Pfeiffer University welcomes new faculty for 2012-13 academic year

Dr. Kenneth Bandy to head new Division of Business for undergraduate and graduate programs

Pfeiffer University announces the hiring of 16 new members to its undergraduate and graduate faculties for the start of the 2012-13 academic year. In addition, a new overall academic structure has been implemented, a change that accommodates the development of and encourages innovation in Pfeiffer’s academic programs.

A primary component of the new structure is the addition of Dr. Kenneth Bandy, dean of the Division of Business, serving both undergraduate and graduate programs. With nearly 20 years of experience as both an academic and administrator, Dr. Bandy comes to Pfeiffer from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., where he served as dean and professor for the College of Business and Computer Science. With expertise in organizational behavior, management and communication as well as corporate training and team performance, his role will be to guide the continued development of Pfeiffer’s business programs for competitiveness in a global business environment.

“For higher education to meet the needs and demands of an ever-changing world, it’s imperative that Pfeiffer is equipped to prepare today’s students for working and living productively in it,” said Dr. Tracy Espy, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Our faculty members, who are strong, proven educators each in his or her own right, are eager to find new ways of working together to attract and best serve all students.”

Under the new organizational structure, the following faculty have been named deans: Division of Business, Dr. Kenneth Bandy; Division of Liberal Arts, Dr. Mark McCallum; Division of Education, Dr. Dawn Lucas; Division of Health-Related Programs, Dr. Vernease Miller and Center for Professional Advancement, Dr. Paulita Brooker.

Other new members of the Pfeiffer University faculty are:

Duane Aagaard, visiting professor of sports management/Misenheimer campus, holds a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.; master’s degree in sports leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.; and doctoral degree in organizational leadership-sports administration from Concordia University in Chicago. His professional experience encompasses positions at Southeastern University, Lakeland, Fla., where he taught sports management, redesigned the academic program and served as director of athletics.

Miranda Gibson Beam, assistant professor of chemistry/Misenheimer campus, earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Berea College, Berea, Ky., and a doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences from University of Kentucky, Lexington. Her classroom experience includes teaching organic chemistry, biochemistry and medicinal chemistry, respectively for Berea College, Tennessee Technical University, Cooksville, Tenn., and Midway College School of Pharmacy in Paintsville, Ky., in addition leading to summer academies for high school students and conducting research for Chempharma in Richmond.

Martha Bramlett, assistant professor of nursing/Misenheimer campus, received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from UNC-Chapel Hill, bachelor’s degree in biology from UNC-Charlotte, master’s degree in nursing education and adult health from UNC-Greensboro,  and doctoral degree in nursing health care across the lifespan, gerontology from Medical College of Georgia, Augusta. Her teaching experience spans the southeastern U.S., most recently for UNC-Charlotte School of Nursing, preceded by Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, Concord; University of South Carolina College of Nursing; University of Georgia Gerontology Center; and UNC-Greensboro, among others.

Laura Bryan, clinic director, marriage and family therapy/Raleigh-Durham campus, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Furman University, master’s degree in human development and family studies and doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from Texas Tech University. A licensed marriage and family therapist and a clinical member and approved supervisor for the American Association for Marriage and Family therapy, she serves patients in private practice. In addition, she was most recently an adjunct faculty member and clinical administrator for the Family Life Center, Department of Counseling and Human Services, St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.

Rachel Wray Cozort, assistant professor of nursing/Misenheimer campus, earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing, master’s degree in gerontology/nursing and doctoral degree in nursing from UNC-Greensboro. After working for more than 20 years in a variety of clinical settings, she turned her focus to educating nursing students, primarily at Lenoir Rhyne University, Hickory, N.C., while continuing to participate in a variety of research activities on matters related to the aging process.

Sarah Hall, visiting assistant professor of music/Misenheimer campus, holds a bachelor’s degree in music in theory and composition and master’s degree in music from Appalachian State University, master’s degree and doctoral studies in music education from UNC Greensboro. An accomplished composer, Ms. Hall has worked in a variety of settings, including Salisbury-Rowan Choral Society, Center for Faith and the Arts and others.

