HARTSVILLE, SC (September 28, 2021) - Coker University recently has added eight new faculty members this year, making several strategic hires to meet the academic needs and expectations of its students.

These new faculty members include:

Jennifer Erin Bailey 

Special Lecturer, Dance

B.F.A., Columbia College; M.F.A., Texas Woman’s University

“I specialize in Improvisation and research ways to challenge traditional performance methods within Western dance forms.”

Dylan Bates 

Special Lecturer, Mathematics

B.A., Coker College; M.A., University of South Carolina; Ph.D., North Carolina State University

“My PhD is in Applied Mathematics, and my doctoral dissertation used virtual reinforcement learning to balance an inverted pendulum in real time. My research interests include modeling, numerical analysis, and control theory, with a specialization in machine learning and using computers to solve analytically intractable problems.”

Whitney Cranford 

Clinical Faculty, Psychology

B.A., Coker College; M.A., South University

“I spent 10 years in the counseling field working with children and adults with behavioral and mental health issues. My specialty is in addictions counseling, which I also hold state certification in.”

Karen Dauenhauer 

Clinical Faculty, Theatre and Technical Director

B.A., Mississippi University for Women; M.F.A., University of Georgia

“I am the new Technical Director and Clinical Faculty for the McCall School of Visual and Performing Arts. My technical theatre specialty is scenic painting, and my past credits, spanning over 19 years, include director, choreographer, and actor.”

Janice Kiser 

Special Lecturer, Education 

B.S., College of Charleston; M.Ed., Francis Marion University; M.Ed., Winthrop University; Ed.S., University of South Carolina 

“I feel that my many years of education experience as a teacher, reading interventionist, literacy coach, curriculum coordinator/assistant principal, and principal make me uniquely qualified to teach and guide prospective teachers. I also have many professional contacts in both the Chesterfield and Darlington County School DIstricts which is helpful as I mentor our student teachers out in our schools.”

Randy Self 

Special Lecturer, Education

B.A., Coker College; M.Ed. Winthrop University

“I received my undergraduate degree from Coker College, Masters of Education from Winthrop University, and have completed studies in an Education Specialist program at the University of South Carolina. I have also studied in Paris, France at La Sorbonne University.  I recently retired from teaching elementary school after 30 years.”

Marina Shaltout 

Visiting Assistant Professor of Art

B.F.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; M.F.A., University of Arizona

“I use photography, video, and sculpture to critique popularized representations of women in history and popular culture. I completed residencies at the Creative Centre in Stodvarfjordur, Iceland and at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. I have exhibited work nationally and internationally at venues such as Alte Munze (Berlin), the Cinematograph (Innsbruck), the Living National Treasure Museum (Tokyo), the Czong Institute of Contemporary Art (South Korea), MOCA Tucson, and the Billboard Creative exhibition in Los Angeles, California.”

Tracy Whitted 

Clinical Faculty, Business; Coordinator of the Master of Science in College Athletic Administration

B.S., University of South Carolina; M.S., Georgia Southern University; Ph.D., University of New Mexico

“I have 16 years of experience working in Division I athletics. I specialize in leadership, coaching, and current issues in college athletics.”