University Faculty Members Receive Promotions and Tenure

Twenty-two faculty members at The University of Scranton received promotions heading into the start of the 2026-27 academic year and are effective as of Aug. 31. 

Four faculty members were elevated to professor:

Jinghan Cai, Ph.D., economics and finance;Howard Fisher, Ph.D., communications;Cyrus P. Olsen III, Ph.D., theology;Michelle Pratt-McHugh, library.

Four faculty members were advanced to associate professor:

Deborah Budash, Ph.D., occupational therapy;Laura Chapman, Ph.D., health and human performance;Ashley Driver, Ph.D., biology;Amanda Marcy, Ph.D., accounting.

Six faculty members were named associate professor and granted tenure:

Christopher Fremaux, Ph.D., philosophy;Bibi Khan, Ph.D., biology;Julie Murphy, Ph.D., nursing;Joshua Reynolds, Ph.D., psychology;Laura Skoronski Chavez, Ph.D., nursing;Cristen Walker, Ph.D., nursing.

Eight professors were granted tenure:

Mehmet Bastug, Ph.D., cybercrime and homeland security;Vincent Farallo, Ph.D., biology;Spencer Galen, Ph.D., biology; Emily Gerstle, Ph.D., health and human performance;Christopher Hauser, Ph.D., philosophy;Joseph Klobusicky, Ph.D., math;Geng Liu, Ph.D., physics and engineering;