La Sierra University welcomed 10 new faculty to campus this fall.

“I am very pleased with the outcome of this year's faculty recruitment efforts. Each of these accomplished men and women bring skills and dedication that are vital to leading students in the pursuit of discovery and learning, as well as pushing the boundaries of their disciplines,” says Warren Trenchard, provost. "When faculty retire or leave for other reasons, it is always difficult for the university to find competent replacements who are committed to its mission. It is especially important that the university attracts young, dynamic scholars to assure its future.”

Marilyn Eggers, Ph.D., joined the School of Education as an associate professor of curriculum and instruction. Eggers came from the North American Division Office of Education where she was the Home Study International online course development director.

Natasha Dean, Ph.D., is a new assistant professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. She completed her doctoral degree at Loma Linda University (LLU). Dean worked as a lab facilitator in medical microbiology at LLU teaching medical students standard lab techniques and procedures. She was also a teaching assistant and a laboratory coordinator at Walla Walla College.

Sondra Doe, Ph.D., is the new program director for the social work program and associate professor of social work, College of Arts and Sciences. Doe was previously an assistant professor in the department of social work at California State University, San Bernardino.

Also joining the social work program, both as assistant professors of social work, are Talolo Lepale, MSW, and Daphne Thomas, MSW. Lepale was a case manager for Amazon Professional Care in San Bernardino, Calif., and a psychiatric social worker at Patton State Hospital in Patton, Calif. Thomas’ experience includes Walden Family Services in Riverside, Calif., director of after school programs in South Lancaster, Ma., and contract teaching with La Sierra.

Joining the chemistry and biochemistry department is Nathan Brandstater, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Brandstater was previously the assistant vice president for academic administration and support for La Sierra. He worked in several positions at LSU and was assistant professor of chemistry at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C.

Welcomed into the department of physics in the College of Arts and Sciences is Aaron Birkbeck, Ph.D. Birkbeck is an assistant professor of physics and recently earned his doctorate at the University of California, San Diego. He spent a few years as an adjunct faculty at San Diego Community College and was also a teaching associate at the University of California, San Diego.

Monica Flores, MLS, joins the university as reference/instruction librarian. Flores was an associate librarian at Mt. San Jacinto College as well as a library technician II. She also worked at La Sierra as the media services assistant for several years.

Saacha Hake, Ph.D., is the new assistant professor of school psychology and counseling in the School of Education. Hake worked as a clinical psychologist for PsyCare, Inc., and Vericare, as well as being an adjunct faculty member for San Diego City College and San Diego Mesa College.

Wally Lighthouse, JD, CPA, joined the School of Business and Management as an assistant professor of accounting and law. Lighthouse has a solo practice where he works with accounting, assurance, taxation and estate planning. He was the senior accountant for Mehler & Green, PC, in Washington, D.C., and served as a staff auditor for the General Conference Auditing Service in Columbia, Md. He also worked as an accounting software consultant in Catonsville, Md.