Dalton State welcomes 20 new faculty to serve growing enrollmen

Dalton, GA (09/04/2026) — Dalton State College has welcomed 20 new full-time faculty members for the fall semester, expanding instructional capacity across all four academic schools as the college prepares to serve its largest student body since transitioning away from its technical mission in 2012.

Classes began Aug. 11, and preliminary enrollment figures indicate Dalton State will serve more than 5,800 students this fall. The college's enrollment has grown about 30% over the past four years, reflecting increasing demand for the college's academic programs and student-centered approach to higher education.

"At Dalton State, our faculty play a vital role in the student experience," Dalton State President John Fuchko, said. "As enrollment continues to grow, we remain committed to providing students with exceptional instruction, mentorship and support. These new faculty members bring valuable expertise and perspectives that will strengthen our academic programs and help our students achieve their goals."

New faculty members joining Dalton State this fall include:

School of Arts and Sciences

• Elisabeth Davis, assistant professor of history
• Miranda Guap, instructor of biology
• Cory Hawkins, assistant professor of information technology and engineering
• Cameron Mackey, assistant professor of psychology
• Danielle Merier, assistant professor of English
• Brandy Roger, assistant professor of biology
• Olivia Sadler, assistant professor of communication
• Yuni Shen, assistant professor of mathematics
• Asaf Varol, Shaw Industries Chair in STEM and assistant professor of engineering

School of Education

• Cristian Aquino-Sterling, Keith & Lynn Whitworth Distinguished Chair in Classical Education and associate professor of classical education and alternative educational philosophies
• Suzanna Roman-Oliver, assistant professor of science education
• Wesley Satterfield, assistant professor of special education

School of Health Professions

• Taylor Coker, assistant professor of nursing
• Lori Greer, assistant professor of nursing
• Shanna Guess, assistant professor of nursing
• Mary Katherine Martin, assistant professor of social work
• Mya Qureshi, lecturer of nursing
• Holli Wagner, lecturer of nursing

Wright School of Business

• Jackie Killings, lecturer of business administration
• Jingqan Li, associate professor of management information systems

All new faculty participate in Dalton State's New Faculty Academy, a year-long program designed to welcome, prepare and support faculty as they transition into the college community and develop engaging learning environments for students.

The academy includes a comprehensive orientation, departmental mentoring, monthly professional development sessions and peer teaching observations throughout the academic year.

Dalton State College is ranked one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to the Great Colleges to Work for program - one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country. To learn more about employment opportunities at Dalton State, visit www.DaltonState.edu.

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