- Received her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona in Contemporary Latin American Literature and is currently Professor of Spanish in the Department of Foreign Languages
- Has translated and published complete poetic works by Mexican authors Alberto Blanco, Minerva Margarita Villarreal, Juan Armando Rojas Joo and Ivan Vergara
- In 2018, Artepoética Press published her translation of La llama inclinada/The Inclined Flame by Colombian author Carlos Satizábal
- Coeditor of the anthologies of poetry Sangre mía / Blood of Mine: Poetry of Border Violence, Gender and Identity in Ciudad Juárez (2013) and Canto a una ciudad en el desierto (2004)
- Her poetry, translations and articles on Contemporary Latin American Literature appear in numerous international reviews and journals

217, Center for the Humanities of Bixler Hall
419.289.5353 / jrathbun@ashland.edu
Department of Foreign Language
Education
- University of Arizona, Ph.D. in contemporary Latin American literature
- University of Arizona, B.A. and M.A.

206, Center for the Arts
419.289.5158 / treed@ashland.edu
Department of Music , Department of Theatre
- Joined Ashland University faculty in 1986 and serves as professor of music and chair of the Department of Music and Theatre
- Teaches courses in woodwinds, music theory, aural skills and jazz
- Member of the Akron Symphony (bass clarinet) and Ashland Symphony (principal clarinet), was a long-time member of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra (saxophone), and has performed on clarinet or saxophone with the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Blossom Festival Orchestra, Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic, Youngstown Symphony, Blossom Festival Band and the Jazz Unit
- Has been soloist with the Akron, Mansfield, Clarence and Ashland Symphonies and performs on CDs from the Akron Symphony, Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, the Jazz Unit and the Paul Ferguson Jazz Orchestra
- Clarinet CD “Mutually Inclusive” was released in 2008 on Capstone Records
- Founding member of Iron Toys, a woodwind quartet that performs original repertoire for saxophones, clarinets and flutes. Iron Toys released their CD in 2015
Education
- The Ohio State University, DMA in Clarinet Performance
- The University of Akron, M.M. in Saxophone Performance
- The University of Michigan, B.M. in Music Education

123, Andrews Hall
419.289.5338 / croger17@ashland.edu
Department of History & Political Science
Cara Rogers is an assistant professor of history at Ashland University, where she teaches courses on the Age of Enlightenment, American history from the colonial era until the Civil War, and Thomas Jefferson. Previously, she taught at Collin College in Dallas and at Rice University. She did her undergraduate work at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and has a master’s degree in history from the University of Texas at Dallas and a Ph.D. from Rice University. Her dissertation, under revision for future publication, examines the ways in which Jefferson's book Notes on the State of Virginia influenced debates over race and slavery. Her other areas of interest include the Atlantic World, 19th century intellectual history, and World history.
Education
- Ph.D. in History, Rice University
- M.A. in History, University of Texas at Dallas
- B.A. in English, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

346A , Center for the Arts
419.289.5194 / proggenk@ashland.edu
Department of Art + Design
- Joined Ashland University faculty in 2005 and serves as associate professor of art
- Works in two-dimensional media as well as textile-related sculpture
- Interested in inspiring and mentoring exemplary art educators who will then be prepared to inspire and mentor tomorrow’s creative young people
- Has conducted art education workshops in Florida, Ohio and Maine and has co-authored several publications related to art and interdisciplinary curriculum
- Received Best of show 2018 New Masters Exhibition for mixed media textile piece, "Secrets" Ursaline College; First prize 2017 Fresh Exhibition for installation piece, "Refugee" Summit Art Space, Akron; 2015 residency Haystack Mountain School of Crafts; and awarded Ohio Arts Council 2018 Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant to study Appalachian Weaving
- Recent fiber sculpture and panels are exhibited widely and her current digital photo/mixed media pieces will have their first showing in Israel in 2013
- 2018: Ohio Art Education Conference Presenter, Reflections from The Front International Exhibition and implications for Ohio art educators
Education
- Kent State University, M.F.A.
- University of Arkansas, M.Ed.
- Heidelberg College, B.A.

156, Dwight Schar College of Education
419.289.5657 / mrubin3@ashland.edu
Criminal Justice and Sociology Department
- Joined Ashland University faculty in 2017 and serves as director of the Online Criminal Justice program as well as professional instructor in the program
- With nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience, Dr. Rubin specializes in policing, homeland security, criminology, and cybercrime and human trafficking
Education
- Capella University, Ph.D.
- Western Governors University, M.Ed.
- University of Houston, B.S.

