University of Scranton Appoints New Faculty Members

Oct 11, 2016

The University of Scranton has appointed 16 new full-time faculty members for the 2016-2017 academic year.

Hamza Adeinat, Ph.D.

Hamza Adeinat, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of operations and information management. Dr. Adeinat received a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Jordan in Amman, Jordan, and a master’s degree in industrial engineering /engineering management from the University of Houston in Houston, Texas. In May 2016 he completed a dual doctoral degree in industrial engineering and operations research from The Pennsylvania State University.

Thomas Giardina, Ph.D.

Thomas Giardina, Ph.D., was named a lecturer in the Biology Department. Previously he was an adjunct lecturer, teaching assistant and research assistant at Binghamton University. He earned a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate in biological sciences, with a concentration in evolution, ecology and behavior at Binghamton University.

Ahmed Gomaa, Ph.D.

Ahmed Gomaa, Ph.D., was named associate professor of operations and information management. He previously taught at Marywood University and Rutgers University. Dr. Gomaa received a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s in accounting information systems from the University of Alexandria in Egypt. He received an MBA and doctorate in management (information technology) from Rutgers University. He was the founder of iMediaStreams, LLC and served as director of online marketing for JumpTV.com Inc. Dr. Gomaa resides in South Abington Township.

John Kilker was named a faculty specialist in television and video in the Communication Department. He has worked in the film and television industry for more than 15 years as a producer, director, writer and editor. His work has been nominated or won awards at numerous film festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival. He has taught screenwriting, sound and directing at several universities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from The University of Scranton, a master’s in industrial and organizational psychology from Fairfield University, and a master of fine arts in film production from the University of Southern California.

Aiala Levy, Ph.D.

Aiala Levy, Ph.D., was named a visiting instructor in the History Department. She completed a doctoral degree in history at the University of Chicago, where she also earned a master’s in history. Her teaching interests include the history of Latin America, cities, gender, race and mass culture in the modern Atlantic World, world history and digital history. Professor Levy received a bachelor’s degree in history from Princeton University and also studied at the Universidad de Buenos Aires in Argentina. She has received numerous fellowships and has published work in several scholarly journals.

Wendy Manetti, Ph.D.

Wendy Manetti, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of nursing. She has served as a faculty specialist in the University’s nursing department since 2011. Dr. Manetti earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from The University of Scranton, and received a doctorate in nursing from Widener University. She currently practices as a family nurse practitioner for PrimeMed PC.  She worked as an intensive care unit nurse at Moses Taylor Hospital.  Dr. Manetti was named a National League of Nursing Jonas Scholar for 2014-2015. She resides in Old Forge.

Melissa McHale was named a faculty specialist in the Chemistry Department. She previously was an adjunct instructor at The University of Scranton, Marywood University, Wilkes University, Misericordia University and Luzerne County Community College. She was an associate scientist for WuXi AppTec in Philadelphia, and a lab technician and analytical consultant for YOH Scientific – Sanofi Pasteur in Swiftwater. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and a master’s in clinical chemistry from The University of Scranton. She resides in Wilkes-Barre.

Julie A. Nastasi, Sc.D., O.T.D.

Julie A. Nastasi, Sc.D., O.T.D., was named assistant professor of occupational therapy. She has served as a faculty specialist in the University’s Occupational Therapy Department since 2011. She has also taught at Ithaca College, Mercy College, and worked as an occupational therapist in hospitals and rehabilitation centers in Connecticut and New York. A registered occupational therapist with certification in low vision, she is a fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association. She received a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from The University of Scranton, a master’s degree from Tufts University and Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She holds doctorates from Boston University and Towson University.

Ashley L. Regan

Ashley L. Regan was named a faculty specialist in the Accounting Department. She previously worked as an internal auditor for QVC, Inc. and as a senior financial systems analyst for Bridon American Corporation. Prior to that, she was an inventory accountant for International Salt Company and a staff accountant for ParenteBeard, LLC. She received a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from The University of Scranton.

Vincent J. Rocco

Vincent J. Rocco was named a faculty specialist in the Operations and Information Management Department and manager of the Alperin Center Financial Lab. He previously served as an adjunct instructor in the University’s Kania School of Management. He was an equity trader on Wall Street for nearly a decade. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from Saint Joseph’s University and an MBA from Wilkes University.

John A. Ruddy, A.B.D., was named assistant professor of economics and finance. He has been a faculty specialist in the Accounting and Economics/Finance Departments at the University since 2013. He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from The University of Scranton and an MBA in finance and investments from The George Washington University. He is completing a doctorate in business administration at Pace University and also holds Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst designations. He has also worked as an accounting and finance practitioner since 1991. He started his career as an auditor for the federal government, worked for a Big 4 accounting firm and several money center financial institutions.  

Jordan Ruybal, Ph.D.

Jordan Ruybal, Ph.D., was named a lecturer in the biology department. Since 2008 she has been a junior lab specialist and then a doctoral researcher at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She received a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and completed a doctorate there in ecology and evolutionary biology. She has received numerous fellowships and has taught a variety of biology and ecology courses.

E. Springs Steele, Ph.D.

E. Springs Steele, Ph.D., was named a faculty specialist in the Theology and Religious Studies Department. He is returning to the University after spending eight years as a vice president and associate provost at Saint Joseph’s University. Dr. Steele served for nearly 30 years at The University of Scranton as a professor of theology and religious studies, department chair, director of the Center for Mission Reflection and associate provost. At Scranton, he received the Provost’s Excellence Award for University Service and Leadership, the John L. Earl III Distinguished Service Award, the first annual Teacher of the Year Award (voted by the 1997 senior class), the Case Professor of the Year for 1997 and the Alpha Sigma Nu Teaching Award in 1983. He holds a bachelor’s degree in theology, a master’s in biblical studies and a doctorate in biblical studies, all from the University of Notre Dame.

           

Andrew C. Venezia, Ph.D.

Andrew C. Venezia, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of exercise science and sport. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in exercise science from Bloomsburg University, and a doctorate in neuroscience and cognitive science from the University of Maryland. He has presented his research at numerous conferences around the nation and was awarded a pre-doctoral fellowship from the National Institutes of Health. He also taught at the University of Maryland. He resides in Dickson City.

Natalie Wentz

Natalie Wentz was named a lecturer in the Biology Department. She previously taught as an adjunct instructor at the University and at Keystone College. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Keystone College and earned a master’s degree in biochemistry from The University of Scranton while working as a graduate teaching assistant. She received the University’s 2016 Outstanding Graduate Student Award.

John P. Wiercinski was named a faculty specialist in the Health and Human Resources Department. For the past nine years, he was regional vice president for Geisinger Northeast. He previously served as chief administrative officer for Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre, as president and chief executive officer for Shamokin Area Community Hospital and Northumberland Health Services, was senior vice president for operations at Bradford Regional Medical Center, and director of health planning for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He is an Air Force veteran, having served as a captain working in administrative management of an Air Force hospital. He received a bachelor’s degree in human resources from The University of Scranton and a master of health administration degree from Xavier University.

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