Brook Colley
(Wasco, Warm Springs, Eastern Cherokee) (Enrolled: Eastern Band of Cherokee)
Chair & Associate Professor of Native American Studies
PhD in Native American Studies, University of California (Davis)
Dr. Brook Colley is an Associate Professor and Chair of the SOU Native American Studies program. Colley’s research is focused on federal Indian law & policy, Oregon Tribes, intertribal relations & conflict, and community health & healing. Her book Power in the Telling: Grand Ronde, Warm Springs, and Intertribal Relations in the Casino Era was published in 2019 by the University of Washington Press and it was a finalist for the Frances Fuller Victor Award for General Nonfiction. In 2014, she received her Ph.D. in Native American Studies from the University of California, Davis, and is currently working on an intertribal Indigenous-led collaboration to enhance first food access and first food production in Southern Oregon. She lives in Jackson County with her daughter, and two pups named Honey and Leonard Cohen.
Office: Taylor Hall 18B
Phone: 541.552.6751
E-Mail: colleyb@sou.edu
Alma Rosa Alvarez
Professor
PhD, English, University of California, Santa Barbara; MA, English, University of California, Santa Barbara; BA, English and Mexican American Studies, California State University, Dominguez Hills
Dr. Alvarez teaches U.S. Literature with a specialty in U.S. Ethnic Literature. She loves the way literature guides students through new experiences. Dr. Alvarez’ research interest is in the formation of the Chicanx canon. In her spare time, she likes writing poetry.
Office: Central Hall 254
Phone: 541.552.6629
E-Mail: alvarez@sou.edu
Amanda Casto
Assistant Professor of Education
PhD, Curriculum & Instruction, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2019; MSEd, Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment, Walden University, 2010; BA, Social Studies, Madonna University, 2007
Dr. Casto began teaching at SOU in 2019. Prior to that, she devoted 12 years to teaching students in grades K-8 and improving the quality of instruction for students in North Carolina. She has taught in a variety of K-8 settings throughout her professional journey, including traditional public, STEM magnet, private, and charter schools. Dr. Casto is most passionate about topics in education related to the themes of STEM education, multicultural education, and the professional development of preservice and inservice teachers.
Office: Education/Psychology 126
Phone: 541.552.7051
E-Mail: castoa@sou.edu
Travis Campbell
Assistant Professor
PhD. Economics, University of Massachusetts, 2022
Travis Campbell is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Southern Oregon University. His research applies microeconomics to social justice issues, focusing on economic inequalities by race, gender, and sexuality in the US. His other research focuses on social movements and public health policy, among other topics. His research has been published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Health Economics, Metroeconomica, and others. He uses his research expertise to incorporate the economics of race, gender, and sexuality into all of his courses. At SOU he teaches Micro and Macroeconomics, Quantitative Methods and Application, Healthcare Economics, Labor Economics, and Gender Issues in Economics.
Office: Taylor Hall 220
Phone: 541.552.6434
E-Mail: campbelt1@sou.edu
Paul Condon
Associate Professor of Psychology
PhD, Northeastern University, 2014; MA, Northeastern University, 2012; BA, Gonzaga University, 2009
Paul Condon is an Associate Professor of Psychology, and an affiliate faculty in Healthcare Administration. His research examines the relational basis for empathy, compassion, wellbeing, and prosocial action, and the influence of compassion and mindfulness training on those capacities. His research also examines how scientific theories can inform the lived experience of contemplative traditions and meditation practices of compassion, mindfulness, and wisdom. At SOU, Dr. Condon regularly teaches Health Psychology, Sustainable Compassion, Stress Management and other classes in the general psychology curriculum.
