West Liberty University welcomed 10 new professionals to its faculty for fall 2014 – 2015. An additional two were added this past January 2014, bringing the total number of full-time faculty to 142 full-time instructors. Opening convocation and the first general faculty meeting for the 2014 – 2015 academic year is scheduled for noon, Wednesday, Aug. 27 in College Hall.
Instructor of Exercise Physiology Branden Bolduc
- A resident of Weirton, Bolduc is CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and ACLS (advanced cardiovascular life support) certified. He earned both a Bachelor of Science in exercise physiology degree and a Master of Science in clinical exercise physiology at West Virginia University, graduating in 2008 and 2014, respectively. Bolduc also was a graduate assistant in the WVU Human Performance Laboratory, phase III cardiac rehabilitation.
Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies Jennifer Childers
- Now a resident of Wheeling, Childers formerly was a member of the faculty at Marietta College. She spent additional time in clinical settings, including Marietta Occupational Health Partners, Family Medical Clinic of Jane Lew, WVU Department of Neurosurgery, Medbrook Medical Center, Bridgeport, W.Va. and the Center for Pain Relief in Clarksburg, W.Va. Childers earned a Bachelor of Science in biology, a Bachelor of Science in physician assistant studies and a Master of Science in physician assistant studies degrees at Alderson Broaddus. Additionally, she completed all but four hours of a Master of Science in wildlife biology degree at West Virginia University.
Physician Assistant Studies Program Director William Childers
- A native of Triadelphia, W.Va., Childers has been a physician assistant for 23 years and has practiced clinically in primary care, pediatrics, urgent care, and in the United States Army. He also amassed more than 16 years of experience in higher education. Most recently, he was academic coordinator and assistant professor for Marietta College’s Physician Assistant program where he worked from 2007 – 2014. Childers holds a doctoral degree in education from West Virginia University, and both a master’s degree in science and a bachelor’s degree in health science from Alderson Broaddus.
Instructor of Early Education/Special Education Nicole Davis
- A resident of Wheeling, Davis is the Ohio County Schools autism specialist, pre K-12. She holds both the West Virginia Professional Administrative and the West Virginia Teaching Certificate. Davis earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and a Master of Arts in educational leadership at Wheeling Jesuit University. Most recently she earned an applied behavior analysis certificate at Florida Institute of Technology.
Assistant Professor of Psychology Tifani Fletcher
- Formerly of Tennessee, she is a former adjunct faculty member at Lincoln Memorial University, Tenn.; Mars Hill University, N.C. and East Tennessee State University. Additionally, she has worked in human resources at Aerojet Ordnance, and as an intern at Siemens Energy. Fletcher earned her bachelor, master and doctoral degrees in psychology at East Tennessee State University.
Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities Scott Glysson
- Originally from Virginia, Glysson previously served as assistant director of the internationally recognized Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus. He holds both a doctorate and a master’s of music in choral conducting degree from The University of Arizona, Tucson. He also holds a bachelor’s in music education from George Mason University, Fairfax, Va. While living in Northern Virginia, he served as director of music at Floris United Methodist Church and held teaching positions in several high schools in the Washington, D.C. area. He also served as the artistic director and the founder of the Floris Concert Series and was the assistant conductor of the Reston Chorale, one of the Washington, D.C.’s most celebrated choruses.
Assistant Professor of Exercise Physiology Ryan Koenig
- A resident of Pittsburgh, Koenig is a health coach specialist with University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health Plan. He also is a former MCAT instructor for Kaplan, Inc. He earned a Bachelor of Science in biology degree from Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa. and a master’s and doctoral degree in kinesiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wis.
Instructor of Education Theresa Kowcheck
- A resident of Wellsburg, Kowcheck is the founder of the “All for Reading” tutoring program used at St. John School, Wellsburg. She also is a former religious director for youth at St. John Catholic Church, Wellsburg. She is an Orton-Gillingham practitioner and has teaching experience with the McCann Learning Center, Bethany College; RESA-6 SPOKES program; Lyceum Preparatory Academy, Wheeling and was a student teacher at both Wheeling Country Day School and Wellsburg Middle School. She earned both a Regents Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis on education and a Master of Arts in education degree at WLU.
Assistant Professor of Mathematics Chad Kuhns
- Formerly of Harpers Ferry, W.Va., Kuhns previously taught at Montgomery College, Rockville, Md. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics at Freed-Hardeman University, Tenn. and a Master of Science in Mathematics and a Doctorate of Arts in Mathematics, both at Idaho State University.
Assistant Professor of Mathematics James Rohal
- Formerly of Raleigh, N.C., Rohal has taught at both North Carolina State University and Miami University, Ohio. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics degree at The College of Wooster, Ohio, and a Master of Science in mathematics degree at Miami University. He recently completed his doctoral degree in applied mathematics at North Carolina State University.
Assistant Professor of Creative Arts Therapy Lee Ann Thill
- Most recently of Philadelphia, Thill is a registered board-certified art therapist, Pennsylvania licensed professional counselor, and active artist. She is in private practice and previously taught art therapy at Holy Family University, Philadelphia. Her clinical and research focus has been on using art therapy to address the psychological needs of people with diabetes, and she is founder and facilitator of Diabetes Art Day and the World Diabetes Day Postcard Exchange, online art-based initiatives for the diabetes community. She has provided services for at-risk children, people with Alzheimer’s disease, and adults receiving inpatient psychiatric care. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Temple University, Philadelphia and a Master of Arts in art therapy degree at Drexel University, Philadelphia. She is currently completing a doctoral degree in expressive therapies at Lesley University, Boston.
Assistant Professor of Speech Pathology & Audiology Ronny Warrington
- A resident of Sardis, Ohio, Warrington is an audiologist at Marietta Hospital, Marietta, Ohio. Prior to that he was an audiologist at Senior Healthcare Associates, Hermitage, Pa. Before that he was an audiology intern at Tri-State Audiology, Glen Dale, W.Va. and was an aural rehabilitation coordinator at Ohio University Hearing, Speech and Language Clinic, Athens, Ohio. Warrington earned a Bachelor of Science in speech pathology and audiology degree at WLU and a doctoral degree in audiology at Ohio University, Athens.
West Liberty University begins classes on Monday, Aug. 25 at its main campus and on Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Highlands Center. Led by President Robin C. Capehart, WLU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, please call 1.866.WESTLIB.