Sterling College welcomed its new faculty to campus Aug. 10 for orientation and training. Three alumni are among the list of new professors, returning to their Alma Mater to teach the subject they once studied at Sterling. Classes begin at the College on Aug. 23.

“I am so pleased with our incoming faculty; their level of expertise will be a boost to each department they are entering. As new and returning students begin the academic year, I am confident that all of the faculty at Sterling College are ready to challenge our students to be excellent in their field and servant leaders in all aspects of life,” said Dr. Ken Brown, vice president for academic affairs.

Michael Agron is an assistant professor of business. He has an extensive background in business as an owner and faculty member. Agron comes to Sterling College from Hutchinson Community College, and his teaching experience includes serving at larger universities, community colleges, and a paralegal college. Agron earned his M.B.A. from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri, and he earned his B.S.B.A. with a major in finance and an emphasis in professional financial planning.

Stephen English is the technical director and associate professor of theatre arts. English has was worked in scenic design, lighting, carpentry, directing, and serving as a technician for over 60 shows and concerts. He holds an M.F.A. in Drama-Scenic Design from University of Oklahoma and an M.A. in Theatre-Technical Theatre from Oklahoma City University. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts from Dordt College and a B.R.E. in Interdisciplinary Studies –  Education, Music and Drama from Prairie College in Alberta.

Dr. Daniel Giese is an associate professor of physics. Giese has been teaching and working on physics research for 23 years. His areas of interest include transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction of insulating materials, direct methods of high temperature surface reconstructions, atomic force microscopy of insulating materials and oxides, and several surface techniques, including XPS, SEM, LEED, IRAS, and XRD. Giese completed both of his degrees at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics and B.S. in Physics with a math minor.

Sasha Hildebrand ’03 is the artistic director and assistant professor of theatre arts. Hildebrand has worked in most areas of the theatre, including acting, directing, costume and scenic design, theatre history, producing, stage management, education, professional preparation, program development and recruiting. She earned her M.F.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Iowa. She also holds a postgraduate degree in acting from The Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts and a bachelor’s in theatre and communication with a concentration in education from Sterling College.

Sia Joung is an assistant professor of art and design. Joung comes to Sterling College with a wide variety of experience in the visual arts. In the last six years, she has had work in 15 exhibitions and three publications. She has also worked as a music teacher, giving individual lessons, and as a teaching assistant at Washington University. Sia earned her M.F.A. in Visual Arts from Washington University (Mo.), her B.F.A. in Painting and Drawing from University of Iowa, and studied East Asian Painting abroad at Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul, South Korea.

Nathan Krause is an assistant clinical professor of athletic training. Krause has served as a licensed athletic trainer since 2014, most recently at Neosho County Community College where he was responsible for covering both home and away sporting events. He has worked at both the high school and university levels, and is certified in both Kansas and Kentucky. He holds a Master of Science in Human Development and Leadership from Murray State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Athletic Training from Wichita State University.

Lindsey Saenger is an assistant professor of exercise science. Saenger has many years of teaching and clinical experience, most recently at Hutchinson Clinic where she served as the lead echocardiographer. Lindsey earned her M.S. in Human, Health and Life Sciences with a specialization in cardiac physiology from Fort Hays State University. She also holds a B.S. in Physical Education with a specialization in Exercise Science from Fort Hays State University.

Stephanie Simpson fs02 is an assistant professor of education. Simpson is joining the education department having experience as a literacy coach, interim principal, high school English teacher, AV/broadcast journalism teacher, and having taught fourth through eighth grade students. She holds an M.S. in School Leadership from Baker University and a B.S. in Health and Information Management from University of Kansas. She  completed her education licensure coursework at Sterling College.

Randi Wise ’13 is an assistant professor of chemistry. She is returning to Sterling College from Kansas State University where she is A.B.D. on her Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Her research is titled “The Role of the Secretory Pathway in Metastatic Breast Cancer.” Wise has experience in research, teaching and tutoring, with a long list of honors and awards over her years in education. In addition to completing her Ph.D., Wise also holds a B.S. in Chemistry and Biology with minors in Christian Ministries and Mathematics from Sterling College.  

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.