As Central Methodist University welcomes both new and returning students to campus for the fall semester, new members of the faculty have also been preparing for the start of classes on August 19. Central has brought in several new professors on a full-time basis, including multiple alumni.
This year’s additions to the faculty include Haley Innes, Kara Metzger, Christine Sanders, Jessie Maxwell, Thomas Clark, Heng-Yu Chen, Zachary Kierstead ’20, and Tim Edwards ’92.
Haley Innes already has two years of experience with Central as an online adjunct for the dual credit program, but is moving into the role of assistant professor of mathematics. She says she strives as a teacher to live up to the role models she had as a student who helped her hone her skills in math and fall in love with the subject. She is also excited to be part of the full-time faculty on campus.
“I am most looking forward to becoming a full-time member of the Central Methodist family. The sense of community is what piqued my interest in Central,” said Innes. “I cannot wait to become fully immersed in all of the amazing campus activities, faculty development opportunities, and department events.”
Central’s new director of bands, Kara Metzger is living her lifelong dream of becoming a band director. Introduced to the Central community in April, her passion and energy for teaching and performing have excited those invested in the Swinney Conservatory of Music.
“I always knew it was something I wanted to do, to be involved in music, and my first opportunity to do that in the school setting was in fourth grade, when I joined orchestra. The rest is history. Almost all my free time has been dedicated to band,” Metzger said.
Christine Sanders will serve as the new director of business graduate studies beginning this semester, along with her assistant professor role. She’ll be teaching classes such as communications in the global marketplace, IT project and team management, and business success for non-business majors. Sanders says she is especially looking forward to working with graduate students.
“Project management and communication skills are foundational for effective business and technology leadership, policymaking, and entrepreneurial thinking,” she said. “I am excited to work closely with the MBA and MSITM graduate students as they advance their individual business and technology leadership career journeys.”
Also in the business department will be Jessie Maxwell, who brings experience as Central’s CGES financial aid coordinator and career development center coordinator. In her new role as assistant professor of business and economics, she’s excited to be teaching in-seat for courses in business and management.
“I've always been interested in how things work in the business world. While working at a law firm and forming a passion for business law, ethics, and research, I decided to continue my education in the MBA program with William Woods University,” Maxwell said of her journey in business education. “I began teaching in the online undergraduate business program with WWU shortly after receiving my degree and have taught business courses for the past nine years.”
Joining Metzger as new members of the Swinney Conservatory, Tom Clark will take over this year as the director of choral activities. With experience teaching at every level, Clark has earned a reputation from his students for being a passionate teacher who brings a high level of energy to the job. He also emphasizes the importance of amplifying underrepresented voices.
“My philosophy of teaching is that every voice is unique, and I would like to help students find their authentic voice, whatever that may be,” said Clark. “And through the journey together, we can help each other grow.”
Heng-Yu Chen will join the faculty as an associate professor of physics, following five years of teaching at Trinity Christian College near Chicago. He is looking forward to getting started teaching and researching, as well as supporting students in their career goals. Chen also says his interest in physics comes from a desire to explore the mysteries of the universe.
“My major in undergraduate school is nuclear engineering and minor is in physics,” he said of his background. “During my time serving in the army of Taiwan, I realized that I am more interested in studying the fundamental questions, like the beginning of the Universe.”
One of two Central alumni joining the faculty full-time is Zachary Kierstead, instructor of piano and collaborative pianist. Kierstead graduated in 2020 with a degree in piano before going on to grad school at the University of Missouri. Since then he has been invited to work with the CMU choirs and theatre program as an accompanist, as well as an adjunct instructor.
Kierstead is excited to get to continue his career path in piano music – a lifelong passion – and to be part of the Conservatory’s full-time faculty.
“Being in a new position for the school, I am amped to see what type of benefit I can bring to the music-student body,” he said. “Collaborative music begins at interpersonal connection, so I’m eager to be here full-time so that I can really get to know and be present for students in as well as out of lessons and rehearsal environments.”
A 1992 alumnus of Central, Tim Edwards has plenty of CMU experience. The new director of field and clinical education for the education department has served as an adjunct professor for the past three years, supervising student teachers. In his new role, he will be teaching supervision of student teaching and coordinating placements for student teachers.
“I am looking forward to having great experiences with student teachers as they see their confidence and abilities grow in the classroom,” said Edwards. “I am also excited to give back to the school that taught me how to be an educator. Dedicated professionals that I looked up to and admired such as Dr. [James] Lutjen, Dr. Moz [Mozaffar Rahmatpanah], Mitch Cochran, Larry Anderson, Jeff Sherman, Steve Phipps, Mark Robb, and many others were great influences on my career.”