Messages from the Deans

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES, ARTS AND SCIENCES

Faculty in the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences serve as exceptional examples of teacher-scholars at Frostburg State University and in the region. Evidence of this is seen in the following descriptions of their labors in, and out of, the classroom. 

Jennifer Browne from the Department of Communication and Literature was one of two FSU recipients of the 2025 Academic Achievement award for Academic Accomplishment. She also had published, American Crow, by Beltway Editions. Others in her department were equally impressive including Dr. Andy Duncan and the development of his award-winning novella, Wakulla Springs. He contributed a chapter to More Than Love: The Enduring Fascination with Edgar Allan Poe, an edited compilation by his colleague, Dr. Amy Branam Armiento. This scholarly material by Branam Armiento is a finalist for the 2024 Indies award for best edited collection. Further, a chapter authored by Dr. Kevin Knott was accepted for inclusion in editors Joan Passey and Robert Lloyd’s collection, Shirley Jackson’s Dark Tales: Reconsidering the Short Fiction, and Gerry LaFemina’s poetry collection, Fantastic, Imaginary Creatures, was accepted by Madville Publishing. Literature and Science, 1922-2022: Modernist and Postmodernist Perspectives, features a chapter by Dr. Naomi Gades. 

In the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, Dr, Ben Norris co-authored the book chapter, Assessing and Researching: Assumptive Practice in Data Collection and Analysis. It was accepted for inclusion in the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) 2026 publication tentatively titled, Discovering Socially Just Academic Advising: Empowerment, Advocacy, and Courage in Higher Education. Colleague Dr. Holly Currie presented “Promoting Well­being and Leaming in the Classroom” at the summer 2024 Biennial Conference on Chemical Education at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Matthew Crawford, along with two faculty members from Biology, Dr. Karen Keller and Dr. Bill Seddon, submitted, and had accepted, Pre-Health Advising at a Smaller Institution: A Renewed Call for a National Discussion, for the March 2025 edition of The Advisor. 

Others in the Department of Biology were similarly successful. Dr. Thomas Lambert had a peer-reviewed article accepted in Caribbean Naturalist, a research journal focused on natural history research. Likewise, Dr. Thomas Serfass had scholarly work published, after review, in Canadian Wildlife Biology & Management. Dr. Kate Sheehan had material featured in the Journal of Environmental Exposure Assessment. Dr. Rebekah Taylor was successful at having her scholarship published in the peer-reviewed, PLOS ONE, and a project produced by Clara Thiel and others was submitted and accepted in Northeastern Naturalist. 

In the Department of Digital Media and Visual Arts, April Pauza was invited to, and participated in, the Biennial National Group Art Exhibition at the Howard County Arts Council where she earned a Third-Place award. She also exhibited at Montgomery College Takoma Park in Silver Spring, Maryland, with DC artist, Sean Riley. Her colleague, Jamison Odone, had a graphic novel and a collection of poems published by Black Panel Press and Bottlecap Press, respectively. Dr. Travis English had his works displayed as the exhibiting artist at the Gilchrist Museum Spring Show at the Gilchrist Museum of Art and History, Cumberland.   

Faculty in the college are also committed to collaborations with their students. These opportunities provide young people with practical research experiences that are tremendously valuable to their future professions or graduate school aspirations.   

Examples of these include two research projects Dr. Holly Currie supervised with four undergraduate Chemistry students on gene loss in cells and enzymes. Department colleague, Dr. Katie Gares, mentored seven students on Chemistry projects analyzing ingredients in apple sauce, baby food, cosmetics and energy drinks. In Physics, Dr. Jason Speights and two students had their research published in The Astrophysical Journal. In Biology, Dr. Kumudini Munasinghe’s research was featured in International Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, and her four co-authors were FSU undergraduates. Two graduate students working with Dr. Kate Sheehan were each listed as co-authors with her in two peer-reviewed research articles covering parasites and microplastics. Dr. John Lombardi in Digital Media and Visual Arts mentored three undergraduates in developing a survey, distributing it, collecting data and analyzing the results. The subject of the project was the new “3 State Community Media Center” and the survey results are helping to shape the services offered at, and equipment purchased for, the facility.   

This is a very brief listing of the many activities in which faculty members in the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences were invested this past year. It demonstrates not only their intellectual strengths and foci but also their interest in guiding and nurturing future scientists, artisans, researchers and academics.   

Those in our region should be proud that such accomplished teachers and adept content experts can be found at this university and in Western Maryland. I certainly am! 

Dr. Keith Terry, Interim Dean 

College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences 

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, ENGINEERING, AND COMPUTING & ANALYTICS

Celebrating Excellence: CBECA's Year of Achievement

Greetings from the College of Business, Engineering, Computing & Analytics (CBECA)! As we mark our second anniversary of academic reorganization as a collegiate entity that began in 2023, we're proud to share a sampling of the remarkable accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and students.

