As the 2021-2022 academic year begins, seven new faculty members join the Milligan University community.
While several new faculty members are settling into their roles here at Milligan, for some the new position required major life changes such as moving long distances and extensive preparation for the school year.
Dr. Garland Young, vice president for Academic Affairs discusses the excitement for both faculty and students.
“New faculty always provide new ideas for our faculty and students,” said Garland. “It’s always a joy to see them on campus and to work to help them integrate fully into Milligan during their first year.”
With new faces on campus each year, Milligan students are encouraged to help make incoming faculty and students feel at home.
“Milligan students are a very welcoming group,” said Garland. “I would encourage them to engage these new faculty in casual conversation, asking about their backgrounds and offering advice about good restaurants, churches, etc.”
This semester also brings other staff changes. Jason Onks, Director of Student Success and Disability Services, is set to pursue other career opportunities; his last day is Aug. 31.
The following lists all new faculty for the fall of 2021:
● Jamie Buxton joins Milligan as an assistant professor of Musical Theatre. Buxton has a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Musical Theatre Writing from NYU. She comes to Milligan from NY film academy and The Studio Performing Arts in New Canaan, CONN..
● Kelsey Ellis joins Milligan as a professor of Art. Ellis has a MFA of drawing from ETSU, and a BA of Fine arts from Millign. Ellis comes to Milligan from Suzhou Foreign Language School in Suzhou, China.
● Stacy Kastens joins Milligan as an assistant professor of Social Work. Kastens has a Masters of Social Work from the University of Louisville with a BA in Human Relations. Kasten has previously worked at Ballad Health as a medical social worker.
● Kimberly Melinsky joins Milligan as an assistant professor of Business. Melinsky has a PhD in organizational studies and a Masters of business administration in Accounting. Melinsky comes to Milligan from the University of North Carolina.
● Vicki Phelps joins Milligan as an assistant professor of Education. Phelps has a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Illinois University. She comes to Milligan from Sumner County, Tenn.schools, where she served as a Lead Consulting Teacher for Gifted Education.
● Lindsey Rufenacht joins Milligan as an instructor of Nursing. Rufenacht will be completing her Masters in Nursing at Western Governors University in December. She is from Sullivan South Highschool, where she served as a Health Science instructor.
● Brian Saxton joins Milligan as an assistant professor of Theatre and Director of Technical Theatre. Saxton has a MFA in scenic design and Technical Theatre Direction. Saxton comes to Milligan from the College of William and Mary, where he served as faculty lecturer, Director of Production, and Technical Theatre Director.
To learn more about Milligan’s faculty or to find their contact information, please visit the faculty and staff page on Milligan’s website.