New Faculty Directory 2026-27

Augustana welcomes the following faculty for the 2026-27 school year.

Alexis (Lexie) Aguilar

Part-time Assistant Professor
Department of Music

B.A., Saxophone Performance and French, Augustana College
M.M., Saxophone Performance, New England Conservatory of Music
D.M.A., Saxophone Performance, University of Minnesota

Dr. Alexis “Lexie” Aguilar is a saxophonist and educator based in the Twin Cities. She serves as Adjunct Professor of Saxophone at the University of St. Thomas and Winona State University, teaches at the MacPhail Center for Music, and maintains an active private studio. In Fall 2026, she will join Augustana College as a sabbatical replacement.

An active and versatile performer, Lexie has appeared with ensembles including the Minneapolis Civic Orchestra and Quad City Symphony Orchestra. She has presented and performed at conferences and festivals including the North American Saxophone Alliance, International Saxophone Symposium, Electronic Music Midwest, Seamus, and the Splice Institute, reflecting her commitment to contemporary music and collaboration.

Lexie recently earned her DMA in Saxophone Performance from the University of Minnesota. She also holds degrees from the New England Conservatory and Augustana College.

Eugenio (Eugene) Alfaro III

Part-time Assistant Professor
Department of Music

B.M., Music Education, Texas A&M University
M.M., Violin Performance, Texas State University
D.M.A., Violin Performance, University of Oklahoma

Bosco Bae

Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Religion

B.A., Philosophy and Psychology, Boston University
B.A., Anthropology, University of Utah
M.A., Philosophy, University of Amsterdam
Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Study of Religion, University of Durham

Dr. Bosco B. Bae comes to Augustana after holding a Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion position at Centre College and the University of Lynchburg. He has a background in Philosophy, Psychology, Anthropology, and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Durham (England) with a focus on the Interdisciplinary Study of Religion. He completed a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship with the Human Economy Program at the University of Pretoria (South Africa). He maintains interests in East Asian Religions (focus: Korea), African Religions (focus: South Africa), as well as Religion in the United States. Thematically, he is engaged with issues of Method and Theory (particularly on belief), Religion and Money (including issues of race, health/medicine, and justice), and recently Art and Spirituality.

His work has been published in Method & Theory in the Study of Religion, Open Theology, Religions, Journal of Religion in Africa, and several edited volumes. Dr. Bae is also Founder/President/Executive Director of Groundhog Projects (an art-related non-profit organization in Chicago tied to the late artist Gregory Bae) and remains active in Chicago’s art world. He continues to develop a ceramic studio practice and has shown in solo and group exhibitions.

Tyler Barr

Part-time Instructor
Department of Sociology and Anthropology

B.A., Psychology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
M.S.W., Social Work, University of Southern California

Naren Chandra

Assistant Professor
Data Analytics Program

B.E., Electronics and Communications, National Institute of Engineering, Mysore India
M.B.A., Management, Indian Institute of Management
M.S., Marketing Analytics, Bentley University
Ph.D., Information Technology, University of the Cumberlands

Dr. Naren Chandra is an Assistant Professor of Business Analytics at Augustana College. He holds a Ph.D. in Information Technology from the University of the Cumberlands, an M.S. in Marketing Analytics from Bentley University, an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow, and a B.E. in Electronics and Communications from the National Institute of Engineering, Mysore.

Naren brings more than 25 years of global leadership experience across business analytics, marketing, advertising, and banking in North America, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Russia. Having lived in the Boston area for the past decade, he has held leadership roles with Wayfair, CVS Health, Barclays, Saudi National Bank, and ICICI Bank before transitioning to academia to combine industry experience with teaching and research.

His scholarly interests include artificial intelligence, business analytics, digital trust, fraud detection, and marketing analytics. Outside of work, Naren enjoys traveling, mentoring students, sports, and marathon running. He lives with his wife, Divya, and their son, Parth.

Rita Conway

Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Accounting

B.A., Accounting, Augustana College
M.A.S., Accounting Science, Northern Illinois University

Rita Conway is a proud Augustana alumni with a degree in accounting and concentration in math and computer science. She launched her career at the Chicago firm Arthur Andersen, where she earned her CPA designation. Seeking a new challenge, she joined the U.S. Peace Corps and spent time in the Fiji Islands teaching accounting and economics. Rita later earned her Master of Accountancy from Northern Illinois University, and added the CMA designation to her credentials. She has taught at a variety of institutions including the College of St. Catherine, Blackhawk Community College, Pleasant Valley High School. and her alma mater, Augustana. She has also maintained an active public accounting practice throughout her career. Rita’s three grown daughters are thriving in Austin, Texas…which she often visits in the winter.