314, Center for the Humanities of Bixler Hall
419.289.5198 / nsaslaw@ashland.edu
Department of English
- Joined Ashland University faculty in 1969 and serves as professor of English
- In recent years she has pursued an interest in modern Jewish literature
- In addition to her work in Anglo-Saxon, Chaucer and Shakespeare, she earned a J.D. at Cleveland Marshall College of Law where she served on Law Review and began work on biomedical ethics
- A grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities provided an opportunity to participate in a year-long program in biomedical humanities run jointly by Hiram College and North East Ohio University College of Medicine
- Putting theory into practice, she has served on the Medical Ethics Committee at Med-Central Hospital in Mansfield, Ohio
Education
- Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, J.D.
- Case Western Reserve University, Ph.D.
- Case Western Reserve University, M.A.
- University of Michigan, B.A.

324 , Kettering Science Building
419.289.5252 / psaunder@ashland.edu
Department of Biology & Toxicology , Environmental Science Program
- Joined Ashland University faculty in 2002
- Area of expertise is aquatic ecology
- Teaches courses in biology, ecology and environmental science
- Since joining AU, has directed many students doing independent research projects related to the ecology of a local lake and ponds at the Black Fork Wetlands Preserve
Education
- University of Georgia, Ph.D. in Ecology
- Indiana University, M.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Oberlin College, B.A. in Biology

233 , Center for the Arts
419.289.5955 / wschalle@ashland.edu
Department of Art + Design
- Joined Ashland University faculty in 2002 and serves as associate professor of art
- A specialist in Baroque art
- Major area of interest is seventeenth-century Dutch art
- Research is focused primarily on portraits of children and the subject of death, grief and consolation in the Netherlands
Education
- Ohio State University, Ph.D. in Art History
- Ohio State University, M.A. in Art History
- University of Tennessee, B.A. in Art History

213, Patterson Instructional Technology Center
419.289.6759 / sscheire@ashland.edu
Department of Mathematics & Computer Science
- Joined Ashland University faculty in 2018 and serves as Visiting Assistant Professor
- Main research interest is algebraic topology, specifically interested in topological robotics, which aims to view problems that arise in robotics through an abstract mathematical point of view
- Courses taught include Math 205, 206, 208, 450, 610 and 650.
Education
- Lehigh University, Ph.D. and M.S. in mathematics
- Moravian College, B.S. in mathematics

214 , Center for the Humanities of Bixler Hall
419.289.5131 / bschmidt@ashland.edu
Department of Foreign Language
- Joined Ashland University faculty in 1987 and is professor of foreign languages teaching courses in Intermediate Spanish, Civilization of Spain, Spanish Phonetics and Foreign Language Education methods classes
- Recognized nationally as an authority on the impact of home stays and host family interactions on language learning and currently involved in sociolinguistic research on the forms of address in Costa Rican Spanish
- Besides her work in language teaching, she established and has led for more than 20 years AU’s summer Spanish program abroad, first in Mexico and more recently in Costa Rica, where she now serves as coordinator and instructor of record for the “AU in Costa Rica” program
- Chaired the Foreign Languages Department for 13 years.
- established the Ashland Foreign Language Alliance for high school language teachers in the area and was a member of the Academic Programs Committee of the College Consortium for International Studies for many years
- In 2016, received the Anthony J. Papalia Award for 2015 outstanding research article by the New York State Association for Foreign Language Teachers; recognized as the Outstanding Graduate Student in Education at AU when she received her M.Ed.; was one of the first two recipients of the Taylor Teaching Award in 1987; and received the Ed Allen Award for Outstanding College Foreign Language Instructor from the Ohio Foreign Language Association in 1988
Education
- Ohio State University, Ph.D. in Foreign Language Education
- Ashland University, M.Ed.
- B.A. in Spanish and membership in Phi Beta Kappa at Ohio University

Ashbrook Center
419.289.5625 / jsikkeng@ashland.edu
Department of History & Political Science
- Joined Ashland University faculty in 1997 and serves as professor of political science
- Has been a visiting scholar at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution and a distinguished visiting professor at the School of Public Policy, Pepperdine University.
- Teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in political thought, the American Founding and American constitutional law, including courses in Understanding Politics, Democracy in America, Constitutional Powers, Constitutional Rights, Politics and Religion, The American Revolution, The American Founding, The Supreme Court, Sources of the American Regime
- Published articles and reviews in journals such as American Journal of Political Science, Perspectives on Politics, Political Theory, History of Political Thought, Journal of Politics, Political Science Quarterly, Journal of Markets and Morality and Religion and Liberty
- Co-edited History of American Political Thought (Lexington Press, 2019, second edition), edited Transforming American Welfare (1999) and co-wrote The Free Person and the Free Economy (2002)
- Publishing a book next year on “Landmark Decisions of the Supreme Court"
Education
- University of Toronto, Ph.D.
- University of Toronto, M.A.
- University of Virginia, B.A.

