Rosenberger, Wyllie granted tenure among AU faculty promotions

ASHLAND, Ohio – Two faculty members at Ashland University were granted tenure this spring—Jared Rosenberger, Ph.D., in the department of criminal justice and sociology and Robert Wyllie, Ph.D., in the department of history and political science—following approval by the AU Board of Trustees.

In addition, Melissa Irwin was promoted to clinical associate professor and Rosenberger was promoted to associate professor. All promotions will take effect with the beginning of the 2026-27 academic year.

Rosenberger, who joined AU in 2022, is the program director of sociology and teaches courses in social theory, criminology, juvenile delinquency, research methods and social problems. His research focuses on the relationship between media consumption, public opinion of crime and criminal behavior. He also serves as the university’s director of institutional assessment. Rosenberger received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and sociology at Baldwin Wallace University and both a master’s degree in sociology and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Akron.

Wyllie is an associate professor of political science and the director of the political economy program. He joined the AU faculty in 2020 and teaches political economy, history and political science, while his areas of expertise are envy, justice and tyrannicide in the history of political philosophy as well as how digital technology is reshaping democracy. He was a James Buchanan Fellow with Mercatus Center at George Mason University (2022-24). Wyllie holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame.

Irwin has served as the director of the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program since joining the AU faculty in 2019. She also is chair of the department of medical sciences. She teaches clinical medicine and PA practice and professionalism courses and her interests include internal medicine, endocrinology, cardiothoracic surgery, telehealth chronic disease and interprofessional education. Irwin earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Dayton, a master’s degree from Drexel University and a doctorate from the University of Lynchburg.

Ashland University is a mid-size, private university conveniently located halfway between Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Offering undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, AU puts the “Accent on the Individual” by combining strong applied academic programs with a distinguished faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.