The Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to welcome 14 new full-time faculty members for the 2026-27 academic year.

"Joining the college at the same time as this remarkable group of new full-time faculty makes this an especially exciting time for me," said Dr. Peter Pfordresher, dean of the Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences. "One of our greatest strengths is our faculty, and I am delighted to welcome such a large, diverse and impressive group of educators and scholars to The University of Akron. We will be learning about all what the University has to offer together. I look forward to getting to know these talented colleagues and working together to provide an outstanding experience for our students."

Matthew Akos
Assistant Professor of Practice, Graphic Design
Myers School of Art

After teaching graphic design as an adjunct instructor at UA and Kent State University while completing his MFA, Akos joins the full-time faculty. A former creative director for IdeaBase, he brings expertise in graphic design, illustration, design research and visual communication, with a passion for design education.

Education

• M.F.A., Visual Communication Design, Kent State University
• B.F.A., Visual Communication Design, Kent State University

Alexandre Bustamante
Visiting Assistant Professor, Graphic Design
Myers School of Art

Bustamante comes to UA from the Government of Canada, where he served as a UX and service designer. He also taught graphic and digital design in Montreal while completing his master's degree. His expertise includes human-centered design, accessibility, information literacy, interaction design and user experience research.

Education

• Master of Design, Concordia University (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
• Bachelor of Design, Concordia University (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
• Bachelor of Architecture and Urbanism, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (Brazil)

Dr. Kathleen Dann
Assistant Professor of Instruction
LeBron James Family Foundation School of Education

Previously a faculty member at Cleveland State University and Hiram College, Dann brings expertise in the Science of Reading, teacher preparation and instructional coaching. A former literacy coach and classroom teacher, she has spent more than two decades helping educators improve literacy instruction across PK-12 schools.

Education

• Ph.D. Secondary Education (Literacy), The University of Akron
• M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction (K-12 Special Education), Cleveland State University
• B.S. Secondary Education (Social Studies Comprehensive), Cleveland State University

Matthew Dudack
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Percussion
School of Performing Arts

After more than 25 years teaching percussion at UA as a senior lecturer, Dudack moves into a full-time faculty appointment. A nationally recognized steel band educator and longtime Akron Symphony Orchestra percussionist, he directs UA's Steel Drum Band, Percussion Ensemble, African Drumming Ensemble and UA Samba.

Education

• M.M. Percussion Performance, The University of Akron
• B.M. Music Education (Instrumental), The Hartt School, University of Hartford

Justin Evangelist
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Saxophone
School of Performing Arts

Already serving as UA's senior lecturer in saxophone, Evangelist moves into a full-time faculty appointment. An accomplished performer and educator, he previously taught in Oklahoma while earning his doctorate. He remains an active soloist, chamber musician and advocate for new works and contemporary saxophone repertoire.

Education

• D.M.A. Saxophone Performance, University of Oklahoma
• Graduate Certificate, Arts Management and Entrepreneurship, University of Oklahoma
• M.M. Saxophone Performance, Central Michigan University
• B.M. Saxophone Performance, The University of Akron

Dr. Todd (T.J.) Harper
Assistant Professor of Practice, Choral Studies
School of Performing Arts

Harper joins the full-time faculty after a year as visiting assistant professor of choral studies. An internationally active conductor, clinician and scholar, he has led collegiate choral programs nationwide, published extensively on choral pedagogy and held leadership positions with the American Choral Directors Association.

Education

• D.M.A. Choral Music, University of Southern California
• M.A. Choral Conducting, California State University, Northridge
• B.A. Choral Conducting, California State University, Fresno

Dr. Ruby Harrison
Assistant Professor (TT)
Department of Biology

Harrison arrives from the University of Georgia, where she completed a postdoctoral fellowship studying Chagas disease and vector biology. Her research explores parasite-host interactions, infectious disease and molecular entomology. Harrison has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, secured competitive NIH fellowships, and received multiple awards recognizing her research in entomology and infectious disease biology.

Education

• Ph.D. Entomology, University of Georgia
• B.S. Entomology, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Dr. Cynthia Huising
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Physics
Department of Chemistry

After teaching physics at Youngstown State University, Huising returns to UA, where she previously served as a senior and visiting lecturer. Her expertise spans undergraduate physics education and materials science research, with doctoral work focused on semiconducting polymers and thin-film materials.

Education

• Ph.D. Physics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• M.S. Physics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• B.S. Physics, Denison University

Dr. Maurice Johnson
Assistant Professor of Practice
School of Communication

Johnson comes to UA after faculty appointments at Fort Valley State University and Kennesaw State University, following more than a decade at Florida A&M University. His teaching and scholarship focus on sport communication, journalism, multicultural marketing, media representation and the influence of popular culture on society.

Education

• Ph.D. Educational Leadership (K-20), Florida A&M University
• M.S. Integrated Marketing Management & Communication, Florida State University
• B.S. Magazine Journalism, Florida A&M University

Dr. Marybeth Poder
Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of English

Following more than 15 years teaching English at UA in lecturer roles, Poder moves into a full-time faculty appointment. Her scholarship explores rhetoric, composition and women's historiography, and she has taught courses in writing, literature and linguistics while mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.

Education

• Ph.D. Rhetoric, Writing, and Linguistics, University of Tennessee Knoxville
• M.A. English Composition, The University of Akron
• B.A. English, The University of Akron

Dr. Joanna Ruhl
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Physics
Department of Chemistry

Ruhl joins UA from the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she has served as a postdoctoral researcher following the completion of her doctorate in applied physics. Her research focuses on computational physics, quantum mechanics and mathematical modeling, including Bose-Einstein condensates, nonlinear partial differential equations and quantum algorithms.

Education

• Ph.D. Applied Physics, University of Massachusetts Boston
• M.S. Applied Physics, University of Massachusetts Boston
• B.S. Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles

Dr. Becky Schnekser
Assistant Professor (TT)
LeBron James Family Foundation School of Education

Schnekser comes to UA from Prescott College after nearly two decades as an elementary educator, instructional coach and curriculum developer. Her scholarship emphasizes outdoor learning, experiential education and science teacher preparation. She is widely recognized for her leadership in science education, including receiving Virginia's Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Education

• Ph.D. Sustainability Education, Prescott College
• M.S.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, Longwood University
• B.S. Liberal Studies: Elementary Education (PreK-6), Longwood University

Andy Taray
Assistant Professor of Practice, Graphic Design
Myers School of Art

Taray joins UA after more than 25 years as a nationally recognized creative director, entrepreneur and design educator. A Grammy-nominated designer, he has taught graphic design and typography at the School of Visual Arts in New York and Kent State University while leading his own branding and design studio, Ohioboy Art & Design.

Education

• B.A. Visual Communication Design, Kent State University
• Coursework in Art Education (Printmaking Focus), Ashland University

Stephanie Yuhas
Assistant Professor of Practice
Department of Criminal Justice Studies

Yuhas rejoins the full-time faculty after nearly two decades of teaching at UA as a professor of practice and adjunct instructor. Alongside her teaching career, she has built extensive legal experience as a public defender, assistant law director and criminal prosecutor for the City of Akron, and magistrate for Akron Municipal Court.

Education

• J.D., The University of Akron School of Law
• M.S. Forensic Psychology, Southern New Hampshire University
• B.A. Sociology, The University of Akron