Coker College Hires New Faculty Members

HARTSVILLE, SC – Tracy Parkinson, provost and dean of the faculty of Coker College, has announced the addition of seven new full-time faculty members. Jessica Robbins, Stephanie Weiss, Jennifer Heusel, Todd Couch, Darryl Kelly, Dennis Burke and Elizabeth Scott “Scottie” Hill have been hired for the 2014-15 academic year.

“I am extremely excited to bring these seven individuals on board,” said Parkinson. “We seek commitment within our faculty to promote and implement Coker’s round-table learning philosophy. I think this is a group of professors who are wholeheartedly student-centered and committed to excellence in teaching and learning.”

Robbins is an assistant professor of chemistry. She holds both doctorate and master’s degrees in chemistry from Pennsylvania State University as well as a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the University of Chicago.

Weiss is an instructor in business administration. She was most recently an instructor at Mountain State University. Weiss is a candidate for a doctorate degree in business administration at Walden University. She holds a master’s degree in accounting from Strayer University and a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Mountain State University, as well as an associate in arts degree from Greenville Tech County Community College.

Heusel is an assistant professor of communications. She is a doctoral candidate in communication and culture and American studies at Indiana University at Bloomington. She holds a master’s degree in African American and African diaspora studies and arts history from Indiana University at Bloomington and a bachelor of arts degree in art history from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

Couch is an assistant professor of criminology. He was most recently an instructor for the department of sociology at Texas A&M University. Couch holds both doctorate and master’s degrees in sociology from Texas A&M University as well as a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Midwestern State University.

Kelly is a special lecturer in business administration. He is a candidate for a doctorate degree in Human Services with a concentration in criminal justice from Capella University. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Troy State University and a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Coker College.

Burke is a special lecturer in business administration. He is a candidate for a doctorate degree in business administration from Walden University. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Webster University and a bachelor’s degree in workforce education and development from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Hill is an assistant professor of social work and the coordinator of the social work field education program. She was most recently a technical advisor in member services for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Hill is a candidate for a doctorate degree in social welfare from Columbia University. She holds a master of science degree in social work from Columbia University as well as a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from the University of North Carolina.

Release written by media relations coordinator Elizabeth McCarley.

Coker College

Coker College readies undergraduates for personal and professional success through a distinctive four-year program that emphasizes a practical application of the liberal arts as well as hands-on and discussion-based learning within and beyond the classroom. Coker is ranked among the “Best Colleges” in the South by U.S. News & World Report as well as The Princeton Review. Located in Hartsville, S.C., Coker is within two hours of the cultural, financial and recreational resources of Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston and Myrtle Beach.