Several Â鶹ӰÊÓ faculty members have earned indefinite tenure and/or promotions in rank. Recommendations for rank promotions and tenure status come from college and department personnel committees, then are reviewed and recommended by the University Personnel Committee, the provost and the president of the university.
College of Arts & Sciences
Jennifer Bhalla, PhD, MPH
Jennifer Bhalla, PhD, MPH, has been promoted from associate professor to full professor in the School of Natural Sciences kinesiology program in the Â鶹ӰÊÓ College of Arts & Sciences.
Dr. Bhalla is chair of the Kinesiology Department and serves as the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Fellow for the College of Arts & Sciences. She teaches a variety of courses centered on the psychosocial aspects of physical activity and sport, and her teaching supports the allied fields of gender & sexuality studies and disability studies.
Through scholarly and experiential work, Bhalla is driven to help develop safe and healthy physical activity environments for all participants, including youth, marginalized populations, and underrepresented groups.
Bhalla recently rotated off the Board for the Western Society for Physical Education of College Women, and she is a former President of the Oregon Society for Health and Physical Educators. She has received a Research Writing Award from the Research Consortium of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and was inducted as the first female athlete into her high school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Alex Bove, PhD
Alex Bove, PhD, has been promoted from associate professor to full professor in School of Arts & Humanities, English Department, in Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s College of Arts & Sciences. Bove teaches a wide range of courses in the English Department, including 19th century British literature, literary theory, and special topics in film and literature.
He recently published a book on Charles Dickens and theories of fictional character, called Spectral Dickens: The Uncanny Forms of Novelistic Characterization (Manchester University Press) and has published several journal articles and book chapters covering a range of topics including Dickens’s influence on modern cinema, gender and sexuality studies theory, and the ecological imaginary of modern sci-fi cinema. He has presented papers at numerous international conferences here and abroad.
He served as the chair of the gender and sexuality studies committee, the chair of the English Department, and currently serves on the Faculty Senate. He has also recently been awarded a faculty development grant to develop an interdisciplinary travel course to La Biennale international art exhibition in Venice, Italy.
Tyler Brumfield, MFA
Tyler Brumfield, MFA, has earned indefinite tenure and been promoted from assistant professor to associate professor in the School of Arts & Humanities in Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s College of Arts & Sciences.
Brumfield teaches art and design at Â鶹ӰÊÓ, where he also serves as the gallery coordinator for the Kathrin Cawein Gallery of Art, the studio technician for the Brown Hall Design Studio, and the chair of the Cultural Collections Committee.
A dynamic, effective teacher and widely exhibited artist, Brumfield’s work has been featured in more than 50 juried exhibitions, and he has had nine solo exhibitions. He recently received the Director's Award at the Design + Composition Exhibition at The In Art Gallery and the Award for Excellence in Design at the Southern Mississippi National Juried Poster Exhibition.
He is dedicated to developing curiosity, a strong work ethic and creative critical thinking skills in his students. His artwork is characterized by strong craftsmanship, reclaimed materials and economy in design. His work varies greatly, but has explored themes of visual perception, the contemporary visual landscape, advertising, consumerism and the single-use plastic problem.
Kathryn Dolphin, PhD
Kathryn Dolphin, PhD, has been promoted to full professor in the School of Natural Sciences Department of Kinesiology in Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s College of Arts & Sciences.
Dolphin teaches courses in the kinesiology, sport leadership and management, and philosophy programs at Â鶹ӰÊÓ. She currently serves as the faculty chair of the College of Arts & Sciences and has been a dedicated member of the Institutional Review Board and the faculty advisor for a number of student organizations.
Her background in psychophysiology centers her research on the interaction between the psychological and physical processes. Dr. Dolphin’s scholarly interests include stress and resilience, the influence of social, cultural, and built environments on health behavior choices, and positive youth sport development.
She also devotes time to coaching and providing trainings to encourage positive sport psychology for local youth soccer clubs. Nationally, Dolphin serves on the board of directors of the American Academy of Health Behaviors.
Todd Duncan, PhD
Todd Duncan, PhD, has earned indefinite tenure and been promoted from assistant professor to associate professor in the School of Natural Sciences in Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s College of Arts & Sciences. He teaches in the physics and astrophysics programs at Pacific.
