The Central College Board of Trustees voted unanimously to promote five faculty to professors in their areas of expertise.
“I’m so delighted to announce the promotion of these faculty members who have demonstrated their commitment to Central students, and their fields of expertise and service to Central College and to their colleagues,” says Mary E.M. Strey, vice president of academic affairs. “These scholars bring curricular and student engagement experiences that create a positive and rewarding academic environment at Central.”
Shelley-Jean Bradfield, professor of communication studies, joined the Central faculty in 2012. In 2022, she received the David Crichton Memorial Teaching Award for excellence in teaching that challenges and shapes the intellectual development in students. Most recently, she resurrected Central’s Social Justice in the City summer program.
Randall Renstrom, professor of psychology, has taught at Central since 2011. He takes students to present their research at conferences on a regular basis, has served as department chair, and has been a leader in off-campus program development.
Ashley Scolaro, professor of psychology, joined the Central faculty in 2012. She received the David Crichton Memorial Teaching Award for excellence in teaching in 2018, engages students in research regularly and has served as director of the honors program at Central.
Elena Vishnevskaya, professor of religious studies, has taught at Central since 2006. In 2023, she was the recipient of the Dr. John Wesselink Award for Achievement in Scholarship having direct impact on classroom teaching.
Shawn Wick, professor of sociology, has lead courses at Central since 2011. He earned the Hutch Bearce Community-Building and Faculty Leadership Award in 201, has chaired major faculty governance committees and currently serves as department chair.
Photo caption: Central College faculty, top from left, Bradfield, Renstrom, Scolaro. Bottom, from left, Vishnevskaya, Wick.