Jeremiah Downes

Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Theatre and Film

B.F.A., Musical Theatre Performance, University of the Arts
M.M., Musical Theatre Performance and Pedagogy, Oklahoma City University

Jeremiah is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist and musician with over 20 years of experience — on stage and off — in various academic and
professional settings, including at the Broadway level. In addition to his appointment at Augustana, he serves as Director of the Junior Cabaret & Performance Fellows at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center (CT). He
holds degrees from two of the country’s most prestigious musical theatre conservatories, with a M.M. in Musical Theater Performance & Pedagogy from Oklahoma City University, and a B.F.A. from The University of the Arts. Current creative scholarship includes composing a new American opera, RIZZO. And, a new original musical, Suddenly. He loves cooking, his dog, Oscar (after Hammerstein), hiking, and cheering on his beloved Philadelphia Phillies. jeremiahdownes.com/@JeremiahDownes

Edmund Fosu

Research and Instruction Librarian and Instructor
Thomas Tredway Library

B.A., Political Science and Information Studies, University of Ghana
M.S. (expected May 2026), Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
M.Phil. (expected July 2026), Political Science, University of Ghana

Edmund Kwadwo Fosu is Research and Instruction Librarian and Instructor at Augustana College’s Thomas Tredway Library, where he supports students and faculty in building research, information literacy, and critical thinking skills. He holds an MS in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he worked at the Grainger Engineering Library providing research consultations for engineering students and senior design teams, and leading accessibility reviews of library web content and LibGuides. His interests include artificial intelligence literacy, source evaluation and effective searching in AI-enhanced databases, and scholarly communication. He also earned degrees in Political Science and Information Studies at the University of Ghana. Edmund looks forward to designing course-integrated instruction with faculty and getting to know the Augustana community.

Larissa Frimpong

Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Art

B.F.A., Photography, Pennsylvania College of Art
M.F.A., Studio Art and Photography, University of Arkansas

Michael (Mike) Koepp

Visiting Instructor
Department of Physics, Engineering & Astronomy

B.A., Physics, Augustana College
M.S., Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Alindomar Lacerda Silva

Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Environment, Geography and Geoscience

B.A./B.S., Geography, Federal University of Sao Carlos
M.S., Remote Sensing, National Institute for Space Research
Ph.D. (expected May 2026), Geography/Climate Science, Kent State University

Alindomar Lacerda Silva is a Visiting Assistant Professor in Augustana College’s Department of Environment, Geography, and Geoscience. He earned his Ph.D. in Geography from Kent State University, an M.Sc. in Remote Sensing from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE), and a B.A. in Geography from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar). Silva’s research examines the connections among climate, human health, and society, with particular emphasis on temperature extremes and mortality. He also uses GIS, remote sensing, and spatial analysis to investigate environmental change and human–environment interactions. As an educator, he is passionate about making climate science and geography accessible and helping students understand how environmental challenges vary across places and communities. Outside academia, Silva enjoys traveling, playing volleyball, watching movies and taking walks.

Juan Mendoza

Part-time Instructor
Department of Music

B.M., Vocal Performance, The Juilliard School
M.A., Vocal Performance, University of Iowa
D.M.A., Voice, University of Iowa

Muscatine native Juan Carlos Mendoza has made a name for himself as a soloist, choral singer, and educator over the past fifteen years. Opera roles include T-Boy in The Silver Fox, Manuel Garcia in Notes on Viardot, Aarón/Javier in Tienda, and Tigranes in La Doriclea. He has sung with The Grant Park Music Festival and Lyric Opera of Chicago choruses, as well as BorderCrossing and Transept. He holds degrees from The Juilliard School and The University of Iowa, and in addition to teaching, specializes in Art Song research and performance and is Education Director of Source Song Festival.

Benjamin (Ben) Menghini

Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Religion

B.A., History/Religion, Greenville University
M.T.S., Historical Theology, Eden Theological Seminary
Ph.D.,Theological Studies (conjoint), Emmanuel College/The University of Toronto

Ben Menghini’s research and teaching focuses on theological ethics and theological method, and the way they mutually inform one another. His dissertation research investigated the perceived severity of orthodoxy, the proposed response of a generous orthodoxy, and how the development of a tragic disposition in academia and teaching could address our contemporary challenges. In the classroom Ben attempts to foster a “tragic pedagogy,” where we attune to the possibility of failure, turn conflict into productive disagreement, and practice reflexivity in ourselves and our work.

Ben completed his PhD in Theology at Emmanuel College and The University of Toronto in Spring 2026. He previously taught theology and religious studies at St. Norbert College in Northern Wisconsin. His wife Blakeley is a professional violist, chamber musician, and educator, and they live with their cat Concs.

Michael (Mike) Miller

Assistant Professor
Department of Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy

B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of St. Thomas
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines
Ph.D. (expected May 2026), Mechanical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines

Michael (Mike) Miller is an incoming Assistant Professor of Physics and Engineering. He earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, where his dissertation investigated the biomechanics of sit-to-walk transitions, examining lumbar joint loading, ankle muscle mechanics, and age-related changes in muscle mechanical work. His research combines experimental data collection and musculo-skeletal simulations to better understand how we move across the lifespan, informing strategies for injury prevention, rehabilitation, and assistive device design. Mike is excited to move back to the Midwest to explore the Quad Cities music scene, as well as camp, run, and bike through the surrounding forests and fields.