Dr. Duncan is an astrophysicist and science educator who combines a research background in physics and astronomy with experience teaching science concepts to a wide range of audiences. The core theme of his teaching and scholarship is understanding the fundamental nature of reality as best we can, while helping others discover their own ways to explore deep questions.
His publications and presentations include a college astronomy textbook and a TEDx talk on the value of a cosmic perspective.
In 2019, he received an Outstanding Educator in Science and Mathematics: Higher Education award from the Oregon Academy of Science.
Stephanie Stokamer, EdD
Stephanie Stokamer, EdD, has been promoted from associate professor to full professor in the School of Social Sciences in Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s College of Arts & Sciences. Stokamer is the associate dean of applied and experiential learning at Pacific.
With a doctorate in educational leadership from Portland State University, she has taught in and administered underÂ鶹ӰÊÓ and Â鶹ӰÊÓ community-based learning programs since 2005. Her scholarship focuses on civic engagement and experiential learning, particularly with respect to pedagogical practices and faculty development.
She has co-authored and contributed to numerous books and publications related to civic learning in higher education, presents regularly at conferences, and conducts workshops for faculty, students, and community partners.
She is the recipient of the International Association for Research on Service Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE) 2011 Dissertation Award and 2016 Early Career Recognition, as well as Pacific’s Outstanding Leadership Award in 2018.
She is an AmeriCorps*VISTA alum and former National Service Fellow for the Corporation for National and Community Service.
College of Business
Hossein Rikhtehgar Berenji, PhD
Hossein Rikhtehgar Berenji, PhD, has received indefinite tenure and been promoted from assistant professor to associate professor in the Â鶹ӰÊÓ College of Business.
He holds a PhD in Operations & Business Analytics and a Master of Science in Decision Sciences from the Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon.
He specializes in operations and supply chain management and data analytics, focusing on sustainability, healthcare operations, and humanitarian operations and crisis management. His research has been published in premier journals such as Production and Operations Management, and he has twice won the Best Problem-Driven Analytical Research Paper Award from the Decision Sciences Institute. Additionally, he has received the Junior Faculty Award from the Western Decision Sciences Institute and Â鶹ӰÊÓ's Kate Garrison Overcoming the Odds Award. He also has been recognized as a Paul R. Lawrence Fellow by the Case Research Foundation.
As a sole instructor, he has been honored with four teaching awards at Â鶹ӰÊÓ and the University of Oregon. He has represented the College of Business at the Â鶹ӰÊÓ's Faculty Senate and served as vice president of colleges, as well as a member of the conference program committee, for the Production & Operations Management Society (POMS).
College of Education
Jill Dolata, PhD, CCC-SLP
Jill Dolata, PhD, CCC-SLP, has earned indefinite tenure at Â鶹ӰÊÓ, where she is an associate professor in the College of Education’s School of Communication Sciences & Disorders.
Dolata joined the Â鶹ӰÊÓ faculty in 2018 and teaches within the speech-language pathology master’s program and the underÂ鶹ӰÊÓ minor in CSD program.
She serves as the underÂ鶹ӰÊÓ advisor for the CSD minor and is the chair of the COE Technology Committee. She also is the current Â鶹ӰÊÓ faculty trustee on Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s Board of Trustees.
She has served her profession as president of the Oregon Speech-Language Hearing Association, as an accreditation site visitor for the national association, and as a regular reviewer for National Institute of Health grant review panels (for Small Business Innovation Research in Psycho/Neuropathology, Lifespan Development, and STEM Education).
She has a longstanding clinical and research appointment at the Institute on Development and Disability at Oregon Health & Science University and continues to provide part-time clinical service in their autism program as adjunct faculty.
Her research focuses on autism, particularly assessment via use of technology. Projects include examining equity in online screening options, assessment of language within autism, and assessing support for neurodivergent university students.
Mary Mitchell, PhD, CCC-SLP
Mary Mitchell, PhD, CCC-SLP, has been promoted from assistant professor to associate professor in the School of Communication Sciences & Disorders in Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s College of Education.
Dr. Mitchell is a clinical faculty member who works closely with Â鶹ӰÊÓ students to prepare them for their speech-language pathology clinical experiences in school-based settings, teaching courses in clinical methods and school-age language and literacy disorders. Mitchell also partners with supervisors and administrators in school districts around our region who serve to support clinical education for Pacific CSD students.
