New faculty join Centenary College for 2024-2025 academic year
SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary College opened its new academic year on Monday, August 26, with over 700 students, the largest total enrollment for the College since 2011. New first year and transfer students were also joined by several new visiting and tenure-track faculty members.
FACULTY
Joshua Chambers, Assistant Professor of Studio Art
Chambers holds a master of fine arts degree from Louisiana Tech University and an undergraduate degree in fine arts, painting and drawing from Northeastern State University. He previously served as an itinerant teacher for the Talented Arts Program in Caddo Parish Schools and is an artist fellow for Louisiana A+ Schools. Chambers’ works have been exhibited throughout the south, and he was selected “Best of Show” twice at Critical Mass, an annual invitational exhibition for Northwest Louisiana artists.
Ellyn Evans, Assistant Professor of Biology
Evans received a bachelor of arts degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the College of Wooster and earned a Ph.D. in biology from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Since completing her doctorate in 2022, she has received several fellowships, honors, and awards, including most recently a GLCA (Great Lakes Colleges Association) Innovation Grant in Experiential and Inclusive Teaching in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Evans previous served as a visiting assistant professor at The College of Wooster.
Taylor Jeans, Lecturer in Kinesiology
Jeans is a Centenary alumna with a bachelor of science degree in biology and also holds a master of science degree in kinesiology from East Texas Baptist University. She is a writer and ambassador for Rare Disease Advisor, an online source for news, perspectives, and resources for clinicians who treat patients with rare diseases. For the past five years she has taught biology for the Marshall Independent School district and served as a UIL (University Interscholastic League) academic coordinator and coach. Jeans was awarded Most Influential Teacher at Marshall High School for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Dr. John Linstrom, Assistant Professor of English
Linstrom received a bachelor of arts degree in English from Valparaiso University and a master of fine arts degree in creative writing and environment from Iowa State University. He earned a Ph.D. in English and American literature from New York University. Linstrom served as a Mellon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in Climate and Inequality at the Climate Museum in New York City and as the series editor of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Library for Cornell University press. He specializes in the environmental and public humanities, modern and contemporary American literature and culture, Black and Indigenous literature, agrarianism, and creative writing.
Dr. Mae MacIntire, Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology
MacIntire received a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of Cincinnati and a master of science degree in psychology from Springfield College in Massachusetts. She earned a Ph.D. in APA approved counseling psychology from the University of North Texas. In addition to having over 15 years of teaching experience, MacIntire is a licensed psychologist with experience in sport psychology, gerontology, and general mental health counseling.
Dr. Todd Rinder, Visiting Assistant Professor of Kinesiology
Rinder received a bachelor of arts degree in exercise science from Fresno State University and a master of arts degree in athletic training and biomechanics from San Diego State University. He earned a Ph.D. in exercise and sport science from Oregon State University and holds certifications for Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Certified Functional Strength Coach, EXOS Performance Specialist, Selective Functional Movement Assessment, and Movement Screen. Rinder has been a clinical instructor at the collegiate level for over twenty years. Rinder has served as the Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Medicine at Centenary for the past two years.
Kennedy Wilcher, Assistant Professor of Theatre
Wilcher is a Centenary graduate with bachelor of arts degrees in theatre and political science. She also earned a master of fine arts degree in stage design, focusing on lighting, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. While pursuing her M.F.A., Wilcher was the instructor for two undergraduate courses at the University of Nebraska. Since 2020, she has been a part of over twenty-five collegiate and community theatre productions as either the lighting designer or head electrician.
Pictured are:
Top row, left to right: Dr. Todd Rinder, Dr. Ellyn Evans, Dr. John Linstrom, Mr. Joshua Chambers
Bottom row, left to right: Ms. Taylor Jeans, Ms. Kennedy Wilcher, Dr. Mae MacIntire