Faculty Excellence

Our distinguished faculty continue to set the standard for academic achievement:

Awards and Recognitions

  • Busra Keles-Cadenazzi (Assistant Professor, Management) received the 2025 Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching
  • Yiming Zhuang (Assistant Professor, Management) received the 2025 Faculty Achievement Award for Academic Achievement
  • Kenneth Levitt (Associate Professor, Management) received the 2025 Faculty Achievement Award for University and Community Service
  • Joanna Shore (Associate Professor, Management) was honored with the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Civilian Service Commendation Medal in May 2025.

Research and Publications

  • Tariq Masood and Jamil Abdo (Engineering) have published their book, Protection of Electrical Power Distribution Systems: Smart-grid, Microgrid, AI and Cybersecurity, brought out by Wiley-IEEE Press in 2025, and presented their work at multiple conferences.
  • Rebecca Chory and Evan Offstein (Management) had their article "Cultivating Courage, Cowardice, or Complacency? An Identity-Based Perspective on Faculty Resistance to Managerialism” for publication in an upcoming edition of the premier pedagogical outlet, Academy of Management Learning & Education.
  • Jeffrey McClellan (Management)  published his sabbatical-supported research manuscript in a book titled, “Momentary Leadership: How Leaders and Followers Realize the Potential of Leadership Moments” in 2025, brought out by Archway Publishing, and has presented his work in multiple conferences.
  • Yiming Zhuang (Management) published six articles in top tier journals in the areas of business analytics, supply chain management, and one co-authored with Lilly Ye (Marketing) in a journal in logistics, economics, and globalization. 

Student Achievements

The following students of the College presented their creative endeavors at the Annual Deans Colloquium held on campus on April 30, 2025:

  • Ike Higson (Engineering) presented his research titled “Field Hockey Stick Reinforcement and Composite Layer Repair”
  • Madison Hooper (CSIT) presented her research titled “The Human Factor in Multi-Factor Authentication: How Lack of Awareness and Carelessness Weaken Cybersecurity”
  • Jack Stover (Engineering) presented his work titled “Automatic Cleaner and Eraser (ACE)”
  • Lucian Rectanus (CSIT) presented his work on “SPARK Labs (Students Pursuing Applications of Research and Knowledge)”
  • Nathan Worgan (Engineering) and Samara Funk (Engineering) presented their 5-member student team’s work titled “Pitch Return”

Global Partnerships and International Education

Our commitment to international education continues to flourish:

China Partnership Success

  • Delivered 17 courses to 120 students per cohort at Hunan University of Technology and Business (HUTB) in Changsha, China
  • Celebrated 76 graduates from our sixth HUTB cohort in June 2025, with excellent industry placement rates
  • Graduates pursue advanced degrees at top institutions in China, the UK, and the US, with the commencement speaker pursuing a Master’s degree at Duke University
  • The Chinese Ministry of Education approved the partnership between FSU and the Hubei University of Economics in Wuhan, China, which would enable program students to earn a Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Business Administration with a concentration in Business Analytics

German Collaboration

  • Successfully maintained our partnership with Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW), Bad-Mergentheim with several faculty delivering instruction onsite

Industry Engagement

Bobcat Innovation Launchpad

  • Michael Flinn, Chair of the Computer Science & Information Technologies, along with his colleagues, Steven Kenndy (CSIT), and Curtis Clemens (RECR), helped organize the 2nd Annual Regional Bobcat Innovation Launch Pad in brought together 80+ students from 20+ majors to develop solutions for rural community challenges under the theme "Revive & Thrive: Reimagining Rural Resilience." The competition provided students with real-world problem-solving experience, expert mentorship, and networking opportunities to advance their entrepreneurial ideas.

Community Partnership

  • Collaborated with Allegany Chamber of Commerce for the 2024 Local Business Showcase, strengthening ties between the College and regional business community

Program Innovation

Curriculum Enhancements

  • Computer Science & Information Technologies Department successfully developed a Bachelor’s degree program offering ag the University of Maryland a Hagerstown location to be launched in Fall 2025
  • Mathematics Department introduced the Actuarial Science emphasis to improve student placement and success
  • Expanded dual enrollment collaborations with regional community colleges

Accreditation Progress

  • Academic programs in Electrical Engineering both on the main campus and the Arundel Mills location and Materials Engineering are in active preparation for a site visit by ABET in October 2026
  • Business programs advance toward AACSB International accreditation with site visit scheduled for spring 2027

Looking Forward

As we celebrate these achievements, we extend our gratitude to FSU leadership, our dedicated Advisory Board, and our valued alumni who continue to support our mission. Together, we remain committed to our enduring motto:

Onward and Upward!

The College of Business, Engineering, Computing & Analytics continues to build on its foundation of excellence, preparing students for success in an evolving global marketplace while contributing meaningful research and service to our communities.

Dr. Sudhir Singh 

Dean of the College of Business, Engineering, Computing & Analytics 

 

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