Faculty Members Promoted in Summer 2026
The following faculty members have been promoted to full Professors:
Jessica de la Cruz, Professor, Education
Jessica de la Cruz, Ph.D., has been promoted to full professor. De la Cruz is a professor of mathematics education, and in 2019, received a grant to increase high school students’ and early college students’ interest in becoming mathematics teachers. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mathematics and a Ph.D. in mathematics education.
Jeremy Geddert, Professor, Political Science
Jeremy Geddert, Ph.D., has been promoted to full professor. Geddert, who has served on the faculty since 2012, has most recently focused his research on Canadian political thought and relations between the United States and Canada. He is the author of over 20 publications with topics across the discipline of political science. Geddert holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in political studies from the University of Saskatchewan and a Ph.D. in politics from the Catholic University of America.
Angela Kaufman-Parks, Professor, Sociology and Criminology
Angela Kaufman-Parks, Ph.D., has been promoted to full professor. Kaufman-Parks, who has served on the faculty since 2014, broadly focuses her research on the correlates and consequences of interpersonal relationship functioning. She has published many articles in various well-respected journals and serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma and Human Services. Kaufman-Parks holds three degrees from Bowling Green State University: a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in sociology.
The following faculty members have been promoted to Associate Professors:
Rachel Coleman, Associate Professor, Theology
Rachel Coleman, Ph.D., has been promoted to associate professor. Coleman, who has served on the faculty since 2020, specializes in systematic theology, issues in science and bioethics, and metaphysics. She is the author of Matter as an Image of the Good: Ferdinand Ulrich’s Metaphysics of Creation, published by Cascade Books. Coleman received her bachelor’s degrees in biology and philosophy from DeSales University. She received both her master’s degree in theological studies and her Ph.D. in theology from the Catholic University of America.
Anthony Sacino, Associate Professor of Practice, Biological & Physical Sciences
Anthony Sacino, M.S., has been promoted to associate professor of practice. Sacino has served on the faculty since 2017 in the Department of Biological & Physical Sciences. He has participated in multiple molecular neurobiological research projects in the lab of Andrew Tapper, Ph.D., at UMass Chan Medical School, and is now focused on pedagogy and improving scientific literacy among students in introductory level science courses. Sacino received his bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Assumption University and a master’s degree in neuroscience and psychology from the University of Hartford.
Jessica Whitt, Associate Professor of Practice, Biological & Physical Sciences
Jessica Whitt, Ph.D., has been promoted to associate professor of practice. Whitt, who has served on the faculty since 2020, is a neuroscientist and the director of Assumption’s Center for Neuroscience. Her practice focuses on pedagogical reforms and the development of scientific literacy. She received bachelor’s degrees in biology, history, and speech language pathology from La Salle University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Maryland Baltimore.
Christian Williams, Associate Professor, Human Services
Christian Williams, Ph.D., LMHC, has been promoted to associate professor. Williams, who has served on the faculty since 2014, is actively engaged in the scholarship of human services as both a contributor and editor. She is Chief Editor of the Journal of Human Services and Associate Editor of the Mental Health and Resilience International Journal. Williams received both her bachelor’s degree in social and rehabilitation services and her master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Assumption University. She also holds a master’s degree in psychology and a Ph.D. in psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology, both from Walden University.