Rosalie Kern, assistant professor of psychology/Misenheimer campus, holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Central Michigan University in psychology, general experimental psychology and applied experiential psychology, respectively. Her classroom experience includes teaching and developing courses for the department of psychology at Michigan Technical University; other professional expertise includes forensic psychology and trial consulting.

Blake Lafond, assistant professor of criminal justice/Charlotte campus, received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UNC-Charlotte in criminal justice and is currently working toward a doctoral degree in public safety with a specialization in criminal justice from Capella University, Minneapolis. In addition to research, statistical and professional experience with the Governor’s Crime Commission for the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, he has taught a variety of courses in the field for Everest College Online, Santa Ana, Calif., and ECPI University, Charlotte.

Laura Lowder, visiting professor of education/Misenheimer campus, holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Pfeiffer University and master’s and doctoral degrees in curriculum, assessment and instruction from Jones International University, Centennial, Colo., and University of Florida, respectively. In addition to several years’ classroom experience at the elementary level and as an adjunct instructor for Stanly Community College, she was the owner and operator of The Learning Center of Albemarle, which provided tutorial and enrichment services for school-age children.

Jack McCaffery III, assistant professor of legal studies/Misenheimer campus, earned a bachelor’s degree in management from National-Louis University, Evanston, Ill.; master’s degrees in healthcare administration and international taxation from Strayer University, Charlotte, and St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami, respectively; juris doctor from Barry University School of Law, Orlando, Fla., and doctorate of business administration in accounting from Argosy University, Sarasota, Fla. He also holds graduate certificates in international economics and marketing. A certified master financial professional, chartered asset manager and wealth manager, and certified divorce financial analyst and certified anti-money laundering consultant, he has business and consulting experience and has taught undergraduate business and accounting courses for more than a decade.

Sang Gon Nam, assistant professor of health administration, Raleigh-Durham campus, earned a bachelor’s degree in mass media and communication from Handong Global University, Pohang, Korea; master’s degree in sociology from Clemson University; and doctoral degree (dissertation pending) in preventive medicine and community health from University of Texas Medical Branch as well as additional doctoral coursework in sociology from Emory University. In addition to teaching and conducting extensive research on the effects of obesity and predictors of mortality, Dr. Nam has worked as a marketing researcher with the Global Institute in Seoul, South Korea.  

Michael Seda, associate professor of accounting/Misenheimer campus, holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and MBA from St. John’s University, Queens, N.Y., doctorate in business education from New York University, and doctorate in business administration from Argosy University. He is a certified public accountant; fraud examiner; financial forensic specialist; real estate broker; and computer, mathematics and business educator. Concurrent with business experience that spans more than 30 years is teaching experience that covers the depth of his professional expertise at such institutions as UNC-Chapel Hill, Fairleigh Dickinson University, North Carolina Central University and Campbell University, among others.

Dennis Souther, visiting professor of criminal justice/Misenheimer campus, earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master of public administration degree from UNC-Charlotte. An adjunct professor of criminal justice at Pfeiffer in Misenheimer and Charlotte since 1999, he’s also served as an officer and administrator for Cabarrus Correctional Center, Southern Correctional Institution and Stanly Correctional Center and taught a variety of criminal justice courses for institutions that include Montgomery Community College, Troy, N.C.; Barber-Scotia College, Concord, N.C.; ITT Technical Institute, Indianapolis; and ECPI College of Technology, Virginia Beach, Va.

Myra Tannehill, visiting professor of English/Misenheimer campus, holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Roanoke College, Salem, Va., and master’s and doctoral degrees in English education and higher education, teaching leadership and educational studies, from Appalachian State, Boone, N.C. In addition to nearly 20 years teaching experience as both an adjunct professor at various institutions and faculty member at Rowan Cabarrus Community College, she has vast experience leading and facilitating writing workshops for a variety of audiences, including venues such as arts festivals and conferences.

 Kevin Taylor, visiting professor of religion/Misenheimer campus, earned  bachelor’s degree in religion from Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C., master of divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, N.J., and doctorate in theology from University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England. An ordained elder of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, he has served as an adjunct professor and lecturer of religion for Pfeiffer University and Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, N.C.

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