Wednesday, Sep 14, 2016
by Alexa Caplinger ’16
As nearly 900 new students begin their first semester at Rider University, a dozen new faculty members find themselves in a similar scenario. Twelve professors have joined the University’s faculty for the fall of 2016, bringing to Rider their expertise in accounting, education and an array of other subjects.
“We’re proud to welcome Rider’s newest faculty members to the University and are confident each will contribute to the academic success of our students,” says Vice President for Academic Affairs DonnaJean Fredeen.
Dr. Barry Ashmen ’69 will serve as a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Marketing, Advertising, and Legal Studies. Ashmen received a doctorate in business education from Temple University and a master’s in business education from Rider. He also received his bachelor's in business administration from Rider. Ashmen has taught at Rider as an adjunct assistant professor since 1983.
Dr. Devon Rolleri Baranek, a certified public accountant, will join the Department of Accounting as an assistant professor. Baranek earned a doctorate in accounting, a master's in business administration at Baruch College at the City University of New York and a bachelor's in accountancy at Villanova University. Her interests include accounting regulation, financial accounting, standard board standard setting, securities and exchange commission enforcement, and corporate governance.
Rachel Brashier comes to the Department of Music Education of the Westminster College of the Arts as a visiting assistant professor. Brashier is finishing her doctorate in music education and holds a Master of Arts in ethnomusicology and a certificate in Collegiate Music Teaching from the Eastman School of Music. She also received a Master of Music in music history from Southern Illinois University and a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance and music education with certification from Eastern Illinois University. She has taught at Eastman School of Music and Southern Illinois University.
Dr. Timothy Brent will take on the role of visiting assistant professor for the Department of Fine Arts. Brent earned his doctorate in musical arts (jazz performance) and master's of music in jazz pedagogy from the University of Miami and his bachelor's in music education from Western Michigan University. He has taught and lectured in the music departments at University of Miami, University of North Texas, Miami-Dale College, University of the Arts, Elmhurst College and Northern Illinois University.
Dr. Susan Jones-Held, who has taught at Saint Peter’s College, Rutgers University and King’s College, will join the Department of Biology as an acting associate professor. She earned her doctorate in plant biology from Rutgers University, master’s in botany from Ohio University and bachelor’s in biology from Susquehanna University.
Dr. Bryan Price will serve as a visiting part-time assistant professor in the Department of Political Science. Price received a doctorate and master’s in political science from Stanford University, a master’s in international relations from St. Mary’s University, and bachelor's in U.S. history from the United States Military Academy. He recently taught as an academy professor, assistant professor and director of Combating Terrorism Center for the U.S. Military Academy.
Dr. Elizabeth Radziszewski will join the Department of Political Science as an assistant professor. She earned her doctorate and master's in political science at the University of Illinois and bachelor's in political science/history, journalism and media studies at Rutgers University. She has taught at Lehigh University, University of Illinois, Yeshiva University and Seton Hall University. Radziszewski’s research interests include international relations: conflict dynamics, foreign policy, comparatives of sub-Saharan Africa, Poland and the European Union, and methodology in creativity and design thinking.
Dr. Kathleen Shoemaker joins Rider as an acting assistant professor in Graduate Education. She earned a doctorate in philosophy from Montclair State University, an education specialist degree in mental health counseling and school counseling, a master's of counseling from Seton Hall University, master's in education from New Jersey City University and bachelor's in natural sciences and mathematics: computer science from Thomas Edison College. Shoemaker has taught at Montclair State University, Rutgers and Seton Hall.
Dr. Drue T. Stapleton will begin his appointment as an assistant professor in the Department of Biology. Stapleton earned a doctorate in philosophy from West Virginia University, a master's in education from Salisbury University, a bachelor's in athletic training and physical education from State University of New York and an associate in physical education studies from Hudson Valley Community College. Before joining Rider, Stapleton taught at Waynesburg University, West Virginia University, Pierpont Community and Technical College, West Virginia Wesleyan College, State University of New York, and Salisbury University.
Dr. Katerina Tsakiri will serve as an assistant professor in the Department of Information Systems. Prior to teaching at the University of Brighton, Nova Southeastern University, the University of Florida and the State University of New York, Tsakiri received her doctorate and master's in time series analysis from University of Albany and a bachelor's combined with master's in applied mathematics at National Technical University of Athens.
Dr. Emre Yetgin will join the Information Systems Department as an assistant professor. Yetgin earned his doctorate in management information systems at the University of Oklahoma, a master’s in management information systems at State University of New York Bingham University and a bachelor's in mechanical engineering from Middle East Technical University. He previously taught at Loyola University Maryland, University of Oklahoma and the State University of New York.
Dr. Jovana Zujevic, who has taught at Georgetown University, will serve as an assistant professor in the Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Department. Zujevic received her doctorate and master's in Spanish literature and cultural studies at Georgetown University and her bachelor's in Spanish language and literature at University of Belgrade.
At Rider, 97% of full-time faculty hold a doctorate or the highest degree in their field. The University also boasts a faculty-to-student ratio of 12 to one, allowing for close working relationships. About two-thirds of Rider faculty work one-on-one with students on research, thesis and independent study projects.