Monmouth College's new personnel for 2022-23 includes four professors, five alumni

by Barry McNamara

Monmouth, Ill. (08/26/2022) — As Monmouth College begins its 170th academic year, there are several new faces filling faculty and staff positions on campus.

Some of the faces are familiar, though, as Monmouth alumni have taken on those responsibilities.

New to the faculty this year are four professors:

Saaddullah Bashir, a visiting assistant professor of economics and mathematics, earned a bachelor's degree in humanities and social sciences and a master of business administration from Lahore University of Management Sciences. He is working on his doctorate in politics and economics from Claremont Graduate University. Prior to Monmouth, Bashir taught economics at the University of Redlands and University of La Verne.

Assistant professor of business and economics Amanda Cleland earned a bachelor's degree in economics at the United States Air Force Academy, a master of business administration in acquisition and contract management from American Graduate University, and a master of business administration from the University of Iowa. She recently served as a strategic sourcing manager at John Deere.

Joshua Gentzke, visiting assistant professor of religious studies, earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in cultural studies, comparative literature and religious studies from State University of New York at Buffalo. He also holds a master's degree in the history of religion from Universiteit van Amsterdam, and a master's and doctoral degree in religious studies from Stanford University. Prior to Monmouth, Gentzke was an assistant professor of religious studies and integrative arts and humanities at Michigan State University.

Assistant professor of music Justin Swearinger will also serve as the College's director of instrumental activities. He earned a bachelor's degree in percussion performance from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, a master's degree of music in wind conducting from Florida International University, and a doctor of musical arts degree in wind conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi. Swearinger served as a graduate assistant for Southern Mississippi's bands before joining Monmouth's faculty.

Ralph Patterson is the new physics and engineering lab manager, while Michelle Iselin was hired as the College's math and quantitative success manager. Iselin has worked in related positions at four other colleges, including three in Wisconsin. She holds a master's degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

New staff members at the College also include Jerrie Walters, the new director of residence life and chief judicial officer. Walters earned her doctorate in educational leadership from WIU, where she worked for more than 20 years.

In facilities management, Olga Castaneda de Arteaga, Sonia Sanchez, Antonio Arteaga and Jeremy Vollbracht have joined the utility service staff. Allan Wilson is a new maintenance mechanic.

Katy Wall is the College's new controller, taking the role of Holly Tharp, who was promoted to vice president for finance and business.

Susan Kassab is now leading the admission office as the interim vice president of enrollment management. A Philadelphia region native, Kassab has contributed her knowledge and skills to Widener University, Saint Joseph's University and Neumann University. She has four new staff members under her, including a pair of members from Monmouth's Class of 2022 - Zac Colberg and Lindsey Turnquist. Also new are Ben Moreland and Leanna Whitaker.

Two alumni have also joined the College's office of development and college relations. Troy Hippen '22 is the new assistant director of the Monmouth Fund, while Kenzi Lafferty '19 is the assistant director of alumni engagement. Abigail Batson was hired earlier this month as the philanthropy and engagement manager.

Other new alumni hires are Elizabeth Smith '19, who will serve as the associate director of career development and experiential learning in the Wackerle Center for Career, Leadership and Fellowships, and Meghan Phelps '22, who is the night supervisor at Hewes Library.

Tucker Quinn is the College's new director of digital marketing and communication.

Several new hires will be working with Fighting Scots teams this season, including head coaches Brian Dahlstrom (men's and women's tennis), Brady Hunt (men's and women's cross country) and Jordan Tice (women's lacrosse).

New football assistant coaches include Cooper Gosch, Jack Healy and Nate Robinson. Monmouth graduates Kenzie Baker (track) and Jake Starkey (baseball) are new assistants in the sports in which they excelled as Scots, and Tyler Inselmann has joined the softball coaching staff.

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