Office: Education/Psychology 236
Phone: 541.552.6635
E-Mail: condonp@sou.edu
Sean Corrigan
Assistant Professor of Multicultural Education
PhD, Curriculum & Instruction and Education Policy Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2022; MS, International Studies, Oklahoma State University, 2016; MA, Social Studies Education, Loyola Marymount University, 2005; BA, History, Colorado College, 2003
Dr. Corrigan’s passion is multicultural education. His goal is to provide teachers with critical/global perspectives on issues of diversity and equity within the field of education. Prior to his time in higher education, Dr. Corrigan taught social studies for 14 years in Compton, CA, Las Vegas, NV, and Vanuatu. His research currently focuses on human rights education and how to support teachers in centering social justice in their practice, particularly when they may face opposition in doing so. In his courses, Dr. Corrigan incorporates disciplines from the humanities and social sciences to broaden critiques of forces within education.
Office: EP 132
Phone: 541.552.6883
E-Mail: corrigans@sou.edu
Edward Derr
Instructor, Student Success Coordinator
Office: Central Hall 259
Phone: 541.552.6624
E-Mail: derre@sou.edu
Katherine Fox
Assistant Professor – Anthropology and Healthcare Administration
PhD, Medical Anthropology, Southern Methodist University (Dallas), 2022; MA, Medical Anthropology, Southern Methodist University (Dallas), 2015; BA, Spanish/Anthropology (Dual Major), Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2013
Katherine’s interests are in medical anthropology, LGBTQ+ health, immigration, Latinx and LGBTQ+ identities, social media and health behavior, qualitative research methods
Office: Taylor Hall 217
Phone: 541.552.6322
E-Mail: foxk@sou.edu
Larry Gibbs
Associate Professor of Sociology, Health Administration Program Coordinator
PhD, Bowling Green State University, 2014; MS, University of the West Indies, 2005; BS, University of the West Indies, 2002
Dr. Gibbs is an Associate Professor of Sociology in the department of Sociology and Anthropology. He is also an affiliate faculty in the Healthcare Administration program and a researcher at the Southern Oregon University Resource Center (SOURCE). As a trained social demographer, Dr. Gibbs uses quantitative methodologies to investigate issues pertaining to health disparities among individuals throughout the life course.
Office: Taylor Hall 214
Phone: 541.552.6281
E-Mail: gibbsl@sou.edu
Dr. Bonnie Holmes
Associate Professor – Spanish
PhD, University of Arizona, 2017; MA, Pennsylvania State University, 2010; MA, Middlebury College, Madrid, Spain, 2006; BA, Oregon State University, 2001
Dr. Bonnie Christina Holmes is Associate Professor of Spanish. Dr. Holmes is an applied linguist whose work centers on Spanish language acquisition and bilingualism in the US. Her recent research investigates how Spanish is processed cognitively by heritage bilinguals, and how high impact practices such as service learning can enrich the language learning experience while also strengthening the community. More generally, her overarching goal is to support Spanish language acquisition, maintenance and revitalization efforts both locally and nationally.
Office: Modular Building 107
Phone: 541.552.6814
E-Mail: holmesb2@sou.edu
Jennifer Longshore
Senior Instructor – Art History
MA, Art History, University of California, Davis; BA, Art History and Humanities, California State University, Fresno
Longshore’s courses explore and analyze art and creativity from a variety of perspectives including globalization, activism, sustainability, critical theory, race, gender, and ethnicity. She particularly enjoys mentoring students as they develop activist art projects in collaboration with local community agencies. She serves on the SOU Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies Council and advises the City of Ashland Public Arts Commission when new proposals are being considered. She is a member of the Community Emergency Response Team in Ashland and enjoys singing in the Rogue World Ensemble, salsa dancing, and practicing archery.
Office: Art Building 119
Phone: 541.552.6566
E-Mail: longshoj@sou.edu
Diana Maltz
Professor
BA, Bennington College; MA, PhD, Stanford University
Dr. Maltz is a Professor of English at Southern Oregon University. She is the author of British Aestheticism and the Urban Working Classes (Palgrave, 2006) and the editor of Arthur Morrison’s 1896 novel A Child of the Jago (Broadview, 2013). Her classes include The Animal in Literature; The Decadent 1890s; and Slumming in the Nineteenth Century.
