Coker welcomes 11 faculty across eight academic areas

Coker University welcomed 11 new faculty members this semester. With specialties in art, education, business, history, and criminology, the incoming faculty are dedicated to developing students’ analytical and creative thinking in each subject area.

“It is always exciting to welcome new faculty into the Coker community,” said Provost Susan Daniels Henderson. “Each faculty member is an important steward of our student-centered mission, helping each student develop academically, professionally, and personally.”

Coker welcomed the following faculty members this fall semester:

Robin Bloodworth
Special Lecturer/Artist-in-Residence in Theatre

Robin Bloodworth has appeared in roles in commercials, New York theater, and regional theater. He has a bachelor’s degree in Theater and English from Virginia Commonwealth University and Coker College and will bring his years of acting experience to build theatre students’ professional skills. His most recent film, Your Husband’s Password, has earned him numerous accolades this season, including the Orlando Independent Film Awards – Best Actor and World Premier Film Awards – Best Acting Duo, Short (with Jill Perry).

Dave Buckner
Assistant Professor of Humanities

Dave Buckner has taught history, humanities, and philosophy at several colleges and universities and holds a Master of Arts degree in History from East Tennessee State University and a doctoral degree in Comparative Humanities from the University of Louisville. He has been published in Academia and Medium about topics related to religion and democracy.

Kathryn Burt
Assistant Professor of Humanities

Kathryn Burt holds a Master of Arts degree in Rhetoric and Composition from North Carolina State University and a doctoral degree in English from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Her work has been published in textbooks and academic journals. She has taught writing seminars, literature, and courses related to her research focus on rhetoric, literature, food, health and wellness and has presented her research at regional and national conferences.

Jenni Halphin
Associate Professor of Humanities

Jenni Halpin is a literary scholar primarily focused on British literature, science and speculative fiction, ethics and literature, and Commonwealth and postcolonial literatures. She has published three books, articles and book chapters, and has taught courses at the University of California, Davis, Sacramento City College, Berry College, and Savannah State University. Halpin holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Redlands and Master of Arts and doctoral degrees from the University of California, Davis.

Erica Isakower
Assistant Professor of Dance

Erica Isakower is an experienced dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor who has performed across the country and beyond, including the United Kingdom, India, and South Korea. She has over seven years of dance instruction experience, most recently as an adjunct professor at Stephen F. Austin State University, where she mentored students and taught modern dance, tap, jazz, world dance, dance appreciation, and production crew courses. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Hofstra University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Tanner Maxey
Visiting Assistant Professor of Art

Tanner Maxey is an interdisciplinary artist and educator. His work has been exhibited nationally, with recent solo exhibitions in Georgia and Florida. Before coming to Coker, he served as an instructor of record at Georgia Southern University and developed middle school art curricula for remote learners. Maxey has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Georgia Southern University.

Casey Miller
Assistant Professor of Art

Casey Lou Miller is a fine artist inspired by the deserts of southern Utah. Her work has been featured in group and solo exhibitions across Utah and Ohio, as well as in several publications. She has taught art for over five years, most recently at Ohio University. Miller has a bachelor’s degree in Art from Utah Tech University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Drawing and Painting from Utah State University.

Charles Miller
Special Lecturer in Education

Charles Miller has served as an educator for more than 30 years, including teaching fourth grade for nine years, teaching GED courses as Facilitator of Special Programs for Darlington County Adult Education, and most recently, serving as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for the Darlington County School District. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Francis Marion University, a master’s degree and an education specialist degree in Education Administration and is a doctoral candidate at the University of South Carolina.

Pooja Mohanty Ausuri
Assistant Professor of First-Year Writing

Pooja Mohanty has over 20 years of experience teaching college English, writing, and communication courses. Her research interests include transnationalism, Southeast Asian studies, comparative literature, and Indian American, Indian, African American, and African literatures and cultures. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from North Orissa University and a master’s degree in English Literature from Utkal University. She is a doctoral candidate in English literature at Kent State University.

William Pruitt
Assistant Professor of Criminology

William Pruitt has 20 years of experience teaching criminology and criminal justice at various colleges and universities, most recently at Austin Peay State University. He has published two books on the criminology of genocide, encyclopedia entries in the Sage Encyclopedia of World Poverty and the Encyclopedia of Criminal Justice Ethics, and research articles in academic journals. He holds a doctoral degree in Criminology and Public Policy from Northeastern University and a law degree from Syracuse University.

Noel Ridsdale
Special Lecturer in Business

Noel Ridsdale has over 15 years of experience teaching management, leadership, hospitality, and culinary arts at various levels. Before coming to Coker, he was an associate professor and program coordinator at Limestone University and has experience in hospitality operations for professional golf and football. He holds an MBA from Strayer University and a doctoral degree in International Business from Northcentral University.