73 New Members Boost Expertise of Strong Faculty

This fall, CSU welcomed 73 new faculty members, many of whom come from flagship Association of American Universities (AAU) institutions, including Brown University, Penn State, the University of Missouri, the University of Virginia and The Ohio State University.

The group includes 47 tenure/tenure track faculty – by far the largest number to join Cleveland State in recent memory.

For Janine L. Spears, associate professor of information systems, the move to Cleveland was a return to her hometown.

“While on faculty at DePaul University in Chicago, I would visit Cleveland a few times each year and couldn’t help but notice the transformation of the Cleveland State campus. CSU’s emphasis on Engaged Learning really resonates with me and I’m finding students who demonstrate a genuine interest in learning. What a great time to join Cleveland State,” she says.

Beth Domholdt, professor and director, School of Health Sciences, has lived in Indiana and Minnesota for the past 40 years and was eager to return to the region where she grew up and still has family.

“Cleveland is such a great health care town, and this position gives me a chance to work with colleagues at CSU and in greater Cleveland to educate the next generation of health providers. The faculty and staff within the School of Health Sciences are fabulous — interesting people who are engaged in their teaching and research and deeply invested in the success of their students,” she says.

For Anne Barry, assistant professor of art, “coming to CSU has been an overwhelmingly positive experience. The University’s location in downtown Cleveland was certainly a draw; now that I’m here, I’m developing an even deeper appreciation for what it means to be part of an urban campus. I’m inspired by the diverse perspectives of the students I work with, grateful for the support my colleagues have shown me and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”

The new faculty “clearly show the high regard in which Cleveland State is held,” notes Provost Jianping Zhu. “That so many faculty have chosen Cleveland State to further their teaching and research pursuits speaks volumes about the opportunities for professional growth available here. Their fresh perspectives and wealth of experience bolster our already strong faculty and enrich the campus and the Engaged Learning experience for students.”