E-Colleague

Editor’s Note: Below are bios of several of the faculty members who have joined George Fox in recent weeks. Other arrivals will be featured in future issues of What’s Bruin, a new employee newsletter, as photos and biographical information are made available.

Nkem Azike joins the university’s chemistry department as a visiting associate professor of chemistry this fall. She arrives as an accomplished analytical chemistry professor with more than 20 years of experience in research and broader leadership roles. After earning a PhD in analytical chemistry from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, she served for more than 33 years at Yaba College of Technology in Lagos as both a professor and researcher, between 1986 and 2019. More recently, Nkem served as an associate professor of chemistry at Corban University in Salem (2020-21), teaching general chemistry, organic chemistry and quantitative analysis. Her research has focused on the isolation and characterization of essential oils from spices, cation exchange capacity of soils, heavy metal risks from edible plants, soils, and water, and pesticide residues in cow peas, among other topics. In addition to her PhD, Nkem holds a master’s degree in analytical chemistry from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Lagos in Nigeria. She lives in Portland and has three grown children. She attends Mannahouse Church in Portland.

The university welcomes Aaron Barnhart as an assistant professor of worship arts and music industry. He has worked as the worship pastor at Monmouth Christian Church for the past six years, leading and supervising all aspects of worship and responsible for discipleship, scheduling and technical training. He also owns and operates Reverent Recording Studios, where he works with local and national Christian artists. In addition, for the past three years, Aaron has taught music technology, recording techniques, and mixing and mastering as an adjunct professor at Oregon State University. He’s also taught on an adjunct basis in the recording arts program at Western Oregon University since 2015. Previously, Aaron was a worship leader at Oneonta Congregational Church in Pasadena, California, from 2012 to 2015. In all, he has more than 20 years of industry experience, beginning as a sound designer for Mary J. Blige’s “Mary Tour” in 2001. He has since worked with several prominent names in the music industry, including Fleetwood Mac and Herbie Hancock. Aaron earned a master’s degree in intermedia music technology (2006) from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in music production and engineering from Berklee College of Music in Boston (1998). He lives in Salem with his wife, Jillian, and their daughter, Ara, and attends West Salem Foursquare Church.

Alumnus Jade Becker has joined the university as a visiting assistant professor of English. For the past two years he has worked as a writing instructor at George Fox, teaching lessons on rhetoric and critical analysis in an interdisciplinary first-year experience course. In addition, over the past year, he’s taught online and face-to-face courses on reading and composing academic research essays for Clark College in Vancouver, Washington. Jade also gained teaching experience while a graduate student at Oregon State University, serving as a graduate teaching assistant (2017-19), and during the summer of 2018 he was a graduate teaching and curriculum assistant for students from Beijing Normal University visiting from China. He earned a master’s degree in English from Oregon State in 2019 and a bachelor’s degree in the same discipline from George Fox in 2017. Jade lives in Newberg with his wife Breanna. They attend North Valley Friends Church in town.

The College of Business welcomes Kevin Brewer as a visiting assistant professor of math and business. He has worked the past 16 years as a GED instructor and adjunct mathematics instructor at Chemeketa Community College in McMinnville, and from 2013 to 2016 he served in the same capacity at Portland Community College. Kevin’s teaching experience also includes stints as a secondary mathematics teacher and curriculum designer for Oregon Virtual Education (2013 to present), Yamhill-Carlton High School in Yamhill (2010-13), at Newberg High School (2003-10), and at Chief Sealth High School in Seattle (2002-03). Kevin earned a master’s degree in teaching from Antioch University in Seattle (2003) and double-majored at Southern Oregon University, earning bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and business administration in 1994. He lives in Yamhill with his wife of 24 years, Amy, and their three boys: Wesley, Luke and James. The family attends Yamhill Christian Church, where Kevin is an elder.

Alumna Chandler Brutscher joins George Fox this fall as an assistant professor of art and design. Since graduating from the university with dual bachelor’s degrees in visual arts and Spanish in 2016, she has taught extensively as an assistant and guest lecturer at the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio; Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania; and Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. Chandler has also worked as a studio manager for the Hazelmade Stationery Company of Kent, Ohio (2019-21), as a graduate teaching assistant at Kent State (2017-19), and as a printmaking studio technician at both George Fox (2016-17) and Kent State (2017-19). She has also exhibited her printmaking work in numerous venues, including at galleries in North Carolina, New York and Ohio, between 2019 and 2021, and has been honored for her work, winning four awards at various competitions. In addition to her degrees from George Fox, Chandler holds a master of fine arts degree from Kent State University (2019). She lives in Salem with her cat, Boo.

