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Wilkes University Welcomes New Faculty for 2018-2019 Academic Year

Wilkes-Barre, PA (08/29/2018) — Wilkes University welcomed 18 new faculty members at the start of the 2018-2019 academic year. New faculty included new tenure-track faculty, as well as visiting professors and faculty of practice.

The new faculty and their areas of specialization are:

Nelson Archila Anaya is returning to Wilkes for a second year as assistant professor in the department of environmental engineering and earth sciences. Before coming to Wilkes, he was a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Rhode Island. He earned a doctorate in civil and environmental engineering at the University of Rhode Island, Kingston Campus and a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus. He earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the Universidad Industrial de Santander in Colombia.

Jane Blanken Webb joined the doctor of education program in the Wilkes University School of Education as an assistant professor. Before coming to Wilkes, she was a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She earned a bachelor of music degree from Northern Illinois University and a master of music education and doctoral degree in social and philosophical foundations of education, both from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Billie Jeanne Burry joined the Passan School of Nursing as a visiting instructor. Prior to this role, Burry served as an adjunct professor of nursing at Wilkes as well as a student clinical instructor with the program. She has has approximately 15 years of nursing experience. Burry earned an associate's degree from Broome Community College, a master of science in nursing from Wilkes and is working towards the completion of a doctor of philosophy in nursing from the University.

Kristen Cheslick joined the Passan School of Nursing as faculty of practice. Prior to this position, Cheslick severed as an adjunct faculty member at Wilkes and as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner at Lehigh Valley Hospital Pottsville and Sunbury Hospital. She earned a general studies degree from Luzerne County Community College before attending Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center's Nursing Program. She also earned bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing from Wilkes University. Cheslick is currently working towards a doctor of nursing practice degree from Bloomsburg University.

Conor Flynn joined the chemistry department as faculty of practice. Prior to joining, Wilkes, Flynn was an adjunct professor of chemistry as well as a visiting assistant professor at Bucknell University. He earned bachelor's degrees in chemistry and music from Bloomsburg University. He received a master's degree in chemistry from Bucknell University.

Amy Hnasko joined the Wilkes University School of Education as an assistant professor in the undergraduate education program. Hnasko previously was the director of training and staff development at Tools of the Mind Curriculum. She also served as the early childhood program coordinator at Rowan University. Hnasko earned a bachelor of science in education from Bloomsburg University. She earned a master of arts in elementary education from LaSalle University before earning her doctorate in education from Rutgers University.

Saritha Karnae joined the environmental engineering department as an assistant professor. Prior to joining Wilkes, Karnea was a research engineering associate at Texas A&M University. Karnae earned a bachelor of engineering from Osmania University, a master of science and a doctorate in environmental engineering from Texas A&M University Kingsville.

Julie Lartz joined the English Department as a visiting instructor. Prior to this appointment, she was an adjunct instructor in English at Wilkes. Lartz has been an educator for 19 years. Lartz earned an associate's degree from Keystone College and a bachelor of arts in English from Marywood University. Lartz earned a master's degree equivalency from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania department of education.

Troy Lynn Lewis joined the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy as an assistant professor of pharmacy practice. Prior to joining Wilkes, Lewis was a pharmacy practice resident in the ambulatory care setting at The Carolinas HealthCare System-NorthEast. Lewis earned a bachelor of science and a doctor of pharmacy from Wilkes.

Jap-Nanak Makkar joined the English department as an assistant professor. Prior to joining Wilkes, Makkar taught at the University of Virginia. Makkar received a bachelor's and master's degree in English literature from the University of Toronto. Makkar earned a doctorate in English language and literature from the University of Virginia.

Christine Muller joined Wilkes as director of the honors program and an assistant professor. Muller was previously employed by residential college dean for Saybrook College at Yale University, where she also was a lecturer in American Studies. Muller earned a bachelor's degree in history and psychology as well as master's degree in English from Villanova University. She then earned a doctorate in American studies from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Kimmy Nguyen joined the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy as an assistant professor of pharmacy practice. Prior to joining Wilkes, Nguyen was an ambulatory care pharmacy resident at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System. She earned a bachelor of science in pharmaceutical and healthcare studies as well as a doctor of pharmacy from the University of Sciences.

Lisa Reynolds joined the department of integrative media, art and design as an assistant professor. Prior to this appointment, Reynolds was the creative director for Wilkes University's Marketing Communications Department and taught as an adjunct faculty member in digital design and media art. She earned a bachelor of fine arts from Kutztown University and a master of fine arts from Marywood University.

Stephanie Wasmanski joined the doctor of education program in the Wilkes University School of Education as an assistant professor. Prior to this position, Wasmanski was an adjunct professor at Wilkes and the director of graduate admissions. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Misericordia University. She also earned master of business administration and doctor of education degrees from Wilkes University.

Tanya Pyke joined the finance, accounting and management department as faculty of practice. Prior to this appointment, Pyke was an adjunct professor of management at Wilkes. Pyke earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial management from the University of Akron. She then earned a master's degree in public administration from the University of Akron. Pyke earned a doctorate in public policy and administration from Walden University.

Sam Schmidt joined the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership as an assistant professor. Prior to joining Wilkes, Schmidt taught at the University of Louisville. He earned his bachelor of science in sports management from the University of Wisconsin La-Crosse. He then earned his master's degree in sport administration and and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Louisville.

Shi Sha joined the electrical engineering department as an assistant professor. Prior to joining Wilkes, Sha was employed by Florida International University in their electrical and computer engineering department. Sha earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from Beihang University. Sha then went on to earn a master's degree in telecommunications systems management from Murray State University. Sha holds a doctorate in computer engineering form Florida International University.

Richard Williams joined the chemistry department as a faculty of practice. Prior to joining Wilkes, Williams was a lecturer at Morgan State University. Williams earned his bachelor of science in chemistry from Morehouse College and his doctorate from Georgia State University.

PHOTO CAPTION: First row: Tanya Pyke,faculty of practice in the the finance, accounting and management department; Kimmy Nguyen, Nesbitt School of Pharmacy as an assistant professor of pharmacy practice; Saritha Karnae assistant professor of environmental engineering; and Shi Sha, assistant professor of electrical engineering. Second row: Jane Blanken Webb, assistant professor in the Wilkes University School of Education; Troy Lynn Lewis, Nesbitt School of Pharmacy assistant professor of pharmacy practice; Amy Hnasko, assistant professor undergraduate education program; Jap-Nanak Makkar, assistant professor of English and Billie Jeanne Burry, Passan School of Nursing visiting instructor .Third row: Stephanie Wasmanski, assistant professor in the doctor of education program; Christine Muller, director of the honors program and an assistant professor; Julie Lartz, visiting instructor of English; Kristen Cheslick, Passan School of Nursing as faculty of practice and Sam Schmidt, Sidhu School of Business and Leadership assistant professor . Fourth row: Lisa Reynolds, assistant professor integrative media, art and design; Richard Williams, faculty of practice in chemistry; Conor Flynn, faculty of practice in chemistry and Nelson Archila Anaya, assistant professor of environmental engineering and earth sciences.

About Wilkes University:

Wilkes University is an independent institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, the university is on a mission to create one of the great small universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large, research university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small, liberal arts college, at a cost that is increasingly competitive with public universities. The Economist named Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. In addition to 47 bachelor's degree programs, Wilkes offers 25 master's degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing. Learn more at www.wilkes.edu.

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