This story was written by staff writer Anthony Navarrete.
This semester Newman not only welcomed new students, but new faculty and staff members as well.
Here’s a look at the some of the new faculty and staff that students may run into.
Benjamin Medeiros, Assistant Professor of Communication
The communication department has welcomed new assistant professor of communication Benjamin Medeiros. Medeiros comes after the passing of Dr. Suzanne Berg last spring.
Originally from the northeast, Medeiros earned his undergraduate degree at Franklin and Marshall in Lancaster, PA. He earned his doctorate in communication at the University of California San Diego, where he taught for a year after graduating.
Immediately before coming to Newman, Medeiros worked as a visiting assistant professor at the University of Central Arkansas.
Medeiros familiarized himself with Newman and the university mission statement and felt that Newman would be a good environment for him.
Medeiros said that the Newman community has been welcoming.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of students’ growth, both intellectually and as people. And I hope that we can make the classes we have and the kind of projects that we help people work on fun, and I hope we can make these years somewhat memorable,” he said.
Lori Gibbon, Registrar
Following the retirement of Shirley Rueb, Newman has hired Lori Gibbon as the new registrar.
Gibbon, who has a history in higher education, said she was working as a mixture of a private coordinator for research study at the University of Minnesota and as a stay-at-home mom prior to Newman.
Gibbon earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.
As her husband was retiring from the military, Gibbon felt it was the right time to get back into higher education. Gibbon, who started her career at a private Catholic institution, saw the position posted online and when she came to interview for the position, she said she fell in love with the campus.
“I’m thrilled to be here and everybody has been tremendously welcoming, from the students and the staff all the way up through the president,” she said.
Laura Hartley, Events Coordinator
Students who will be looking to book rooms for their events will be working with the new events coordinator, Laura Hartley.
Hartley had been working as the events coordinator for more than eight years at the Wichita Boathouse where she got experience in planning many events, such as weddings, funerals, and parties.
Hartley said that she was ready for a change and since her mom is a Newman alumna, she felt a connection to Newman.
Hartley said she will be playing a major role in fundraising events for the university this year, including the upcoming Party on the Plaza.
Hartley is looking forward to coming up with events that will get students engaged on campus and events where alumni and students can connect.
When Hartley isn’t busy in her office, students can hear her in a podcast she co-hosts called the Lunchroom Poll where she discusses books, movies, and TV with two other friends.
Raymond Williams, Alumni Director
Alumni director Raymond Williams is hoping to bridge the gap between students and alumni in his new position. Williams is a Newman alumnus who graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in communication.
Post graduation, Williams had stayed in the Wichita area working with Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters as an IT specialist and then as an applications support engineer for American AgCredit.
Williams said that he had achieved what he had wanted to in his career at that point.
“I made it pretty high up the chain and was like, ‘Well, okay. I did this because I could, but this isn’t what I wanted to be doing,’” he said.
Williams received a call from professor of history Dr. Cheryl Golden, informing him of the open position and saying she believed he would be a good fit for the position.
Williams said that he always wanted to give back to Newman and is excited about his new position and how he can create a connection between the alumni and students.
Jason Pool, Director of Human Resources
After former director of Human Resources Mandy Greenfield parted ways with the university last semester, new director, Jason Pool, has settled into his position at Newman.
Pool spent almost 21 years in the Air Force, where he retired as a senior master sergeant. During his time in the Air Force, he earned two associate degrees, a bachelor’s degree, and his MBA.
Pool has worked in human resources for the past four to five years and was looking for something different, he said.When he saw the job posting, he felt that Newman could be a good fit for him.
Pool said that students can stop by his office any time if they have questions about employment or paycheck issues.
Cameron Carlson, Dean of the School of Education
The school of education has welcomed its new dean, Cameron Carlson.
Carlson earned his bachelors, masters, and doctorate from Wichita State University.
Before coming to Newman, Carlson started his career as a high school teacher at Goddard and then went on to Kapaun Mt. Carmel, where he served as assistant principal and academic dean.
Carlson began his career in higher education at Southern Illinois University and then worked as the dean of education at Southwestern College. After four years there, Carlson decided that he wanted to work in Catholic education.
Carlson worked at The University of St. Mary for a year before applying and eventually being hired at Newman.
Carlson said that because of his connection to the Wichita diocese and Catholic education, he is happy to be at Newman and is excited to continue improving a program that he believes is doing great.
“I want to make sure that the accreditation that we have here helps showcase the talents here because there’s so many of them,” he said. “It’s just a great program. It’s a great product already, so I’m just trying to help make sure everyone knows how great it is.”
PHOTO: BENJAMIN MEDEIROS has been hired to fill the position of the late Dr. Berg as an assistant professor of communication. Carley Sullivan, Staff Photographer
