New faculty receives UIU welcome

Upper Iowa University recently welcomed 11 new faculty members to the 2015-2016 academic year during Faculty Development Day on the Fayette Campus.

In addition to providing instruction on the Fayette Campus, UIU faculty members teach students at the University’s educational centers, online, and/or as part of the self-paced programming. The 2015-16 academic year began Monday, Aug. 24.

The new Upper Iowa University faculty members are as follows:

Laura Colby, Minneapolis, Minn., has been named lecturer of art at Upper Iowa University. A graduate of Northern Illinois University (NIU), Colby earned a master’s degree, with a concentration in painting and mixed media. She most recently taught two-dimensional design as a visiting assistant professor at her alma mater, before teaching digital tools as an adjunct professor at Judson University in Elgin, Ill.

Mariah Cushion, Randalia, Iowa, will serve as lecturer of exercise and sports studies at Upper Iowa University. A graduate of Clarke College in Dubuque, Cushion earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and kinesiology. She is a former physical education teacher at St. Columbkille School in Dubuque and North Fayette schools in West Union.

Michael O’Conner, Waterloo, Iowa, earned a bachelor’s degree in management and master’s degree in sociology at University of Northern Iowa. A certified peace officer, he most recently served as an instructor of social and police sciences at Hawkeye Community College. The new UIU faculty member will serve as a lecturer of criminal justice.

Patricia Dietz, Lawrence, Kan., will serve as assistant professor of exercise and sports studies at UIU. In addition to possessing numerous certifications, Dietz earned both a bachelor’s degree in physical education non-teaching and master’s degree in exercise physiology at University of Northern Iowa. She was most recently employed as assistant strength and conditioning coach/exercise science doctoral student at University of Kansas.

Chelsea Dowell, Lexington, Ky., earned a bachelor’s degree in business economics and mathematics at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., before achieving a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in economics at University of Kentucky. The former University of Kentucky economics instructor will serve as assistant professor of economics at UIU.

Mackenzie Glander-Dolo comes to UIU after most recently serving as an assistant professor at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minn., and as a faculty member at University of Phoenix in Minneapolis, Minn. Glander-Dolo has been named assistant professor of psychology at UIU. After earning a bachelor’s degree at Simpson University, she received master’s degrees at San Francisco State, Chapman, and Fielding Graduate universities. In addition, Glander-Dolo holds a doctorate in human and organization systems from Fielding.

Meghan Jordan, West Union, Iowa, served as Upper Iowa University’s Writing Center director before being named assistant professor of English. In addition to receiving a bachelor’s degree in literature from Bard College and master’s degree in humanities at University of Chicago, Jordan holds a doctorate in English from Binghamton University.

John McIntosh, Norman, Okla., has been named UIU assistant professor of geospatial technologies. He most recently served as an adjunct instructor at California State University-Fresno Division of Continuing and Global Education, where he taught courses in the university’s GIS certificate of advanced study-online program. Holding a doctorate in geography from University of Oklahoma, McIntosh earlier earned a bachelor’s degree in physical science and master’s degree in geography at California State University.

Kevin Petersen, Waterloo, Iowa, will serve as UIU chair of the new master of science – counseling program. Petersen received a bachelor’s degree in music education at Buena Vista University, before earning a master’s in counseling and psychotherapy at Adler Graduate School in Hopkins, Minn., and a master’s and APA accredited Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, Calif. As an Iowa Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team Leader since 2009, he has provided crisis services and responded to traumatic events throughout Iowa.

Paul Skrade, Galesburg, Ill., received a bachelor’s degree from Luther College, before earning a master’s degree in animal ecology and Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology at Iowa State University. Skrade most recently served as visiting assistant professor of biology/post-doctoral teaching fellow at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. He has been named assistant professor of biology at UIU.

Harold Waterman, Monona, Iowa, is a 2011 graduate of Upper Iowa University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. He later earned a master’s degree in media design at Full Sail University, Winter Park, Fla. Waterman, who will serve as lecturer of graphic design at UIU, is owner/designer of Studio 91 LLC, Monona, Iowa.