Faculty at Pittsburg State University are experts in their disciplines who regularly take part in service, leadership, and creative activity outside of their classrooms. Through these experiences they make a difference to their profession, to the community, and to students.
Among the many difference-makers on our campus:
Biology
- Dan Zurek, professor, led students on a transformative medical service trip to Belize. While there, they helped medically underserved populations and gained experience for future careers.
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Business
- Sang Lee, professor, earned the Certified Supplied Chain Profession designation endorsed by the Association for Supply Chain Management. The CSCP provides supply chain leaders with the capacity to create and execute strategies that meet customer needs and increase profits. Lee will be the program coordinator for the new BBA in Supply Chain Mangement under development in the Kelce College of Business.
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- Two Kelce College of Business professors are serving on boards overseeing K-12 education in Joplin, Missouri. Assistant Instructional Professor David Weaver is a member of the Joplin Public Schools Board and Associate Professor Alex Binder serves on the Joplin Area Catholic School Board.
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- Jae Choi, professor of Computer Information, is leading an initiative in SAP ERP, a major computer system used by many corporations around the world. Kelce College of Business is part of the educational network and Pitt State students get hands-on experience with the system in DSIS and Accounting classes. Choi will take a sabbatical next semester to complete additional training.
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English & Modern Languages
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- Casie Hermansson, professor, was invited to chair two sessions of the American Voices Fulbright Seminar at the University of Turku in Finland. She also presented about her current collaboration with the Center for READing, writing supplemental literature to their curricular requirements.
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- Grant Moss, professor, has been sharing his expertise with 25 educators in Olathe, Kansas, with in-person and online sessions of a Spanish for Educators course.
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- Laura Lee Washburn, professor, authored her latest poetry book, “Arteries,” published by Pone Row Press. It tells the intriguing story of the everyday lives of an extended family in the American South through individual poems cast as lyrics, personas, and letters.
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Family and Consumer Science
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- Goldie Prelogar-Hernandez, associate instructional professor, was selected to serve as the Region 3 Councilor for Phi Upsilon Omicron, the FCS honor society. Pitt State's chapter, the Eta Chapter was established in 1920 and is one of the oldest continuing honor society organizations on campus.
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Health, Human Performance, and Recreation
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- Janice Jewett, professor, was as selected to serve a three-year role as president-elect, president, and past-president for KRPA, the state's Recreation and Parks Association.
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- Shelby Hutchens, assistant professor, was selected to serve a two-year appointment as Treasurer for KAHPERD, the state's Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance organization, as well as being a Hunter Education instructor for the KDWP.
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- John Oppliger, professor, is finishing out a three-year appointment as president for KAHPERD.
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- Scott Gorman, professor, has taught Hunter Education courses for the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks for more than 30 years and has served as a KAHPERD board member for 34 years.
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- Julia Spresser, professor, is serving as the Pitt State representative on the George Nettles Site-Counsel, a group of individuals responsible for school accreditation.
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- Laura Miller, professor, is serving on the K-State Extension Program Development Committee reviewing effectiveness of various organizational programming for elderly and special populations.
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Nursing
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- Amy Hite, director of the Irene Ransom Bradley School of Nursing, has been appointed to the Kansas State Board of Nursing. Hite has served on the education committee for the board since 2020.
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- Barbara McClaskey, university professor, serves as advisor for the PSU Kansas State Nurses Association (KANS), which was awarded the Breakthrough in Nursing Award by the National Student Nurses Association; only one school is chosen for this award. PSU KANS also was recognized with the Stellar Chapter Award for the 13th consecutive year during the KANS State Convention held at Pitt State in October.
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Music
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- Jim Clanton, professor, and Jobey Wilson, assistant professor, have performed in concert with the Tulsa Symphony, a professional orchestra.
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- Andrew Chybowski, associate professor, is now leading the Four State Symphonic Winds and co-leading the Pittsburg Community Band, providing enrichment for musicians beyond the university environment.
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- Todd Hastings, professor, performed with the Springfield Symphony, at the Missouri Music Educators Convention, and as a soloist at the Ft. Meyers Jazz Festival and the Neosho Jazz Festival.
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- Isaac Hernandez, adjunct instructor, with Frida Herrera, graduate student, started the first Hispanic Music Festival for Pittsburg with a variety of performances to coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month.
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Technology
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- Byron McKay, associate professor, and Trevor Maiseroulle, assistant instructional professor, were chosen for Distinguished Technology Educator status by the International Technology & Engineering Educator’s Association -- a high honor recognizing the achievements of professionals distinguished as leaders in Technology & Engineering Education and awarded only to the top 5 percent of the ITEEA membership.
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Psychology and Counseling
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- Paige Boydston, assistant professor, with Halle Panter, undergraduate student, are establishing an autism evaluation clinic to serve the SEK and surrounding region. The project will provide comprehensive, wrap-around evaluations and interdisciplinary student training opportunities for disciplines across campus. Evaluations will start in Spring 2025, and parent training opportunities will start in Spring 2026.
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- Laurent Prétôt, assistant professor, has launched the first empirical study of ManyFishes, a new large-scale, multi-site collaborative research project dedicated to fish comparative cognition. The project involves more than 30 collaborators from more than 20 institutions from more than 10 countries. ManyFishes partners with SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium to provide students with hands-on experience in animal behavior research. The project benefits several Pitt State students and has recently expanded to local high school programs, including the Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS).
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University Professors
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- Rebecca Butler (Math & Physics), Mark Johnson (Technology & Workforce Learning), Khamis Siam (Chemistry), and Doug Younger (Technology & Workforce Learning), all were named University Professors, Class of 2024. The rank indicates a faculty member has been recognized by their peers both on and off campus as an outstanding contributor in a field of specialization and recognized on campus for outstanding contributions to the education program. Faculty aren’t eligible until they’ve been a full professor for seven years. The designation is for a term of seven years and can be renewed.
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