Eric Newell

Assistant Professor
Department of Music

B.B.A., Business Administration, Emory University
M.M., Choral Conducting, University of Georgia
D.M.A. Choral Conducting, University of Texas at Austin

Eric Newell joins Augustana’s faculty as Director of Choral Activities. Prior to Augustana, he completed the DMA in Choral Conducting at the University of Texas at Austin, the MM in Choral Conducting from the University of Georgia and holds the BBA degree from Emory University in Atlanta. He has held multiple other conducting positions, including as Director of Sacred Music at St. Louis King of France Catholic Church in Austin, Texas, and Director of Choral Studies at the Kirby School in Santa Cruz, California. Areas of research interest include the pedagogy of undergraduate conducting and exploring the usage of keyboard instruments in effective voice building. When not rehearsing and performing, Eric enjoys hosting friends for dinner, playing tennis, and exploring parks.

Megan Nickles

Professional Faculty Instructor and Clinical Supervisor
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

B.S., Communication Sciences and Disorders, Missouri State University
M.S., Speech-Language Pathology, Missouri State University

Megan Nickles is a certified speech language pathologist specializing in early intervention and deaf and hard of hearing intervention. Megan grew up in Bettendorf and her family just moved back to the Quad Cities after 7 years in Omaha. She has one daughter, Maxine, who is 1 year old and two dogs! Megan is very excited to reacquaint herself with the QC and be a part of the Augustana team.

Robin Peterson

Part-time Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology & Neuroscience

B.S., Psychology, Culver-Stockton College
M.S., Clinical Psychology, Murray State University
Psy.D., Clinical Psychology, Spalding University

Clint Pogemiller

Part-time Instructor
Department of Business Administration

B.S., Business Administration, Drake University
M.B.A., Business Administration, University of Iowa

Clint J. Pogemiller serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of MWA Financial Services, a subsidiary of Modern Woodmen of America, a premier fraternal financial services organization. He joined the Broker-Dealer/Registered Investment Adviser at its establishment in 2001 and has held his current executive position since July 2015.

Bringing more than 29 years of experience in the financial services sector, Mr. Pogemiller leads strategic initiatives designed to enhance both client and advisor engagement. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(TM) professional and holds FINRA Series 7, 24 and 66 licenses. He is deeply committed to advancing the firm’s technological and operational capabilities. Specializations: Organizational Behavior.

Clint lives in Bettendorf with wife Katherine & children Ethan, Jack, Grace, Victoria.

Ashfaq Ali Shafin

Professional Faculty, Assistant Professor
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

B.S., Computer Science and Engineering, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology
M.S., Computer Science, Florida International University
Ph.D., Computer Science, Florida International University

Ashfaq Ali Shafin recently joined Augustana College as a Professional Faculty in Computer Science. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Florida International University, where his research focused on artificial intelligence, social media analysis, and online misinformation. Ashfaq enjoys teaching, mentoring students, and spending time with his family.

Erin Sodawasser

Visiting Assistant Professor
Public Health Program

B.S., Secondary Science Education, University of Iowa
M.P.H., Maternal and Child Health, University of Minnesota

Erin Sodawasser-Hermiston is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Public Health at Augustana College, bringing international experience and community-focused expertise to her teaching. A former Peace Corps Volunteer in Mozambique, she developed health education curricula that ignited her passion for community-engaged public health practice.

Erin’s global work spans four continents, including women’s empowerment research in the Dominican Republic, maternal health assessment in Iowa, adolescent HIV research in Uganda, and collaborative work in Germany (Summer 2026) with international partners on sustainability and democracy education. Driven by a commitment to equity in health and education, she champions community-based approaches. She holds an MPH from the University of Minnesota and a B.S. in Secondary Science Education. Currently pursuing her Ed.D. at Teachers College, Columbia University, her dissertation examines play-based learning’s impact on children’s health.

Runze Wang

Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

B.S., Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Beijing Normal University
M.S., Mathematics, University of Memphis
Ph.D., Mathematics, University of Memphis

Dr. Runze Wang got his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Memphis. His research interests lie in graph theory, discrete probability theory, and additive combinatorics. His papers have been published in Discrete Applied Mathematics, Graphs and Combinatorics, and Journal of Combinatorial Optimization. As an educator, he is committed to creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment that promotes students’ academic excellence, critical thinking, and professional development. In his free time, he enjoys watching baseball and playing boardgames.

Scott Wellnitz

Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

B.S., Biochemistry, University of Kansas
Ph.D., Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine

Dr. Scott Wellnitz earned his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Baylor College of Medicine in 2010, studying the electrophysiology of the Merkel cell-neurite complex in the skin. He also earned a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Kansas. He grew up on a farm in Kansas, but has spent most of his adult life in Houston and San Francisco before moving to the QC area in 2018. His primary academic interests are still in neurobiology, biochemistry and physical chemistry, with an amateur enthusiasm for other fields of physics and chemistry. He is partially responsible for the care and feeding of a small human, and in his limited remaining free time enjoys rotating between hobbies including chess, video games, motorcycles, reading, and tabletop gaming.

Michael Wiebler

Part-time Instructor
Department of Theatre and Film

B.B.A., Marketing, University of Iowa B.A., Cinema, University of Iowa
M.B.A., Business Administration, USC Marshall School of Business