130, Kettering Science Building
419.207.6215 / rsikut@ashland.edu
Department of Biology & Toxicology
- Joined Ashland University faculty in 2019
- Teaches courses in human biology, molecular & cellular basis of life, nursing microbiology and anatomy & physiology
- Performed graduate research with anaerobic bacteria within the Bacteroides fragilis group with capsules using scanning electron microscopy at the University of Akron
- Previously taught human biology, anatomy & physiology, microbiology, and medical terminology at Kent State University
- Worked on the bench in bacteriology/ pathology department labs at the Cleveland Clinic, Marymount and Richmond Heights hospitals
- Trained clinical medical technologists, microbiologists and supervisors, in the U.S. Italy, and Canada, on blood culture techniques, equipment, and software
- Also worked in quality control/ technical support and immunoproduction at ICN/ MP Biomedicals
Education
- The University of Akron, M.S. Education (Biology); Specialization: Microbiology
- Walsh University, B.S. Biology

120, Andrews Hall
419.289.5171 / dsimmon9@ashland.edu
Department of History & Political Science
- Joined Ashland in 2019 and serves as Visiting Assistant Professor of history and politics.
- Prior to teaching at Ashland he served as the Full-time Temporary Lecturer in political science at Baylor University, as well as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Dallas. Teaches classes on Western history, American political theory, and political theory.
- Wrote the Locke chapter in Trump and Political Philosophy (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018). He is a former Donald Rumsfeld Fellow.
Education
- University of Dallas, Ph.D., M.A.
- St. John’s College, B.A.

215, Kettering Science Building
419.289.5615 / ksimokat@ashland.edu
Department of Biology & Toxicology
- Joined Ashland University faculty in 2013 and serves as visiting Assistant Professor of Biology/Toxicology
- Teaches courses in human anatomy and physiology
- Current research interests include the integration of writing-to-learn strategies and technology to promote learning and understanding of science
- Comes most recently from the Palouse region (University of Idaho and Washington State University) where she taught developmental biology, mammalian physiology, human anatomy & physiology, genetics, cell biology and introductory biology
Education
- Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, Ph.D. in Cellular & Molecular Biology
- Wesleyan University, B.A., in Biology
Sandra Simonds is the author of six books of poetry: Orlando (Wave Books, 2018), Further Problems with Pleasure, winner of the 2015 Akron Poetry Prize, Steal It Back (Saturnalia Books, 2015), The Sonnets (Bloof Books, 2014), Mother Was a Tragic Girl (Cleveland State University Poetry Center, 2012), and Warsaw Bikini (Bloof Books, 2009). Her poems have been included in Best American Poetry in 2014 and 2015 and have appeared in many literary journals, including Poetry magazine, the American Poetry Review, the Chicago Review, Granta, Boston Review, Ploughshares, Fence, Court Green, and Lana Turner. In 2013, she won a Readers’ Choice Award for her sonnet “Red Wand,” which was published on the Academy of American Poets website. She lives in Tallahassee, Florida, and is an associate professor of English and Humanities at Thomas University in Thomasville, Georgia.
Education
- Ph.D. English/Creative Writing, Florida State University
- MFA Creative Writing, University of Montana

