{"id":1958,"date":"2025-03-01T23:21:31","date_gmt":"2025-03-02T07:21:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/?p=1958"},"modified":"2025-03-01T23:21:32","modified_gmt":"2025-03-02T07:21:32","slug":"new-year-new-faculty-the-university-of-redlands-adds-eight-faculty-members","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/01\/new-year-new-faculty-the-university-of-redlands-adds-eight-faculty-members\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year, New Faculty: The University of Redlands Adds Eight Faculty Members\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you met the new University of Redlands faculty members yet? This semester, there are eight: six within the College of Arts and Sciences, one in the School of Education and one in the San Francisco School of Theology. Some are completely new to the university, while others are familiar faces in new departments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ross Conkey is a visiting lecturer in the Media and Communications Department this semester. Photo Credit: University of Redlands Marketing and Communications<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ross Conkey is from Eugene, Oregon, but grew up in various European cities like Berlin, Prague and Rotterdam before returning to the US to earn a Bachelor of Science in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas in Austin. He then worked in the video game industry in the Bay Area, as a freelance writer in Chicago, and finally turned to teaching in the English departments at La Sierra University and University of California in Riverside (UCR) before coming to the area in 2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2015, Conkey has been an adjunct professor in the University of Redlands\u2019 Visual Media Studies, Creative Writing and English departments. As a visiting lecturer in the new Media and Communications departments, Conkey said he is looking forward to expanding the opportunities for students interested in this field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMedia and communication are growing ever more important to understand a social world,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause of this, there are new platforms for media and new ways to communicate that push us all into new territories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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James Griffin joins the Bulldog community as a visiting lecturer in the Chemistry Department this semester. Photo Credit: University of Redlands Marketing and Communications<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

James Griffin, a San Diego native, received his undergraduate degree in Chemical Biology from UC Berkeley and his PhD in Chemistry from UC Irvine. While conducting PhD research at UC Irvine, Griffin attended one of the University of Redlands\u2019 chemistry seminar courses, where chemistry majors prepare research presentations and invite visiting researchers and graduate students to give their own presentations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having enjoyed the event and the community, Griffin said he kept an eye out for hiring notices. When a visiting lecturer position opened, he applied and has been teaching at Redlands since the Fall semester of 2024. Griffin still lives in San Diego and commutes an hour and a half to work every day, which he said has been difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut every morning, when I get to campus, I feel like it’s worth it because it’s really, really fun to be teaching organic chemistry in a university setting,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The university\u2019s size is another benefit that Griffin encourages students to utilize to the fullest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeing at a smaller university setting like this, where your professors are in the same building that you have your classes in, and their doors are open and you can walk in and talk to them as needed – that is the edge that a university like Redlands offers over the bigger institutions that I’m used to,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00d6mer Aziz Kayhan came to the University of Redlands this semester as a visiting lecturer in the Conservatory of Music. Photo Credit: University of Redlands Marketing and Communications<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After graduating high school, \u00d6mer Aziz Kayhan left Istanbul, Turkey for a college education in the United States. He earned a double major in economics and music at Cornell University, followed by a masters in music from Eastman School of Music, both in New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a visiting lecturer in the Conservatory of Music, Kayhan said he is looking forward to expanding his collaborations with students, faculty and other departments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have already worked on intra-departmental projects with the Maker Space studio, creating 3-D printed batons for our students in conducting classes,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have incredible musicians, both academically and professionally, making music with them is the greatest joy of teaching here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to his work at the university, Kayhan said he enjoys exploring the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs I discover the beaches, the hikes, the food and the music scene, I find so many more anchors to be here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Benjamin Fields is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Sociology and Anthropology departments this semester. Photo Credit: University of Redlands Marketing and Communications<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Benjamin Fields, a Seattle native, earned an undergraduate from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, where he competed on the swim team. Fields then earned his masters degree in higher education administration at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and his doctoral degree in Sociology at UC Riverside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While at UC Riverside, Fields\u2019s love for swimming led him to become the assistant swim coach for the University of Redlands. This role gradually expanded, and as Fields spent more time at Redlands, he started looking for teaching positions. When the full-time visiting professor position in the Sociology Department opened last year, he applied and is excited to expand his role in the Bulldog community.