It is the College’s pleasure to welcome a new faculty member to the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.  Rocio Duchesne joins us as an Assistant Professor in our Department of Geography & Geology.  Rocio graduated from Universidad del Atlantico with a BS
in Biology, a MS in Statistics from Montclair State University, and is a PhD Candidate (ABD) at Montclair State University.

Here is some interesting information about Rocio: 

Hobbies: Hiking and camping.

Research: Remote sensing of terrestrial ecosystems with an emphasis in mapping vegetation canopy structure and function.

Personal Life: My husband, Joel.

Interesting Facts: For two years in a row I had the opportunity to participate in two 3-week field expeditions to the North Slope of Alaska.

It is the College’s pleasure to welcome a new faculty member to the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.  Dr. Stanislav Vysotsky has recently been hired as an Assistant Professor of Sociology & Criminology.  Stanislav graduated with his PhD in Sociology from Northeastern University in Boston in 2009.  He is coming to Whitewater from Willamette University in Salem, OR. 

Here is some interesting information about Stanislav:

Hobbies: I don’t have any hobbies per se; but I’m a bit of a music/record collector, I watch an astounding amount of serial television, I enjoy film, and I prefer to read graphic novels.

Research: My research interests are reactionary and radical social movements, subcultures, prejudice, and violence.

Personal Life: I am married without children. 

Interesting Facts: There’s probably a number of interesting trivia about me, but I’ll just share a couple of things.  I was a licensed cosmetologist aid and worked in a hair salon for 4 years, and I was the vocalist for a moderately popular punk band. 

It is the College’s pleasure to welcome a new faculty member to the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.  Dr. Jonah Ralston has recently been hired as an Assistant Professor in our Department of Political
Science.  Jonah graduated with his PhD from Michigan State University where he studied American Politics and Public Policy. 

Here is some interesting information about Jonah:

Hobbies:  I like to travel, I enjoy craft beer and video games, I freely admit to being a bit of a science nerd, and most of all I treasure spending time with my family and friends.

Research:  My research has focused on the degree to which personal values and political beliefs determine voting decisions on bills and ballot measures related to controversial scientific policies.  Recent issues I have studied include biofuels, stem cells, and medical marijuana.

Personal Life:  I am happily married with a young son who  turned three this May.  We have a long-haired cat named Dixie.

Interesting Facts:  In 1999 Places Rated Almanac rated the county I grew up in as the worst metropolitan area in the U.S. and Canada.  David Letterman sent matching gazebos to the area in a bid to improve tourism and they still reside there to this day.

It is the College’s pleasure to welcome a new faculty member to the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.  Dr. Steven Girard has recently been hired as an Assistant Professor in our Department of Chemistry, with a specialization in nanomaterials.  He graduated with his PhD from Northwestern University in Inorganic Chemistry.  He  received his Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry and a Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance from Lawrence University in 2006.  He also completed post doctoral work at UW-Madison.

Here is some interesting information about Steven:

Hobbies:  I love playing cello, and also dabble in piano and Irish button accordion.  I also enjoy gardening, cooking, riding and tinkering with my bike, attempting various winter sports that typically result in me falling down, beer and soap making, and playing board and video games, preferably with friends.  I also have dabbled in hunting since moving to Wisconsin, with limited success.

Research:  My research focuses on the sustainable synthesis of nanomaterials for renewable energy applications.

Family:  No kids or spouse yet, but I have one chubby cat named Moon and an awesome girlfriend of ~4 years. 

It is the College’s pleasure to welcome a new faculty member to the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.  Tracy Hawkins has recently been hired as an Assistant Professor and Liberal Studies Coordinator in our Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies.  Tracy graduated from Claremont Graduate School with a PhD in Gender & Women’s Studies, Ethics, Cultural Studies, and Religious Studies. 

Here is some interesting information about Tracy:

Hobbies: Enjoying good food with good conversation

Research: Implications of technology and social media for ethics, education, and activism

Family:  Husband and dog Mya who makes friends with everyone

Interesting Facts:  Swims competitively, runs occasional half marathons, and plays ultimate Frisbee

It is the College’s pleasure to welcome a new faculty member to the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.  Kristen Lavelle will begin her career as an Assistant Professor of Sociology in our Department of the Sociology, Criminology & Anthropology this fall.  Kristen graduated with her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Arkansas, her M.A. in Sociology from the University of Florida, and her PhD in Sociology from Texas A&M University. 

Here is some interesting information about Kristen:

Hobbies:  Running, cooking, gardening, board games

Research:  I study the sociology of race and ethnicity and social inequalities.  My research interests are: racism & antiracism, whiteness and identity, social memory, and qualitative research methods.  For my Ph.D. research I conducted interview with elder white southerners on their memories and perceptions of the legal segregation and civil rights eras.  In my analysis I highlight how they reconcile historical realities (segregation as oppressive, civil rights as a justice movement) with their own need to maintain a positive identity.

Family: My partner Nick is the other pea in my pod.