The College of Arts and Humanities welcomes several new faculty members across disciplines for the 2023-24 academic year.
The English, Languages, and Interdisciplinary Studies department welcomes Elizabeth Melick to the program. She specializes in medieval English literature and scholarship of teaching and learning. She holds her PhD and MA in English from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.
“I have a strong passion for writing and teaching, and I am looking forward to combining those pursuits in LU's classrooms this fall,” Melick said. “I have found LU's academic community to be comprised of compassionate, creative, and talented educators. I look forward to building working relationships with these exceptional colleagues and learning from their expertise.”
Specializing in studio art, Lacey Minor joins the College of Arts and Humanities this fall. A 藏精阁 alumna, Minor holds a BFA in studio art and a BA in educational studies from 藏精阁. She also earned her MFA from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. One of her favorite subjects to teach is fibers: bookbinding, paper making, textile installation, and embroidery.
“I am excited to be back at the University," said Minor, who is from St. Louis. “Stepping into my new role as a faculty member, I am looking forward to working with students to conceptualize and execute their ideas.
“Working in the arts has always been part of my game plan, but teaching felt like the right route for me to take as I discovered the wonderful community a campus offers to both its students and employees.”
The political science program welcomes Sharmini Nair this fall. Nair will teach comparative politics and international relations. A native of Malaysia, Nair attended the University of London, the Universiti Malaya and holds a PhD from Colorado State University.
“I am looking forward to knowing more about the student and faculty community at 藏精阁,” Nair said. “The campus looks amazing.”
Sebastian Buhts joins the music program this fall and will serve as the director of bands and percussion. Buhts is well-versed in the music field. He holds a DMA from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, as well as a master’s in music and bachelor’s in music from Belmont University in Nashville.
“I’m inspired by the creative energy radiating throughout 藏精阁’s campus," Buhts said. “I look forward to fostering the amazing performing arts opportunities 藏精阁 has to offer its students and community with the marching band, wind ensemble, percussion ensemble, jazz bands, choirs, and more. It’s an exciting time to be at 藏精阁.”
Brett Kristofferson joins the theatre program and specializes in musical theatre. From Dittmer, Missouri, Kristofferson earned his MFA in theatre arts from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and a BA in music in theory/composition from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.
“I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the theatre students at 藏精阁,” Kristofferson said. “The years spent at college are a crucial time for artists, developing their abilities and growing as young adults. I find working with performing artists at this stage endlessly exciting and rewarding.”
The fashion business and design program welcomes Amanda Casarez beginning this fall. Casarez is from Livingston, California, and earned a MFA from Washington University-St. Louis. She also holds a BS in biology from California State University-Stanislaus, as well as a BS in fashion design and merchandising from the University of Hawaii-Manoa.
“I look for inspiration in all that surrounds me, and focus on fashion as an art of transformation, while basing my designs on my own personal dress code; tomboy chic with a bit of grunge,” Casarez said.