Faculty Category: Faculty

AARON BELLAR

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University Champlain and Instructor
Work Email: abellar@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 453-6347
Location: Learning and Career Commons, Room
Category: Faculty
Department: Academic Success Center
Degrees:
B.S., Lee University
M.Div., Lee Univeristy
Bio:
Aaron Bellar serves as the University Chaplain while also teaching Foundations of Scholarship and Learning. Aaron attended Lee University earning his Bachelor of Science in Biblical Education and Intercultural Studies. He earned his Master of Divinity from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary prior to commissioning as an Ensign in the United States Navy Chaplain Corps.
Currently, he is a Captain, Chaplain Corps, United States Navy (Reserve) and serves as Command Chaplain, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, New Orleans, Louisiana.  In his 29 years of military service he has supported Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard units.  His military education includes Basic Officer Leadership Course, Advanced Officer Leadership Course, and Staff & Leadership through the Naval Chaplains School, Newport Rhode Island.  He has additional graduate education in Strategy and Policy through the Naval War College as well as in Human Security and Resilience through Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

JOSHUA KLAASSEN

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Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Work Email: jklaassen@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 547-1247
Location: Memorial Hall, Room 301B
Category: Faculty
School: The Labry School of Science, Technology, and Business
Degrees:
B.S., Nebraska Wesleyan University
Ph.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City
Bio:

Dr. Joshua John Klaassen is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Cumberland University. He joined the faculty in the summer of 2024. Prior to coming to Cumberland, he completed his undergraduate studies in Chemistry with a minor in Biology at Nebraska Wesleyan University. After completion of undergraduate studies, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri where he completed a doctorate in Chemistry and Geosciences under the guidance of James R. Durig. During this time his studies included spectroscopic, conformational, and structural studies. His dissertation was entitled “Conformational and structural determinations of substituted four and five membered rings by infrared, Raman, and microwave spectral studies”.
A partial list of his publications can be found below. During this time, he also served as a guest editor for the Ben van der Veken Honor Issue, July 2014, Spectrochimica Acta Part A Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 136. He has also served as part of a team for editing a peer- reviewed international journal and as part of the scientific counsel for several legal cases.

Dr. Klaassen has taught undergraduate courses in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, and forensics for 13 years at University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas University, Metro Community College, University of Central Missouri, and Bethel University before coming to Cumberland University.

Professional and organizational affiliations include Coblentz Society and Society for Applied Spectroscopy.

Dr. Klaassen is currently looking for students to take part in research opportunities. Research includes the fields of computational chemistry, molecular structural determinations, biochemical power generation and storage, and spectroscopic studies. Please contact Dr. Klaassen if interested in research, scientific meetings, and/or scientific writing/publication.

Publications:
Durig, J.R., Panikar, S.S., Klaassen, J.J. “Far infrared spectroscopy applications” Encyclopedia
of Spectroscopy and Spectrometry, 1 January 2016, Pages 558-565, ISBN: 978-012803224-4

HOLLY GOTHARD

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Instructor of Biology
Work Email: hgothard@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 547-1316
Location: Memorial Hall, Room 309A
Category: Faculty
School: The Labry School of Science, Technology, and Business
Degrees:
B.S., Tennessee Technological University
M.S., Tennessee Technological University
Bio:

Holly Gothard joined Cumberland University as a full-time faculty member in 2024. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology, concentrating in Cellular and Molecular Biology, from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN. She then moved on to graduate school at Tennessee Tech, where she received her master’s degree in biology.

During her graduate studies, Holly Gothard conducted research in genomics, with a specific focus on
establishing a comprehensive whole-genome sequence and tissue-specific transcriptomes for the imperiled crayfish species Faxonius wrighti, commonly known as the Hardin Crayfish. Her commitment to understanding the genomic response of at-risk species to habitat degradation is aided by next-generation sequencing techniques and bioinformatics.

Beyond her research pursuits, Holly feels so blessed and excited about teaching and connecting with the
students here at Cumberland University. She is dedicated to inspiring genuine interest and love for
biology among her students. The passion for her teaching reflects her profound love for the field and the
joy to share it with others.

JENNIFER SCHADLER

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Assistant Professor of Nursing
Work Email: jschadler@cumberland.edu
Category: Faculty
School: The Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions
Degrees:
A.D., Owens Community College
B.S.N., Cumberland University
M.S.N., Cumberland University
D.N.P., Arkansas State University

JOSH GREER

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Assistant Professor of Sport Management
Work Email: jsgreer@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 547-1312
Location: McFarland Hall
Category: Faculty
School: The Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions
Degrees:
B.S., University of Tennessee at Martin
M.Ed., Bethel University
Ed.D., United States Sports Academy
Bio:

Dr. Josh Greer is an Assistant Professor and Progam Director for the graduate and undergraduate Sports Management programs at Cumberland University.