Freeman M. Chakara joins the Graduate Department of Clinical Psychology to teach both in person and remotely as a professor of clinical psychology. For the past 24 years he has worked as the CEO and clinical director of Providence Behavioral Health Services in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, specializing in the neuropsychological evaluation of individuals (3- to 105-year-olds) and in forensic examinations. He has also taught biopsychology, personality development, ethics and professional issues, and other courses as a professor of psychology at Lancaster Bible College and Capital Seminary during that time frame. In the early 2000s, Freeman served as a postdoctoral fellow in clinical neuropsychology at Penn State University’s Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (2000-02). His postdoctoral internships were at the University of Pennsylvania’s Lancaster General Hospital (1999-2000) and the Samaritan Counseling Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (1999). He holds a doctor of psychology degree, with specializations in neuropsychology and school psychology, from Widener University (2000), and a bachelor’s degree in communication from Toccoa Falls College (1992). Freeman lives in Lititz, Pennsylvania, with his wife of 29 years, Beth. They are the parents of two children, son Preston and daughter MacKenzie, a law student at Duke University who married Hunter Freeman in August of this year. Beth and Freeman attend Calvary Church in Lancaster.

A filmmaker with nearly 20 years of industry experience, Alex Chung, joins George Fox as an assistant professor of cinematic arts this fall. An alumnus of the Sundance Film Festival, Alex has written, directed and produced numerous projects, optioned several screenplays, and has crewed on dozens of features and short films in varying capacities. In addition, he taught on an adjunct basis at Biola University’s School of Cinema and Media Arts during the 2020-21 academic year, and was an adjunct professor of communications at California State University Dominguez Hills the past three years. Alex earned his MFA from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts (2007) and holds a bachelor’s degree in film studies from Columbia University. He recently moved from Los Angeles to Beaverton with his wife, Kathy, and their two boys, Lucas and Evan, and is excited to find a new church home.

Alumnus Ryan Dearinger has joined the history and politics department as an associate professor of history. He brings nearly 20 years of teaching experience, the last seven of which he worked as an associate professor in the Department of History at Eastern Oregon University. He also served as chair of the department from 2014 to 2019. Previously, Ryan was an assistant professor at Eastern Oregon (2009-13), an instructor of history at the University of Utah (2006-09), a graduate teaching fellow at Utah (2004-06), and a graduate teaching assistant in Purdue University’s Department of History (2002-04). His areas of expertise are in the American West and Pacific Northwest, immigration history, labor and working-class history, environmental history, and violence in American history. Ryan holds a PhD in history from the University of Utah (2009), a master’s degree in the discipline from Purdue University (2004), and a bachelor’s degree in history from George Fox (2002). He lives in Sherwood with his family, which includes his wife Jessica, a George Fox alumna, daughter Taylor (13), and son Ryder (10).

The university welcomes Marvin Eans as an assistant professor of graphic design this fall. For the past five years he has taught graphic design as an online adjunct professor for Southern New Hampshire University and Liberty University. During those same five years he also taught face-to-face classes for Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, and since 2007 he has worked as the art director for marketing at Calvary Christian Center in Ormond Beach, Florida. Marvin previously gained industry experience as a graphic designer for Charisma House Media of Lake Mary, Florida (2005-07), and as a creative director and graphic designer with Direct Marketing Express of Daytona Beach, Florida (2003-08). He earned a master of fine arts degree in graphic design from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2014 and a bachelor’s degree in the discipline from Ball State University in 2003. Marvin lives in Newberg with his wife, Christa, and their children, Miles and Anya.

The university has hired Kim Eppen as a part-time associate professor of physical therapy. She has worked for the university on an adjunct basis since 2013 while also serving as an adjunct clinical assistant professor at the University of Iowa’s Physical Therapy and Rehab Science Program and adjunct faculty at St. Ambrose University’s DPT program in Davenport, Iowa (since 2018). Kim has also worked as a physical therapist clinical specialist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for the past 26 years, and has routinely been involved with serving as a clinical educator for and preceptor for pulmonary medicine fellows, undergraduate, and graduate students in clinical exercise physiology at the University of Iowa. She holds a PhD in physical therapy and rehabilitation science – cardiopulmonary therapeutics (2007), a master’s degree in physical therapy (1993), a master’s degree in exercise physiology (1991), and a bachelor’s degree in health and human physiology (1990), all from the University of Iowa. She is also an active member and fellow of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) and routinely presents at state and national meetings. Kim lives in Iowa City, Iowa, with her husband Brian. They love and lead very active lifestyles, including cycling, hiking, traveling, backpacking, and anything that gets them outside together in nature.

