Tuesday, Aug 31, 2021
Department of Computer Science and Physics alone grows by 3 new faculty
The faculty of Rider University will expand by 11 new members this fall. New faculty bring scholarship and expertise in a wide range of disciplines, from computer science to game design to music education.
College of Education and Human Services
Dr. Katherine Vroman is a new lecturer in the Department of Teacher Education and will teach in the special education program. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Civilization and Women’s Studies from Boston University, a Master of Arts in Education from Boston University and Doctor of Philosophy in Cultural Foundations of Education from Syracuse University. Vroman was previously an adjunct professor at The College of New Jersey, Montclair State University and Syracuse University.
Dr. Jaisy Varges joins Rider as a lecturer in the Department of Graduate Education, Leadership, and Counseling and will teaching in the bachelor's and master's programs in nursing. Varges was previously a professor at Grand Canyon University, Maryville University and South University and a clinical Instructor St. Louis University. She received a bachelor’s from Barnes Jewish College of Nursing at Washington University, St. Louis and a doctorate in nursing practice from Grand Canyon University.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dr. Mamadou Kieta is now a lecturer in Rider’s Department of Computer Science and Physics after previously serving the University as an adjunct professor. He has also taught at SUNY Brockport College, the Rochester Institute of Technology, Gillette College and the University of Mali. Kieta received a Bachelor of Arts in Physics and Chemistry from Ecole Normale Superieure Bamako, a Master of Science in Physics from Ohio University and a Master of Science of Mathematics from The University of Miami, where he also received a doctorate in physics.
Dr. Ruowen Liu joins Rider as a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics. Liu was previously a postdoctoral assistant professor in applied mathematics at the University of Michigan. He received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics from Beijing Normal University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Mathematics from Arizona State University.
Dr. Duo Lu joins Rider as an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Physics. He received a bachelor’s from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and a master’s and doctorate from Arizona State University, all in computer science. His previous experience includes serving as a research and teaching assistant, as well as a software engineer.
Dr Zhengping Luo is a new assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Physics. Luo received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Technology from Hebei University of Science and Technology, a Master of Science in Computer Application Technology from Jinan University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Systems and Security from the University of South Florida. He has previously been a teaching assistant at Jinan University and the University of South Florida.
Vincent Toro is a new assistant professor in the Department of English. Toro has served as program director at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Arts and Sciences and an adjunct professor at City University of New York and Bronx Community College. He received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Theater and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Rutgers University.
Westminster College of the Arts
Stephen Gonzalez joins the Department of Fine Arts as an assistant professor. He was previously an instructor in game design at Bergen Community College, where he helped develop the program. Gonzalez received a Bachelor of Arts in Game Development and Design from Bloomfield College and a Master of Fine Arts in Game Design from New York University.
Dr. Sarah Perry is now an assistant professor of music education. She previously served as a lecturer at Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne, an adjunct assistant professor at Brooklyn College’s Conservatory of Music and Columbia University’s Teachers College and an instructor at Elizabethtown College. Perry received a Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy from Elizabeth College and several degrees in music and music education from Teachers College, Columbia University: a Master of Arts, a Master of Education and a Doctor of Education.
T. Oliver Reid, who has spent the past 20 years working on Broadway shows, has been named an assistant professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance after serving as an adjunct at Rider since 2020. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Reid was previously an adjunct professor at Ohio University, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and Columbia University. Reid is also the co-founder of Black Theatre Coalition.
Dr. G. Preston Wilson, Jr. is a new assistant professor of music education. He received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education (Voice) from Fisk University, a Master of Music in Choral Music Education from Bowling Green State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Previously, Wilson has been a graduate supervisor and graduate instructor at the University of Missouri-Columbia. His teaching experience also includes serving as director of choral activities at Toledo Public School in Ohio.