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VWU Welcomes New Faculty and Academic Staff
New professors and staff join Academic Affairs division
University News | September 26, 2019
They're published authors, inquisitive researchers, and distinguished artists engaged in a wide range of scholarly activities and community service. But by design, Virginia Wesleyan University recruits faculty and academic staff whose primary interest and commitment is to classroom learning. Meet the professionals who recently joined the the Academic Affairs division.
New Faculty
Frank Futyma
Visiting Instructor of Management, Business, and Economics (MBE)
Frank Futyma, Visiting Instructor of Management, Business, and Economics (MBE), earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and his master’s from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Amber Gruszeczka
Research Librarian
Amber Gruszeczka comes to VWU as a Research Librarian in Hofheimer Library. Gruszeczka holds a bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University and a master’s in Library and Information Science from Valdosta State University in Georgia.
Dr. Felipe Hugueno
Assistant Professor of Hispanic Studies
Dr. Felipe Hugueno, Assistant Professor of Hispanic Studies in the Foreign Languages and Literature Department, earned his bachelor’s degree from Birmingham University, a master’s degree from St. John’s University, and a Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Dr. Marielle Postava-Davignon
Assistant Professor of Biology
Dr. Marielle Postava-Davignon, Assistant Professor of Biology, holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia and a Ph.D. from Northeastern University.
Gregory Snyder
Technical Services Librarian
For Gregory Snyder, Technical Services Librarian, Coastal Virginia is just the right place for him. The native Texan is enjoying the region's moderate climate. He has been working in libraries for 20 years, most recently at Tidewater Community College. Snyder says he is most looking forward to “learning more about the highly accomplished and fascinating people in the VWU community.” Snyder earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and a master’s degree from the University of North Texas.
Garrett Wood
Assistant Professor of Management, Business and Economics
Garrett Wood began his first year of teaching this semester as an Assistant Professor of Management, Business and Economics (MBE). A former Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy, Wood says he’s passionate about economics and helping others see how it applies to what they're passionate about. He studies the economics of war, but points out that “economics is the universal science of human action so it can help us study anything human beings do.” He looks forward to growing the economics program at VWU. Wood earned a bachelor’s degree from Hillsdale College, a master’s degree from the Naval War College, and a master’s and Ph.D. from George Mason University.
Academic Staff
Jessica Harrington
Director of Career Development
Jessica Harrington comes to Virginia Wesleyan after working in a variety of settings, from community-based counseling and private practice to roles in recruiting, marketing, editing, and technical writing. As VWU’s new Director of Career Development in The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration & Discovery, she says that she is excited to help students and alumni develop their education into a career. When she is not at VWU, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, or running. She holds a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from the College of William and Mary, and a bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in professional writing from Old Dominion University.
Marion Hibbler
Coordinator of the Evening and Weekend Program
Marion Hibbler, Coordinator of the Evening and Weekend Program, first came to Virginia Wesleyan in January 2019 as an Academic Support Intern, previously serving as the Academic Service Manager at Regent University, with fifteen years of experience in the education field. She earned a master’s degree in student affairs from Regent University, a Master of Management in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in information technology from Old Dominion University.
Kristi Lafoon
Associate Registrar
Kristi Lafoon has been promoted to Associate Registrar. She is a 2003 graduate of Virginia Wesleyan and returned in 2014, serving as a key member of the Registrar's Office staff, and previously held a position in the Office of Financial Aid. She also holds a master's degree in English from Northwestern State University with a concentration in Folklife and Southern Culture. Lafoon succeeds Sharon Wilson, Associate Registrar and 1979 Virginia Wesleyan graduate, who retired in August.