Current Faculty


Crystal R. Allen Gunasekera (2012)

Associate Professor of Philosophy, Interim Associate Dean of Academic Assessment and Curriculum

BA, Principia College;
MA, PhD, University of Missouri

Sarah C. Andrews (2017)

Associate Professor of Political Science

BA, Principia College;
MFA, PhD, University of Virginia

Stephanie M. Bauer (2017)

Associate Professor of Digital Media and Journalism

BA, Loyola University, Chicago;
MFA, Savannah College of Art and Design

Galen E. Benson (2017)

Associate Professor of Educational Studies

BA, Principia College;
MBA, National University;
EdD, Maryville University

Portia W. Benson (2017)

Assistant Professor of Economics

BA, Principia College;
MBA, West Texas A&M University

Julie Blase (2003)

Professor of Political Science

BA, BA, PhD, University of Texas at Austin

Gregory L. Bruland (2012)

Professor of Biology and Natural Resources

BS, Principia College;
PhD, Duke University

Carol C. Burbee (2018)

Assistant Professor of Educational Studies

BA, University of Northern BC, Canada;
BEd, MEd, Simon Fraser University, Canada;
EdD, Western University

Dane Carlson (2021)

Assistant Professor of Studio Art

BLA, Ball State University;
MLA, Harvard University

Shannon E. Carney (2010)

Associate Professor of Physical Education

BA, University of California, Los Angeles;
MA, University of Phoenix

Matthew A. Cocks (2018)

Assistant Professor of Economics

BA, MA, PhD, University of Liverpool, UK

Jeffrey B. Cornelius (1989)

Professor of Chemistry

BS, Principia College;
MS, PhD, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Andrew J. Crump (2019)

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

BS, Principia College;
MS, University of Illinois, Springfield

Kimberly Schauman Davis (2021)

Instructor of History

BA, Middlebury College;
MA, University of Hawai‘i

Lucia De Paz Nicol (2016)

Associate Professor of Business Administration

BA, Principia College;
MA, Instituto de Empresa, Spain

Stephane Dennery (2023)

Instructor of Languages and Cultures

BA, MA, Universite Paris;
MA, Centre Alexandre Koyre

Karen L. Eckert (2012)

Professor of Sustainability

BS, Principia College;
PhD, University of Georgia

Scott A. Eckert (2010)

Professor of Biology and Natural Resources

BS, Principia College;
PhD, University of Georgia

Julien Ekiaka Oblazamengo (2020)

Assistant Professor of Languages and Cultures

BA, St. Augustine, Kolonda;
MBA, Universidad Organismo Mundial de Investigacion;
MA, University of Nebraska, Lincoln;
EdD, Texas A&M University, Kingsville

Christine E. Elliott (2020)

Associate Professor in the Writing Center

BA, University of Virginia;
MA, University of Hawai'i;
PhD, University of Wisconsin

Lyman (Lee) E. Ellis III (1996)

Professor of Sport Studies

BA, State University College, Fredonia, New York;
EdS, MS, University at Albany, New York;
MBA, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute;
EdD, University of Missouri, Saint Louis

Marie C. Farson (2016)

Associate Professor of Earth Sciences and Engineering

BA, Pomona College;
PhD, University of CA, San Diego

Jenna Fisher (2021)

Assistant Professor of Digital Media and Journalism

BA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University;
MS, Columbia Graduate School of Journalism

Leah R. Gallant-McFall (2000)

Associate Professor of Theatre

BA Principia College;
MSEd, MFA, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville

Nikki Gamrath (2011)

Professor of Educational Studies

BA, Principia College;
MEd, Antioch University;
EdD, McKendree University

Melody R. Hauf-Belden (2005)

Librarian with rank of Assistant Professor

BA, Principia College;
MLIS, University of Washington, Seattle

Amy Herr (2023)

Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology

BA, Principia College;
MA, Alice Salomon University;
PhD, University of Bradford

Rosalind S. Hibbs (2006)

Institutional Research Officer with rank of Assistant Professor

BA, Principia College;
MBA, Washington University

Barry R. Huff (2008)

Professor of Religious Studies

BA, Principia College;
MTS, Eden Theological Seminary;
ThM, Columbia Theological Seminary;
PhD, Union Presbyterian Seminary

Brett W. Huffman (2018)

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

BA, University of Southern California;
MS, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi

Nicholas H. Johnson (2015)

Assistant Professor of Sustainability

BS, Principia College;
MS, Michigan Technological University;
PhD, Pennsylvania State University

Rusty Jones (1984)

Instructor of Physical Education

USPTA, Certified Elite Tennis Professional;
BA, Southern New Hampshire University

Brian K. Kamusinga (2011)

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

BS, Principia College;
MS, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville

Neil Kearney (2023)

Assistant Professor of Business

BA, Principia College;
MBA, University of Colorado

Daniel D. Kistler (1995)

Associate Professor of Studio Art

BA, Principia College;
MA, Webster University

Erin J. Lane (2016)

Assistant Professor of Dance

BFA, New York University, Tisch School of the Arts;
MFA, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Jonathan S. Langton (2009)

Assistant Professor of Physics

BS, Principia College;
MS, PhD, University of California, Santa Cruz

Grant E. Larsen (2014)

Assistant Professor of Physics

BA, BS, University of Chicago;
MA, PhD, University of California, Berkeley

Edith P. List (1998)

Librarian with rank of Professor

BA, Principia College;
MS, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville;
MS, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign;
PhD, Illinois State University

