Local Residents Join Aurora University Faculty

AURORA, Ill. November 1, 2006 - Area residents have been named to the Aurora University faculty for 2006-07.

William Akers, a Geneva resident, joins the College of Education as an assistant professor of education. Akers earned his Ph.D. in learning and instruction from the University of Southern California. He has served as a secondary high school teacher in California and was an assistant professor in the Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California.

Hans Beck, Palatine, joins the College of Arts and Sciences as an assistant professor of biology. Beck received his Ph.D. in biology (plant sciences) from City University of New York Graduate School. Beck taught at Northern Illinois University, the Morton Arboretum, the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art, Sarah Lawrence College, Yale University, New York University, and The New York Botanical Garden.

Kathleen Bradley, Oak Park, joins the College of Education as an assistant professor. Bradley received her Ph.D. in learning disabilities from Northwestern University. She has taught at Northwestern University, DePaul University, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Columbia College and The University of Illinois at Chicago.

Linda Brazdil, Glen Ellyn, joins the College of Education as a visiting associate professor of education. Brazdil received her PhD in physical chemistry from Case Western Reserve University. She served as director of the Prairie Crossing Charter School, coordinator of the Smithsonian Research and Diffusion Network at Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy and was an associate professor of chemistry at John Carroll College.

Jeanine Clark, St. Charles, joins the College of Arts and Sciences as a visiting instructor of political science. Clark is currently a Ph.D. candidate in U.S. environmental history at Northern Illinois University. She has served as adjunct and teaching assistant at AU, Elgin Community College, and Northern Illinois University.

John Curran, St. Charles, joins the College of Arts and Sciences as an associate professor of theatre. Curran earned his MFA in theatre production, design and technology from Ohio University. He has taught at William Rainey Harper College, Indiana University Northwest, North Central College, and Ohio University. Additionally, Curran has participated in productions at Aurora University, Steel Bean Theatre, Northbrook Theatre, Greenbrier Valley Repertory Theatre, The Shakespeare Repertory Theatre, and the Minnesota Opera.

Jane Davis, Aurora, joins the College of Arts and Sciences as an associate professor of biology. Davis received her DVM from the University of Illinois.

Michael De Haven, DeKalb, joins the College of Education as a visiting instructor. DeHaven received his master's from Northern Illinois University, where he is a candidate for his Ed.D. degree. He has taught at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy since 1989 and has served as an adjunct instructor at Aurora University.

Patrick Dunn, DeKalb, joins the College of Arts and Sciences as a visiting assistant professor of English. Dunn received his Ph.D. in literature from Northern Illinois University. He has taught literature courses at Northern Illinois University and Waubonsee and Kishwaukee community colleges.

Debra Kennedy, Aurora, joins the College of Arts and Sciences as a visiting instructor of political science. Kennedy received her MA in sociocultural anthropology and is a Ph.D. candidate in political science at Northern Illinois University where she has taught political science courses. Additionally, Kennedy has taught anthropology courses at the University of Arizona.

Roberta Linder, Sycamore, joins the College of Education as an assistant professor of reading education. Linder recently completed her doctorate degree at Northern Illinois University, where she also earned her master's. With 30 years experience in the public school system, Linder has taught in the Harlem Consolidated School District 122, Northern Illinois University, and Rockford College.

Carole Liske, Bristol, joins the College of Professional Studies, School of Nursing, as a visiting instructor. Liske earned a Master's from Northern Illinois University. She has taught at Waubonsee Community College, Kishwaukee Community College, and Provena Mercy Center.

Christie Mason, Downers Grove, joins the College of Professional Studies, School of Social Work as a visiting instructor. Mason received her master's from AU and a doctoral candidate at Loyola University, Chicago. She served as an adjunct instructor at Loyola and AU and working in clinical experiences at Family Counseling Service of Aurora.

Carrie Morjan, Malta, joins the College of Arts and Sciences as an assistant professor of biology. She earned her Ph.D. in genetics from Iowa State University. Morjan was a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow in biological informatics at Indiana University-Bloomington and an AU adjunct professor.

Ariel Ramirez, Aurora, joins the College of Arts & Sciences as a visiting instructor of mathematics. Ramirez received his master's from the University of Illinois-Chicago and is a Ph.D. candidate in mathematics education at Illinois State University. He has served as math instructor at Robert Morris College and Columbia College of Chicago, as well as a consultant to Northeastern Illinois University's College of Education.

Rochelle Santopoalo, Aurora, joins the College of Professional Studies, Dunham School of Business, as a visiting assistant professor of management. Santopoalo earned her Ph.D. in human and organizational systems from the Fielding Institute University, Santa Barbara, Calif. She has served as academic affairs manager at the University of Phoenix, interim dean of the School of Business at Argosy University, and adjunct professor at Northwood University and AU.

Deanna Sommers, Aurora, joins the College of Professional Studies, School of Nursing. as an instructor. Sommers received her master's from Wayne State University and is also a certified pediatric nurse practitioner. She has served as a clinical instructor at Waubonsee Community College and on the staffs of Provena Mercy Medical Center and Edward Hospital.

Kai Sorensen, Elmhurst, joins the College of Arts and Sciences as a visiting assistant professor of communication. Sorensen earned his Ph.D. in speech communication from Kent Sate University and has served as an adjunct at College of DuPage, Wilbur Wright College, Moraine Valley, Lansing, and Waubonsee community colleges, William Rainey Harper College, Davenport University, and Western Michigan University.

Rebecca Tews-Kozlowski, North Aurora, joins the College of Arts and Sciences as a visiting associate professor of psychology. She earned a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Marquette University. Tews-Kozlowski has taught at Roosevelt University, Concordia Lutheran University, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and Wisconsin Lutheran College. She is in private practice in Naperville.

James Varney, Aurora, joins the College of Education as an assistant professor. Varney retired from the West Aurora School District where he served as principal of Freeman Elementary School. He received his Ed.D. from Aurora University and has served as pro rata faculty and university supervisor.

Mark Walter, Chicago, joins the College of Arts and Sciences as an assistant professor of philosophy. He earned his Ph.D in philosophy from DePaul University. Prior to joining AU, Walter taught at Rollins College and DePaul University.

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