NIU has become the place of work for several new professors, administrators and other supportive professionals. Here is a glimpse at just a few.
Background: Bell received her master’s degree and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Western Michigan University. She completed a one-year clinical internship through the Boston Consortium, where she trained for eight months within the Behavioral Sciences Division of the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She received additional training in substance abuse and couples therapy. Most recently, she completed a two-year research fellowship through Brown University, serving as a project director for a clinical trial examining the efficacy of an HIV-risk-reduction intervention for pregnant, drug-abusing women. Her research interests are broadly focused on examining risk factors associated with interpersonal trauma, including intimate partner violence and adult sexual assault.
What I teach: “Currently I am teaching two sections of Introduction to Psychopathology for undergraduates. I also provide research supervision for graduate and undergraduate students taking independent study within my Interpersonal Violence research laboratory. In addition, I am actively developing my research program examining contextual factors associated with episodes of intimate partner violence.”
Why NIU? “I chose NIU for a variety of reasons. The Psychology Department’s emphasis on conducting quality research on family violence fit well with my own research interests. Additionally, I appreciated the departmental and university-wide commitment to graduate and undergraduate training, as well as NIU’s overall collegial atmosphere. The greater DeKalb/Sycamore region also seemed like a great environment to raise my daughter.”
Goals: “My goals are to achieve excellence in scholarly research and teaching by maintaining an active research program in partner violence and contributing to graduate and undergraduate training.”
What others say: “Dr. Bell’s research is important both to our basic understanding of interpersonal violence and to emerging strategies for the treatment and prevention of intimate partner aggression,” Psychology Chair Greg Waas says. “Her research is of keen interest to undergraduate and graduate students alike. We are thrilled that she has joined our department.”
Background: Clark is originally from the village of Lymm in Cheshire County, just outside Manchester, England. He comes to NIU from Washington, D.C., where he was a lecturer at George Washington University. He worked for both the Department of Political Science and the Elliott School of International Affairs, teaching classes in American and West European politics. Clark received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Essex, England, and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His research focuses on the policy-positioning strategies of political parties and on the effect that events, such as political scandals, have on political parties’ electoral fortunes.
What I teach: “This semester I’m teaching an introductory course in comparative politics as well as a graduate seminar in research methods. I’m looking forward to teaching West European Politics next semester.”
Why NIU? “The Department of Political Science faculty and staff are a great bunch of people, who get on very well with one another and work hard at their teaching and research. I admire that and was thrilled to be asked to be a part of that environment, especially since I think the department stands out as a very positive attribute of the university. More broadly speaking, NIU is a university on the rise, and I only see it becoming stronger in the future. I’d like to be a part of that, too. I hope students who attend NIU will feel proud of what’s happening here.”
Goals: “I’d like to improve upon my scholarly research thus far. Turning my doctoral research into a book, for example, would be a great step down that road. I also want to improve my skills in the classroom to ensure that when students take a class with me they can genuinely feel like they learned something useful that helps them understand political events around the globe.”
What others say: “Michael is a great addition to our department,” says Political Science Chair Christopher Jones. “He is a promising, cutting-edge scholar of comparative politics, who specializes in Western Europe, political parties and elections. Mike’s British background further internationalizes our faculty. He also brings with him a solid publishing record, and his previous teaching experience and warm personality convince me that he will be very successful in the classroom. My colleagues and I are delighted to welcome Michael to our student-centered research department.”
Background: Fisher is not only an advocate of the Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) program at NIU, she’s also an alumna. Prior to returning this summer to her alma mater, she worked for the American Cancer Society Fox Valley Region, where she raised funds to enable research, education, advocacy and services related to oncology patients and cancer prevention. She also was heavily involved in state and local lobby efforts for the enactment of Smoke-Free Illinois laws. Fisher holds two NIU degrees: a bachelor’s degree in sociology and an MPA degree with an emphasis in human services.
What I do: “I provide academic and professional support for the Division of Public Administration director, faculty, support staff and students. I also work closely with the director in areas of recruitment, admissions, course planning, academic advising, endowment funding, strategic planning and community relations.”
Why NIU? “For public administration, NIU has one of the highest-ranked programs in the nation. The MPA program produces about one-third of all Illinois city managers and is really starting to branch out to the nonprofit-management realm as well. This is a world-class learning environment for both domestic and international students, and I am fortunate to be able to be just one part of a well-oiled academic and professional machine.”
Goals: “I want to help mentor and shape some of the most ethical, intelligent, efficient and effective public leaders this nation has ever seen. I also hope to help the division increase our city management program ranking to number one in the U.S. News and World Report list of America’s Best Graduate Schools.”
What others say: “Sam Fisher has quickly stepped into the role of MPA coordinator in a highly effective manner and has displayed the kind of leadership, knowledge and skills for which our graduates are well known,” says Professor Gerald Gabris, director of the NIU Division of Public Administration. “She gets to know all of our students very well and works with them to improve their professional development, interpersonal skills, communications and leadership abilities. Sam also serves as a vital link between the MPA students and faculty, and she is responsible for managing the MPA student admissions process, helping us to recruit new students. This position and the person in it is one reason why the MPA program is able to achieve and sustain its top national ranking in urban management.”
Background: Kuglin joins NIU after working for three years at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. At Wesleyan, Danielle served as the director of Orientation Services and Fraternity and Sorority Life, as well as working with housing, alternative break programs and homecoming. Kuglin received her M.S. Ed. in college student personnel administration and a B.S. in interdisciplinary studies in psychology and special education from Illinois State University.
