistant Professor at Keene State College and South Dakota University. He has also held several professional architectural roles. He earned his BA from Zabol University, Master of Architectural Engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology, and PhD from Texas A&M University. He will be teaching Introduction to Digital Tools and Advanced Building Systems this fall.

Daniel Horowitz: Visiting Assistant Professor of Architecture

Professor Horowitz is the Principal and Co-Founder of Apache Design Build LLC and Founder and CEO of Architecture is Free Foundation. In addition to a number of professional and academic accolades, he has taught several design courses at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He earned his BA in Design of the Environment and Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, Master of Science in Architectural Technologies and Master of Science in Design Theory and Pedagogy from Southern California Institute of Architecture. He is teaching Materials and Methods of Construction and Documentation this fall.

Hartford Art School

JLS Gangwisch: Assistant Professor of Foundations

Professor Gangwisch explores the interactions of digital and physical media with a focus on the human figure. With a background in film and video production, their most recent work experiments with 3D scanning/printing, augmented and virtual realities, and networked cinematics. In addition to a robust record of performances, screenings, and exhibitions, they served as an Assistant Professor of Visual and Performing Arts at Albertus Magnus College and has an extensive record of teaching at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).  They earned their BA in Film Production from the University of New Orleans, MA in Television Production from Falmouth University, and MFA in intermedia and digital arts from UMBC. They will be teaching Foundation 4D Studio this fall.

Emily Sheffer: Visiting Assistant Professor of Photography

Professor Sheffer is a photographic artist, educator, and book designer. She is the founder of Dust Collective, a handmade photography book publisher.  Emily earned her BFA from The Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and her MFA from The University of Hartford. Her work is in the collections of the Harvard Fine Arts Library, Peabody Essex Museum Library, and Tufts University Library, among others. Emily has been invited as an artist-in-residence at Maine Media Workshops and Tusen Takk Foundation.

The Hartt School

Matthew DeChamplain: Assistant Professor of Jazz  

In addition to a prestigious record of performances and recordings, Professor DeChamplain has been an active member of the university community for over 10 years. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies from The Hartt School in 2010 and has taught undergraduate and graduate courses at UHart since 2013, including The Art of Jazz, Jazz Transcription, Jazz Theory, Jazz Appreciation, and Analysis of American Songbook Standards. He earned his Master of Music (Performance) Jazz Studies from the University of Toledo School of Visual and Performing Arts. He will be teaching Jazz Combo Ensemble, Jazz Keyboard, Jazz Transcription, Jazz Theory, Jazz Analysis, and Duke Ellington this fall.

Brian Jennings: Assistant Professor of Theater

Professor Jennings has taught at the University of Hartford since 1999: first in the Department of Art History, Cinema, & Drama, then in the Department of English’s Drama Minor, and most recently in the Hartt School’s Theater Division. He has spent the last 27 years teaching at the Greater Hartford Academy of Arts and has served as the Theater Department Head since 2017. He worked with the National Theatre of the Deaf as a voicing actor and playwright from 1993-2001, and has been a member of Hartbeat Ensemble since 2006. He earned his BA from Princeton University and his MFA in Professional Actor Training from the National Theatre Conservatory. He will be teaching Acting I, Acting V, and Modernist Theater Styles and Performance this fall.

John Pike: Visiting Assistant Professor of Theater

Professor Pike joined The Hartt School in 2003 where he currently teaches Music Theatre History, Text Analysis, Current Trends in Professional Theatre, and Composition for the Theatre. Previously he was on faculty of Syracuse University. Prior to academia, John was Artistic Associate for Goodspeed Musicals where he collaborated on more than 100 productions in various capacities including dramaturg and musicologist. He earned his BA at Wake Forest University, BBA at Wharton School, and MFA at Yale School of Drama. He will be teaching History of Theatre Architecture, Text Analysis I, Rehearsal and Performance, Current Trends in Professional Theater, and History of Music Theater this fall.  

Sarah Provost: Assistant Professor of Music History

Professor Provost’s work focuses on early jazz, incorporating focal points such as gender, creativity, race, ethnicity, and historiography. She has extensive experience teaching Western music traditions and courses in the liberal arts. She most recently served as Associate Professor of Musicology at the University of North Florida and has experience as a Lecturer in Music at Clark University and Johnson and Wales University. She earned her Bachelor of Music, Flute Performance from The Hartt School and a PhD in Musicology from Brandeis University. She will be teaching Medieval through Early Baroque, History of Music in America, and Pro-Seminar in Music History this fall.

Mohamed Shamseldin: Associate in Music – Collaborative Piano

Professor Shamseldin is an alumnus of The University of Hartford, having earned an Artist Diploma and a Doctor of Musical Arts from The Hartt School in Piano Performance. Prior to this, he earned his Bachelor of Music from the Cairo Conservatoire and Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He brings a host of teaching and professional experience, including serving as a member of the faculty at University of Saint Joseph and SUNY Purchase. This fall Professor Shamseldin will serve as the primary liaison between the Hartt School Faculty, students, and staff providing oversight and coordination of all accompanists.