University Faculty Members Receive Promotions and Tenure

Twenty-two faculty members at The University of Scranton received promotions heading into the start of the 2026-27 academic year and are effective as of Aug. 31. 

Four faculty members were elevated to professor:

• Jinghan Cai, Ph.D., economics and finance;

• Howard Fisher, Ph.D., communications;

• Cyrus P. Olsen III, Ph.D., theology;

• Michelle Pratt-McHugh, library.

Four faculty members were advanced to associate professor:

• Deborah Budash, Ph.D., occupational therapy;

• Laura Chapman, Ph.D., health and human performance;

• Ashley Driver, Ph.D., biology;

• Amanda Marcy, Ph.D., accounting.

Six faculty members were named associate professor and granted tenure:

• Christopher Fremaux, Ph.D., philosophy;

• Bibi Khan, Ph.D., biology;

• Julie Murphy, Ph.D., nursing;

• Joshua Reynolds, Ph.D., psychology;

• Laura Skoronski Chavez, Ph.D., nursing;

• Cristen Walker, Ph.D., nursing.

Eight professors were granted tenure:

• Mehmet Bastug, Ph.D., cybercrime and homeland security;

• Vincent Farallo, Ph.D., biology;

• Spencer Galen, Ph.D., biology; 

• Emily Gerstle, Ph.D., health and human performance;

• Christopher Hauser, Ph.D., philosophy;

• Joseph Klobusicky, Ph.D., math;

• Geng Liu, Ph.D., physics and engineering;

• Sylvia Orner, library.