University Announces New Faculty Members

Oct 25, 2010

        The University of Scranton has appointed 21 new full-time faculty members for the 2010-2011 academic year.

        Michael Allocca, Ph.D., was named visiting assistant professor of mathematics. Allocca, originally of Queens, N.Y., previously taught at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., as a graduate teaching assistant and instructor. He received a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn., and master’s and doctoral degrees in mathematics from North Carolina State University. He resides in Dunmore.

        Patrick Mahaney Clark, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of theology and religious studies. Clark, originally from Latrobe, previously taught at the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind., as a visiting assistant professor and undergraduate instructor. He also taught theology at Father Matignon High School, Somerville, Mass. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Duke University, Durham, N.C.; a master’s degree in theology from Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Mass.; and a doctorate in theology with a specialization in moral theology from the University of Notre Dame. He and his family reside in Scranton’s Green Ridge section.

        Teresa Conte, M.S.N., was named instructor of nursing. Conte practiced pediatric nursing for 15 years and most recently worked as a pediatric oncology nurse at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and an adjunct faculty member at Villanova University, Villanova. Conte received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Scranton and a master’s in nursing from Villanova University, where she is a doctoral candidate for nursing education and research. She resides in Dunmore.

        Jennifer Cutsforth, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor of education. Cutsforth was previously an instructor, director of student teaching and supervisor in the social studies education program at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City. She also taught high school social studies at Germantown High School, Germantown, Wis., and Lincoln High School, Manitowoc, Wis. Cutsforth received a bachelor’s degree in history from Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Ill.; a master’s degree in history from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wis.; and a doctoral degree in social studies education from Columbia University. She resides in Clarks Summit.

        Sean Devine, Ph.D., was named lecturer of chemistry. Devine, Brooklyn, N.Y., previously served at Cornell University, Ithaca, as a postdoctoral associate, and at the University of California, Irvine, as a graduate research and teaching assistant. He received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Hunter College, New York City, and a doctoral degree in chemistry from the University of California, Irvine.

        Verna Eschenfelder, Ph.D., was named lecturer of occupational and physical therapy. Eschenfelder previously taught occupational therapy courses at Misericordia University, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, and Texas Woman’s University, Houston, Tex. She was previously employed as a pediatric occupational therapist at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, and Conroe Independent School District, Conroe, Tex.; a rehabilitation occupational therapist at The Methodist Hospital, Houston; and a mental health therapist at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Tex. She earned a bachelor’s degree in health care administration from University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, and master’s and doctoral degrees in occupational therapy from Texas Woman’s University. She resides in Dallas.

        Linda Lewis Goffredo, M.S.N, was named lecturer of nursing. Goffredo, Spring Brook Township, was previously a clinical nursing instructor at the University of Scranton and The University of Pennsylvania, a clinical nurse at Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Cardiology, and worked for 20 years as a nurse at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She earned a diploma of nursing from Mercy School of Nursing, Scranton, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Pennsylvania State University, University Park, and a master’s in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania.

        Bradley Gregory, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of theology and religious studies. Gregory, Scranton, previously taught as a visiting assistant professor and instructor at the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind., and an adjunct instructor at St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minn. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga.; a master’s in biblical studies from Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia; and a doctorate in Hebrew bible and early Judaism from the University of Notre Dame.

        Joan Grossman was named assistant professor of exercise science and sports. Grossman worked as a manager at STAR Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation for Wyoming Valley Health Care System. She is a registered dietician and received a bachelor’s degree in biology from King’s College; a master’s degree in exercise and sport science from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.; and a doctorate from Marywood University. She and her family reside in Swoyersville.

        Herb Hauser, Ph.D., was named lecturer of psychology. Hauser, White Lake, N.Y., previously served as president of Midtown Technologies, LLC, and Barnes Wentworth, Inc., both New York City-based firms that focus on the interface between behavior and technology. He received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the State University of New York at Albany, Albany, N.Y. and master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology from Rutgers University, Piscataway, N.J.

        Gina Kucinski, Ph.D., was named lecturer of mathematics. Kucinski previously taught as an instructor at Binghamton University. She received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from The University of Scranton and master’s and doctoral degrees from Binghamton University. She resides in Dunmore.

        William Lambert was named faculty specialist for occupational and physical therapy. Lambert, Falls, is an occupational therapist for Oxford Consulting Services, Inc., Havertown, and maintains a small private practice. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English and psychology from King’s College, a bachelor’s in occupational therapy from Misericordia University and a master’s in occupational therapy from The University of Scranton.

        Andrew LaZella, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of philosophy. LaZella previously taught at DePaul University, Chicago, Ill. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and history from Hamline University, St. Paul, Minn., and master’s and doctoral degrees in philosophy from DePaul University. He resides in Scranton.

        Sehba Mahmood, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of education. Mahmood, originally of Karachi, Pakistan, previously taught as a senior lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand, and Manukau Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand; and as a lecturer at New Zealand Tertiary College, Auckland, and The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Karachi and master’s and doctoral degrees in education from the University of Auckland. She resides in Scranton.

        Michelle McHugh was named an assistant professor of library. McHugh worked as head cataloger and reader’s service librarian at the Scranton Public Library. She received a bachelor’s degree in media studies from Pennsylvania State University, University Park, and a master’s degree in library science from Clarion University, Clarion. She resides in Dunmore.

        Kathryn Shively Meier, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of history. Meier was previously a history instructor at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. She also taught English as a Second Language at Kaplan, Inc., Berkeley, Calif., and was a teacher in the San Rafael School District, San Rafael, Calif. Meier received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California, Berkley, a master’s in history and a doctorate in U.S. history, both from the University of Virginia. She resides in Dunmore.

        Matthew Meyer, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of philosophy. Meyer previously taught at Boston University, Boston, Mass., as a lecturer, teaching assistant and graduate assistant in philosophy. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn.; a master’s of theological studies from Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.; and a doctorate in philosophy with distinction from University of Vienna, Austria. He earned a master’s degree in Classics and a doctoral degree in philosophy, both from Boston University. He resides in Scranton.

        Sandy Pesavento was named lecturer of education. Pesavento, Scranton, previously worked in the Dallas School District as an educational technologist and at Wilkes University as an instructor. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Marywood University, a master’s in education from Wilkes University and is pursuing a doctoral degree from Nova Southeastern University, Florida.

        Yi Ren, Carbondale, Ill., was named assistant professor in accounting. Ren previously taught business courses at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Ill. She also worked as a senior tax accountant at Footstar Inc. and a tax accountant at Trust Tax Service of America, both in Worchester, Mass. She earned a doctoral degree in accountancy from Southern Illinois University. She resides in Dunmore.

        Ana Rojas, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of English. Rojas previously taught writing seminars at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. She earned a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from University of California, Irvine, Calif., and master’s and doctoral degrees in comparative literature with a concentration in feminist, gender and sexuality studies, both from Cornell University. She resides in Scranton.

        Marc Seid, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of biology. He will serve as a research associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, where he previously worked as a postdoctoral fellow. He was also a postdoctoral research assistant at the University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Seid earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in zoology from Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. He also earned a doctorate in biology from Boston University, Boston, Mass. He resides in Clarks Summit.

Note: A story about the hiring and orientation of new faculty members at The University of Scranton appears in the The Chronicle of Higher Education online (Oct. 24, 2010, issue date). A link to the online story is provided (subscription is required to view the entire article). http://chronicle.com/article/Fitting-In-U-of-Scranton/125054/

The printed edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education (Oct. 29, 2010, issue date) will become available later this week.

Images of faculty members are available through the Public Relations Office at The University of Scranton. Call 941-7669.


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