John T. Lovseth (2010)

Associate Professor of Biology and Natural Resources

BA, Principia College;
MS, Colorado State University;
PhD, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

Stephanie L. Lovseth (2005)

Assistant Professor of Educational Studies

BA, Principia College;
MEd, Loyola University, Chicago

Meggan Lee Madden (1997)

Professor, Dean of Academics (On Leave 2023-2024)

BA, Principia College;
MA, PhD, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Annabelle Marquez (2007)

Assistant Professor of Languages and Cultures

BA, Johns Hopkins University;
MSW, Boston University School of Social Work

Christopher M. Marston (2010)

Instructor of Physical Education

BA, Drury University;
MA, University of the Rockies

Andrew M. Martin (2014)

Associate Professor in multiple disciplines

BA, University of Reading, UK;
MA, PhD, University of Cambridge, UK

Heather Martin (2012)

Associate Professor of Religious Studies

BS, Skidmore College;
MDiv, Boston University;
PhD, Baylor University

Kristin J. Martin (2010)

Assistant Professor of Studio Art

BA, Principia College;
MFA, Vermont College of Fine Arts

Christine A. McAllister (1999)

Professor of Biology and Natural Resources

BS, Principia College;
MS, Kansas State University;
PhD, Saint Louis University

Winifred A. Needham (2013)

Associate Professor, Director of Faculty Development

BA, Principia College;
MS, Walden University;
PhD, University of Missouri, St. Louis

Daniel P. Norton (2023)

Professor, College President

BA, MA, University of South Florida;
PhD, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

John O'Hagan (2013)

Professor of Theatre

BFA, MFA, University of Idaho

Otho Matthew Otte (2020)

Assistant Professor of Engineering

BS, Michigan Technological University;
PhD, The University of Queensland

Andrew T. Parker (2008)

Professor of Mathematics

BS, Principia College;
MS, PhD, University of New Hampshire

Sara A. Phillips de Borja (2005)

Instructor of Art History

BA, Principia College;
CPGS, University of Cambridge, UK;
MA, Washington University, St. Louis

Ann B. Pierson (1995)

Professor, Athletics Director

BA, University of Virginia;
MA, University of Southern Illinois, Edwardsville

Wendy Reynolds (2018)

Assistant Professor of Music

BM, MM, Texas Christian University

Brian D. Roberts (1997)

Professor of Political Science, Interim Dean of Academics

BA, Principia College;
MA, University of Virginia;
PhD, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Dinah J. Ryan (2003)

Professor of English

BA, Principia College;
MFA, University of Virginia

Paul B. Ryan (2017)

Professor of Studio Art

BA, Principia College;
MFA, Virginia Commonwealth University

Trish Brown Schmit (2000)

Professor of Theatre

BA, Principia College;
MFA, Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University

Jess T. Semnacher (2011)

Assistant Professor of Physical Education

BA, Principia College;
MS, Ohio University

Heidi J. Snow (2002)

Professor of English

BA, Principia College;
MA, Bridgewater State College;
PhD, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

Ellen F. Sprague (1996)

Professor in the Writing Center

BA, Principia College;
MA, Middlebury College;
MFA, Vermont College of Fine Arts

Clinton A. Staley (1986)

Professor of Computer Science

BA, Principia College;
MS, PhD, University of California, Santa Barbara

Gretchen Starr-LeBeau (2015)

Professor of Religious Studies

BA, University of Virginia;
MA, PhD, University of Michigan

Christine Calkins Steele (2006)

Professor of Theatre

BA, University of Iowa;
MA, Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham, UK;
MFA, Goddard College

Jeff C. Steele (1999)

Professor in multiple disciplines

BA, MA, Northwestern University;
PhD, Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham, UK

Sally A. Steindorf (2005)

Professor of Global Studies

BA, Principia College;
MA, PhD, Syracuse University

Lauren M. Stewart (2010)

Professor of Educational Studies

BA, Principia College;
MAT, Webster University;
MS Ed, Montana State University;
EdS, EdD, McKendree University

Peter Tosto (2019)

Assistant Professor of Business Administration

BS, University of Minnesota;
MBA, Kennesaw State University

Colleen M. Turkal (2020)

Librarian with rank of Instructor

BA, Principia College;
MLS, Texas Woman's University

Peter C. P. van Lidth de Jeude (2015)

Associate Professor of History, Interim Assistant Dean of Academic Services

BA, Principia College;
MA, University of North Carolina, Greensboro;
PhD, Pennsylvania State University

Joseph D. Van Riper (2010)

Professor of Music

BA, Principia College;
MM, Illinois State University;
MM, Boston University;
DMA, George Mason University

Joan T. Wesman (2011)

Assistant Professor of Digital Media and Journalism

BA, Hamilton College;
MAT, Brown University

Rose J. Whitmore (2013)

Associate Professor of Music

BA, BM, MM, University of Oregon;
MAT, Lewis and Clark College;
MM, Northwestern University;
DMA, University of Washington

Sara J. Wienecke (2012)

Assistant Professor of English

BA, Principia College;
MFA, Queens University

John W. Williams (1983)

Professor of Political Science

BA, Principia College;
JD, George Washington University

Christopher B. Young (2005)

Assistant Professor of Philosophy

BA, Fort Lewis College;
MA, University of New Mexico

Faculty who teach in multiple disciplines

Andrew M. Martin

Art History, Sociology and Anthropology

Jeff C. Steele

English, Theatre