WT Hires 30 New Faculty Members for 2025-2026 Academic Year

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — Thirty new faculty members have joined West Texas A&M University at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year.

“Our new faculty members will play an essential role in providing intellectually challenging and comprehensive academic programs for our students,” said Dr. Neil Terry, provost and executive vice president for student affairs. “We are excited to have this new cohort of instructors and professors join our ranks.”

New faculty members have been hired in five of WT’s six Colleges: the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business, the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities, and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

The newest Buffs join an approximately 350-member faculty.

Before classes began Aug. 25, new faculty took part in an orientation session to learn about the University and to receive advice on how to make their first semester run smoothly.

New hires include:

• Dr. Kayla Alward, assistant professor of animal science—Ph.D. in animal science, Virginia Tech
• Dr. Joao Paulo Andrade, assistant professor of animal science—Ph.D. in dairy science, University of Wisconsin–Madison
• Dr. Annie Bane, associate professor of sports and exercise sciences—Ph.D. in kinesiology, Baylor University
• Dr. Christopher Beach, assistant professor of music therapy—Ph.D. in music education, Florida State University
• Tammy Bjork, instructor of nursing—Master of Science in nursing, Western Governors University
• Dr. Brenton Caldwell, instructor of music—Doctor of Musical Arts, University of North Texas
• Dr. Amy Carlson, assistant professor of education—Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction, Texas Tech University
• Dr. Sung In Choi, assistant professor of media communication—Ph.D. in mass communication, University of Georgia
• Dr. John Mitchell Clay, assistant professor of geology—Ph.D. in geological science, University of Kentucky
• Dr. Rachel Cogle, assistant professor of animal science / equine—Ph.D. in animal science, University of Arkansas
• Dr. Ashley Escudero, assistant professor of business analysis—Ph.D. in economics, Texas Tech University
• Dr. Krista Favela, assistant professor of instructional design and technology—Ed.D. in instructional technology, Texas Tech University
• Benjamin Hahn, instructor of music—Master of Arts in music, University of Iowa
• Dr. Abbie Harriman, assistant professor of counseling—Ph.D. in educational psychology, Texas Tech University
• Mona Harris, instructor of nursing—Master of Science in nursing, Western Governors University
• Darci Hess, instructor of sports and exercise sciences—Master of Education in sports management, Southwestern Oklahoma State University
• Dr. Tanner Judd, assistant professor of plant and soil science—Ph.D. in soil science, University of Wisconsin–Madison
• Allison Kleman, clinical instructor of education—Master of Education in educational administration, Lamar University
• Courtney McGuire, instructor of sports and exercise sciences—Master of Science in human sciences, Stephen F. Austin State University
• Dr. Sierra Miller, assistant professor of biology—Ph.D. in human pathophysiology and translational medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch
• Dr. Jacob Namias, assistant professor of psychology—Ph.D. in psychology (experimental), University of Southern Mississippi
• Dr. Kelsi Opat, assistant professor of agriculture media and communication—Ph.D. in agriculture communications and education, Texas Tech University
• Dr. Briana Ponce, assistant professor of criminal justice—Ph.D. in criminal justice, Texas A&M International University
• Dr. Tolulope Saliu, assistant professor of biology—Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology, Hiroshima University
• Dr. Brandon Selby, assistant professor of counseling—Ph.D. in counselor education, University of New Orleans
• Dr. Sahar Sheikh, assistant professor of counseling—Ph.D. in counselor education, University of Toledo
• Dr. Brendan Stephens, assistant professor of English—Ph.D. in English–creative writing and literature, University of Houston
• Dr. Sushil Thapa, assistant professor of plant and soil sciences—Ph.D. in agriculture, West Texas A&M University
• Dr. Jingyi Tian, assistant professor of business analysis and economics—Ph.D. in economics, University of Southern California
• Farrah Walton, instructor of psychology— Specialist in School Psychology, West Texas A&M University

Recruiting and retaining the best faculty and staff is a key mission of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $170 million.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. A Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The University also is home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

—WT—