By Jalyn Bolyard, Distribution Manager

West Liberty University has so far brought on seven new faculty and eight new staff members for the 2016-2017 school year.

The additions for faculty affect multiple areas, including the Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Master Degree Program, Nursing, Criminal Justice, Mathematics and more.

The PA program gained two new faculty members: Tonda Stauffer as assistant professor and Kristie Meintel as clinical instructor and clinical coordinator. Meintel earned a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and Stauffer earned a Bachelor of Health Studies, both from at Alderson-Broaddus College. Stauffer also earned a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree at the University of Nebraska.

Dr. Corey Call is a new assistant professor of criminal justice. He earned bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and psychology, a master’s degree in criminal justice, and a doctorate in public policy and administration, all from the Virginia Commonwealth University.

“I’m coming to WLU from a large university in Virginia of about 30,000 students, and I would routinely have several hundred students in my classes every semester,” Call said. “When there are that many students, it really limits what you can do in the classroom and the types of interactions you have with students. Being at WLU now gives me the opportunity to actually get to know my students well and do things in the classroom that I simply couldn’t do before.”

Jason Metz is a new assistant professor of Exercise Physiology. So far, he has earned a bachelor’s in Exercise Science from Frostburg State University and a master’s in Exercise Science from California University of Pennsylvania. Metz is currently working on a doctoral degree through the University of Pittsburgh for Exercise Physiology.

Erin Thornburg is a new mathematics instructor. She has earned a bachelor’s in mathematics from Washington and Jefferson College and a master’s in education from Walden University.

Kylie Updegraff is a new assistant professor of nursing. She earned a master of science in nursing from Wheeling Jesuit University.

“As a new faculty member in the WLU Nursing Program, I am most looking forward to playing an active role in helping to shape the minds of future nurses,” Updegraff said. “I am very excited to find out what the semester holds!”

Lastly for faculty, although hired on last year, Dr. Stephanie Bradley was hired a couple weeks late for orientation so she was a part of it this year. She is currently the program director and assistant professor for Speech Pathology and Audiology. Bradley earned her Bachelor of Science in speech pathology and audiology from WLU and earned a doctoral in audiology from the University of Akron.

“For this year, our goals are to open an Audiology clinic for Fall 2017,” Bradley said.  “This will help provide our students with hands-on clinical work on campus, use of state of the art equipment, and better prepare them for further higher education/graduate work. Overall, I’m just excited to be here and to work to grow this program and make amazing professionals out of our students.”

New staff members are joining various positons across WLU, including campus officers, accountants, and athletic trainers.

The PA program also gained a new staff member, Connie McVicar, as the student records assistant. She has earned a bachelor’s in speech pathology and audiology from University of Cincinnati.

Campus Police officers also gained two new staff members: Daniel Eastham and William Piccard. Eastham earned a bachelor’s in criminal justice from Columbia Southern University. Piccard graduated from West Virginia Police Academy in 1993.

Melanie Cheek is a new assistant athletic trainer, having earned her bachelor’s here at WLU. She then went on to get her master’s degree in Athletic Training from Bloomsburg University.

Stewart Jones is the new head men’s and women’s cross country and track coach. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Theology from Wheeling Jesuit University.

“I feel blessed and very positive about the opportunity,” Jones said. “I am looking to put West Liberty on the map in terms of the running scene.”

Kim Lemley and Laura Musilli are both new senior accountants. Lemly earned her bachelor’s in accounting and business administration from Malone University and earned her Master’s of Business Administration from Franciscan University. Musilli earned her MBA degree in accounting from Ohio State University.

Lucy Kefauver is now the Director of Distance Education, office of eLearning. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in management from Wheeling Jesuit University and two Master of Arts degrees from West Virginia University: instructional design and technology and communication studies with a focus in instructional communication.

“I’m excited,” Kefauver said. “WLU has long been a leader in higher education in West Virginia and I am thrilled to have been invited to join the Hilltopper family and to lead Distance Education into the future.”

As these new employees begin their work, WLU is still looking to expand their workforce, as a new financial aid counselor, Cynthia Galloway, will start in September.

For listings of new employment opportunities here at WLU, visit https://westliberty.edu/human-resources/.

Photo by Maureen Zambito