Regent University Welcomes 21 New Faculty in Fall 2024

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (Aug. 8, 2024) – Regent University is pleased to welcome 21 new faculty members from a wide variety of disciplines and backgrounds for the coming academic year.

“I’m delighted to welcome these accomplished educators whose depth and scope of knowledge position them on the leading edge of their specialties,” said Dr. William L. Hathaway, Regent Provost. “Our programs will be enriched by their contributions and greatly enhance our ability to prepare our graduates to lead the future in their respective fields.” 

Here is a look at the backgrounds and areas of expertise that make this group of scholars such an impressive influx of talent.

The College of Arts and Sciences

Karen Eldridge is a visiting psychology lecturer who earned her Ph.D. from Capella University, a master’s in public health from Lindsey Wilson College, and is a licensed professional counselor.

Zachary Hilliard started with us in January 2024, as an assistant professor in mathematics. Hilliard earned a Ph.D. from Washington State University, is a postdoctoral scholar from Oregon State University, and is a courtesy postdoctoral research associate at Washington State University.

Ndomupei (Memory) Nyandoro is a computer science lecturer. Nyandoro has a master’s from Western Governors University and is a GIAC-certified forensic analyst with more than 25 years of computer engineering industry experience.

Tyler Sherron is an assistant professor in Biblical Studies and Christian Ministry. Sherron earned a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Dallas, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and was ordained at Stonebriar Community Church.

Jon W. Thompson is an assistant professor of philosophy with a Ph.D. from King’s College (London). Thompson is also a postdoctoral research associate from the University of Cambridge, a Carl F.H. Henry Residential Fellow from Trinity International University and earned an M.A. in Philosophy and Religion (with Distinction) from the University of London, Heythrop College. Thompson formally served as executive director at the Cambridge House Study Center and convener of the Paideia Fellows Program, both at the College of William and Mary.

The College of Health and Behavioral Sciences

Gary (Tom) Alexander is an assistant professor in counseling ministries and assistant director of the Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychological Studies program. Alexander holds a Ph.D. from Capella University, a master’s from Arkansas State University, and is a licensed professional counselor with a diverse background in forensic mental health, substance use treatment, and outpatient counseling.

Alicia Cooper is a nursing lecturer and director of clinical training with an M.S. in nursing from Regent University.

Karen Higgins is an associate nursing professor and the director of the Master of Science in Nursing Education and Leadership program. Higgins earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Chatham University, an M.S. from Old Dominion University, served 32 years as a family nurse practitioner, and 20 years as a nurse educator.

Uyen Le-Jenkins is an associate nursing professor with a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Old Dominion University and an M.S. from Old Dominion University. Le-Jenkins is also a Board-Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Primary Care) and a Board-Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Acute Care).

Robertson School of Government

Melinda Lopez is a part-time practitioner-in-residence with a Ph.D. in public administration from Auburn University and a master’s from the University of Alabama (Birmingham). Lopez is a former chief financial officer and information officer with the City of Hoover, AL, and has more than 20 years of public administration and municipal government service.

The School of Communication and the Arts

Alex Buffalo is an associate professor in film and media arts who holds an MFA from Savannah College of Art and Design. Buffalo served as CEO/executive producer at Harbour Productions, LLC, and former department chair at Miami International University of Art and Design. To date, Buffalo has collected eight Golden Telly Awards.

Ashley Zahorian-Selg started at Regent University as an assistant professor in film and media arts in January 2024 after earning an MFA from Regent. Zahorian-Selg worked as a producer and director on the film The Preacher to the Popes: Raniero Cantalamessa, as director and story producer at FantomWorks (Discovery Network Show), CEO/president at CMAX Media Corp., and president at Something Like Real Pictures, LLC.

The School of Divinity

Matisha Dentu is an assistant professor of practical theology and spiritual formation. Dentu holds a Ph.D. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Virginia Union University, and has served 20 years as founding pastor of Living Faith Christian Center in Newport News, VA.

Andrea Francis starts as an assistant professor in practical theology in October 2024. Francis earned a Ph.D. and an M.Div. from Regent University, as well as an MBA from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Francis became an ordained pastor in Virginia in 2023 and a licensed pastor in North Carolina in 2017. She formerly served as managing director with Global Strategies and currently serves as accreditation regulatory specialist in the Regent University School of Education.

Jonathan Ottaway is an assistant professor in Christian theology with a Th.D. from Duke Divinity School and an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Ottaway is also an accomplished musician and theologian in the Pentecostal-charismatic tradition.

Derek Ross started with Regent in January 2024 as a part-time assistant professor. Ross earned a D.Min. from Wesley Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and an M.Div. from Howard University. Ross served as a naval chaplain (commander, retired)—U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard—after becoming a licensed minister in 1975. He also planted churches in the U.S., Italy, and Japan and is chaplain emeritus with the International Council of Community Churches.

The School of Education

Mitzi-Fehl-Seward is a part-time assistant professor with a Ph.D. from Regent University and an M.A. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Fehl-Seward is a Public Media Diversity Fellow from Furman University (2023), earned a postgraduate professional license from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and currently serves as vice president of digital learning at WHRO/HRETA Inc.

Danielle Kreassig is a part-time assistant professor with an Ed.D. from George Washington University, a Master of Education from Regent University, and an M.S. Ed. from Old Dominion University. Kreassig holds certifications in Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling and in English as a Second Language. She has also worked for 20 years as an educator in Virginia Beach Public Schools.

Alan Vaughan is an assistant professor in educational leadership with a Ph.D. and an M.S. from Old Dominion University. Vaughan has a postgraduate professional license from the Commonwealth of Virginia and more than 35 years as an educator or administrator in Chesapeake Public Schools, including 10 years as an assistant superintendent for Human Resources and School Services.

The School of Law

Erin DeBoer is an assistant professor with a J.D. from Regent University. DeBoer served as managing attorney (Appellate Practice) at Liberatore DeBoer & Ryan, PC. DeBoer is also a former administrative law clerk for Hon. S. Bernard Goodwyn, Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, and was admitted to the Virginia State Bar in October 2009.

Christian Edmonds is an assistant professor with a J.D. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. Edmonds is a former assistant solicitor general with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, as well as a former law clerk for the Hon. L. Steven Grasz (U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit), Associate Chief Justice Thomas R. Lee (Utah Supreme Court), and the Hon. Robert C. Brack (U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico). Edmonds also previously served as lead pastor at Jimtown Baptist Church in Marietta, OK.

About Regent University

Founded in 1977, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university, with more than 13,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study, including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University has been ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College in the United States (Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021), and the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for 12 years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2024).

###