New faculty members join Cal Lutheran

Expertise includes sacred spaces, entrepreneurship

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Photo: Brian Stethem

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Dec. 4, 2014) Several new faculty members have joined California Lutheran University.

Rose Aslan, an assistant professor of religion, has studied sacred spaces around the world. The Newbury Park resident holds a bachelor’s degree in Near Eastern studies from the University of British Columbia, a master’s degree in Arab and Islamic civilizations from American University in Cairo, and a doctorate in religious studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Heidi Coronado, an assistant professor in the Graduate School of Education, is an expert in ethnic identity development. The Chatsworth resident earned a bachelor’s in cultural psychology and a master’s in educational psychology from California State University, Northridge, a master’s in counseling and guidance and pupil personnel services from Cal Lutheran, and a doctorate in educational studies from Claremont Graduate University.

John Deisz, a professor and chairman of the Physics Department, specializes in scientific computing and computer modeling. The Westlake Village resident has a bachelor’s in physics and mathematics from North Dakota State University, a master’s in engineering and applied science from University of California, Davis, and a doctorate in physics from The Ohio State University.

Therese Eyermann, a distinguished faculty fellow and chairwoman of the Educational Leadership Program in the Graduate School of Education, has researched leadership identity development in college students. The Thousand Oaks resident holds a bachelor’s in psychology from Missouri State University and a master’s and doctorate in higher education from University of California, Los Angeles.

Sarah Fischbach, an assistant professor in the School of Management, has researched selling, ethics and technology. The Thousand Oaks resident earned a bachelor’s in business administration from Augustana College, an MBA from St. Ambrose University and a doctorate in marketing from New Mexico State University.

Jacquelyn Greenhill, a lecturer in the Graduate School of Education, is a former special education teacher who runs a private tutoring and academic coaching business. The Thousand Oaks resident has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in special education from Cal Lutheran.

The Rev. Shauna Hannan, an associate professor of homiletics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, has researched preaching on public issues. She holds a bachelor’s in Spanish and communication from Concordia College, a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary and a doctorate in practical theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Aaron Heresco, an assistant professor of communication, is an expert on critical and cultural perspectives on the media. The Camarillo resident earned a bachelor’s in letters, arts and sciences, a master’s in media studies and a doctorate in mass communication from The Pennsylvania State University.

Michael Owens, an associate professor in the Graduate School of Education, is researching approaches that can be brought to educational leadership from other fields. The Camarillo resident has a bachelor’s in international relations and a master’s in international development education from Brigham Young University and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy from the University of Utah.

Michael Panesis, executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurship in the School of Management, previously served as the entrepreneurial programs manager at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The Camarillo resident holds a bachelor’s in computer science for business from DeVry Institute of Technology and an MBA in marketing from Rutgers University.

Noelle Raffy, an assistant professor of theater arts, has designed costumes for films including “The Road,” “Adventureland” and “Bridget to Nowhere.” The Thousand Oaks resident earned a bachelor’s in fashion design from the Otis College of Art and Design and a master’s in costume design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Lory Selby, a lecturer and director of assessment in the Graduate School of Education, previously served as the director of assessment and accreditation and an adjunct faculty member at Pepperdine University. The Encino resident has a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Nevada, Reno, a master’s in education from Cal Lutheran and a doctorate in education from Pepperdine.

Bethany Simmons, an assistant professor in the Graduate School of Psychology, is an expert in engaging involuntary clients, suicide prevention and substance use. The Camarillo resident holds a bachelor’s in psychology from Penn State and a master’s and doctorate in marriage and family therapy from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Ariana Young, an assistant professor of psychology, has examined how the actual, imagined and implied presence of other people influences the self. The Thousand Oaks resident earned a bachelor’s in psychology from UCSB, and a master’s and doctorate in social-personality psychology from the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York.

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