University of Scranton Announces New Faculty Members

The University of Scranton has appointed 24 new full-time faculty members for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Peter Andersen, Ph.D.

Peter Andersen, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of management, marketing and entrepreneurship. He most recently was an assistant instructor at the University of Texas-Pan American. Dr. Andersen earned a bachelor’s degree in human geography and a master’s in business administration from the University of Tehran, Iran, a Ph.D. in international marketing at the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He also earned a second Ph.D. in marketing from the University of Texas-Pan American. He has worked professionally for Nokia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the Iran Insurance Company in Tehran. His research has been published in several business journals.

Duane S. Armitage, Ph.D.

Duane S. Armitage, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of philosophy. He most recently was a lecturer in philosophy at Gonzaga University, and had been a lecturer in philosophy at The University of Scranton from 2011 until 2013. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at The University of Scranton in 2005, a master’s in philosophy at Boston College, and a Ph.D. in philosophy at the New School for Social Research. His research, focusing on Martin Heidegger and Soren Kierkegaard, has been published in multiple professional journals. He resides in Old Forge.

Susan Boafo-Arthur, Ph.D

Susan Boafo-Arthur, Ph.D., was named assistant professor in counseling and human services. She most recently was a staff counselor at Mississippi State University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Ghana in Legon, a master’s in human development at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, a master’s in clinical mental health counseling and a Ph.D. in counselor education at Mississippi State University. Her research, focusing on counseling stigma and acculturative experiences, has been published in multiple counseling journals.

Hyuk Jun Cheong, Ph.D.

Hyuk Jun Cheong, Ph.D., Cand., was named an instructor in communication. He was most recently a marketing manager for the London School of English in Daegu, Korea, and had been an export manager for the Garden Sangsa Company in Daegu and a Web designer for the Defense Intelligence Command in Seoul. He earned a bachelor’s degree in law at Keimyung University in Daegu, Korea. He earned his master’s in communication and information and is a Ph.D. candidate in the same field at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He has published research in the Journal of Interactive Advertising and the Journal of Marketing Analytics and has multiple research papers in progress.

Chandra Ann Dombroski, DPT

Chandra Ann Dombroski, DPT, was named a faculty specialist in occupational therapy. She most recently was employed as a rehabilitation director at United Methodist Homes in Pittston and as an adjunct faculty in physical therapy at Misericordia University. A licensed Pennsylvania physical therapist, Dombroski earned a bachelor’s degree in science, a master’s degree in physical therapy and a transitional doctorate in physical therapy at Misericordia University. She resides in Laflin.

Tracie L. Haines-Landram

Tracie L. Haines-Landram was named a faculty specialist in exercise science and sport. She most recently was a full-time lecturer at Appalachian State University. Prof. Haines-Landram earned a bachelor’s degree in health and exercise science at the College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in exercise science at Appalachian State. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist, and her research has been published in several refereed journals.

Lisa A. Kozden, Ph.D., Cand.

Lisa A. Kozden, Ph.D., Cand., was named a faculty specialist in occupational therapy. A certified hand therapist with multiple specialty certifications, she is co-owner of Hand 2 Hand Therapy LLC in Wilkes-Barre and was most recently employed by the Lehigh Valley Physician Group in Bethlehem. She earned her bachelor’s degree in human resource administration at Muhlenberg College and her master’s in occupational therapy at Nova Southeastern University. She is a Ph.D. candidate in occupational therapy at Nova Southeastern University. She resides in Exeter.

Michael J. Landram, Ph.D.

Michael J. Landram, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor of exercise science and sport. He was most recently a clinical assistant professor at Appalachian State University. Dr. Landram earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science at Truman State University, his master of science in exercise science at Appalachian State and his Ph.D. in biomedical research and statistics at the University of Roma in Italy. His research has been published in several academic journals.

Rodeen Lechleitner, Ph.D.

Rodeen Lechleitner, Ph.D., was named a faculty specialist in exercise science and sport and teaches community health education. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Northampton Community College, Marywood University, Penn State Schuylkill Haven and Lehigh Carbon Community College as well as a temporary full-time instructor at Kutztown University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history at Susquehanna University, her master’s in communication arts at Marywood University and her Ph.D. in human development at Marywood University. She resides in Nesquehoning.

Mahri Leonard-Fleckman, Ph.D.

Mahri Leonard-Fleckman, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor of theology/religious studies. She was most recently an adjunct professor at Stonehill College and was a Health and Community Development Consultant with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and English literature at Washington University in St. Louis, her master of divinity at Union Theological Seminary and her Ph.D. in Hebrew and Judaic Studies at New York University. She has multiple articles and reviews, as well as two books, in progress.

Amanda Sue Marcy

Amanda Sue Marcy was named a faculty specialist in accounting. She was most recently a senior accountant in assurance services at Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP. She earned her bachelor’s in accounting and MBA with an accounting concentration at The University of Scranton and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and Healthcare Financial Management Association. She resides in Clifford Township.

William F. Miller, Ph.D.

