President Christopher Hopey and Interim Provost Condon recently announced the awarding of tenure to 12 members of the Merrimack faculty.

Earning tenure is a major academic milestone that supports academic freedom in higher education.

Traci Alberti, Associate Professor in Health Sciences

Earned her Ph.D. in Nursing and Health Promotion from University of Massachusetts at Lowell
Her research focuses on health literacy, health education and the relationship to health

Fan Chen, Associate Professor in Finance

Earned his Ph.D. in Finance from Louisiana State University
His research focuses on the ownership and organization structures of mutual fund companies

Roselita Fragoudakis, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering

Earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University
Her research focuses on the modeling and optimization of automotive suspension systems

Laura Kurdziel, Associate Professor in Psychology

Katelyn Kurkul, Associate Professor in Human Development and Human Services

Earned her Ed.D. in Human Development from Boston University
Her research focuses on children’s early-learning experiences across sociocultural contexts

Brian Provencher, Associate Professor in Chemistry and Biochemistry

Earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Brandeis University
His research focuses on organic synthesis of biologically active compounds (medicinal chemistry) and chemical education

Allison Seitchik, Associate Professor in Psychology

Rory Tannebaum, Associate Professor in Education

Earned his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Clemson University
His research focuses on effective means for transferring scholarship conducted within academia to undergraduate students seeking to become K-12 teachers

Joe Vogel, Associate Professor in English

Earned his Ph.D. in English from the University of Rochester
His research focuses on contemporary American literature, film studies, popular music, popular culture, environmental studies and the 1980s

Elaine Ward, Associate Professor in Higher Education

Earned her Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from University of Massachusetts at Boston
Her research focuses on civic engagement in higher education, faculty development, faculty rewards, promotion and tenure, institutional change and transformation, student affairs preparation and teaching and learning preparation

Melissa (Mish) Zimdars, Associate Professor in Communication and Media

Earned her Ph.D. in Communication Studies (Media Studies) from the University of Iowa
Her research focuses on analyzing the influences, overlaps and connections between media texts, media industries, communication policies, technologies, audiences and culture

A version of this article originally ran in Merrimack College’s The Record on March 11, 2021.

Merrimack College Awards Tenure to Twelve Faculty Members