Get to know the 10 new faculty members joining us this fall, including a few who started their own academic journeys right here at APU.
Nathan Anderson, M.S., Visiting Instructor of Environmental Science—Nathan will be teaching geomorphology and physics this fall. He recently received his master’s degree in Earth Sciences from Dartmouth College, and his thesis involved research in the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda. Prior to graduate school, Nathan served as executive director of the Wrangell Mountains Center in McCarthy, Alaska and as a scientist with a local environmental consulting firm in Anchorage. He is an APU graduate, having received his bachelor’s degree in environmental science, with a minor in mathematics for environmental science, in 2015.
Andrea Andraschko, Visiting Instructor of Business—Andrea has served as an adjunct instructor at APU for several terms, working with students in the senior project courses in business. She also has extensive health-related training experience. Her professional background includes business development consulting, Medicaid client case management, communications, and medevac operations. Andrea received a B.A. degree in chemistry and a B.S. degree in radiologic science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.B.A. from Wayland Baptist University. Andrea’s teaching will focus on the health services administration concentration in business.
Megan Farrow, M.S.N., R.N., Assistant Professor of Nursing—Megan comes to APU from Berry College (Georgia) with four years of full-time teaching and clinical coordination experience in areas such as foundations of nursing, pathophysiology, community nursing, and nursing with vulnerable populations. She has worked as a nurse in emergency room, intensive care, and general medical-surgical units and is also a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. Megan has a B.A. in English/Communications from Georgia Highlands College as well as a B.S.N. from the University of West Georgia and an M.S.N. from Walden University.
Kevin Jones, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Religious Studies/Cardinal Newman Chair of Catholic Theology—Kevin received his doctorate in systematic theology from Catholic University of America in 2018. He also has a master’s in theological studies from Catholic and a B.S. in environmental engineering from the University of Florida. In 2016-2017, he had a fellowship with the Institute of Human Ecology at Catholic, and he has taught undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education classes at Catholic, Christendom College, University of Holy Cross and Marymount University. Kevin has published in journals such as Franciscan Studies and Listening: Journal of Communication Ethics, Religion, and Culture.
Beth Leonard, Ph.D., Research Professor of Indigenous Studies—Beth comes to APU from UAA, where she served as a professor of Alaska Native studies and, previously, the director of the Alaska Native Studies Program. She is a Fulbright scholar and has also served as an Arctic Indigenous Scholar of the Inuit Circumpolar Council. Her research interests include Indigenous knowledge systems and languages, Alaska Native teacher preparation, and diversity in education, and she has more than 100 publications and presentations on these and related topics. Beth has received grants from organizations such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Office of Indian Education, and the Mellon Foundation, and she currently serves as a core team member of an NSF grant to build capacity and diversity in STEM fields, particularly addressing ecology of critical Northern climates. Beth earned her doctorate (cross-cultural and Alaska Native studies), master’s (language and literacy), and bachelor’s (linguistics) from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. This position is funded by APU’s Title III Indigenous One Health Expansion grant.
Marianne Murray, D.N.P., R.N., Professor of Nursing and Director of Nursing Programs—Marianne is currently the executive director of the Alaska Board of Nursing. Prior to that appointment, she served as the director of the School of Nursing at UAA, overseeing eight nursing programs, 60 faculty and professional staff, nursing accreditation activities, and programs such as the Recruitment and Retention of Alaska Native Nurses (RRANN) program. She has 14 years’ experience as a nurse educator and is a nationally certified simulation educator. Prior to becoming a faculty member, she spent 16 years as a clinical nurse and nurse administrator and earned national certification in medical surgical nursing. She serves as a reviewer for the journal Teaching and Learning in Nursing, has edited two nursing texts, and has more than 15 papers and presentations on topics including simulation education, development of the nursing workforce, and traumatic brain injury. Marianne earned a diploma in nursing at Fanshawe College, a B.S.N. from West Texas A&M, an M.S.N. from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and a D.N.P. from American Sentinel University.
Annette Reardon, M.S.N., R.N., Associate Professor of Nursing—Annette is currently an associate professor of Nursing at UAA and program coordinator for the Recruitment and Retention of Alaska Natives in Nursing (RRANN) program. She has clinical work experience in rural and urban Alaska as well as 10 years of experience as a tenured faculty member. At UAA, she has served as chair of the School of Nursing Faculty Association and Curriculum Committees, a member of the Interprofessional Simulation Committee, and a member of the UAA Community Advisory Board. Her professional service includes serving on the steering committee of the Alaska Area Health Education Center (AHEC). Her scholarly work focuses on cultural diversity in nursing and simulation development. Annette’s B.S.N. is from Marquette University, and her master’s degree is from UAA. She will join APU in December.
Mike Reed, Psy.D., Visiting Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology—Mike completed his Psy.D. at APU and has taught counseling theory and skills and group counseling as an adjunct instructor in the program. He completed a pre-doctoral internship at Providence Medical Center and has a strong background in professional counseling experience. He is a licensed professional counselor, psychological associate, and psychologist (temporary). His master’s and bachelor’s degrees in psychology are from UAA. Mike’s research includes the study of combining traditional Native healing practices and cognitive-behavioral treatments. In addition to teaching in the counseling psychology programs, Mike will serve as director of clinical training this year.
Choron Ryan, M.A., R.N., Instructor of Health Sciences—Choron served as an adjunct instructor of anatomy and physiology, a foundational course for nursing, health science, and environmental public health, at APU this past year. She has also been an adjunct instructor and lab coordinator at the University of Alaska Anchorage and the WWAMI School of Medical Education. In 2019, she received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching at UAA. Her other professional experience includes academic advising, community organizing, and serving as an EMT. Choron earned a B.A. in liberal studies from APU, a B.S. in nursing from UAA, and a master’s degree in ethics (social ethics and bioethics) from Yale University. This position is funded by APU’s Title III Indigenous One Health Expansion grant.
Ian Williams, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology—Ian will be teaching biology and math this fall. He is the founder of the Alaska Bee Initiative, which promotes the development of sustainable beekeeping practices in the North. He has served as a geneticist and technician for organizations such as the US Geological Survey, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and Kakivik Asset Management. He has served as an outdoor educator for Outward Bound and an adjunct math professor at APU as well. Ian received his diploma in radiography from the North Wales School of Radiography, his B.S. in biology from the University of Oregon, his M.S. in biological science from UAA, and his Ph.D. in biological science from the University of Bangor (Wales).
