Ten new faculty members joined William Woods University (WWU) as fall semester classes began on campus today.
WWU today welcomed Rachel Deutmeyer, assistant professor of Photography; Charles Dodoo, assistant professor of Studio Art; Bethanie Irons, assistant professor of Graphic Design; Kristee Lorenz, professor of Education Leadership; Jessica Mannion, instructor of Accounting; Bailey McCallum, assistant professor of Equestrian Studies; Ellen Moore, assistant professor of Chemistry; Mary Placzkowski, assistant professor of Athletic Training; Joshua Turkewitz, instructor of Philosophy and Valerie Wedel, assistant professor of Studio Art.
Deutmeyer is a graduate of Iowa St. University, where in 2018 she received her Master of Fine Arts in Integrated Visual Arts, and Ashford University (Clinton, IA) where she received a B.A. in Graphic Design. She comes to William Woods from Iowa St., where she has served as a teaching assistant in Creative Digital Photography and Visual Thinking since 2016. She has also served as a studio art program director and commercial photographer.
Dodoo earned his Ph.D. in Art History and Education from the University of Arizona (2017), Master of Fine Arts in Drawing, Painting and Printmaking from the University of Idaho (2013) and his B.A. in Drawing, Painting and Sculpture from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Kumasi, Ghana) in 2008. His past experience includes serving as a graduate teaching assistant in Art at the University of Arizona, University of Idaho, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the Ghana International School.
Irons holds a PhD in Art Education and a MFA in Painting, both from the University of Missouri-Columbia, as well as a BFA in Painting from the University of South Dakota. Since 2011, she has served in a variety of Art instructor positions at Iowa Western Community College, the University of Missouri-Columbia, State Fair Community College, Columbia College, and at the CARE Art Gallery in Columbia, Mo. She has also served as an art gallery/exhibit curator and has had her artwork displayed in various art shows.
Lorenz is a 2010 graduate of St. Louis University, where she received her doctorate in Educational Leadership. She also has a Master of Science in Counseling (1994) and a Bachelor of Science in Education (1988) from Central Missouri St. University, and an Associate of Arts degree from State Fair Community College. She comes to William Woods from the Henry County (Mo.) School District, where she served as superintendent from 2016-2018. Past experience in education includes serving as superintendent and assistant superintendent in the Knob Knoster School District; adjunct instructor at State Fair Community College and the University of Central Missouri; assistant principal at Smith-Cotton High School and high school counselor and teacher.
Mannion received her Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership (2019), Master of Business Administration (2010) and B.A. in Business Administration (2009), all from Lindenwood University. Since 2011, she has served as an adjunct professor in Financial and Managerial Accounting at both Lindenwood University and at St. Charles Community College. She also has experience working as a foundation accountant for the National Association of Electrical Distributors.
McCallum is currently serving as a new Assistant Professor of Equestrian Studies, and dressage instructor, at William Woods. During the 2018-2019 academic year, she served as an adjunct faculty member at the university. Previously, she served as a graduate assistant prior to securing a position with the American Association of Equine Practitioners before returning to William Woods as a faculty member. She holds both Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from WWU in Equestrian Education and Equestrian Science, respectively.
Moore comes to William Woods from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she earned her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 2018. In 2012, she graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Her teaching experience includes service as a Chemistry lecture teaching assistant at the University of Missouri-Columbia, adjunct professor in Chemistry at Stephens College, and supplemental instructor and laboratory assistant at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Placzkowski is a 2017 graduate of the University of Idaho, where she received her doctorate in Athletic Training; in 2011 from the University of Tennessee, where she earned her Master’s in Sport Studies and in 2007, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and Physical Education from the University of Maine. Her teaching experience includes serving as an adjunct professor at the University of Montana Western and Calumet College of St. Joseph (Whiting, IN). Professional experience includes work as an athletic trainer at the University of Montana Western and as an athletic trainer intern at Tufts University (Medford, MA).
Turkewitz comes to WWU from Tallahassee (FL) Community College, where he served as an instructor in Philosophy since 2016. He is 2012 graduate of Florida St. University where he received a Master’s Degree in Philosophy, and a 2006 graduate of Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT), earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy.
Wedel is a 2007 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia (Master of Fine Arts, Scuplture), 2002 from Columbia College (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting/Drawing and 1991 from Washington University in St. Louis (Bachelor of Arts in French and Peace Studies). She has served as an assistant professor at Missouri Valley College, as an adjunct instructor at Stephens College, Columbia College and William Woods, and has had her art displayed at numerous exhibitions in the state of Missouri.