Prior to teaching at Cumberland University, Dr. Greer taught at Bethel University and UT Martin. During his time at Bethel, Dr. Greer spearheaded the development of the Sports Management and Experiential Learning Programs, providing students with hands-on opportunities with the National Football League’s Super Bowl and Draft, National Collegiate Athletics Association Final Four and College Football National Championship, and other related organizations so students can apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings.

In collaboration with colleagues, Dr. Greer also co-led the development of several innovative programs, including the Masters in Business Administration: Sports Administration concentration and Sports Marketing minor, catering to students interested in the strategic aspects of sports promotion.

Recognizing the emerging field of esports, Dr. Greer played a pivotal role in establishing and directing the Esports Program at his institution. Under his guidance, the program flourished, attracting passionate students and enthusiasts alike. Dr. Greer also led the development of the Esports Management Minor, offering specialized education in the administration and organization of esports events and teams.

Throughout his career, Dr. Greer’s dedication to academic excellence and innovation has profoundly influenced the landscape of sports management education, preparing students to thrive in diverse roles within the sports and esports industries

ECKTON CHINYANGA

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Assistant Professor of Accounting
Work Email: echinyanga@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: 615-547-1388
Location: Labry Hall, Room 230
Category: Faculty
School: The Labry School of Science, Technology, and Business
Degrees:
B.A., African Bible College, (Malawi Southeast Africa)
B.B.A., Cumberland University
B.B.A., Tennessee State University
M.B.A., Tennessee State University
Ed.D., Tennessee State University
Bio:

Eckton C. Chinyanga, Ed.D., MBA, serves as an assistant professor of accounting in the Labry School of Science, Technology, and Business (Department of Accounting) at the Cumberland University. He previously served as an instructor of accounting in the Department of Retailing at the University of South Carolina for approximately two years. After graduating from Tennessee State University, Chinyanga started his career with
TSU in the College of Business (Accounting and Business Law department) as an adjunct accounting instructor where he spent seven years teaching principles of accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, and international business. He also worked as the financial analyst in the Finance and Accounting department.  Eckton has more than 20 years of career experience focusing on accounting and teaching.

His prior accounting and finance work history includes:

  • General ledger accounting, accounts receivable experience and tax preparation
  • Audit experience researching issues pertaining to GAAP and SOX compliance
  • Tax internship during busy season with Nashville-based CPA firm
  • Industry experience, including education, manufacturing and supply chain, public accounting, and healthcare

Chinyanga has been overseeing tutoring of accounting students for more than 11 years.

A. REBECCA MURPHY

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Instruction Librarian
Work Email: amurphy@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: 615-547-1216
Location: Vise Library
Category: Faculty
Department: Doris & Harry Vise University Library
Degrees:
B.A., University of North Carolina
M.L.S., East Carolina University
Bio:

A. Rebecca Murphy joined the Vise Library team in Fall 2023 as an Instruction Librarian. She completed her Masters of Library Science program in December 2022 through East Carolina University. She previously worked as an Assistant Librarian for the Henderson County Public Library system in North Carolina for two years.

Rebecca grew up in Asheville, North Carolina and earned her Bachelors of the Arts in History at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She briefly studied acupuncture at a local college before pursuing a degree in Library Science. She enjoyed being on a college campus and decided to pursue an academic concentration at East Carolina University, specifically hoping to work with student researchers. In her free time, she enjoys reading historical nonfiction, writing, gardening, caring for her various pets, and spending time with her friends and family.

HANNAH COLE

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Academic Coach and Instructor
Work Email: hcole@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: 615-453-6410
Location: Learning and Career Commons, Room 203
Category: Faculty
Department: Academic Success Center, Office of Enrollment, Admissions, and Student Financial Services
Degrees:
A.A., Volunteer State Community College
B.A., Austin Peay State University
M.A., Tennessee Technological University
Bio:

Hannah Cole is an academic coach at Cumberland for the Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Education & the Arts. In this role, Hannah is dedicated to helping students succeed at Cumberland and thrive during their time at the university.

Before Cumberland, Hannah worked as a Graduate Assistant for Tennessee Technological University where she taught English Composition and tutored students in writing. At Tech, she earned her Master of Arts in English. Prior to that, Hannah received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Austin Peay State University.

Outside of her role at Cumberland, Hannah enjoys reading at home with her three cats, concerts, and movie theater popcorn.

JESSICA FENN

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Cataloging Librarian and Instructor
Work Email: jfenn@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: 615-547-1302
Location: Vise Library
Category: Faculty
Department: Doris & Harry Vise University Library
Degrees:
A.S., Volunteer State Community College
B.S., Middle Tennessee State University
M.S.I.S., University of Tennessee
Bio:

Jessica Fenn joined the Vise Library staff in 2021 as a technical service librarian. Jessica received her master’s degree in Information Science through UT-Knoxville Spring 2020. Jessica had one practicum experience at Middle Tennessee State University in 2019.  She has also worked at Volunteer State Community College as a Library Assistant for 10 years.

Jessica grew up in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University in 2017 and an Associates of Science degree in Psychology from Volunteer State Community College in 2013.

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