Category: New Employees

Welcome Kelly Deuerling!

On August 24, 2020, the Natural & Applied Sciences department welcomed Kelly Deuerling as an Assistant Professor – Water Science.

Kelly comes to us from Tallahassee, FL. Kelly was previously employed as a research assistance at the University of Nebraska Omaha and a user program and outreach coordinator for the National MagLab facilities at the University of Florida.

In her free time, Kelly enjoys cycling, playing board games, sewing, and hand bell choir.

Kelly is a graduate of University of Florida with a Bachelors Degree and a PhD and a graduate of Ohio State University with a Masters Degree.

Welcome Kelly!

Welcome Samantha Meister!

On August 24, 2020, the Education department welcomed Samantha Meister as an Assistant Professor – Education.

Samantha comes to us from Omaha, Nebraska. Samantha was previously employed at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. She is involved in supporting the Wisconsin Education Association Council and the Aspiring Educators sub-group for pre-service teachers.

In her free time, Samantha enjoys hiking and exploring in the Driftless, bike adventures with her significant other and bonus kids, checking out farmer’s markets, cooking, snuggling with her cats, and yarn crafts.

Samantha has a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction with an Urban Education emphasis from Texas A&M University, a M.S. in Reading and Literacy from University of Nebraska – Omaha, and a B.S. in  Special Education from University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

Welcome Samantha!

Welcome Ali AlQahtani!

On August 24, 2020, the Resch School of Engineering welcomed Ali AlQahtani as an Assistant Professor – Computer Science.

Ali comes to us from Abha, Saudi Arabia. Ali previously worked as a cybersecurity researcher and graduate teaching assistant.

In his free time, Ali enjoys swimming, jogging, and playing soccer.

Ali has an educational background in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Cyberspace Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.

Welcome Ali!

Welcome Maria Yakushkina!

On August 24, 2020, the Humanities department welcomed Maria Yakushkina as an Assistant Professor – Spanish.

Maria comes to us from Voronezh, Russia. Maria was previously employed as a graduate instructor of Spanish and linguistics at Perdue University and a full time instructor of English at Voronezh State University. Maria is involved in research with a Cuban-American community in the Miami area.

In her free time, Maria enjoys professional dancing, indoor climbing, playing piano, traveling, road trips, yoga, and investigating world cuisines.

Maria has a PhD and a MA in Spanish Linguistics from Perdue University and  BA in Romance and Germanic Linguistics from Voronezh State University.

Welcome Maria!