Aurora University has announced faculty appointments for the 2008-2009 academic year.
Robyn Fischer, DeKalb, was named a visiting instructor of biology. She served as a visiting instructor at AU for the spring semester of the 2007-2008 academic year.
Her professional experience also includes teaching positions at Northern Illinois University and Rock Valley College. She received her master's degree in biological sciences from Northern Illinois University and is currently a doctoral student at NIU.
Brian Husby, Aurora, was named an associate professor of education. He served as director of special education at Nebraska Wesleyan University and also held academic appointments at Mount Royal College, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Lethbridge Community College. He received his Ph.D. in early childhood special education from the University of Arizona-Tucson.
Thomas Jackson, Crystal Lake, was named an instructor of education. He served as an AU pro rata instructor in the Initial Certification program during the 2007-2008 academic year. He has served as an instructor at NIU and St. Thomas the Apostle School, as well as serving as a technology educational consultant. Jackson received his master’s degree in education in curriculum and instruction from Northern Illinois University where he is currently enrolled in the doctoral program.
Jennifer Kohnke, St. Charles, was named an assistant professor of education. Formerly an elementary school teacher in the Wood Dale and Elgin school districts, she most recently served as an assistant professor at William Rainey Harper College and as an adjunct professor at Roosevelt University. She received her Ed.D. in education from Roosevelt University.
Michael Marvel, Chicago, was named an assistant professor of chemistry. He taught at AU as an adjunct instructor for the 2007-2008 academic year. He also served as a teaching assistant at Northwestern University and was a high school science teacher. He received his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from Northwestern University.
Linda Prozialeck, Naperville, was named a visiting instructor of nursing. She serves as program manager for the Staff Development Program in Community Health Services Unit of the DuPage County Health Department in Wheaton and has more than 30 years of clinical experience. She received her master’s degree in nursing, community health from Lewis University.
Heidi Schlumpf, Chicago, was named an associate professor of communication. She has served as an adjunct instructor at Robert Morris College and was managing editor of U.S. Catholic (monthly magazine). She holds a master’s degree in theology from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University.
Jessica Vivirito, DeKalb, was named a visiting instructor in education. She has served as an instructor and graduate assistant at NIU, an adjunct instructor at Harper College, and as a seventh-grade science and social studies teacher in Hoffman Estates. She received her master’s degree in elementary education from NIU, where she is enrolled in the master’s program in Social Foundations of Education.
Cathryn Wilkinson, Glen Ellyn, was named associate professor of music and chair of the Music Department. She has served in full-time positions at Concordia University-Chicago and the State University of New York-Plattsburgh.
She has also served as part-time faculty at Wheaton College Conservatory and College of DuPage. She received her Ph.D. in music theory from the University of Iowa School of Music.