Office: Central Hall 250
Phone: 541.552.6634
E-Mail: maltzd@sou.edu
Kylan Mattias de Vries
Interim ERS Program Coordinator
Professor – GSWS Chair
BA, Communication, Antioch University, Santa Barbara; MA, Sociology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; PhD, Sociology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Pronouns: he/him/his or they/them/theirs
Dr. Kylan Mattias de Vries holds a joint appointment as Associate Professor in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies and the Sociology and Anthropology programs, and he as serves as Chair of GSWS. His scholarly interests include inequalities, intersectionality, transgender studies, critical race studies, and social psychology.
Southern Oregon University’s Distinguished Teaching Award – 2017.
Office:Taylor Hall 125A
Phone: 541.552.6759
E-Mail: devriesk@sou.edu
Vaun Monroe
Assistant Professor, Digital Cinema, Communication
MFA, Film & Media Arts, Temple University 2002; BA, Liberal Arts, The Evergreen State College, 1998
Monroe teaches storytelling, screenwriting, directing, and film analysis in SOU’s Digital Cinema program. He has taught African-American film studies at Cornell University, Ithaca College, Morgan State University, Columbia College Chicago and Wiley College. He is an award winning director of numerous plays with productions mounted at ETA Creative Arts, The Artistic Home, The American Blues Theatre and The Goodman. He was a film programmer for “Black Perspectives” for the Chicago International Film Festival and is a member of the African American Film Critics Association. His artistic interests lie in the humanistic, dramatic portrayal of Blacks in America. He considers himself a modern-day griot who utilizes the mediums of stage, film and television to narrate stories of the Black community.
Office: Britt 132
Phone: 541.552.8201
E-Mail: monroev@sou.edu
Jessica Piekielek
Professor – Sociology and Anthropology
PhD and MA, University of Arizona; BA, Guilford College
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Dr. Jessica Piekielek’s research and teaching interests include conservation, environmentalism, applied anthropology, border and migration studies, Mexico, U.S., and Latin America.
Office: TA 222
Phone: 541.552.6599
E-Mail: piekielj@sou.edu
Vicki Purslow
Professor of Music – Music Education
BM, Music Education, University of the Pacific; MA, Music Education, California State University (Sacramento); EdD, Music Education, University of the Pacific
Dr. Purslow is a Professor of Music and before that an Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Purslow has more than 30 years of teaching and administrative experience at the university, community college, high school, and middle school levels. Purslow earned a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in Music Education with a minor in Higher Education Administration from University of the Pacific and a Master of Arts in Music Education from CSU Sacramento, and Bachelor of Music from the University of Pacific. Purslow is also a professional saxophonist who has performed with The Four Tops, The Temptations, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Motown’s Funk Brothers, Bobby Shew, Maynard Ferguson, Stan Mark, Joe Williams, Morgan James, Mel Torme, the Rogue Valley Symphony, and Britt Festival Orchestra. Purslow has toured internationally with the Mazama Saxophone Quartet, performing in China, England, and Scotland. Purslow is a published arranger of music for saxophone ensembles. Her research interests include access to the arts for children in rural communities and community music organizations for youths. Purslow is distinctive for her research on guitarist Joseph “Smilin’ Joe” Bruhl and Youth of America on Stage.
Office: Music Building, 209
Phone: 541.552.6538
E-Mail: purslowv@sou.edu
Alena Ruggerio
Professor
PhD, Communication, Indiana University, 2003; MA, Communication, Ohio University, 1997; BSC, Communication, Ohio University, 1996
Dr. Alena Ruggerio (she/her/hers) teaches Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Persuasion, Argumentation, and Critical Thinking, Advanced Public Speaking, Becoming a Communication Scholar, Political Communication, Women Transforming Language, Evaluation of Public Communication, and Conflict Management. She has led study abroad programs in Oviedo, Spain, and Athens, Greece. She was honored to receive the Distinguished Teaching Award from Southern Oregon University, the Outstanding Visiting Faculty of the Year Award from AHA International, the Most Warm and Welcoming Professor Award from the Associated Students of Southern Oregon University, and the Frances A. Lieber Memorial Associate Instructor Award from Indiana University. The editor of Media Depictions of Brides, Wives, and Mothers (Lexington Press) and co-author of The Practice of Feminism: Communicating for Social Change (Waveland Press), Dr. Ruggerio’s research at the intersection of rhetoric, feminism, and religious studies has appeared in book chapters, scholarly journals, and web publications. She is active in the National Communication Association and the Western States Communication Association and serves as Affiliate Faculty of the SOU Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Council.
