Twenty Chapman University faculty members have earned tenure and/or promotion following a comprehensive, multilevel review of their teaching, research or creative activity, and service.
The review process, which spans up to seven years for tenure-track faculty, proceeds through multiple levels — from the department chair and faculty review committee to the dean, Faculty Personnel Council, and the Provost — with tenure cases requiring final approval by the Board of Trustees.
Together, these appointments underscore Chapman’s continued investment in building a world-class faculty whose work advances knowledge, enriches campus life, and strengthens the university’s reputation.
Advancing to Associate Professor with Tenure
Eight faculty members have been promoted from assistant to associate professor with tenure:
Tara Barnhart, Teacher Education, Attallah College of Educational Studies, is a former high school science teacher with more than 12 years of experience and National Board Certification. Her research focuses on teacher noticing, video in teacher learning, and science teacher preparation.
Yashar Barardehi, Finance, Argyros College of Business and Economics, specializes in financial economics, industrial organization, and econometrics. His research focuses on market microstructure, securities regulation, and behavioral asset pricing. He teaches courses in investments, corporate finance and business statistics.
Jennifer Kong, Special Education, Attallah College of Educational Studies, studies the mathematical and cognitive development of elementary English learners, with an emphasis on effective math interventions informed by her experience as a special education teacher.
Yoshika Masuda, String Studies, Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music, College of Performing Arts, is an internationally acclaimed cellist and chamber musician who has performed across Asia, Europe, Australia, and the United States. Masuda is a prizewinner of major competitions in Australia, Japan, and the U.S.
Aaron Schurger, Psychology, Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, is a cognitive neuroscientist whose research explores the neural mechanisms of volition, spontaneous action, perception, attention and consciousness using methods including fMRI, EEG, MEG, behavioral psychophysics, machine learning, and brain-computer interfaces.
Tom Springer, Engineering, Fowler School of Engineering, has industry experience as an embedded software engineer at The Boeing Company. His teaching focuses on operating systems, networking, computer architecture, embedded systems and mobile computing. His research explores embedded systems, real-time computing, cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things, and cybersecurity.
Richelle Tanner, Environmental Science and Policy, Schmid College of Science and Technology and Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, examines how climate change impacts ecological and human systems, with a focus on resilience and adaptation in coastal ecosystems.
Lindsay Waldrop, Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, studies fluid-structure interactions in biological systems, including odor capture, scent detection, and early heart development.
Associate Professors Seeking Tenure
Four associate professors have been granted tenure:
Marc Callahan, Opera, College of Performing Arts, is a director, designer, and baritone who has worked with institutions including the Royal Opera House, Aldeburgh Festival, and Théâtre du Châtelet.
Stefan Ionescu, History, Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, focuses on modern European history, Holocaust and genocide studies, and transitional justice.
Mort Nathan, Television Writing and Producing, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, is a writer, producer, and director who served as executive producer and head writer of “The Golden Girls.”
Julie Shafer, Art, Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, creates photographic work and installations that explore Western landscapes, memory, and overlooked histories.
Promotion to Full Professor with Tenure
One faculty member has been promoted from associate to full professor with tenure:
Rachita Sumbria, Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, specializes in pharmaceutical sciences and neuroscience, with research focused on blood-brain barrier function and drug delivery for central nervous system disorders, including stroke.
Promotion to Full Professor
The following tenured faculty members have been promoted to full professor:
Quaylan Allen, Education, Attallah College of Educational Studies, researches and practices educational equity, racial justice and improving the educational and social outcomes for culturally diverse communities.
Julia Boehm, Psychology, Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, examines whether positive psychological characteristics such as optimism and life satisfaction are associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes.
Rebecca Tukachinsky Forster, Communication, School of Communication, studies media psychology, namely how individuals choose, comprehend and can ultimately be influenced by media.
Rosalee Hellberg, Food Science, Schmid College of Science and Technology, researches the development and application of rapid methods for the detection of food fraud and food contaminants.
Jeffrey Holmes, Music, College of Performing Arts, composes post-spectral, teleological music incorporating elements of mysticism and lyrical expression.
Whitney McIntyre Miller, Leadership Studies, Attallah College of Educational Studies, centers her research around peace leadership and issues of community development and leadership, with a particular focus on postconflict societies, publishing peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on these topics.
Matthew Selove, Marketing, George L. Argyros College of Business and Economics, studies product strategy, pricing, game theory, and dynamic models.