119, Rinehart Center for Religious Studies
419.289.5231 / pslade@ashland.edu
Department of Religion
- Joined Ashland University faculty in 2006 and serves as chair of the Religion Department
- Teaches courses in the history of Christianity and Christian thought, including Exploring the Bible, History of Early to Reformation Christianity, History of Modern Christianity, History of Religions in America, History of Christian Worship, Religion and the Civil Rights Movement in America, Theologies of Resistance and Reconciliation, and Religion Thesis Seminar
- Scholarship and teaching is grounded in his work and life in the Church. He worked for several years as a community development worker for the Church of England in Blackburn and Aylesbury and served as a preacher for a small chapel in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains
- Interested in the lived ecclesiologies of Christian communities, his first book, Open Friendship in a Closed Society; Mission Mississippi and a Theology of Friendship (OUP, 2009), is an interdisciplinary study of an ecumenical racial reconciliation initiative in Mississippi
- Consultant to the Project on Lived Theology at the University of Virginia, Slade is co-editor and contributor to two volumes connected with the project: Mobilizing for the Common Good: The Lived Theology of John M. Perkins (University Press of Mississippi, 2013) and Lived Theology: New Perspectives on Method, Style and Pedagogy (OUP, 2016). He contributed a chapter to the project’s Can I Get a Witness? Thirteen Peacemakers, Community Builders, and Agitators for Faith and Justice (Eerdman's 2019).
- Current research is into race, religion, and civil rights in the American South; in particular, the life and work of Howard Kester. Also justice, reconciliation and the practices of congregational singing: the ways that singing shapes–and is shaped by–the lived ecclesiologies of different congregations and communities.
Education
- University of Virginia, Ph.D.
- University of Virginia, M.A.
- University of Mississippi, M.A.
- University of St. Andrews, B.D.

- Has over 30 years of professional experience as a Technical Director in the entertainment industry and education.
- A lifelong love of learning and building has propelled him to transform vision into reality for a wide variety of client’s time and time again.
- Some of his professional credits include Tony Award winning theaters and national tour, dance, opera, theme parks, corporate meetings, product launches, and displays, national and international credits include touring acts, conventions, trade-shows, and church conferences.
- Some of his educational credits include being the Technical Director and an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky and Technical Director for the Opera Program at the University of Illinois.
- Holds a BFA from Otterbein University (1993) and an MFA from the University of Illinois at Champaign – Urbana (2005). Also is a journeyman member with IATSE Local 346.
Education
- Otterbein University, BFA
- University of Illinois at Champaign – Urbana, MFA

115, Andrews Hall
419.207.4933 / jsteven2@ashland.edu
Department of History & Political Science
- Joined Ashland University faculty in 2011 and serves as visiting assistant professor of history and political science
- Teaches courses on political thought and history with fields of expertise in the American Founding, Abraham Lincoln, and political philosophy
- Previously served as adjunct instructor at the University of Akron – Wayne College, North Central State College, and the University of Dallas
Education
- University of Dallas, Institute of Philosophic Studies, Ph.D. in Politics
- University of Dallas, Institute of Philosophic Studies, M.A.
- Ashland University, B.A.

314, Center for the Humanities of Bixler Hall
419.289.5199 / ksundber@ashland.edu
Department of English
Kelly Sundberg's memoir Goodbye, Sweet Girl: A Story of Domestic Violence and Survival was released by HarperCollins in June of 2018 and in paperback in June of 2019. Her essay "It Will Look Like a Sunset" was anthologized in Best American Essays 2015 and other essays have been listed as "notables" in Best American Essays 2013, 2016, and 2018. Her essays are published or forthcoming in Alaska Quarterly Review, Denver Quarterly, Guernica, The Los Angeles Review, Gulf Coast, Departures in Critical Qualitative Research, and elsewhere. Other work and commentary has appeared at Good Housekeeping, Glamour, and Psychology Today, among others. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from West Virginia University, a PhD in Creative Writing and English Studies from Ohio University and has been the recipient of grants and fellowships from Vermont Studio Center, A Room of Her Own Foundation, Dickinson House, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Education
- Ohio University, Ph.D., Creative Nonfiction
- West Virginia University, MFA, Creative Writing

208, Patterson Instructional Technology Center
419.289.5263 / gswain@ashland.edu
Department of Mathematics & Computer Science
- Joined Ashland University faculty in 1994 and areas of mathematical interest include abstract algebra (noncommutative rings), mathematical analysis of games, and undergraduate mathematics in general
- In addition to teaching a large variety of mathematics courses, including statistics, calculus, linear and abstract algebra, serves as advisor for the mathematics honorary
- Served as chair of the department of mathematics and computer science from 2001-2007, and was also the 2001 recipient of the Taylor Excellence in Teaching Award
- Has served the college and university on many committees, including as Faculty Senate vice president, president and past-president.
Education
- University of Massachusetts, Ph.D. in Mathematics
- University of Vermont, M.S. in Mathematics
- Eastern Nazarene College, B.S. in Physics and Mathematics