IU Kokomo faculty receive promotions, tenure

KOKOMO, Ind. - The Indiana University Board of Trustees has approved promotion and/or tenure for nine faculty members on the Kokomo campus.

Scott Jones, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, commended the faculty members.

"Advancing in rank and achieving tenure are profound milestones that require perseverance and a steadfast commitment to excellence in teaching," he said. "I extend my deepest congratulations to these faculty members. Their remarkable contributions to teaching, research, and service elevate the IU Kokomo experience for our students, and contribute to the betterment of our world."

Those receiving promotions include:

Alina Mihai, professor of education. She joined the faculty in 2015. She earned a Ph.D. from IU in special education with a minor in early childhood education. She also earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Human Resources Management from the University of Bucharest and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Special Education from Ovidius University of Constanta, Romania. Mihai is program director for the Division of Education. She's received the Claude Rich Excellence in Teaching Award from IU Kokomo and is a two-time recipient of the IU Trustees Teaching Award. She's also been inducted into IU's Faculty Academy on Excellence in Teaching (FACET).

Leigh Swartzendruber, clinical associate professor of nursing. She joined the faculty in 2016. She earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nursing Education from Arkansas State University, and a Master of Science in Nursing Education and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from IU Kokomo. She is program director for the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions RN to BSN track. Swartzendruber has earned the Trustees Teaching Award, an Advanced Online Developers certificate, the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions Innovative Teaching Award, and Quality Matters certification.

Jasmine Jalaie, senior lecturer of mathematics. She joined the faculty in 2019 as a visiting lecturer in mathematics. She earned a Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied Statistics and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pure Mathematics, with a minor in German, from IU Indianapolis. She's taught in person and online classes in statistical techniques, finite mathematics, college algebra, and intermediate algebra.

Melinda Knudson-Stanley, teaching professor of healthcare management. She joined the faculty in 2014 as an adjunct, and in 2015 as a visiting lecturer. She earned an Ed.D. in Health Professions from A.T. Still University, a Master of Public Management (MPM) in Healthcare Management from IU Kokomo, a B.A. in History from Wright State University, and a B.A. in Microbiology from Miami University. She is a three-time recipient of the IU Trustees Teaching Award, received the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in Technology and an IU Bicentennial Medal. She's a member of FACET.

Peter Tupa, teaching professor of mathematics and physics. He joined the faculty in 2013 as an adjunct and was appointed as a lecturer in mathematics and physics in 2016. Tupa earned a Ph.D. and an M.S. in Physics from Lehigh University and a B.A. in Physics, with a minor in International Studies of Asia and Japan, from Hiram College. He's a two-time recipient of the IU Trustees Teaching Award.

Those who were promoted and received tenure include:

Nicholas Baxter, associate professor of sociology. He joined the faculty in 2019. Baxter earned a Ph.D. in sociology from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and M.A. in Sociology and B.A. in Sociology and English from Northern Illinois University. He also earned a graduate certificate in geographic information systems from Kent State University. He's earned the IU Trustees Teaching Award twice and also earned an Environmental Leadership Award from the Office of Sustainability. Baxter also has received the IUK Experiential and Active Learning Teaching Award, the IU Catalyst Teaching Excellence Award, and the SAGE Keith Roberts Teaching Award.

Dea Kent, associate professor of nursing. She joined the faculty in 2020 as director of the Family Nurse Practitioner program. She earned a DNP from IU, a Master of Science in Nursing, Adult Nurse Practitioner from Ball State University, and a BSN from IU Kokomo. She's also earned postgraduate certificates in Family Nurse Practitioner from Ball State. Kent also is a nurse practitioner at Elara Hospice. She's received the Daisy Award for Teaching Excellence at IU Kokomo and has been president of the Wound Ostomy Continence Nurses Society. She's served as vice president of the faculty senate and chaired the search committee for the occupational therapy assistant program.

Jamie Oslawski-Lopez, associate professor of sociology. She joined the faculty in 2017 as acting assistant professor of sociology. She earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from IU, an M.A. in Sociology from Ohio State University, and a B.A. with honors in Sociology and English from DePauw University. She's earned the Claude Rich Excellence in Teaching Award from IU Kokomo, and the IU Trustees Teaching Award. Oslawski-Lopez also was an IU FACET Innovate Award finalist and received the Junior Faculty Scholarship Award. She also received the George C. Roberts Award from the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences.

Gloria Preece, associate professor of personal financial management and marketing. She joined the faculty in 2012 as director of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and MPM programs. She earned a Ph.D. in Personal Finance Planning from Kansas State University, and an MBA and a B.S. in Marketing from IU Kokomo. She is assistant dean of the School of Business and campus coordinator for the IU Office of Education Abroad. She's a three-time recipient of the IU Trustees Teaching Award and has also received the Experiential and Active Learning Award. Preece has led multiple international trips, including to Denmark and Poland, and is a member of FACET.

Julie Tobin, associate professor of psychology. She joined the faculty in 2019. Tobin earned a Ph.D. in Social Psychology, with a quantitative minor, from University of Houston, an M.A. in Psychology from University of Houston, and a B.A. in Psychology, with a Spanish minor, from Ball State University. She's mentored multiple undergraduate research projects and received a Summer Faculty Fellowship.

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.

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