Sherman, Texas — In addition to over 400 incoming first-year and transfer students, Austin College welcomed 14 new faculty members to campus during its Opening Convocation ceremony held Monday, August 26, 2024. This is the largest cohort of new faculty members in the College’s recent history.
The new faculty represent a diverse sample of academic departments and bring to the College knowledge and perspectives from across the United States and beyond. “We are thrilled to welcome these 14 exceptional faculty members to our Austin College family!” said Dr. Beth Gill, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty. “Their diverse backgrounds and expertise are sure to make our academic community even richer and more vibrant. Each of them brings unique skills and experiences that will inspire and challenge our students, further enhancing our dynamic and engaging learning environment. We can’t wait to see the innovative teaching, research, and experiential opportunities they will bring to our campus and the surrounding community.”
Ready to make a difference in the futures of Austin College students are:
Ruba Akkad, Assistant Professor of English
Scott Austin, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Business Administration
Dr. Rogers Brown II, Assistant Professor of Biology
Dr. Sherry Cooke, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Sociology
Dr. Meghan Donnelly, Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Dr. Mohsan Khudri, Assistant Professor of Economics
Katelyn Klein, Adjunct Instructor of Public Health
Samuel Kroger, Assistant Professor of Data Science
Dr. Andrea López, Assistant Professor of Spanish
Dr. Kyla Prusak, Assistant Professor of Education
Dr. Rahul Renu, Founding Director and Associate Professor of Engineering
Kenna Smith, Assistant Professor of Medical Science
Dr. Thomas Stidham, Associate Professor of Biology
Isaac Swanson, Adjunct Instructor of Applied Music
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.