Her ongoing scholarship involves analyzing the effects of high-quality healthcare simulations student learning as it relates to hearing screenings, professional written communication, and communication with caregivers. Additionally, Mitchell is involved in program development and professional learning with local districts to support SLPs’ use of dynamic assessment and language-based approaches to literacy.
She was recognized this fall by the Oregon Speech-Language and Hearing Association (OSHA), where she received an Award of Clinicianship. She is the OSHA communications chair, the chair-elect of Pacific’s University Diversity Committee, and previously served as chair of Pacific’s University Finance Committee. She also serves as a faculty advisor for Pacific’s chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, the Forest Grove Game Club, and as a faculty representative for the Pacific Women’s Rowing Team.
Cristy Sellers, PhD
Cristy Sellers, PhD, has earned indefinite tenure and been promoted from assistant professor to associate professor in the School of Learning and Teaching in Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s College of Education.
Dr. Sellers joined the Â鶹ӰÊÓ faculty in 2018 after 17 years as a public school teacher and district administrator in Atlanta, Georgia, and she currently chairs the underÂ鶹ӰÊÓ teacher licensure program in the School of Learning and Teaching. She teaches in Pacific's Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education program, the Bachelor of Arts in Education and Learning, and the disability studies minor housed in the College of Arts & Sciences.
She serves as an elected member of the Faculty Senate, the chair of the School of Learning and Teaching and College of Education Curriculum Committees, as the College of Education representative for the College of Arts & Sciences Academic Standards Committee, and as a member of the Steering Committee for the College of Arts & Sciences strategic plan.
At the national level, Sellers serves as the assistant editor for Curriculum and Teaching Dialogue, the academic journal of The American Association for Teaching and Curriculum (CTD), and will be co-chair for the organization's national conference in 2024.
Sellers also has been a peer reviewer for several academic journals in her field, including the Journal of Effective Teaching in Higher Education, Teacher Education Quarterly, and Curriculum and Teaching Dialogue. She is an Editorial Board member for Health, Interprofessional Practice & Education.
College of Health Professions
Erin Bompiani, PT, DPT, PCS
Erin Bompiani, PT, DPT, PCS, has been promoted from assistant professor to associate professor in the School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training in Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s College of Health Professions.
Dr. Bompiani is a pediatric physical therapy residency program Â鶹ӰÊÓ from Oregon Health and Sciences University and has been a board certified pediatric clinical specialist since 2010. She has worked in multiple settings across pediatric physical therapy and is passionate about connecting and facilitating collaboration amongst therapists across various practice settings.
Her scholarship focuses on knowledge translation working to bridge the gap between research and practice. She is an active member of the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy and is currently serving her second term on the Board of Directors as the Director of Leadership Development.
Holly Erenfeld, RDH, MDH
Holly Erenfeld, RDH, MDH, as been promoted from assistant professor to associate professor in the School of Dental Hygiene Studies in Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s College of Health Professions.
She Â鶹ӰÊÓd from Oregon Health and Sciences University in 2002 and has 17 years of clinical experience as a dental hygienist. She completed her master’s degree in dental hygiene from the Ohio State University, focusing on education and leadership. She has been an instructor at Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s Dental Hygiene Clinic for 10 years and joined as a full-time faculty member in 2018.
She is an active member of the American Dental Association and The American Dental Education Association.
She strives to create a positive learning experience in the classroom and is committed to being a lifelong learner.
Lesley Harbison, RDH, EPDH, MS
Lesley Harbison, RDH, EPDH, MS, has earned indefinite tenure and been promoted from assistant professor to associate professor in the School of Dental Hygiene Studies in Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s College of Health Professions. Harbison has been practicing dental hygiene since 2000. In 2016, she returned to school to advance her dental hygiene knowledge and career, earning her master’s at Idaho State University. In 2018 Lesley became a faculty member at Â鶹ӰÊÓ.
Her professional interests include the geriatric population, ethics and empathy in dental hygiene, and advancing the dental hygiene profession.
She is a proud member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, an ODHA past president, and currently serves as the Oregon Dental Hygienists’ Association Treasurer.
Eliezer Schwartz, PhD
Eliezer Schwartz, PhD, has earned indefinite tenure at Â鶹ӰÊÓ, where he is a professor in the College of Health Professions School of Graduate Psychology.