Wendy Flint, former director of the IDEA Center, is transitioning to serve as an assistant professor of management and director of undergraduate business programs. She arrived at George Fox in 2017 to oversee the IDEA Center, for which she managed operations through vision casting, strategic programming, planning, and delivery and quality assessment of multiple functions. She’s also taught business and college-to-career courses on an adjunct basis at the university since her arrival. In all, she has 15 years of teaching experience as an adjunct professor, including at Biola University, and seven years as a tenured faculty member. Prior to George Fox, she was the chief learning officer for The Learning Oasis, a Napa, California-based nonprofit organization that provides supportive training services for universities, community colleges and adult education centers throughout California. In the six years prior (2007-13), she was senior vice president of marketing and sales for Boston Reed College in Napa. Wendy also worked as director of professional and continuing education and workforce training at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California, from 1999 to 2007. She holds both a PhD in education (2004) and an MBA (2008) from Capella University in Minneapolis, as well as a Master of Public Administration degree from Washington State University (1998). Wendy lives in Sherwood with her husband Terry, and they have three children and six grandchildren. Wendy and Terry are members of the Global Methodist Church.

An instructor and coach familiar to the George Fox community, Gabe Haberly, has been hired as an assistant professor of physical therapy. For the past eight years he has worked on campus as an instructor in the health and human performance, mathematics, and education programs, while also serving as an assistant coach for the football and track and field teams. Gabe has also taught as a graduate teaching assistant in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University the past four years – a position he also held while a student at Oregon State in 2012-13. He also gained teaching experience as a mathematics teacher at Sheridan High School from 2009 to 2011. Gabe recently completed a doctor of philosophy in biophysical kinesiology at Oregon State, and holds a master’s degree in exercise and sport science from OSU (2013), as well as a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Linfield College (2009). He lives in Newberg and attends Chehalem Christian Fellowship.

George Fox welcomes Lindsey Hankins as an assistant professor of theology this fall. She completed her PhD in theology, with a concentration in the history of doctrine, from Princeton Theological Seminary last year, and since the fall of 2020 has worked as a visiting assistant professor of theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. Her previous teaching assignments came at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she was an instructor of record, a teaching fellow, a teaching assistant, and a digital course designer between 2013 and 2020. She also lectured at the undergraduate level at Princeton University in the fall of 2018. Lindsey has traveled extensively to present at events nationwide, has frequently been invited to speak at Young Life conferences, and has served on a number of councils and committees, including on the advisory council for the Center for Theology, Women, and Gender at Princeton Theological Seminary (2019-20). In addition to her PhD, Lindsey holds a master’s degree in the history of Christianity (2012) and a master’s degree in historical and systematic theology (2009), both from Wheaton College, and a bachelor’s degree in biblical and theological studies from Bethel University in Minnesota (2004). She comes from Lambertville, New Jersey, and is married to Rob, a regional director with Young Life. Together they have two children, Rosemary (6) and Jack (4).

The College of Education welcomes Sarah Hanthorn as an assistant professor of science education. For the past 23 years she has worked as a science educator at Inza R. Wood Middle School in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, participating in curriculum development and instruction at the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade levels. Her research interests include the regular use of academic conversations in the science classroom and the effect on student efficacy, language development and academic success, and the impact of involvement in long-term place-based investigations and field study on student attendance, engagement, learning and long-term STEM interest. Sarah has also been active in her community, serving as a volunteer and adventure guide with Youth Dynamics Adventures, as a Sunday school teacher, and as a coach of youth soccer in Canby. She earned a master’s degree in teaching (1998) and bachelor’s degree in biology (1997), both from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. Sarah lives in Canby with her husband, Dave, and children Elizabeth, Claire, and Andrew.

