Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences Directory

Christopher Watts, Marilyn & Morgan Davies Dean

Adam King, Associate Dean for Health Sciences

Suzy Lockwood, Associate Dean for Nursing & Nurse Anesthesia

Brad Cannell, Associate Dean for Research

Linda Humphrey, Coordinator, Degree Certification

Davies School of Communication Sciences & Disorders

DANIELLE M. BRIMO, Professor and Director of Davies School of Communication Sciences & Disorders. B.S. (Florida State University), 2004; M.A. (Ibid.), 2006; Ph.D. (Ibid.), 2012. Since 2012.

TRACY BURGER, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice. B.S. (University of North Texas), 1994; M.S.-SLP (Ibid.), 1998; M.S., Audiology (Ibid.), 2000. Since 2015.

ANTHONY DiLOLLO, Professor. B.S. (University of Western Australia), 1986; M.S. (University of Mississippi), 1996; Ph.D. (University of Memphis), 2001. Since 2020.

TERESA DRULIA, Associate Professor. B.S. (James Madison University), 1993; M.S. (Ibid), 1994; Ph.D. (Ibid), 2016. Since 2017.

LYNN K. FLAHIVE, Assistant Professor and Associate Dean for Health Sciences, Harris College. (B.S. (Marquette University), 1977; M.S. (Ibid.), 1978. Since 1991.

KAREN HENNINGTON, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice and Director of Miller Speech & Hearing Clinic. B.S. (Texas Christian University), 1996; M.S. (Ibid.), 1998. Since 2014.

EMILY LUND, Associate Professor. B.A. (Vanderbilt University), 2006; M.S. (Vanderbilt University School of Medicine), 2008; Ph.D. (Vanderbilt University School of Medicine), 2013. Since 2014.

LAUREL T LYNCH, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice. B.S. (Baylor University), 1983; M.S. (Texas Christian University), 1984. Since 2012.

IRMGARD PAYNE, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice. B.A. (University of Texas, Arlington), 1986; M.S. (Texas Christian University), 1994. Since 2003.

JEAN F. RIVERA PEREZ, Associate Professor. B.A. (Universidad de Puerto Rico en Humacao), 2004; M.S. (Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico), 2009; Ph.D. (University of Cincinnati), 2016. Since 2017.

AHMED RIVERA-CAMPOS, Associate Professor. B.A. (Universidad de Puerto Rico Recinto de Humacao), 2005; M.S. (Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico), 2009; Ph.D. (University of Cincinnati), 2016. Since 2017.

CHRISTOPHER WATTS, Professor; and Marilyn & Morgan Davies Dean, Harris College. B.S. (University of South Alabama), 1994; Ph.D. (Ibid.), 1998. Since 2008.

LYNITA A. YARBROUGH, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice. B.S. (Texas Christian University), 1994; M.S. (Ibid.), 1996. Since 2012.

Health Sciences

TYRONE F. BORDERS, Professor.  B.A. (University of Kansas), 1993; M.S. Epidemiology (University of Iowa), M.A. Hospital and Health Administration (University of Iowa), both 1995; Ph.D (University of Iowa), 1999.  Since 2025.

MICHAEL “BRAD” CANNELL,  Professor.  B.A. (University of North Texas) 2005 ;  MPH (University of Louisville), 2009; Ph.D (University of Florida), 2013. Since 2025.

DON GALBADAGE, Assistant Professor. B.S. (Texas Christian University), 2007; M.P.H. (The University of Texas), 2008; M.D/Ph.D. (Texas A&M University), 2017. Since 2024.

EMILY MCCLELLAND, Assistant Professor. B.S.ED (Bowling Green State University), 2014; M.Ed. (Bowling Green State University), 2016; Ph.D. (Southern Methodist University), 2023. Since 2024.

YAN ZHANG, Professor of Professional Practice. B.Med. (Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine), 1996; M.Med. (China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences), 1999; Ph.D. (Old Dominion University), 2005. Since 2019.

Kinesiology

PHIL ESPOSITO, Associate Professor of Professional Practice and Director, Undergraduate Program. B.S. (Truman State University), 2005; M.S. (Missouri State University at Springfield), 2008; Ph.D. (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor), 2012. Since 2012.

MALAKA (GRACI) FINCO, Assistant Professor. B.S. (University of North Texas). 2014; M.S. (Baylor College of Medicine), 2016; Ph.D. (University of North Texas Health Science Center), 2022. Since 2025.

AUSTIN J. GRAYBEAL, Assistant Professor. B.S. (Texas Tech University), 2016; M.S. (Texas Tech University), 2018; Ph.D. (Texas Christian University), 2021. Since 2025.

MELISSA JENSEN, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice. B.S. (Utah State University), 1998; M.S. (California State University), 2006; Ph.D. (Oklahoma State University), 2022. Since 2022.

STEPHANIE JEVAS, Professor of Professional Practice and Program Director, Athletic Training Program. B.S. (Texas A&M University), 1993; M.A. (Western Michigan University), 1994; Ph.D. (University of Houston), 2004. Since 2012.

ADAM KING, Associate Professor, Ph.D. in Health Sciences Program Director. B.A. (Concordia), 1998; M.S. (University of Pennsylvania), 2008; Ph.D. (Ibid), 2013. Since 2016.

RYAN R. PORTER, Assistant Professor. B.S. (Brigham Young University), 2008; M.S. (Utah State University), 2012; Ph.D. (University of South Carolina), 2018. Since 2020.

DEBORAH J. RHEA, Professor. B.S. (University of Texas, Arlington), 1980; M.Ed. (University of Houston) 1990; Ed.D. (Ibid), 1995. Since 1999.

VALERIE STEVENSON, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice. B.S. (University of Memphis), 2004; M.S. (University of Arkansas), 2006; D.A.T. (University of Idaho), 2016. Since 2025.

ROBYN B. TROCCHIO, Associate Professor, Graduate Program Director B.S. (University of Florida), 2007; M.S. (Barry University), 2009; Ph.D. (Florida State University), 2013. Since 2019.

PETER WEYAND, Professor, Chair of the Department of Kinesiology. B.A. (Bates College), 1983; M.S. (Bridgewater State College), 1988; Ph.D. (University of Georgia), 1992. Since 2023.

KRISTINA WHITE, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice and Clinical Coordinator of Athletic Training. B.S. (University of Miami), 2013; M.S. (Baylor University), 2015; Ph.D. (Ibid), 2019. Since 2022.

Nursing

SUZANNE ACKERS, Assistant Professor. B.S.N. (Abilene Christian University), 1996; M.S.N. (Texas Woman’s University), 2012; Ph.D. (Duquesne University), 2023.  Since 2023.

GINA K. ALEXANDER, Professor. B.S.N. (Oklahoma Baptist University), 1998; M.S. Public Health (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), 2003; M.S.N. (University of Virginia), 2008; Ph.D. (Ibid.), 2009. Since 2010.

KATHY BAKER, Professor. B.S.N. (Baylor University), 1981; M.S.N. (Texas Woman's University), 1988; Ph.D. (University of Texas), 2003. Clinical Nurse Specialist (APRN, BC). Since 2007.

LATASHA BAKER, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice and Coordinator, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program.    B.S.N (Texas Christian University), 2007; M.S.N. Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (University of Texas at Arlington), 2016; D.N.P. (Texas Christian University), 2021. Since 2021.

LORI BORCHERS, Assistant Professor. B.S.N. (University of Kansas), 1991; M.S.N. (Georgia State University), 1997; Ph.D. (Texas Christian University), 2021. Since 2014.

VICKI BROOKS, Associate Professor of Professional Practice and Director, Graduate Nursing . B.S.N. (Texas Christian University), 1994; M.S.N. (University of Texas at Arlington), 2002; D.N.P. (Texas Woman's University), 2016; Family Nurse Practitioner. Since 2018.

ALISON CARMONA, Assistant Professor, B.S.N. (University of San Francisco), 2004; M.S.N. (University of Texas at Arlington), 2007; Ph.D. (William Carey University), 2022. Since 2023. DENNIS CHEEK, Abell-Hanger Professor of Gerontological Nursing. A.S. (Yuba College), 1979; B.S.N. (California State University), 1982; M.S. (University of California), 1988; Ph.D. (University of Nevada), 1996. Since 2003.

GLENDA DANIELS, Professor. B.S.N. (University of Texas), 1975; M.S.N. (Texas Woman's University), 1994; Ph.D. (University of Texas at Arlington), 2009. Since 2009.

ENY DOREA, Associate Professor, B.S.N. (Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro), 2002; M.Sc.N. (University of Sao Paulo), 2007; Ph.D. (Ibid.), 2012.  Since 2023.

GRISELLE ESTRADA, Assistant Professor. B.S.N. (University of Puerto Rico), 1985; M.S.N. (University of Miami), 2002; Ph.D. (Duquesne University), 2022.  Since 2023.

SUSAN FIFE, Associate Professor of Professional Practice. B.S.N. (Texas Christian University), 1991; M.S.N. (State University of New York at Stony Brook), 1997; D.N.P. (Frontier Nursing University), 2019; Certificate of Nurse-Midwifery (Parkland School of Nurse-Midwifery), 1995. Since 2014.

ASHLEY FRANKLIN, Associate Professor; and Polly & Tex Rankin Endowed Professor of Nursing. B.S.N. (Texas Christian University), 2003; M.S.N. (Ibid), 2010; Ph.D. (Oregon Health and Science University), 2014. Since 2014.

CAROL HOWE, Associate Professor; Director, Nursing Research & Scholarship; and Paula R. and Ronald C. Parker Endowed Professor of Nursing. B.A. (University of Pennsylvania), 1983; B.S.N. (Ibid), 1985; M.S.N. (Ibid), 1988; Ph.D. (University of Texas at Arlington), 2014. Since 2014.

LYNNETTE HOWINGTON, Associate Professor of Professional Practice, and Director, Undergraduate Nursing.  B.S.N. (Texas Christian University), 1994; M.S.N. (Old Dominion University), 2003. D.N.P. (Texas Christian University), 2011. Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. Since 2007.

OTEKA JACKSON-CENALES, Associate Professor of Professional Practice. B.S.N. (East Texas Baptist University), 2007; M.S.N. (Loyola University), 2012; D.N.P. (Walden University), 2018. Since 2018.

ANN JOHNSON, Associate Professor. B.S.N. (Houston Baptist University), 1984; M.S.N. (University of Alabama School of Nursing), 1991; Ph.D. (University of Alabama at Birmingham), 2016. Since 2017.

MICHELLE KIMZEY, Associate Professor. B.S. (Baylor University), 1991; M.S. (Texas Woman’s University), 2010; Ph.D. (University of Texas), 2014. Since 2017.

MAURA LINDENFELD, Assistant Professor. B.A. (Simmons College), 1986; M.S. (Ibid.), 1990; Diploma (College of Mount Saint Vincent), 1995; M.S.N. (Indiana University Purdue University), 2001; Ph.D. (Capella University), 2022. Since 2023.

SUZY LOCKWOOD, Professor, Associate Dean for Nursing & Nurse Anesthesia and Director of Center for Oncology Education and Research. B.S.N. (Texas Christian University), 1983; M.S.N. (University of Texas at Arlington), 1994; Ph.D. (Ibid.), 2001. Since 1997.

BEKKI MCINTOSH, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice; and Coordinator, Adult Gerontology- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program. A.A.S.N (Tarrant County College), 1991; B.S.N. (Texas Woman's University), 1998; M.S.N. (The University of Texas at Arlington), 2002; D.N.P (Texas Christian University), 2017. Since 2022.

KIMBERLY POSEY, Associate Professor of Professional Practice; and Coordinator, Nurse Education Program and Executive Nurse Leadership DNP Program . B.S.N. (Texas Woman’s University), 1997; M.S.N. (University of Texas at Arlington), 2000; D.N.P. (Texas Christian University), 2013; Ph.D. (William Carey University), 2022. Since 2016.

JANIE RANEL ROBINSON, Professor. B.S.N. (Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge), 1996; M.S.N. (Ibid.), 2002; Ph.D. (Ibid.), 2009. Since 2009.

BETH ROGERS, Assistant Professor. B.S.N. (Texas Christian University), 2001; M.S.N. (Ibid), 2015; Ph.D. (Ibid), 2021. Since 2022.

SARAH LIBBY ROSONET, Associate Professor of Professional Practice. B.A.H. (Berry College), 2005; M.S.N. (Augusta University), 2012; D.N.P. (Quinnipiac University), 2020. Since 2022.

LISETTE SALEH, Associate Professor. B.S. Psychology (Texas Christian University), 2002; A.D.N. (Tarrant County College), 2005; B.S.N. (Texas Christian University), 2008; M.S.N. (Texas Woman’s University), 2012; Ph.D. (University of Texas at Tyler), 2017; Certified Inpatient Obstetric Nurse. Since 2012.

DANIELLE WALKER, Associate Professor. B.S.N. (Texas Christian University), 2003; M.S.N. (Texas Woman's University), 2009. Ph.D. (University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston), 2015. Since 2009.

JODIE WEATHERLY, Associate Professor of Professional Practice. B.S.N. (West Texas A&M University), 1993; M.S.N. (Ibid.), 2005; D.N.P. (American Sentinel University), 2021. Since 2007.

SUSAN MACE WEEKS, Professor, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, TCU, and Executive Director, Health Innovation Institute at TCU. B.S.N. (William Jewell College), 1983; M.S. (Texas Woman's University), 1986; D.N.P. (Texas Christian University), 2009; Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psych-Mental Health Nursing. Since 1994.

TAMMIE WILLIAMS, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice; and Coordinator, Family Nurse Practitioner Program B.S.N. (University of Detroit Mercy), 1997; M.S. Health Care Education (Ibid.), 2000; M.S.N. Family Nurse Practitioner (University of Michigan), 2011; D.N.P. (Texas Christian University), 2021. Since 2021.

LESLIE ZIMPELMAN, Assistant Professor. B.S. (Wake Forest University), 2003; B.S.N. (Texas Christian University), 2005; M.S.N. (Walden University), 2013; Ph.D. (University of Missouri-Columbia), 2023 Since 2014.

School of Nurse Anesthesia

GREGORY B. COLLINS, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice.  B.S.N. (West Texas A&M University), 2002; M.S.N. (Texas Christian University), 2006; D.N.P. (Texas Christian University), 2018.  Since 2021.

MARGARET ROSEANN DIEHL, Professor of Professional Practice. B.S.N. (University of Texas at Austin), 1988; M.H.S. (Texas Wesleyan University), 1997; D.N.P. (Texas Christian University), 2010; Ph.D. (Texas Woman's University, Houston), 2016. Since 2010.

CLAY FREEMAN, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice. B.S.N. (University of Texas at Tyler), 2009; DNP-A (Texas Christian University), 2014. Since 2022.

VAUGHNA GALVIN, Associate Professor of Professional Practice. B.S.N. (Barton College), 1997; M.A. (East Carolina University), 2002; M.S.N.A. (Texas Christian University), 2005; D.N.A.P. (Virginia Commonwealth University), 2011. Since 2014.

MONICA BASHOR JENSCHKE, Associate Professor of Professional Practice. B.S.N. (University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio), 1987; M.H.S. (Texas Wesleyan University), 1994; Ph.D. (University of North Texas Health Science Center), 2009. Since 2012.

JENNIFER OAKES, Associate Professor of Professional Practice. B.S.N. (University of Phoenix), 2008; M.S.N.A. (Virginia Commonwealth University), 2010; D.N.A.P. (Virginia Commonwealth University), 2011. Since 2020.

J. DRU RIDDLE, Associate Professor of Professional Practice. B.S.N. (Virginia Commonwealth University), 1999; M.S.N. (Old Dominion University), 2002; D.N.P. (Texas Christian University), 2011; Ph.D. (Medical University of South Carolina), 2014. Since 2012.

JACKIE ROWLES, Associate Professor of Professional Practice. B.S.N. (Ball State University), 1982; M.B.A. (University of Memphis), 1988; B.A. (University of Missouri), 1993; A.N.P. Post-master's certificate (Ball State University), 2013; D.N.P (Barry University), 2016. Since 2020.

ROBYN WARD, Professor of Professional Practice. B.S.N. (Montana State University), 1990; M.S. Nurse Anesthesia (Georgetown University), 2000; Ph.D. (Rush University), 2018. Since 2019.

Occupational Therapy

GRACE FRANKO BARLOW,  Assistant Professor of Professional Practice.  B.A. (Texas Christian University),  2018 ;  OTD (Washington University at St. Louis),  2022; Since 2024.

 LEAH BOTKIN, Assistant Professor. BHSc. (University of Missouri), 2018; MSOT (Washington at St. Louis), 2020; Ph.D (University of Missouri), 2025; Since  2025.

MICHAEL D. JUSTISS, Professor and Director of Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. B.S. (University of Pittsburgh), 1993; B.S. (Ibid), 1993; B.S. (Ibid), 1995; M.O.T (Duquesne University), 2000; Ph.D. (University of Florida at Gainesville), 2005. Since 2023.

CRYSTAL SMITH, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice. B.S. (University of Texas Medical Branch), 2001; M.A. (Lamar University),  2014; OTD (University of Texas Medical Branch), 2023; Since 2024.

Physician Associate

GARY PEREZ, Professor of Professional Practice and Founding Director.  B.S. (University of Oklahoma) 1988; MPAS (University of Nebraska Medical Center) 1998; DMSc (University of Lynchburg), 2021. Since 2024.

Social Work

SH'NIQUA ALFORD, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice and Director, BSW Program. B.S.S.W. (Texas Christian University), 2005; M.S.W. (University of Texas at Arlington), 2014. Since 2018.  

NADA ELIAS-LAMBERT, Professor and Chair of the Department of Social Work. B.A. (University of Texas at Austin), 2001; M.S.W. (University of Texas at Arlington), 2004; Ph.D. (Ibid.), 2013. Since 2013.

D. LYNN JACKSON, Professor of Professional Practice and Director of Field Education, and Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives, Harris College. B.S.W. (University of South Florida), 1979; M.S.W. (Florida State University), 1989; Ph.D. (Ibid.), 2005. Since 2013.

AESHA JOHN, Professor. B.A. (Gujarat University), 1992; M.S.W. (Maharaja Sayajirao University), 1995; Ph.D. (Oklahoma State University), 2011. Since 2015.

KATIE LAUVE-MOON, Associate Professor. B.S. (Louisiana Tech University), 2007; M.S.W. (Baylor School of Social Work), 2010; M.Div. (George W. Truett Theological Seminary), 2011; Ph.D. (Tulane University), 2017. Since 2017.

ASHLEY PALMER, Assistant Professor. B.S. (Washburn University), 2007; M.S.W. (Ibid.), 2008; Ph.D. (University of Kansas), 2019. Since 2022.

TENISHA POLK-POTTS, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice. B.A. (University of North Texas), 2010. M.S.S.W. (University of Texas at Arlington), 2012. Since 2022.

MARY TWIS, Assistant Professor and Director, MSW Program. B.S.S.W. (Texas State University), 2007; M.S.W. (University of Texas at Arlington), 2010; Ph.D. (Ibid.), 2018. Since 2018.

TEE TYLER, Associate Professor. B.S.W. (Brigham Young University), 2006; M.S.W. (University of Utah, 2008; Ph.D. (University of Texas at Austin), 2016. Since 2016.