October 2006• The monthly newsletter for UWT faculty and staff

New faculty at UW Tacoma

This list includes new faculty members who joined the UWT campus for the 2006-2007 school year.

	Liz Alexander Assistant Professor, Milgard School of Business Doctoral Candidate, George Washington University She’ll teach: Strategic management and international business. First impressions of UWT: "UWT is in the process of change. This is an exciting environment, and there are a lot of opportunities here. Other interesting facts: Alexander came to UW Tacoma from Wellesley College. She is from the United Kingdom and worked as a management consultant in Scotland for 10 years. She has two children, ages 10 and 19.
	Bonnie Becker Assistant Professor, Environmental Science Ph.D., Oceanography, Scripps Institute of Oceanography She’ll teach: Ecology, conservation biology and marine ecology. In addition, she’ll teach "Everybody Eats" with Rachel May in the winter freshman core curriculum. First impressions of UWT: “I was a marine biologist for a national park in San Diego, where I did a lot of non-traditional teaching. I worked with volunteers and interns, which was my favorite part of my job – so I just decided to make that my job. UWT seemed like a perfect fit.” Other interesting facts: This is Becker’s first faculty job. She is an amateur photographer. Her husband, Peter Selkin, is a lecturer in Environmental Science.
	Nicole Blair Lecturer, IAS Ph.D., Modern British Literature, University of Tennessee She’ll teach: Writing. She is currently teaching the freshman Social Science and Writing course with Sam Parker. What’s best about UWT? “I love the faculty here, and I love the students and the campus. There’s really not much I don’t like!” Other interesting facts: She previously taught on the UW Tacoma campus as an adjunct faculty member. She and her husband live in Gig Harbor and enjoy camping, golf and travel.
	Erin Casey Acting Assistant Professor, Social Work Doctoral Candidate, UW Seattle School of Social Work She’ll teach: Human behavior and social environment, statistics. First impressions of UWT: “I was a social worker in the South Sound region for many years, and I get to maintain my contacts here.” Other interesting facts: She has a 1-year-old son, Dylan, and enjoys rowing. She hopes to finish her doctorate in November.
	Erica Cline Assistant Professor, Environmental Science Ph.D., Forest Resources, UW Seattle She’ll teach: Biology and microbiology First impressions of UWT: “UW Tacoma attracted me because of its vibrant energy as a relatively new campus. The environmental science program was a good fit for me because of its applied focus and the emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach. Finally, how could I turn down the opportunity to do research again in the majestic forests of the Pacific Northwest?” Other interesting facts: She enjoys hiking and climbing and commutes to work on her bicycle. She just completed her first triathlon and teaches women’s self-defense. She is interested in alternative energy and was active in a Maryland organization which provides an urban source of field corn for members who heat their houses with corn-burning pellet stoves. She hopes to help start a similar organization in the Northwest.
	Laura Feuerborn Assistant Professor, Education Ph.D., School Psychology, University of Oregon She’ll teach: Introduction to Exceptionalities, At-risk Students and Students with Disabilities. First impressions of UWT: “I like that there's the ‘best of both worlds’ at UW Tacoma. The campus is small enough to have a family feel, and faculty can provide individual attention and feedback to their students. The small campus does not limit the amount of professionalism and productivity of the faculty and students. UWT produces an impressive amount of research and maintains strong working relationships with community agencies.” Other interesting facts: She is from the Midwest and loves Washington’s beautiful coastline and mountains. She enjoys taking her dog to hike, bird watch and comb the beach.
	Kelly Forrest Assistant Professor, IAS (Psychology) Ph.D., Philosophy and Psychology, UW Seattle She’ll teach: Psychology, social psychology and the law, theories of personality. First impressions of UWT: “I live in Tacoma, and this area is what I consider home. I’m glad I’m able to come work here.” Other interesting facts: She is an artist who works primarily in oils on canvas, and recently started playing the violin and studying the martial art aikedo.
