Twenty One Faculty Join MGA At Start Of 2022-23 Academic Year

Author: Sheron Smith, Alexandria Brooks
Posted: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 12:00 AM
Categories: Faculty/Staff | Pressroom | School of Aviation | School of Business | School of Computing | School of Health and Natural Sciences | School of Arts and Letters | School of Education and Behavioral Sciences

Macon, GA

Middle Georgia State University (MGA) has added 21 new full-time faculty members in a number of academic disciplines, including aviation, health sciences, IT, teacher education, social work, music, and English.

The new faculty are: 

Julie Allen, lecturer in the Department of English. Most recently a technical supervisor at Geico, where she also worked as a systems and statistical analyst and as a lead underwriter, Allen has taught English part-time at MGA and Central Georgia Technical College for several years. She holds a Master of Arts in Language and Literature from Wayland Baptist University, a Bachelor of Arts in English from Mercer University, and an associate’s degree from what is now MGA.   

Oluwakemi Agbebi, assistant professor in the Department of Nursing. Agbebi earned her master’s degree in nursing from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She previously worked at MGA during the fall of 2021 as a part-time nursing clinical instructor. Agbebi returns to the University after working as a full-time nurse educator at Carl Vinson Veterans Administration Medical Center in Dublin, Ga. She is a registered nurse with over twenty-one years of experience working in the medical field working in various roles and locations, including her time as an auxiliary/staff nurse in Lagos, Nigeria and lieutenant nurse corporal officer in the United States Navy Reserves. 

Kelly Causey, assistant professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Social Work. Previously the principal of Stratford Academy’s pre-school and lower school, Causey has also taught education part-time for the University of Georgia and Wesleyan College. She is the former principal of Sonny Carter Elementary School and former assistant principal at Bernd and Jones elementary schools. A certified teacher support specialist, Causey holds an Ed.D from the University of Georgia, a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Georgia College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Saint Mary’s College. She is a Leadership Macon graduate.  

Stephanie Edge, lecturer in the Department of Information Technology. Most recently a member of the computer science faculty at Union University, Edge has also taught at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Gordon College. Edge holds a Ph.D and a Master of Theology degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Science in Computer Science from Georgia State University, a Bachelor of Science in Math and Computer Science from the former West Georgia College, and an Associate of Science in Physics from what is now MGA. 

Michael Gaffney, lecturer in the Department of Media, Culture, and the Arts. Gaffney is a skilled music composer, producer, and instructor with experience to match. He earned an MFA in Film Music Composition from the University of North Carolina in 2020. The Academy of Scoring Arts member has worked on countless projects, including the Oscar-qualified animated short Grab My Hand: A Letter to My Dad. When Gaffney isn’t in the classroom, he can be found giving private drum, production, and composition lessons in his home studio or at Jamestown United Methodist Church where he works as a sound tech. 

Tekeria Gallemore, assistant professor in the Department of Nursing. Gallemore is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. Her most recent experience includes RN positions at Houston Healthcare and Coliseum Northside Hospital. Her certifications include advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) and basic life support (BLS). Gallemore is the recipient of several exceptional customer-service awards from employers and, as a nursing student, received the Rosa Storrs Award and Platinum Nursing Scholar Award. She holds a Master of Nursing from Columbus State University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Albany State University. 

Guliano Graniti, assistant professor in the Department of Media, Culture and the Arts. Graniti earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in piano performance and piano pedagogy in Italy and Switzerland and completed his Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music in August of 2022. He has countless accompaniment jobs, conference presentations, awards, and recording credits to his name and regularly internationally as both a soloist and chamber musician. Graniti is a piano instructor for all ages and levels. While in Italy, he taught children ages eleven to thirteen with special needs due to mental and physical diagnosed diseases. His primary research areas include using advanced and (preferably) non-mainstream technology applied to piano instruction to both contribute to and create a more inclusive and technologically sustainable system for students. 

Kristen Helton, assistant professor in the Department of Nursing. A family nurse practitioner, Helton most recently was a nurse manager for the Laurens County Health Department. She also served as a nurse manager for the Montgomery County Health Department and was the care plan coordinator at Duncan McRae House. Her certifications include basic life support (BLS). Helton holds a Master of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgia Southern University.  

Whitney Holmes, assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. Holmes previously worked as a licensed physical therapy assistant at Fairview Park Hospital, Rebab Advantage and Sports Medicine, and Bass Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, all in Dublin. Prior to that she was a certified athletic trainer at Piedmont Orthopaedic Complex. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Valdosta State University and an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapy Assistant Technology from Kent State University.  

Kemarie Jeffers, assistant professor in the Department of Aviation Science and Management. Jeffers comes to MGA from Atlanta where he served as an aviation instructor for Fulton County Schools, specializing in fundamentals of aerospace, drone technology, and aviation meteorology. He earned his master’s in aviation science from Everglades University in Boca Raton, Fla.  