Office: Britt 240
Phone: 541.552.6673
E-Mail: ruggeria@sou.edu
Shanell Sanchez
Associate Professor
Doctor of Philosophy, Sociology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2012; MA, Sociology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; BA, Criminal Justice with Sociology minor, University of Northern Colorado, 2007
Shanell Sanchez joined the Criminology and Criminal Justice department in 2016 after teaching 3 years at Colorado Mesa University. Dr. Sanchez received her Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Sociology. Her primary research and teaching interests include social inequality, social change and justice, qualitative research methods, comparative crime and justice, and race and crime.
Office: Taylor 210
Phone: 541.552.6507
E-Mail: sanchezs2@sou.edu
Moneeka Settles
INL Program Coordinator – Advisor – Instructor
MA, Organizational Leadership, Columbia University, 1998; BA, Amherst College, 1990
Moneeka is the Program Coordinator of the Innovation and Leadership Degree and the advisor to the students. She teaches both Organizational Communication and Intercultural Communication for SOU. Solving organizational puzzles and proposing creative solutions is one of her favorite endeavors.
Office: Higher Education Center 102D
Phone: 541.552.8103
E-Mail: settlesm@sou.edu
Carey Jean Sojka
Associate Professor
BA, Woman & Gender Studies, Luther College, 2007; BA, Sociology, Luther College, 2007; MA, Women’s Studies, University at Albany, SUNY, 2010; PhD, Sociology, University at Albany, SUNY, 2017
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Dr. Carey Jean Sojka is an Assistant Professor of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies. Her research and teaching interests include transgender studies, embodiment, gender, sexuality, race, disability, and fat studies. She also conducts community trainings on transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer issues in our region.
Southern Oregon University’s Distinguished Teaching Award – 2020.
Office: TA 125B
Phone: 541.552.6750
E-Mail: sojkac@sou.edu
Kelly Szott
Associate Professor – Sociology and Human Service
PhD and MA, Sociology, Syracuse University; BA, Social Science, University of Michigan
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Dr. Szott is a medical sociologist who uses qualitative methods to study drug use and addiction. She received her Ph.D. in sociology from Syracuse University along with a Certificate in Advanced Studies in Women’s and Gender Studies. During her doctoral studies, she completed a National Institute on Drug Abuse doctoral fellowship program. Her research examines how public health programs, such as needle exchange, and health care practitioners conceptualize the health of people who inject drugs. Her current project focuses on heroin use and harm reduction responses in rural contexts. Her work comes out of a concern for the ways drug users are treated by institutions entrusted to care for them. Her research has been published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, Health, and Critical Public Health. Kelly enjoys getting to know her students and doing creative and community-based projects in her classes.
Office: Ashland – TA 219, Medford – HEC 201E
Phone: Ashland – 541.552.8254, Medford – 541.552.8153
E-Mail: szottk@sou.edu
Precious Yamaguchi
PhD, Associate Professor
PhD, Communication Studies, Bowling Green State University, 2010; MA, Communication, Pepperdine University, 2005; BA, Studio Art, Humboldt State University, 2003
Precious Yamaguchi teaches intercultural communication and new media, with a special emphasis on video game production and culture. Her book on the Japanese American internment was published in 2014.
Office: Britt 256
Phone: 541.552.6241
E-Mail: yamaguchp@sou.edu
Emeritus Faculty
Roni Adams
Edwin Battistella
Contact the ERS Program
Ethnic and Racial Studies
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6751
– Questions About ERS? –