Dr. Schwartz Â鶹ӰÊÓd with his BA in psychology and philosophy from Hebrew University of Jerusalem and his MA and PhD in Psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago.
He identifies as a clinical psychologist with a strong interest in neuropsychology. His other interests include psychopharmacology, health psychology and rehabilitation, psychodynamic psychotherapy, geropsychology, and psychology and spirituality.
Schwartz has extensive teaching experience in Â鶹ӰÊÓ clinical psychology beginning in 1981. He was a core faculty member of the Illinois School of Professional Psychology for over 30 years. His clinical work in the community has been an integral part of his career, providing individual and family therapy, neuropsychological and general psychological evaluations, consultations to schools and medical facilities, supervision to pre-doctoral interns and clinical psychologists.
Kristen Thomas, RHD, EPDH, MSEd
Kristen Thomas, RHD, EPDH, MSEd, has been promoted from assistant professor to associate professor in the School of Dental Hygiene Studies in Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s College of Health Professions.
Thomas is an alum of Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s dental hygiene program, graduating in 2010. She then worked as a clinical restorative dental hygienist for several years in a managed care organization before pursuing a career in education. She went on to further her education and Â鶹ӰÊÓd from Portland State University with a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Policy specializing in postsecondary adult and continuing education.
She is passionate about global diversity and inclusion in all aspects of education and patient care and is the co-author for the school’s chapter of the Hispanic Student Dental Association.
College of Optometry
Dr. Scott Klemens
Dr. Scott Klemens has been promoted from assistant professor to associate professor in the Â鶹ӰÊÓ College of Optometry, where he is the director of Pacific EyeClinic Portland.
His areas of interest are in ocular disease and clinical teaching.
He received his BS in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine from California Lutheran University in 2005. He went on to attend Southern California College of Optometry, where he earned his Doctor of Optometry degree in 2009. After graduating, he completed a residency in primary eye care at the Portland VA Medical Center. Following the residency, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he worked for Cigna Medical Group practicing full-scope optometry in a large multi-disciplinary setting. In 2013, he starting working in the Eye Institute at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona, as an adjunct clinical assistant professor. He also served as a reservist in the United States Air Force from 2016-2021.
He currently works part-time as a consultant for EyePacs, where he screens patients for the presence of diabetic retinopathy through retinal imaging. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.
Academic Affairs
Shpresa Halimi, PhD
Shpresa Halimi, PhD, has been promoted from assistant professor to associate professor in Â鶹ӰÊÓ’s International Programs.
Dr. Halimi is a seasoned higher education administrator with more than 20 years of experience designing and delivering high impact learning offerings both locally and globally. At Pacific, she serves in a leadership administrative position as director of International Programs and Senior International Officer. In this role, working collaboratively with Â鶹ӰÊÓ students, faculty, staff, administrators and community partners, she leads and facilitates Pacific’s internationalization initiatives.
From 2020 to 2022 she served as the director of Pacific’s AANAPISI (Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving Institution) Initiative for Inclusive Student Success.
Her contribution to teaching at Pacific has centered in new course development, syllabus preparation and student advising. Her current research focuses on internationalization of higher education, but her research interests are broader and include other domains such as sustainability in higher education, student success and multi-level governance.
Libraries
Josephine Ragolia, MLIS
Josephine Ragolia, MLIS, has been promoted from assistant professor to associate professor in the Â鶹ӰÊÓ Libraries.
She joined the Â鶹ӰÊÓ Libraries faculty as an assistant professor and Student Success Librarian in July 2018. In that role, she developed and directed the underÂ鶹ӰÊÓ unit of the Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS) and taught introductory information literacy sessions, helping underÂ鶹ӰÊÓ students learn to locate and assess reliable sources for their research. In November 2023, she was appointed interim dean of University Libraries.
Her work and research interests focus on creating equitable and inclusive structures to support student success in libraries and higher education. She has served on many groups at Pacific, including University Council, University Diversity Committee, and the AANAPISI (Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving Institution) Inclusive Student Success Council. She served two terms as chair of the libraries faculty and has also served the Orbis Cascade Alliance library consortium in several capacities.
Josie received the Â鶹ӰÊÓ Provost’s Junior Faculty Award for Service in May 2021.