	Teresa Holt Lecturer, Social Work Master of Social Work, University of Washington Tacoma She'll teach: Diversity; Children, Youth and Families; and the practicum seminar. First impressions of UWT: "It's a small campus, and everyone is flexible and willing to incorporate the ideas of students and new faculty members. Other interesting facts: She entered UW Tacoma's MSW program in 1998 and has been teaching as an adjunct professor since 2001.
	Fei Leng Assistant Professor, Milgard School of Business Ph.D., Finance, University of Tennessee, Knoxville He’ll teach: Business Finance, Financial Derivatives and Portfolio Management First impressions of UWT: “I like the urban environment and supportive community. I also like the interdisciplinary approach at UWT.” Other interesting facts: His research interests include bankruptcy and financial distress, corporate governance, merger, acquisition and corporate restructure and financial institution management and regulation. He enjoys history, literature, swimming and jogging.
	Menaka Muppa Lecturer, Institute of Technology Master of Computer Science, Wright State University She’ll teach: software quality assurance and how computers really work. First impressions of UWT: “I like the professionalism among the faculty and staff and the maturity of the students.” Other interesting facts: She was born in India and first came to the United States to study. She lives in Tacoma with her husband and two sons, ages 3 and 7 months.
	Amos Nascimento Assistant Professor, IAS (Philosophy) Ph.D., Philosophy, University of Frankfort He'll teach: Philosophy First impressions of UWT: “It's a very nice environment. I enjoy being able to interact more directly with students. I like the diverse population here, and the group of committed professors motivates me. The campus takes a unique approach to interdisciplinarity.” Other interesting facts: He was born in Brazil and enjoys music and reading. He and his wife have two children, ages 14 and 16.
	Mark Pendras Assistant Professor, Urban Studies Ph.D., Geography, Rutgers University
	Larry Wear Professor, Institute of Technology Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Santa Clara University He’ll teach: Computer engineering First impressions of UWT: “I grew up eight miles from here and I went to Parkland Middle School and Franklin Pierce High School. I was interested in this opportunity, and I really want to see this program thrive.” Other interesting facts: He is married and has a daughter and five grandchildren.
	Matthew Weinstein  Associate Professor, Education Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Wisconsin-Madison He'll teach: Science pedagogy; cultural issues related to science First impressions of UWT: “I love the integration of the university into the urban downtown, both architecturally and structurally.” Other interesting facts: He previously taught at Kent State University and calls himself “nutty” about contradancing, Irish traditional music, hiking and photography.
	Charles Williams Assistant Professor, IAS (Political Science) Ph.D., Political Science, U.C. Berkeley He’ll teach: American politics, labor studies, American studies First impressions of UWT: “I like the engaged students, the interdisciplinary approach and very interesting colleagues.” Other interesting facts: He previously taught for two years at Ohio State University. His research is focused on social movement politics in the New Deal era. He and his wife, Louise, have a 2-year-old son, Angus.
	Alan Wood Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ph.D., History, University of Washington His job: Alan oversees the university’s Office of Academic Affairs. He calls himself an “academic firefighter,” putting out small blazes and “making pieces fit together when a problem arises.” Alan is filling this position temporarily and intends to return to UW Bothell as a history professor. First Impressions of UWT: “There are just a lot of really wonderful folks down here. It’s really been the greatest satisfaction getting to know a whole lot of people, and seeing how the campuses have diversified in 16 years.” Other interesting facts: Wood is a member of UW Bothell’s founding faculty. He is a Chinese historian and is currently writing a book on world history.
	Dan Zimmerman Assistant Professor, Institute of Technology Ph.D., Computer Science, California Institute of Technology He'll teach: Programming, distributed algorithms and data structures First impressions of UWT: "I like the architecture — the downtown campus concept is very nice — and the intimacy. Everybody seems to know everybody else. Other interesting facts: He has been a research scientist and instructor at CalTech.

Other new faculty (no photo or bio available):

Loly Alcaide Ramirez, Assistant Professor, IAS
Anne Beaufort, Associate Professor, IAS
Yuhan Lim, Lecturer, IAS
Michelle Garner, Acting Assistant Professor, Social Work