After teaching as an adjunct in the social work program the past three years, Daphne Huffman joins the university as a visiting assistant professor of social work this fall. She has taught a wide range of courses in the discipline, including Contemporary Social Dynamics and Public Safety, Stress Management, and Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Previously, from 2013 to 2020, Daphne was a mental health consultant with LifeWorks NW in Portland, providing consultation for Head Start teachers and families regarding social and emotional issues, and collaborating with multiple agencies to provide mental health services to children and families in high-risk situations. She was also a strengthening families facilitator with LifeWorks from 2014 to 2018. In all, Daphne has 20 years of experience in the social work profession, previously working in the areas of foster care and adoption. She holds a master’s degree in social work from California State University, Long Beach (2001) and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, Davis (1995). Daphne lives in Southwest Portland with her husband, David, and children Naomi (14) and Eben (12), and attends Cascade Vineyard Church.

Joe Jones joins the College of Business as an assistant professor of accounting this fall. He arrives from Yuba City, California, where he has worked as an assistant auditor-controller for the County of Sutter for the past three years. Prior to that, he was an assistant professor of business and accounting at Simpson University in Redding, California (2017-18); a financial analyst for the city of Rocklin, California (2013-16); an auditor with the California State Auditor’s office of Sacramento, California (2006-09); and an adjunct faculty member at Yuba City Community College, where he taught in the business department (2008-13). Joe has been a Certified Public Accountant in California since 2008 and a Certified Internal Auditor with the Institute of Internal Auditors since 2007. He holds a master’s degree in accountancy (2006) from California State University, Chico and a bachelor’s degree in accountancy (2002) from California State University, Sacramento. He recently moved to Oregon and lives in Sherwood.

The university has hired Jiroo Kuroda to serve as a professor of Spanish. He arrives from Northwest Theological Institute, where he’s worked as an adjunct professor online the past year, and Talent Elementary School in Talent, Oregon, where he’s taught Spanish this year, with a focus on students who are consistently performing below grade level. Prior to his recent teaching assignments, Jiroo was in school, earning a master’s degree in Spanish education from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida, this past spring, and a doctor of ministry in Hispanic leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2018. He also holds an MDiv in intercultural studies from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (2012), a master’s degree in pastoral counseling from Liberty University (2012), and a bachelor’s degree in Christian education from Rio Grande Bible Institute (2001). Jiroo lives in Talent with his wife Yohana and their children Hannah, Caleb and Victoria, and the family attends the First Baptist Church of Medford.

Kayly Lembke joins the university as an assistant professor of biology. For the past three years she worked as a postdoctoral research scholar in the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa. Her research focus was on neurotransmission and synaptic homeostatic potentiation using fruit flies as a model system. She’s also taught as an adjunct professor in the Department of Natural and Applied Sciences at Mt. Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the past two years, and since 2019 she has served as president of the University of Iowa Postdoctoral Association. Previously, Kayly was at Oregon Health & Science University for six years, where she earned her PhD in the School of Medicine’s Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, completing her degree in 2017. Her graduate research focused on understanding defective motor neuron physiology in a Drosophila model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. She began her educational journey by earning a bachelor of arts degree in biochemistry from Scripps College in Claremont, California, in 2010. Kayly currently lives in Sherwood with her two cats, Blaine and George. She is in the process of settling on her new church home in the valley, but has been attending St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland.

The university’s art and design department welcomes Casey Martin as an instructor of interior design. For the past year she has worked as an adjunct instructor in the department, teaching Materials and Resources, Interior Foundations, and courses on building codes and building systems. She also taught several interior design courses at Portland Community College this past year, and since 2011 she has practiced commercial interior design through her own company, Reverie Design Studio, specializing in school and commercial office design. Also, since 2009, Casey has worked as a designer and LEED project manager for projects in Hawaii and South Korea as an interior designer at Mitsunaga & Associates. Previously, she was an interior design instructor at the Art Institute of Portland (2015-18), from which she also earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in interior design (2009). She lives in Portland with her husband, Nick.

