The mainstay of any educational institution is its faculty. La Sierra University is excited to introduce five new faculty members into its staff this fall.

“Among the exiting things about the start of a new academic year, in addition to the many new students who arrive on campus, are the new members of the faculty, “ says Warren C. Trenchard, provost. “They come from a variety of backgrounds that serve to enrich the university. As usual, this year some are fresh from graduate programs with newly minted doctorates, and others come with significant experience in other institutions. Together they will join an equally varied and excellent academic team.”

Tadeusz Kugler, Ph.D., will join the School of Business as an assistant professor of economics this fall. His past work experience includes research assistant for The Tomás Rivera Policy Institute in Claremont, Calif.; intern at the City National Bank in Ontario, Calif.; and intern at the Merrill Lynch Private Client Group in Pasadena, Calif. Kuglar completed his doctor of philosophy in economics from Claremont Graduate University this May.

Sandra Balli, Ph.D., has teamed up with the School of Education as an associate professor of curriculum and instruction. Balli comes to LSU from Pacific Union College where she was a professor in the department of education and spent one year as the associate academic dean. Balli also taught at the University of Minnesota and was a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Missouri.

Joining the history, politics, and society department are two new faculty: Andrew Howe, Ph.D., and Lisa Kohlmeier, Ph.D. Both will join as assistant professors of history.

Kohlmeier was previously on the faculty at Atlantic Union College teaching courses including women’s history, African-American experience, and foundations of the modern world. Also an alumnus of AUC, Kohlmeier was active in professional activities and received numerous awards including the Claremont Graduate University Humanities Fellow.

Howe is a 1996 alumnus of La Sierra and joins both of his parents who are also faculty — Vernon Howe, chair, professor of mathematics and computer science, and Winona Howe, chair, professor of English. Howe has taught several courses at the University of California Riverside as well as at La Sierra. He also received the Graduate Fellow for the Center for Ideas and Society at the University of California Riverside.

The new associate librarian and chair of the public services is Cindy Parkhurst. She is a member of the California State Bar and earned her law degree from Willamette University College of Law. She completed her undergraduate degree at LSU. Parkhurst has worked since 1990 at Western State University College of Law Library as the director and head of reference and reference librarian. She has also taught courses on copyright law and research.