Six new faculty members joined William Woods University (WWU) as fall semester classes began on campus last week.
WWU welcomed Dr. Clinton Merrill Ramirez Stephens, Program Manager for the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership; John Selburg, Associate Professor of Studio Art and Gallery Director; Kyle Anderson, Assistant Professor of Education; Dr. Lisa Nieuwenhuizen, Assistant Professor of Education; Dr. Alex Kirby, Assistant Professor of Music and Lisa Simms, Instructor of Graphic Design.
Dr. Ramirez Stephens is a graduate of Iowa State University, where he received his Doctor of Philosophy in Education; Oklahoma State University, where he earned his Master’s degree (Counseling and Student Personnel), and Kansas State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He comes to William Woods after serving as an independent iOS App developer, where he designed and implemented a number of education research applications, and working in data analytics consulting, both since 2018. His past experience includes serving as Director of Leadership Studies/Assistant Professor at Emporia (Kan.) State University (2015-2018); Lecturer and Program Coordinator for Leadership Studies at Iowa State University (2010-2015) and Coordinator of Student Organization and Community Service Programs at Bowling Green (Ohio) State University (2005-2008).
Selburg is a graduate of the University of Missouri (Columbia), where he received his Master of Fine Arts (Drawing) in 2009, and his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts (Studio Art) from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. in 2006. His experience includes 5 years of service at Broward College (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) where he served as Assistant Professor of Studio Art, Chair/Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts and Art Gallery Coordinator.
Anderson earned two Master’s degrees, one in History from the University of Central Missouri (2003) and one in Leadership from the University of Missouri, Columbia (2012), as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Central Missouri (2001). He comes to Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods, where he has been teaching education and history courses as a full-time faculty member since 2019, plus adjunct faculty positions at William Woods, Southern New Hampshire University and the University of Central Missouri.
Dr. Nieuwenhuizen holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Leadership and Policy Analysis), an Ed.S. (Secondary Administration), a Master’s (Curriculum and Instruction) degree and a BS Ed. (Secondary Education) all from the the University of Missouri, Columbia. She joins WWU with 32 years of experience in secondary education, serving as Assistant Principal at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Mo. (2006-2023); A+ Schools Program Coordinator and English teacher Hickman High School in Columbia, Mo. (1997-2005); English/Communications teacher at Moberly (Mo.) High School (1993-1997) and Language Arts teacher at New Franklin (Mo.) High School (1991-1993). She also has University experience, having worked previously as an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at WWU and as as adjunct professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Missouri, Columbia.
Dr. Kirby received a Doctorate in Music Education from Liberty University this past Spring, a Master’s degree from Kansas State University in 2020 and a Bachelor’s degree from Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo. in 2014, both in Music Education. Dr. Kirby comes to The Woods from Greenville (Ill.) University, where he served as Director of Bands since 2021. Previous experience includes working as Associate Director of Bands for the Grain Valley (Mo.) RV School District; Director of Bands for the Fayette (Mo.) R3 School District, and Admissions Recruiter and Counselor at Columbia (Mo.) College. Simms had been serving as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at WWU since 2022, before becoming Instructor of of Graphic Design beginning this Fall. She has a Master’s of Fine Arts in Visual Art from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Studio Art from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. Before joining the William Woods faculty, she served as a 2-D Design and Drawing Instructor at the University of Missouri, Columbia; Watercolor, Beginning Drawing and Anatomy Drawing Instructor with the Columbia Art League, and Art Gallery Coordinator for the C.A.R.E. Art Gallery with the Columbia Division of Parks and Recreation.
