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Shreveport, LA — Centenary College has kicked off the 2024-2025 academic year with a significant milestone, welcoming over 700 students—the largest total enrollment the college has seen since 2011. The new academic year, which began on Monday, August 26, also brings a fresh wave of talent to the college with the addition of several new visiting and tenure-track faculty members across various disciplines.
New Faculty Members:
- Joshua Chambers, Assistant Professor of Studio Art
Joshua Chambers joins Centenary College with a Master of Fine Arts degree from Louisiana Tech University and a background in painting and drawing from Northeastern State University. He previously worked as an itinerant teacher for the Talented Arts Program in Caddo Parish Schools and is an artist fellow for Louisiana A+ Schools. Chambers’ artwork has been exhibited throughout the southern United States, and he has twice won the “Best of Show” award at Critical Mass, an annual invitational exhibition for Northwest Louisiana artists. - Ellyn Evans, Assistant Professor of Biology
Ellyn Evans brings her expertise in biochemistry and molecular biology to Centenary College. She earned her Ph.D. in biology from Case Western Reserve University and has received multiple fellowships and awards, including a GLCA Innovation Grant in Experiential and Inclusive Teaching in STEM. Evans previously served as a visiting assistant professor at The College of Wooster. - Taylor Jeans, Lecturer in Kinesiology
A Centenary alumna, Taylor Jeans holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a Master of Science degree in kinesiology from East Texas Baptist University. Jeans has extensive experience in teaching biology and has served as an academic coordinator and coach for the Marshall Independent School District. Her contributions to education were recognized when she was named the Most Influential Teacher at Marshall High School for the 2023-2024 academic year. - Dr. John Linstrom, Assistant Professor of English
Dr. John Linstrom joins Centenary College with a strong background in English and American literature. He holds a Ph.D. from New York University and has served as a Mellon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in Climate and Inequality at the Climate Museum in New York City. Linstrom specializes in environmental and public humanities, modern and contemporary American literature and culture, and creative writing. - Dr. Mae MacIntire, Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology
Dr. Mae MacIntire brings over 15 years of teaching experience and expertise in psychology to Centenary College. She earned her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of North Texas and is a licensed psychologist with experience in sport psychology, gerontology, and general mental health counseling. - Dr. Todd Rinder, Visiting Assistant Professor of Kinesiology
With a Ph.D. in exercise and sport science from Oregon State University, Dr. Todd Rinder has been a clinical instructor at the collegiate level for over two decades. He holds multiple certifications, including Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and EXOS Performance Specialist. Dr. Rinder has served as the Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Medicine at Centenary for the past two years. - Kennedy Wilcher, Assistant Professor of Theatre
A Centenary graduate, Kennedy Wilcher returns to her alma mater with a Master of Fine Arts degree in stage design from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Wilcher has been involved in over twenty-five collegiate and community theatre productions as either the lighting designer or head electrician.
Centenary College is excited to welcome these accomplished educators and professionals to its community, and looks forward to the innovative contributions they will bring to their respective fields and to the college as a whole.