TWU Welcomes New Faculty for Fall 2021

Tennessee Wesleyan University added four new faculty members across the academic spectrum for the fall 2021 semester, representing social science, business, nursing, and education. The fall semester begins Monday, August 16.

Julianne Hale, Assistant Professor of Business Administration

Prof. Hale has been at Tennessee Wesleyan since 2017, when she began as an adjunct professor in the Goodfriend School of Business, also serving as director of the Management Excellence (ME) program, which provides degree completion in Management. For her work in the ME program, Prof. Hale was given the Alton L. Smith Award for Academic Advising for the 2020-2021 academic year. She now steps into a full faculty role as Assistant Professor of Business Administration, with specialty knowledge in communication, healthcare administration, and human resources.

“I've been teaching at TWU on an adjunct basis for four years and have enjoyed it a great deal,” said Hale. “I like the faculty and staff here, as well as the relationships that professors are able to form with students because of the small classroom sizes.”

Dr. Sarah Collier Harris, Assistant Professor of Education

Dr. Harris comes to Tennessee Wesleyan from, most recently the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction (STEM Education). Originally from McMinnville, Tennessee, Dr. Harris has a background in history and science, with educational stops in Cookeville, Tennessee, North Carolina and Texas. Her specialty is informal STEM education and she has presented at numerous conferences, workshops, and museum exhibits.

Summer Slack, Assistant Professor of Social Work and Social Work Field Education Director

Prof. Slack enters the classroom after almost 10 years in the social work field, working in youth programs, assisted living, school social work, local ministries, hospice, and more. An Etowah native and with work experience all over East Tennessee, Prof. Slack will direct Social Work Field Education in addition to her role as Assistant Professor.

“I have been working in the field as a social worker and want to pass along the experience I have gained to future social workers,” said Prof. Slack of her new opportunity at TWU. “Teaching at TWU means that many students will be able to help our community once they become social workers in the field.”

Lauren Ward, Assistant Professor of Nursing

Another familiar new faculty, alum Lauren Ward ’12 joins the TWU-Fort Sanders Nursing faculty as Assistant Professor of Nursing. Prof. Ward completed her Master of Science in Nursing and will now assume the new faculty role at her alma mater. Bringing experience in senior care, home health, neurological/stroke care, and more, Prof. Ward is excited to return to the Bulldog family.

“I take pride in being a graduate of this phenomenal nursing program that successfully prepared me to take on the role of a nurse both professionally and technically,” said Prof. Ward. “It has been an honor to serve in an adjunct role the last 4 years and I am excited to advance my career in education by taking this next step as a full-time professor.”