Central College welcomes 15 new faculty members for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Kevin Carlson, associate professor of exercise science. Carlson received his Ed.D. from the University of Kansas and, most recently, served as an associate professor of applied health science at Wheaton College in Illinois.
Mayra Cerda-Gomez, instructor of Spanish. Cerda-Gomez earned an M.A. in comparative literature from the University of Wisconsin and an M.A. in Spanish from Colorado State University. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin.
Andrew Clinton, assistant professor of accounting. Since earning a master’s of accounting from St. Ambrose University, Clinton has worked in the private sector, most recently as a CPA for AEGON in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Mara Egherman, visiting collection development librarian and instructor of library science. Egherman earned a master’s in library and information science from the University of Iowa. She has recently served as adjunct librarian and adjunct instructor at Des Moines Area Community College.
Fang Fumin, visiting Chinese scholar. Fang earned his master’s degree in applied linguistics at Zhejiang University, where he taught for 14 years. He has received the outstanding teacher award at Zhejiang University several times during his career.
Ashley Garr, instructor of chemistry. Garr is in the process of earning her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, specializing in physical and computational chemistry. She also has teaching experience at Augsburg College.
Paul Kovacovic, assistant professor of music. Kovacovic has a Doctor of Musical Arts with extensive experience in piano and composition. He most recently served as an adjunct faculty member at Concordia University (Minn.).
Miklos Kremser, assistant professor of business management. Since earning his M.B.A. from the University of Iowa, Kremser has worked in the private sector, most recently with Pella Corp. in Pella, Iowa. He also has teaching experience at Thomas More College (Ky.).
Andrew Larson, instructor of mathematics. After receiving master’s degrees in computer science and applied and computational science, Larson served as a lecturer at FTP University in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Daniel Lawson, director of the writing center and assistant professor of English. Lawson is currently working towards his Ph.D. in English through Virginia Tech and has extensive experience teaching composition courses.
Taylor Newton, assistant professor of psychology. Newton received a Ph.D. in social psychology and developmental cognitive neuroscience from the University of Denver and has served as a lecturer at the University of Colorado.
Randall Renstrom, assistant professor of psychology. Renstrom received his Ph.D. in social psychology from Loyola University in Chicago and has recently served as an instructor of psychology at Loyola.
Joshua Thomas, assistant professor of exercise science. Thomas earned a Ph.D. from Iowa State University, with a focus in biomechanics, and has served as a professor of human performance and wellness at Trinity International University (Ill.).
Jay Wackerly, assistant professor of chemistry. Wackerly recently served as an instructor at Colorado College and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.
Shawn Wick, assistant professor of sociology. Wick received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, where he has also served as an instructor of sociology.