Algoma U welcomes new staff and faculty

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

The new hires and appointments are the direct result of the University's strong enrollment growth and enhanced programming occurring at its Sault Ste. Marie campus, and satellite programming in St. Thomas, Brampton, and Timmins.

Since February of 2013, Algoma University has hired six new full-time employees. 

Included in these hires are Support Services Assistant AJ Pirillo, Communications Writer Meaghan Smith, Senior Application Developer Andrew Beaulieu, Custodian Steve Campbell, Maintenance Repairperson David McCaig Sr., and Archives Technician Shelly Fletcher.

The University has also hired one tenured faculty member, three tenure-track instructors, and five contract limited term appointments. 

"These appointments not only strengthen the teaching contingent here at Algoma University, but are bringing world-class research and practical experience to our programs of study," said Algoma University President, Dr. Richard Myers. "We are delighted to welcome these talented people to the University community and are pleased that our student body will benefit from their expertise in their respective fields."

The following are brief biographies of the faculty appointments:

Dr. Edward Turgeon

Dr. Edward Turgeon is the newest tenured faculty member, who joins the University as the new Director of Music in the Department of Fine Arts. 

He completed his undergraduate degree in piano performance from the University of Toronto, and graduate degrees from Yale University School of Music, culminating with a Doctor of Music Arts degree.  

With 26 years of teaching, performing, and administrative experience, including previous experience teaching at Algoma University, Turgeon will help bring the University's program national and international recognition.

Turgeon is also an internationally esteemed pianist, who composes and performs with his wife, Anne-Louise Turgeon in Duo Turgeon. 

Together, they are the only piano duo to take first prizes in both the International Schubert Competition for Piano Duos (Czech Republic) and the Murray Dranoff International Two Piano Competition (Miami). 

Dr. Michael Graydon

Dr. Michael Graydon is one of two new tenure-track appointments in Sociology.  

He has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Art History; a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Sociology; a Masters of Sociology; and doctoral studies in Sociology from Carleton University. 

For the majority of the 1990s, he worked in HIV/AIDS education at both the community and federal levels. 

At the community level, he developed various sexual safety outreach and advocacy programs for gay and bisexual men and engaged in training with local institutions such as the Ottawa Police, Ottawa Health Department, and Carleton University. 

Graydon's research interests include the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Movement, sexuality, gay men's sexuality, social history, internet research ethics, and health. 

Dr. Vivian Jimenez-Estrada

Dr. Vivian Jimenez Estrada is another new tenure-track appointment in Sociology. 

She completed her undergraduate degree and Master's degree in Environmental Study at York University, before completing her doctoral work in the Department of Sociology and Equity Studies at the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. 

Her research areas and interests are in critical Indigenous philosophies, critical sociology, critical pedagogy, Indigenous/qualitative research methodologies, Indigenous women, feminisms, and gender. 

She has also been published in the Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, Canadian Journal of Native Education, in the Oxford Press Handbook on Latin American Governance and Democracy.

Dr. Hari Luitel

Dr. Hari Luitel joins the University on a tenure-track appointment in Economics. 

From Nepal, Luitel received his Master of Arts from Tribhuvan University, and his Doctorate from West Virginia University. 

He taught at the University of Richmond in Virginia, St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, West Virginia University in Morgantown, and West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon. 

He specialises in public finance and environmental and natural resource economics. 

His research interests include fiscal policy, applied tax incidence, the international tax system, monetary policy, macroeconomics, and time series econometric analysis.  

Luitel is also a member of the American Economic Association, Canadian Economic Association, and Omicron Delta Epsilon. 

Professor Helen Allen

Professor Helen Allen has been appointed to the position of Department Chair of the Social Work program for one year. 

Allen worked as the Director of Field Education at the School of Social Work for 10 years with McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. 

Later, she worked in British Columbia, where she coordinated field education at the University of British Columbia, and also as the Dean of Social Work and Human Services for five years with the University College of the Caribou (later known as Thompson Rivers University).

Allen then served as the Dean of Community and Liberal Studies with Sheridan College, and the Vice-President Education at Vancouver Community College. 

She has practiced Social Work extensively in Northern Ontario, and was also involved in refugee activism in Montreal from 1985-97.

Professor James Allen

Dr. James Allen is the University's newest professor in Psychology. 

Allen received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wilfred Laurier University, and both his Master of Science and doctoral degree in Psychology from the University of Victoria. 

His research interests are focused largely around sociocultural perspectives or approaches to human development. 

His research has included applying sociocultural perspectives to issues of cognitive, social-cognitive, and personality development among children and adolescents. 

During his graduate studies, Allen was the recipient of the International Emerging Scholar Award from the Jean Piaget Society.

Dr. Marisha Caswell

Dr. Marisha Caswell is joining the University's Department of History and Philosophy. 

Caswell earned her Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Dalhousie University, her Master of Arts in History from St. Mary's, and completed her doctoral studies at Queen's University. 

Her research interests lie within the early modern era, particularly in regards to law, the criminal justice system, marriage, and gender. 

She is currently in the process of revising her dissertation into a book, which examines the criminal experiences of married women in England from 1640-1760. 

Professor Myles McLellan

Professor Myles McLellan is joining the Law and Justice program on a contract limited term appointment. 

McLellan earned his Bachelor of Laws (J.D.) and Master of Laws from the Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. 

He is currently working toward completing his doctoral studies in the Department of Criminology from the University of Ottawa. 

McLellan has practised law for over 25 years, including a period where he served as the federal crown prosecutor and lecturer at the Bar Admission Course. 

His research interests include wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice, most particularly compensation for those who have been acquitted.

Professor Laura Wyper

Professor Laura Wyper is our newest faculty member in Community Economic and Social Development (CESD). 

Wyper has a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Midwifery from Laurentian University, a Bachelor of Education from Trent University, and a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Community Development from the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. 

Wyper has experience as an advocate and primary caregiver in women's health, and educational and community development work with First Nations communities and marginalised adults. 

Her research interests lie within the realm of urban agriculture and policy development, as well as educational pedagogy for diverse populations.

About Algoma University  

Algoma University offers a wide variety of liberal arts and sciences degree options including programs in Psychology, Computer Science, Business Administration, Fine Arts, Community Economic and Social Development, and Biology in Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton, Timmins and St. Thomas.

As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture. Algoma University has launched its Essential Elements Campaign to expand its campus and offer more scholarships and awards to students.

To learn more, visit www.algomau.ca.

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