Fort Smith – The University of Arkansas in Fort Smith added 25 full-time faculty and staff for the 2025-26 academic year.
The university’s press release on Monday said additional faculty members will strengthen their courses at the three universities and expand their academic resources for their students.
Seven new teachers will join the School of Arts and Sciences.
Deborah Chun will serve as department chair and professor of mathematics. Chun received his Ph.D. The release noted that he received a math major at LSU in 2011. She previously taught at West Virginia University’s Technical College.
Radwa Hanafy is an assistant professor of microbiology. According to the press release, Hanafi came to the university from the Jefferson Center for Toxicology Research in Microbiology Discipline and the Food and Drug Administration Center. She has over 10 years of experience in environmental and molecular microbiology. Radva received his Ph.D. PhD in Microbiology from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Kang Ma is an assistant professor of graphic design. Kang received his master's degree in graphic design from Yale University's School of Art in 2021, the release said. He joined UAFS at St. Joseph’s University in Brooklyn, New York, where he taught adjunct professors.
Michael Maguigan will serve as assistant professor of physical sciences. Maguigan received his Ph.D. He received his geology and geoscience major at Mississippi State University before joining UAFS faculty.
Christopher Pierret will serve as department chair and professor of biological sciences. Pierret received his Ph.D. In 2008, a PhD in Biology/Biological Sciences from the University of Missouri. Prior to coming to Fort Smith, he worked with the Regional Health Education Center at the University of Hawaii Manoa University and was an associate professor of clinical and translational sciences in Mayo Clinical Sciences in Rochester, Minnesota and an associate professor of clinical sciences at Mayo Clinical Sciences.
Peter Sassman is an assistant professor of mathematics. Sussman received his Ph.D. Received a PhD in Mathematics from Northern Illinois University in 2025. The release noted that he was a graduate assistant at Northern Illinois University before entering UAFS. He also teaches in a high school in Hiroshima, Japan.
Tom Sokolowski is an assistant professor of English, rhetoric and writing, and media communication. Sokolowski holds an MFA from the University of Central Florida and receives a scholarship and doctorate from the Provost. The release indicated that it was from Florida State University. His novels appear in Southern Indiana Reviews, Barcelona Reviews, Shenandoah and elsewhere.
Six new teachers were announced for the School of Business and Industry.
Mike Franks is a lecturer in welding technology at the Western Arkansas Technology Center (WATC) program. Franks has a certificate of welding technology technology from Twin Lakes VO Tech and a certificate of communication technology from Bossier Parrish Community College. Franks has experience in heavy equipment operations and has been a senior welder at Black Hills Energy for more than 10 years, the release said.
Pradip Kharbuja is a lecturer in network engineering technology in WATC Program. Kharbuja holds a Master of Computer Science from Maharishi University and a Bachelor of Engineering from Khwopa College of Engineering, Nepal. Kharbuja has industry experience in information technology and software development, and his most recent role is a senior identity and access management engineer for Freddie Mac, which was released by the company.
Yuchen Luo joined the faculty as assistant professor of finance. Luo has a PhD from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville. The release noted that he was from UAFS at the McDonald School of Business at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he worked as a postdoctoral assistant.
Eric Rygaard is a lecturer in welding technology at WATC Program. He received a bachelor's degree in education/teaching technology from Pittsburgh State University, according to the press release. He previously served as a welding coach at Northwestern University at Missouri State University and has worked in numerous manufacturing roles.
Lee Stovall is a lecturer in accounting and business. The release notes that he holds a Master of Accounting from Missouri State University and is a certified public accountant. He is a special retired agent for the U.S. Treasury Department and serves as a tax agent for the IRS.
Dillon Walker, an assistant professor of accounting, received his Ph.D. Accounting at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville this summer. According to the press release, Walker brings 11 years of experience to UAFS. His previous roles include serving as a senior graduation assistant at the University of Arkansas System and as a senior tax accountant at Leggett & Platt Inc.
Ten new members joined the College of Health, Education and Human Sciences this year.
Brittany Arnold will serve as a practical nursing coach for the WATC program. The release indicated that she holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Carl Albert State College and has received various certifications for emergency care. Arnold came to UAF from his role in the Emergency Room of Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center and Spiro Kiamichi Tech's healthcare assistant coach.
Stephen Berry, assistant professor of psychology, received his Ph.D. The release says it will be offered from Southern Illinois University in 2023 to specialize in applied psychology. His current research interests involve media attitudes, brand personality concepts and consumer behavior. Berry's academic work has been exhibited in four academic journal articles and 14 conference speeches.
Madison Branham is a lecturer in the School of Nursing Science Programs. Branham holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UAFS. The release noted that she came to UAF from the labor and childbirth RN position at Mercy Hospital.
Corri Brosius is a visiting lecturer in early childhood education. She holds a Master's degree in English as a second language course and teaching. She has served as UAF for 14 years of experience in K-12 public education in South Korea and Texas and served as Director of AmeriCorps Programs for Jumpstart for a year.
Netlla Cureton is a visiting lecturer at the School of Education. The release notes that Coon holds a PhD in Education from Harding University. She came to UAFS with more than 20 years of K-12 experience, including classroom teaching, school-level leadership and regional management.
Serena Dodson is a guest lecturer at Allied Health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Previously, she worked as a part-time coach at UAFS. Release noted that Dodson is the owner and director of the Angel Wings Test Center. As a licensed nurse and educator, she has many years of experience in LPN and CNA.
Michaela Lantz is a lecturer in Nursing Program in Bachelor of Nursing. Lantz holds a Master of Nursing from Northeastern State University. She joins with UAF with a variety of clinical experiences, including maternal and neonatal care, postpartum care and rehabilitation.
Lindsey Pannell is a visiting lecturer at the School of Education. Pannell holds a master's degree in education from Arkansas State University, the press release said. She came to Fort Smith from the Ozark School District as teaching host, bringing 18 years of K-12 experience.
Malia Price is a lecturer in the Nursing School of Nursing Sciences. Price holds a Bachelor of Nursing degree. The release said she is from Mercy Fort Smith's UAFS, bringing over 15 years of clinical nursing experience.
Alicia Redding is a lecturer in the science of imaging. Redding release noted that Redding received a bachelor's degree in Imaging Science Distribution from UAFS. Her UAF from Baptist Health Imaging Plaza in Fort Smith brings her seven years of experience as a radiologist and serves as an ultrasound examiner.
Two new employees joined the Boreham Library staff.
Deidre Grzymala will serve as the collection development librarian. According to a press release, Grzymala received a bachelor’s degree in drama from UAFS and a master’s degree in library science from Norman University campus in Oklahoma.
Roxy Wylie is the new student success librarian. The release indicated that Wylie received a bachelor’s degree in history from UAFS and a master’s degree in library science from Emporia State University.