Portland Seminary alumnus Joel Mayward joins the university this fall as an assistant professor of Christian ministries, theology and the arts. He arrives from the Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts (ITIA) in the School of Divinity at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where he earned a PhD in divinity (theology, philosophy and film studies) earlier this year. He’s currently the theology editor for The Other Journal, an interdisciplinary journal produced by the Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, and for the past six years has been a professional freelance film critic as a member of the Online Film Critics Society and a “Tomatometer-approved critic” for Rotten Tomatoes. The author of three church ministry books, Joel has published articles in refereed academic journals such as Pro Ecclesia, Horizons, Theology, ARTS, Journal of Youth and Theology, Journal of Religion and Film, and Journal for Religion, Film and Media. While at St Andrews, he was a postgraduate tutor (2018-20), and he also served as chaplain and faculty at George Fox’s Theologia summer institute in 2017 and 2019, as well as an adjunct professor for Portland Seminary in 2019. Previously, Joel served as director of high school ministry at Lake Grove Presbyterian Church in Lake Oswego (2015-17), pastor of youth and young adult ministries at North Langley Community Church in Langley, British Columbia (2012-14), and as a junior high and high school pastor at Red Mountain Community Church in Mesa, Arizona (2007-12). In addition to his PhD, Joel holds a master’s degree in theological studies from Portland Seminary (2017) and a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies and youth ministry from Multnomah University (2006).

After working at the university as an adjunct faculty member and dissertation committee member, Kathy Milhauser has joined the College of Business as an associate professor of management. She has worked at George Fox since 2013, teaching a wide range of business courses. Before joining the College of Business, Kathy spent 10 years at Concordia University in Portland as professor of management and chair of the MBA program. Kathy’s teaching experience also includes stints with the University of Oregon’s sports product management program (2016-18), Portland State University (2003-17), and City University of Seattle (2008-10). Prior to embarking on her teaching career, Kathy spent 20 years at Nike, working in a variety of IT and HR management roles. She earned a doctor of management from George Fox in 2011, a master’s degree in educational technology from Pepperdine University in 2003, and a bachelor’s degree in communication from Marylhurst University in 2001. She makes her home just outside of Canby, where she and her husband raised their three children, and currently attends Canby United Methodist Church.

The College of Business welcomed Charlena Miller as a visiting assistant professor of business in 2021. Her experience includes brand, marketing, and training leadership and consulting with a number of businesses in the high tech and foodservice industries. Charlena continues to focus on supporting organizations with authentic commitments to caring for people and operating with sustainable business practices. In recent years she has taught in George Fox’s MBA program, including the courses Marketing Management, Marketing Research, Web Search & Analytics, Sales Management & Marketing Automation, and Social Media Marketing. She also has conducted extensive course design and development at the university and for corporate clients in sales, marketing and management. Her work included leading agency development teams in producing award-winning interactive economics curriculum. She is currently completing a doctorate in business administration with a dual concentration in management and marketing. Charlena holds a master’s degree in spiritual formation focused on business leadership from Portland Seminary and a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts with an emphasis in psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Alumna Bethany Nguyen joins the university this fall as an assistant professor of physical therapy. Since graduating with a doctorate from George Fox’s PT program in 2016, she has worked in numerous capacities in the profession, most recently for the past year as a home health physical therapist with Connected Home Health & Hospice and as an injury prevention specialist with WorkRight NW, both of Portland. Previously, Bethany was a home health travel physical therapist with Advanced Medical in Portland (2017-20), an acute care/outpatient physical therapist with St. Clare’s Hospital in Lakewood, Washington (2017-20), and an outpatient physical therapist at North Harbor Physical Therapy of Steilacoom, Washington (2016-17). In addition to her doctorate, Bethany earned a bachelor’s degree in allied health from George Fox in 2013. She lives in Beaverton with husband Austin Smith, whom she met at George Fox, and attends Table Community Church.

The university welcomes Travis Pickell as an assistant professor of theology and ethics. He worked the past two years as the associate director of university engagement and as a tutor at Anselm House, a center for Christian study at the University of Minnesota. In the two years prior to that, Travis was a lecturer and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Virginia, where he taught numerous courses, including Mortality and Morality, Engineering Humanity: The Ethics of Biotechnology, and Business, Ethics & Society. He also taught extensively at Anselm House and has contributed several journal articles, book reviews, and digital teaching resources. Travis has also traveled extensively to make conference presentations and invited lectures, specializing in ethics, theology, spirituality, economics and technology. He earned a PhD in theology, ethics and culture from the University of Virginia in 2017 and also holds a master’s degree in ethics from the same institution (2015), an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary (2011), and a bachelor’s degree from The College of William and Mary (2006). Travis recently moved to Newberg with his wife Sarah, daughters Ruby Grace, Ryann, and Emily, and their Pyrenees-poodle puppy, Lucy.

