Samford University’s board of trustees executive committee elected new faculty and approved three new academic programs during their regular summer meeting June 28 in Birmingham.
New faculty includes:
Craig H. Caldwell, visiting assistant professor of history. Caldwell has both master’s and doctoral degrees in history from Princeton University and previously taught at the University of Georgia.
Robert Andrew Hataway, assistant professor of biological and environmental sciences. Hataway is a Samford graduate and earned a doctor of philosophy degree in biology from the University of Mississippi, where he has been a lecturer.
David S. Hogg, associate professor and associate dean of academic affairs for Beeson Divinity School. He earned a doctor of philosophy degree in divinity from St. Andrews University in Scotland. Most recently, Hogg has been on the faculty at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C.
Piotr Josef Malysz, assistant professor of divinity. A native of Poland, he recently earned his doctor of theology degree from Harvard University. Malysz was a Lilly Graduate Fellow and a lecture in theology and the humanities at Valparaiso University in Indiana.
Stephanie H. Rollins, associate librarian. Rollins was a reference librarian and professor at the College of Southern Nevada, Henderson. She earned a master’s degree in library science and a doctor of public administration degree from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
Serena Simoni, assistant professor of political science. Simoni has a doctorate in international relations from the University of Southern California. He had been a lecturer for the international relations program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Jessica Whalen Skelley, assistant professor of pharmacy practice. A Samford graduate, Skelley most recently had been a pharmacy practice resident with the Jefferson County Health Department in Birmingham and a staff pharmacist for Walgreens.
Trustees approved a new education specialist degree in teacher leadership based on a new certification option from the Alabama State Department of Education for teachers holding masters degrees. It is designed to prepare teachers for public and private school leadership.
A new major in foods and nutrition was approved. It is designed to help students plan a degree program based on career goals other than becoming a registered dietitian, according to university officials.
A new minor in worship leadership was approved. The program is designed for students who want to be worship leaders, pastoral musicians or better worshipers in the church.
The full board of trustees meets again Sept. 1-2 in Birmingham.