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are even more exciting opportunities on the horizon for Fields, however, as he was offered a tenure track professor contract at the University of Nevada in Reno starting in the fall 2025 semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI’ve really enjoyed my time here, and I’m still looking forward to the next few months, but it is sort of the end of my Redlands time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kendra Nelson is the University of Redlands\u2019 new Assistant Professor of Kinesiology. Photo Credit: University of Redlands Marketing and Communications<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kendra Nelson is originally from Texas but has bounced back and forth across the country several times. After earning an undergraduate journalism degree from Southwestern Adventist University in Texas, Nelson moved to California where she worked in North Hollywood at a radio station. However, this career was not quite \u201cpaying the bills\u201d and she desired to explore other opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An avid runner who has competed in more than 15 marathons, and has goals to qualify for the Boston Marathon, she decided to channel this passion into pursuing physical therapy. Nelson pointed out that physical therapy encompasses more than just running, though: it applies to overall health, comfort and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you fix some physical habits that you’re doing now, you’re going to be so much better when you\u2019re 30 and 40,\u201d she said. \u201cYou can continue being athletic and active your whole life if you fix these things now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After earning a doctorate in physical therapy at Loma Linda University, Nelson worked with student athletes in sports rehab health clinics at Stanford and the University of Georgia in Athens. It was in Athens that Nelson first began guest-lecturing and discovered she enjoyed the academic environment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nelson returned to California when her husband was offered a teaching position at UC Riverside. She pursued clinical work at Redlands Community Hospital before becoming an adjunct at the University of Redlands during Covid. After two years as a visiting professor, Nelson is now the newest Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and said she is looking forward to everything that this new position entails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited to see how many students are really interested in getting a degree in kinesiology,\u201d she said. \u201cI’m hoping that it brings in some more students to the university.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifically, Nelson said she expects the new kinesiology degree to attract more athletes because of the strong correlation of interest, and hopes this will enhance Redlands\u2019 athletic department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Elizabeth Flater joins the Redlands faculty this semester as the new Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian. Photo Credit: University of Redlands Marketing and Communications<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Elizabeth Flater is originally from Wisconsin but has lived in Redlands since her husband started working for local company Esri in 2008. Flater worked as a librarian for California Baptist University in Riverside for 11 years prior to joining the Bulldog community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was ready for a change and a challenge and wanted to work closer to home because I have young kids – and the commute was draining my life force,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flater said she is most looking forward to collaborating with coworkers and students, along with developing as a teacher, researcher and librarian. She encourages students to stop by the library for research help or \u201cjust because.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt’s a great place to study or relax, everyone is friendly and helpful, and we try to have fun things going on every month: coloring, games, snacks, crafts, and special events,\u201d she said. \u201cAlso, we have a games collection, a popular books section, and graphic novels if you’re looking for fun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dreana Holloway is a new assistant professor in the School of Education this semester. Photo Credit: University of Redlands Marketing and Communications<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dreana Holloway is from North Carolina, where she earned a bachelors in elementary education from Western Salem State University. She comes from a family of educators and has been in the education system for ten years. She became an elementary school counselor in 2016, then earned her PhD in counselor education and supervision in 2023. Holloway said she decided to come to Redlands because of the high level of diversity and expansive teaching-outreach program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I went to the interview here, I knew that the University of Redlands would support my dream: not only to be a professor at a university, but to also work [closely] with school counselors,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rev. I. Pearl Player is the Interim Program Director at the San Francisco School of Theology this spring. Photo Credit: University of Redlands Teams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The last new faculty member this year will not be seen here, but at Redlands\u2019 San <\/strong>Francisco School of Theology<\/a> in Marin. A native Californian, Rev. I. Pearl Player will be the Interim Program Director and a full-time visiting lecturer in Christian spirituality this semester. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Player, a three-time alumna, said she is excited to teach courses that align with her interests, oversee the development of her students\u2019 spiritual direction and assist in student recruitment. She also enjoys the Northern California scenery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am most looking forward to working and living within the soothing and rejuvenating environment of our stunning Marin campus,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These new faculty members bring fresh perspectives and diverse experiences to the University of Redlands. Let\u2019s make sure to give these individuals a Bulldog warm welcome!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have you met the new University of Redlands faculty members yet? This semester, there are eight: six within<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":309,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"Photo Credit: Kyle Eaton","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[294],"class_list":["post-1958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-academics"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/UoR-Bulldog-Paper-Kyle-Eaton-Campus-Admin-Building-on-Overcast-Day-1-Unedited-meh-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/44"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1958"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1958\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1970,"href":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1958\/revisions\/1970"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/309"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}