William F. Miller, Ph.D., was named a faculty specialist in health administration and human resources. He was most recently employed by Wilkes University as a distance-education compliance officer and clinical assistant professor of family medicine at The Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton. He earned his bachelor’s degree in health science at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, his master of health administration at the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, and his Ph.D. in health promotion at Marywood University. He resides in Scranton.

Jo Ann L. Nicoteri, Ph.D.

Jo Ann L. Nicoteri, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of nursing. She has been a family nurse practitioner and part-time nursing faculty member at The University of Scranton since 2006. Nicoteri earned a diploma from the Community Medical Center School of Nursing, a bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, a master of science in family nursing at the State University of New York at Binghamton and a Ph.D. in nursing at the University of Maryland at Baltimore. She has published research in several nursing journals. She resides in Clarks Summit.

Patrick T. Orr, Ph.D.

Patrick T. Orr, Ph.D., was named assistant professor in psychology. He was previously visiting assistant professor at The University of Scranton and a post-doctoral fellow at Geisinger Health System in Danville. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at The University of Scranton and two master’s degrees in psychology at Yale University. He earned his doctorate in psychology at Yale, where he also received a dissertation fellowship. Dr. Orr has published work in a number of peer-reviewed publications and presented research at numerous conferences. He resides in Duryea.

Adam J. Pratt, Ph.D.

Adam J. Pratt, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of history. He was previously a visiting assistant professor at The University of Scranton and adjunct instructor at Louisiana State University and Baton Rouge Community College. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Clemson University and master’s and doctoral degrees from Louisiana State University. He studies the nineteenth century United States and teaches classes on Jacksonian America, the Civil War and Reconstruction, and historical research methods. He has several scholarly publications. He resides in Scranton.

Katherine E. Purswell, Ph.D.

Katherine E. Purswell, Ph.D., was named assistant professor in counseling and human services. She was most recently a faculty specialist at The University of Scranton and worked as an assistant director for the Center for Play Therapy and as a primary investigator for her research in Texas. She earned a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences at Texas State University – San Marcos and a master’s degree in community mental health counseling and a doctorate in counseling at the University of North Texas. She has been published in numerous journals and has worked as a counselor at university-based clinics and for a school district.

Catherine Richmond-Cullen, Ed.D.

Catherine Richmond-Cullen, Ed.D., was named an assistant professor in education. She was previously a faculty specialist at The University of Scranton and worked as a curriculum specialist for the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit, an elementary and middle-school teacher, and a consultant to the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, for which she managed a regional arts education partnership for 20 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary urban education at Boston College, a master’s in counseling at Marywood University, elementary, middle and secondary principal certificates at The University of Scranton, and a letter of eligibility for superintendent and a doctorate in educational administration at Temple University. She resides in Scranton.

John J. Sailors, Ph.D.

John J. Sailors, Ph.D., was named an associate professor of management, marketing and entrepreneurship. He was previously a visiting assistant professor at The University of Scranton. He was most recently a tenured associate professor at the University of St. Thomas and an assistant professor at the University of Michigan. He earned a bachelor of business administration degree in marketing at the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in marketing at Northwestern University. He has published numerous peer-reviewed papers and has worked in the corporate sector.

Juan David Serna, Ph.D.

Juan David Serna, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of physics. He was most recently an associate professor of physics at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics at Universidad de Antioquia in Medellin, Colombia, and his master’s degree and Ph.D. in physics at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He has published several scholarly papers.

Nicholas Sizemore, Ph.D.

Nicholas Sizemore, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of chemistry. He was most recently assistant professor of chemistry at King’s College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Case Western Reserve University and his Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of California at Irvine. He has been employed as an assistant scientist at Sanofi-Aventis, and has published several scholarly papers and book chapters. He resides in Kingston.

Matthew J. Socha, Ph.D.

Matthew J. Socha, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of biology. Most recently, he was a research scientist at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine. He earned his bachelor’s degree in applied biology at the Georgia Institute of Technology and his Ph.D. at Georgia Regents University. He has numerous publication credits. He resides in Blakely.

Katherine A. Stumpo, Ph.D.

Katherine A. Stumpo, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of chemistry. She was most recently an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Tennessee at Martin. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the University of Northern Iowa and her Ph.D. in analytical chemistry at Texas A&M University, College Station. She was a postdoctoral research associate at the University of New Hampshire and has published scholarly works. She resides in Scranton.

Gretchen A. Welby

Gretchen A. Welby was named a lecturer in biology. A licensed pharmacist, she was most recently an adjunct faculty member at Marywood University and Keystone College. She earned her associate’s degree in biochemistry at Keystone College, her bachelor of science degree in pharmacy at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, her master of health administration degree at The University of Scranton and her doctorate in pharmacy at Temple University. She resides in Scranton.

Matthew Briel, Ph.D.

Matthew Briel, Ph.D., Cand., was named a visiting instructor of theology/religious studies. Briel, a winner of a Fulbright Fellowship to Austria, most recently was an instructor at Fordham University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy at the University of Notre Dame and two master’s degrees – in the history of Christianity at the University of Notre Dame and in classics at the University of Minnesota. He is a Ph.D. candidate in theology at Fordham University. He resides in Scranton.