Coker College hires new faculty members

HARTSVILLE, SC – William Carswell, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty of Coker College, has announced the addition of six new full-time faculty members. Andrew Schwartz, LaShaune Smith, Gwyn Senokossoff, Sarah Westfall, Amanda McLaughlin and Kristine Jones have been hired for the 2015-16 academic year.

Schwartz is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Theater. He worked most recently as head teaching artist for the Theatre Development Fund at Open Doors/Stage Door Residencies in New York. He holds a master’s in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory in Denver, Colo., and a bachelor’s in theatre arts from Pennsylvania State University.

Smith is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics. She taught most recently at both Central Carolina Technical College as an adjunct instructor of probability and statistics and Midlands Technical College as an adjunct instructor of college algebra. She holds a doctorate in secondary education (mathematics), a master’s in industrial statistics and a bachelor’s in mathematics with a concentration in education from the University of South Carolina.

Senokossoff is an Assistant Professor of Education. She worked most recently as an assistant professor in literacy education at Florida International University. Senokossoff received her doctorate in curriculum and instruction (reading education and early childhood), her master’s in reading and language arts and her bachelor’s in elementary education from the University of South Florida.

Westfall is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Sport Studies. She worked most recently as an adjunct professor in Coker College’s Wiggins School of Education. She holds a doctorate in public administration and urban studies from Virginia Tech University, a master’s in physical education and exercise science from California State University and a bachelor’s in physical education and exercise science from California State University.

McLaughlin is a Social Work Field Placement Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Social Work. She worked most recently as an equal access team advocate at Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. in Columbia, S.C. She received her master’s in social work from the University of South Carolina and her bachelor’s in both social work and psychology with a concentration in counseling from Coker College.

Jones is a Reference and Instruction Librarian and an Assistant Professor of Library Science. She worked most recently as head librarian at York Technical College. She received a master’s in library science from Kent State University, a master’s in social work from Winthrop University and a bachelor’s in magazine journalism and international relations from Syracuse University.

Release written by Media Relations Coordinator Elizabeth McCarley.

Coker College is a student-focused, private liberal arts college located in Hartsville, South Carolina. Coker combines round table, discussion-based learning with hands-on experiences to encourage active participation in and out of the classroom. A supportive, close-knit community prepares Coker students with the confidence and practical life skills they need to reach their personal best, in college and beyond.

Founded in 1908, Coker is a bachelor’s and master’s degree-granting institution and competes in 21 NCAA Division II sports. Coker is ranked among the “Best Colleges” in the South by U.S. News & World Report as well as The Princeton Review, and by Washington Monthly as No. 5 for value among colleges in the Southeast region.