After teaching at George Fox as an adjunct professor the past eight years, Amanda Robert is now working full time as an assistant professor of biology. In addition to teaching human anatomy and physiology, foundations of biology, environmental science, and general biology lab at the university, she also taught online for Florida State College of Jacksonville for the past six years, and before that taught as an adjunct professor at Mt. Hood Community College (2013) and College of Western Idaho (2012). Her areas of expertise include human function, biology concepts, and environmental science. Amanda earned a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 2011 and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Western Oregon University in 2008. She lives in Woodburn with her husband and their children Lilo, Maya and Obadiah (Obi). The family attends Grace Chapel in Wilsonville, where both Amanda and her husband help in youth ministry. The Roberts enjoy hiking, camping, boating and being outdoors, and Amanda is a big fan of science fiction shows and movies.

After working at the university on an adjunct basis, Dana Robinson joins the institution as an assistant professor of history and theology in the George Fox University Honors Program. She worked previously as a postdoctoral teaching fellow in the honors program at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska (2016-19), where she taught interdisciplinary courses on the ancient world and the Christian tradition. Her previous experience also includes teaching Greek, Latin, and writing at several seminaries and colleges in the Washington, D.C. area. Dana holds a PhD in early Christian studies (2016) and a master’s degree in Classics (2009), both from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., as well as a bachelor’s degree in history from Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia. Her first book, Food, Virtue, and the Shaping of Early Christianity, was published by Cambridge University Press in 2020. She continues to research, write, and speak on food, work, and everyday religious practices in the late Roman Empire. She lives in Newberg with her husband, George Fox professor Brooks Lampe, and her new goldendoodle puppy Lotti. She attends the Eastern Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Milwaukie.

The Doctor of Psychology program welcomes Danny Rodriguez as an assistant professor of clinical psychology. An alumnus of George Fox, from which he earned both a doctorate in psychology (2019) and a bachelor’s degree in the discipline (2013), he has worked the past year as a behavioral health provider for the Providence Medical Group in Sherwood, serving as a licensed psychologist for patients confronting depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and other issues. In the year prior, he was a postdoctoral fellow (2019-20) and psychology intern (2018-19) with I Ola Lãhui Rural Hawaii Behavioral Health in Hawaii. Previously, Daniel was on George Fox’s Behavioral Health Crisis Consultation Team (2016-18) and served his second practicum with Providence Medical Group in Newberg during that same time frame. In addition, for the past year, he has served as a Yamhill County Service Advisory Council Member, collaborating with other caregivers and administrators to provide community-oriented support to Yamhill County and Sherwood residents. He lives in Wilsonville with his wife Rebecca, a George Fox alumna, and they are expecting their first child in October. They attend Portland Covenant Church.

Thomas Shifley joins George Fox this fall as an assistant professor of mathematics. He’s worked the past six years teaching various math disciplines – including calculus, differential equations, abstract algebra, and linear algebra – as an instructor of record (2019-20), head teaching assistant (2016-17) and teaching assistant (2015-20) at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He also taught one semester as an adjunct professor at Westmont College in 2018. For his efforts, he earned the Department of Mathematics’ Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award at UC Santa Barbara in 2020. Tom has also been active with youth in his community, volunteering as a Young Life leader for the past 11 years, as a youth coordinator at his church, and as a mentor with the Malibu Boys and Girls Club. He’s also worked as an assistant wrestling coach at Dos Pueblos High School the past four years. This fall he will receive conferral of a PhD in mathematics from UC Santa Barbara, following his earning of a master’s degree in mathematics from the same university (2017) and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Pepperdine University (2014). He lives in Newberg with his wife, Kimberly, and their 1-year old son, Josiah, and are expecting another boy in November. They attend Northwest Christian Church in Newberg.

The College of Business welcomes back Jim Simmons as an assistant professor of marketing. For the past four years he has worked as an undergraduate instructor in marketing and advertising at Washington State University’s Vancouver, Washington, campus, teaching a wide range of business and communication courses in both the College of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences. Previously, from 2015 to 2019, Jim taught both graduate and undergraduate marketing courses as an adjunct professor at George Fox. He also taught marketing, advertising and business ethics courses at Portland State University from 2014 to 2019. Prior to his career in higher education, he was a senior director of brand marketing with Papa Murphy’s International from 2005 to 2012. In all, he has nearly 25 years of advertising and marketing experience. Jim holds an MBA from Portland State University (2015) and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma (1986). He lives in Stevenson, Washington, with his wife, Lisa, dog Kona, and cats Lewis and Clark. Jim and Lisa attend Hood River Alliance Church in Hood River.