What I do: “I work with the Orientation & First-Year Experience office, particularly with the First-Year Connections program. I will co-teach UNIV this year and support the instructors and peer instructors for the course.”
Why NIU? “I appreciate the opportunity to focus my energies in one direction of student affairs, while being able to support the programs and services of colleagues on campus. I am passionate about orientation and the first-year experience and I believe the Orientation & First-Year Experience office at NIU will provide a wealth of learning opportunities. I also look forward to working with the diverse population of students, faculty and staff at NIU.”
Goals: “My goal is to help first-year students successfully transition to the Northern Illinois University community. My hope is that first-year students will acclimate to the university from matriculation to commencement. I also look forward to strengthening the programs and services of Orientation & First-Year Experience.”
What others say: “Danielle brings a wide range of experiences to NIU from previous positions at Illinois Wesleyan University and Illinois State University, including involvement with orientation,” said Denise Rode, director of Orientation and First-Year Experience. “We look forward to her becoming a productive, contributing member of the Orientation and First-Year Experience staff team.”
Background: Simpson holds a Ph.D. in economics from Fordham University in New York City. The Ph.D. in economics requires qualification, through course work and comprehensive examination, in three fields. Simpson qualified in finance, international economics and monetary economics. Simpson also earned an M.A. in international political economy and development from Fordham University. He holds two B.A. degrees, one in history and one in political science from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore. Simpson has published more than 20 scholarly articles in peer-reviewed finance journals and holds a charter as a Chartered Financial Analyst. Simpson has taught finance at Marshall University and the University of Texas-Pan American, where he was director of the Ph.D. in Business Administration program.
What I teach: Simpson’s research is broadly related to investments. Many of his articles deal with hedging foreign exchange risk and with the impact of macroeconomic variables on the spot and forward exchange markets. He also has published a number of articles related to the credit, equity and real estate markets. Recently, he co-authored an article on the relationship between politics and the returns on real estate investment trusts, which won the award for the “Best Paper Related to Investments and Portfolio Management” at the annual meetings of the American Real Estate Society. Simpson has teaches courses related to investments, portfolio management and the operation of financial markets and institutions.
Why NIU? “NIU has a strong reputation as an up-and-coming research institution, and a strong commitment to teaching. The College of Business is highly regarded and ranks among the top 100 colleges of business in the country. The finance faculty, in particular, are well-regarded nationally for their work.”
Goals: “I want to strengthen the department’s ties to the Chicago area financial community, and increase opportunities for our students and graduates.”
What others say: “We felt very fortunate when Marc agreed to join us at NIU as chair of the Department of Finance,” said Denise Schoenbachler, dean of the NIU College of Business. “We feel that department has a great deal of potential for growth and development and he has just the right type of leadership style to help us realize that potential. He brings strong scholarship, leadership experience and new ideas to the college.”
Background: Raised in Oklahoma, Tardy received a B.S. in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University and an M.S. in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia. After graduation, he worked for the Analex Corporation in Brook Park, Ohio, doing space launch vehicle guidance and control work. For the last six years he worked at CENTRA Technology in Arlington, Va., providing aerospace flight mechanics expertise and programmatic oversight to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Office of Naval Research and NASA.
What I do: “My job is to assist faculty in the College of Engineering & Engineering Technology to identify and obtain external funding for their research projects.”
Why NIU? “After many years in the corporate world, I was ready to return to an academic setting. I am excited that I can continue to be involved in promoting research and development and contribute to the advancement of science, engineering and technology.”
Goals: “I hope to use my experience working in the government R&D sector to expand research funding within CEET and to help support the next generation of engineers and technologists.
What others say: “Jason will serve as a valuable catalyst to advance our ongoing transformation toward becoming a more research oriented-college. His role to facilitate a match between faculty research interests and funding sources will serve our faculty well,” said Promod Vohra, dean of the NIU College of Engineering & Engineering Technology. “Jason is well-qualified for the job, and I am looking forward to working with him.”
Background: Walther grew up in rural Indiana, where her parents continue to raise corn and cattle. She recalls that her first college sociology class had more people in it than her entire graduating high school class. Walther now holds a Ph.D. in sociology and a master’s degree in sociology from Texas A&M University. She also has bachelor’s degrees in sociology and biology from Indiana University. Before coming to NIU, she taught courses in demography, feminist theories and introduction to sociology at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Her research focuses on social inequalities and demography. For example, she has studied the influence of the state on people’s interactions with governmental forms and has examined the influence of religion on the settlement patterns of same-gender couples.
What I teach: “This semester, I am teaching two courses, Introduction to Women’s Studies and Race and Ethnic Relations. In the courses, we explore social structures and the intersections of race, class, gender and sexuality.”
Why NIU? “I am very impressed with the faculty and students in the Department of Sociology. The faculty members are doing very exciting research, and I hope to participate in the growth that the Sociology Department has been experiencing in the past years.”
Goals: “My goals are to continue to have an active research agenda that incorporates undergraduate and graduate students in the research process.”
What others say: “Carol is a great fit for our department,” says William Minor, sociology chair. “She has expertise in demography, gender and LGBT studies, and race and ethnic relations, as well as in statistics and quantitative research methods. Our only dilemma is deciding how to use her talents most effectively because, unfortunately, we can’t clone her.”