Jared Johnson, lecturer in the Department of Teacher Education and Social Work. Johnson earned his master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2016. He worked as a case manager supervisor at Atrium Navicent Health and MGA as an adjunct professor of social work before joining the University full-time. Johnson has ample experience working in senior care centers and family and protective services.   

Catherine Jordan, assistant professor in the Department of Nursing. Most recently an RN in the intensive care unit at Piedmont Macon, Jordan also worked as a travel nurse at Memorial Meadows and in the acute recovery unit at Piedmont Henry. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Education from Kennesaw State University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Middle Georgia State University.    

Christopher Knighton, lecturer in the Department of Information Technology. Knighton earned his master’s degree in computer science in 2014 from Georgia Southwestern State University. He has worked at Central Georgia Technical College since 2002 as an instructor and later a program chair for their COMP and CIST programs. Knighton has strong knowledge of countless operating systems and computer hardware and extensive experience with networking, including equipment and network media. 

Justin McAdara, assistant professor in the Department of Media, Culture, and the Arts. An exceptionally skilled trombonist, McAdara comes to MGA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was a music coordinator and graduate teaching assistant for their communications department. While at the University, he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Performance in 2020. McAdara has performed with various groups, including the Chicago Modern Orchestra and Pacific Symphony, and is currently the Executive Director of Music Defying Boundaries in Illinois and an Endorsed Artist at the Best American Craftsman in Missouri, where he created the concept for the first trombone made specifically for electronic use. Outside of his ample teaching and music industry experience, McAdara previously worked as a realtor in Ontario, a sales manager for various companies, and as an outreach program manager for Operation SafeHouse in Riverside, Calif.   

Heather Ness-Maddox, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and Criminal Justice. After lecturing for the University’s Department of Psychology and Criminal Justice from 2015 to 2018, Ness-Maddox returns to MGA from Georgia State University, where she was a teaching and graduate research assistant. She holds a master's degree in clinical psychology from Clayton State University and is finishing her Ph.D in educational psychology at Georgia State. She has several professional affiliations to her name and ample experience serving on panel presentations, including speaking at UGA’s First-Generation Graduate Student Panel. Upon earning her bachelor’s degree, Ness-Maddox was named MGA’s (Middle Georgia State College at the time) Academic Recognition Day Scholar in 2013.

Trong Nguyen, assistant professor in the Department of Air Traffic Management. Prior to coming to MGA, Nguyen was a Ph.D research assistant at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a researcher and project lead for the Air Traffic Management Research Institute at Nanyang Technological University, and deputy head of the Air Traffic Control Facility at the Vietnam Aviation Academy.  He is completing his Ph.D in Aviation with a specialization in Operations and holds a Master of Science in Flight Operations and Air Traffic Managements from French Civil Aviation University, a Bachelor of Science in English Linguistics and Literature from Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Can Tho University. 

Cassie Outler, lecturer in the Department of English. Most recently an instructor of first-year writing at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Outler’s teaching and research interests include 20th century and contemporary Southern literature and 18th and 19th century African American literature and autobiography. She holds a Master of Arts in English from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Mercer University.   

Benjamin Page, lecturer in the Department of Aviation Maintenance and Structural Technology. An alumnus of MGA, Page returns to the University as a lecturer after earning both his associate’s and bachelor’s degrees from the School of Aviation. He previously worked at Parker Aerospace from 2015 to 2022 where he put his aviation and science management degree to the test, working with various aircraft and systems. Page also worked alongside the training committee to improve training for new hires and taught his fellow employees in multiple technical areas. 

Angela Storey, lecturer in the Department of Teacher Education and Social Work. Most recently a resource teacher for the gifted program in Butts County schools, Storey led professional development for the entire faculty in technology and other areas related to virtual learning in preparation of COVID-related school closings. She also organized STEM events and the schoolwide spelling bee and coached the LEGO robotics team. Storey also is a former gifted resource teacher for Bibb County and online teacher for Outschool, Inc. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Liberty University, an education specialist degree from Valdosta State University, a master’s in early childhood education from Georgia College and a bachelor’s in early childhood education from Mercer University.  

Janistres L. Teemer, assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. Previously a member of the MGA department’s clinical faculty, Teemer has also taught rehab science at Chattahoochee Technical College and Brown Mackie College, as well as served as guest lecturer/consultant at the College of St. Scholastica. She has worked as an occupational therapist at Northside Hospital, Home Therapy Solutions, and Floyd HomeCare, among other locations. She holds a post-professional doctorate in Occupational Therapy – Education from Rocky Mountain University of Health professions, a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Winston-Salem State University and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Sports Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. 

Richard Ward, lecturer in the Department of English. Most recently a graduate teaching instructor at Michigan Technological University, Ward has also taught English part-time at Gogebic Community College and Great Basin College. As an instructor with the U.S. Army at the Presidio of Monterey, Ward taught human intelligence gathering and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear preparedness. With his Farsi language skillset, he worked with other government agencies as both a translator and human intelligence gatherer. Ward is completing a Ph.D and holds a Master of Science in Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture from Michigan Technological University and a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing from York College of Pennsylvania.