The university welcomes Amanda Staggenborg as an assistant professor of public relations. She brings 13 years of higher education experience, working most recently as the associate division chair for communications (2019-present), an assistant professor of public relations (2014-present), an undergraduate communications instructional coordinator (2017-19), and as an instructor in public relations (2011-14), all at Missouri Baptist University. She also taught on an adjunct basis as an online course designer for the School of Communications in the Walker School of Business and Technology at Webster University from 2008 to 2020. Amanda has also done extensive public relations consulting for numerous clients over the past 13 years, and has traveled extensively to present on topics ranging from social media and public relations to sexual harassment in the media. She earned a doctor of education degree from Missouri Baptist University (2018) and holds a master’s degree in public relations (2008) and bachelor’s degree in political science (2003), both from Webster University in St. Louis. Amanda is currently enrolled in the master of legal studies program at the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. She lives in Newberg with her husband, Rob, and their children, Adam (7) and Nick (5). The family attends St. Peter Catholic Church in town.

Tess Swake joins the university as an assistant professor of physical therapy. She is a familiar face at George Fox, having worked as a human anatomy laboratory course coordinator and as a teaching assistant in the institution’s physical therapy program the past three years. She has also worked as a staff physical therapist at the Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville during that same time frame. Prior to that, she worked as a traveling physical therapist from 2012 to 2018 with Therapists Unlimited and Jackson Therapy Partners. Tess is a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and has a Manual Therapy Certification (MTC). She earned a doctor of physical therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine (2011) and holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science from Oregon State University (2008). Tess lives in Newberg with her husband, Josh, and attends Our Lady of the Lake.

An adjunct professor in the university’s biology department in 2020-21, Bill Swinehart, joins George Fox as a visiting assistant professor of biology this fall. He taught General Biology and Foundation of Biology the past two years and previously gained teaching experience as an adjunct instructor of biochemistry at Portland State University in 2019. As a student at Ohio State University, he served as a graduate teaching assistant for biochemistry and molecular biology between 2010 and 2015, as well as a grad teaching assistant for numerous classes and labs in disciplines that included human biology, biological chemistry, and molecular biology. Bill earned a PhD in biochemistry from Ohio State in 2015 and holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Georgia Southwestern State University (2008). He lives in Lake Oswego with his wife, Amanda, and their children Ava, Wyatt and Campbell. The family attends Westside: A Jesus Church.

After working as an adjunct professor since 2018 and as a visiting assistant professor of practice at the university in 2020-21, Seth Van Der Eems has joined George Fox as a visiting assistant professor of art and design this fall. As an interdisciplinary studio artist, his practice centers on conversations about ritual and placemaking through the expanded field of drawing. Seth has taught across the department and developed curriculum for the department’s foundations courses while serving as faculty advisor to the campus community garden. He has also worked as a freelance designer and illustrator for a variety of universities, businesses, and private clients. He holds a master of fine arts degree from Tufts University and The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (2016) and a bachelor’s degree in studio art from Asbury University (2014). Seth lives on the hills east of Hagg Lake, near Gaston, with wife Kristina and their two girls, Etta and Finley. The family attends Church of the Vine in Newberg.

Kaye Wilson-Anderson joins the nursing department as an associate professor of nursing. A Certified Nurse  Educator since 2016, she has worked the past 14 years as an associate professor of nursing at the University of Portland School of Nursing. Previously, she was director of the Mercy Delta Express Program Mobile Clinic through the University of Mississippi School of Nursing (2002-06). Kaye began her nursing education career as an instructor at the Mississippi College School of Nursing in 1985 and worked as an assistant and associate professor at the University of Mississippi School of Nursing in the early 2000s. She has also done extensive practice experience in her 40-year nursing career and has traveled domestically and internationally to present on healthcare-related topics over the past 25 years. Kaye earned a doctor of nursing science degree from Louisiana State University Health Center in 2003 and holds a master of science in nursing degree (1985) from the University of Mississippi, as well as a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Delta State University (1981). She lives in Newberg with her husband, Glenn. They have five grown children and four grandchildren, and attend Garden Church in Portland.

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