New faculty members welcomed

(Sept. 23, 2019) JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — Carson-Newman University has welcomed 12 new faculty members since January 2019. Of those, eight joined the University in August for the start of the fall semester.

“I am very happy to shepherd in this new class of faculty who not only share in our Christian faith, but demonstrate excellence in their discipline,” said Dr. Jeremy Buckner, the University’s acting provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “This new class represents some of the best in both our liberal arts tradition and professional studies.

“Faculty are critical for the success of our students, as they serve in mentoring and advising roles as well as develop and teach our curriculum,” he added. “Unlike larger institutions that rely heavily on graduate students to teach undergraduate curriculum, Carson-Newman has always placed a high value on securing highly qualified faculty, most holding terminal degrees in their field, for all our students undergraduate and graduate alike.”

New faculty members include:

• Dr. Robyn Branca, assistant professor of psychology; PhD, University of Kentucky; MA, BA, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
• Beau Christian, assistant professor of nursing; MSN, BSN, California Baptist University.
• Dr. Adam Einhardt, assistant professor of nursing; DNP, University of Alabama at Birmingham; MSN, Vanderbilt University; BS, Wheaton College; AA, Oakland Community College.
• Heather Hartman Folks, assistant professor of art; MFA, University of Tennessee; BFA, Auburn University.
• Jenna M. Frost, assistant professor of nursing; MSN, BSN, Lincoln Memorial University.
• Dr. Jerod Hollyfield, associate professor of communication and film studies; PhD, Louisiana State University; MA, BS, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
• Stephen Joiner, assistant professor of political science; ABD, MA, University of Kentucky; BA, Milligan College.
• Dr. Agir Kurmanj, associate professor of economics; PhD, master’s degree in economics, North Carolina State University; BS, Middle East Technical University.
• Jana Redmon, assistant professor of library science; MA, Clemson University; MS University of Tennessee, Knoxville; BA, Lincoln Memorial University.
• Ryan Stokes, associate professor of religion; PhD, MA, master’s in philosophy, Yale University; MA, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary; BA, Western Kentucky University.
• Dr. Nathan B. West, assistant professor of counseling; PhD, University of Tennessee; MS, BA, Freed-Hardeman University.
• Dr. Bonnie Young, associate professor of nursing; DNP, Wilkes University; MSN, Ball State; BSN, Indiana University.

Earlier this month, the Great Colleges to Work For program named Carson-Newman among the best university workplaces based on employee feedback to a survey. The University received special recognition for teaching environment, supervisor/department chair relationship, and tenure clarity and process.

Founded in 1851, Carson-Newman is a Christian liberal arts-based university affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. The University is located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, among the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and has over 2,700 students. Carson-Newman offers 50 undergraduate majors, as well as associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees.