Houghton College welcomed 13 new faculty members this fall. The new educators will prepare Houghton graduates to enter the world, eager to transform and inspire. Among those joining the faculty are Laura Alexeichik, Brandon Bate, Jason Bintz, Naomi Christensen, Sarah Hutchings, Asher John, Pil Joon Kim, Janette LaBarre, Carrie Magin, Katie Martin, Michael Selig, Alicia Taylor, and Rebecca Williams.
“We are particularly delighted this year by the diversity of our new faculty group and their wide range of experience,” said Dean Linda Mills Woolsey. “In addition to graduate training in their fields, this group is remarkable for the number who have international experience and global interests and interdisciplinary training. As they told their stories around the table at New Faculty Orientation, I was encouraged and inspired by their commitment to Christian faith and practice and their enthusiasm for working with our students.”
Alexeichik is Houghton’s interim assistant professor of recreation. Alexeichik graduated from Houghton in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She also earned a master’s in education from Westminster College.
Bate was previously an interim professor and now serves in a full-time position as assistant professor of mathematics. Bate, a 2004 graduate of Houghton, where he achieved his Bachelor of Arts degree, also received a Master of Arts degree from Boston College and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Rutgers University.
Bintz is the new assistant professor of applied mathematics this fall at Houghton. He has received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Covenant College, his Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and his PhD of Mathematics from the University of Tennessee.
Houghton welcomes Christensen as the new instructor of accounting. She is a 2008 graduate of Houghton where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree and has also achieved her public accountant certification from Washington State. She was previously a senior business analyst for the Seed Company in Arlington, Texas.
Hutchings is the new assistant professor of music composition and theory. Hutchings holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, a Master of Music degree in Composition and Theory from Florida State University, and a Bachelor of Music degree in Commercial and Electronic Music from Western Carolina University.
John is being welcomed as the visiting assistant professor of linguistics. He has received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Bahauddin Zakariya University.
The Houghton College business department is pleased to welcome Kim as the new assistant professor of business administration. He previously taught at North Central College and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Kim received his Bachelor and Master of Business Administration degrees from Soongsil University.
LaBarre is the new interim instructor of instrumental music. LaBarre previously taught music at the Rochester Christian School. She received her Master of Music degree from Roberts Wesleyan College.
Magin joins the Houghton faculty as the new assistant professor of music composition and theory. Magin previously served as an interim professor but has now accepted a full-time position. She received both her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.
Houghton welcomes Martin as the new assistant professor of voice. She obtained both a Doctor of Musical Arts degree and a master’s degree in vocal performance from The University of Southern California, as well as a bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana.
Taylor joins Houghton as a new assistant professor of art and printmaking. Taylor previously served as an interim professor but is now serving in a full-time position. Taylor received her certificate in arts management and her Master of Fine Arts degree from SUNY Brockport.
Houghton welcomes Selig as a visiting assistant professor of chemistry. He also serves as an adjunct professor of physics—thermodynamics at Canisius College. Selig received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Cornell University as well as his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Copenhagen DK.
Williams comes to Houghton as an assistant professor of biology. Williams has achieved her Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of Windsor.
