Mathematics and Computer Science Faculty and Staff
Our department faculty members are committed to excellence in teaching, and that commitment shows through our student-focused programs and engaging in-depth curriculum.
Department Leadership and Administrators
Scott Barlowe
Department Head
The Mathematics and Computer Science Department Head is the chief administrative officer
of the department and has general administrative responsibility on all matters that
affect the department's academic strength and productivity.
Dr. Scott Barlowe joined 蘑菇短视频as an Assistant Professor of Computer Science in 2013.
Dr. Barlowe received a Ph.D. from the Department of Computer Science at UNC-Charlotte
in 2011, plus a Master鈥檚 degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Industrial
Technology from Appalachian State University.
Office: 426A Stillwell Building
Phone: 828.227.3948
Email: sabarlowe@wcu.edu
Sloan Despeaux
Program Director, BS Mathematics
The Mathematics Program Director chairs the Mathematics Program Committee and works with the Department Head and other program directors to provide leadership in matters related to the Mathematics program and its five concentrations.
William Kreahling
Program Director, BS Computer Science
The Computer Science Program Director chairs the Computer Science Committee and works with the Department Head and other program directors to provide leadership in matters related to the Computer Science and Pre-Computer Science programs.
Nathan Borchelt
Program Director, BSED Secondary Math and BS Math, Education Option
The Mathematics Education Program Director chairs the Mathematics Education Committee and works with the Department Head and other program directors to provide leadership in matters related to the Mathematics Education program.
Brandon Rupinski
Director, Entry-Level Mathematics Courses
The Entry-Level Mathematics Director chairs the Math Pathways Committee and works with the Department Head and the Mathematics Program Director to maintain materials and coordinate assessments for Foundational Math courses.
Sibley Bryan
Director, Math and Computer Science Tutoring Center
The Director of the Math and Computer Science Tutoring Center (MTC) oversees the general administrative responsibilities for the MTC and provides guidance to students on Math Placement and ALEKS. The MTC Director also works closely with the Mathematics and Computer Science Department to ensure math placements for students are efficient and accurate.
Caleb Register
Administrative Support Associate
The Administrative Support Associate works primarily with the Department Head to provide assistance with general administrative responsibilities affecting the department.
Department Faculty
Mahmoud Aldeni
Associate Professor
Dr. Mahmoud Aldeni is an Associate Professor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Soheyl Anbouhi
Assistant Professor
Dr. Soheyl Anbouhi moved to the U.S. in 2016 to pursue his Ph.D. in Mathematics at Florida State University. At Haverford College, he expanded his pedagogical methods and concentrated his research on topological and geometric approaches to data science problems. In 2024, Dr. Anbouhi transitioned to 蘑菇短视频as an Assistant Professor.
Risto Atanasov
Professor
Dr. Risto Atanasov is a Professor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU. Dr. Atanasov has research interests in Group theory, Topology, Combinatorics, and Graph theory.
Daniel Atterholt
Instructor
After spending 27 years in corporate sales and marketing, Daniel Atterholt entered the teaching profession. Atterholt taught math for 3.5 years in a high school, 3 years at LBJ Job Corp., and many years as an Adjunct Lecturer and Instructor at 蘑菇短视频and SCC.
Scott Barlowe
Professor
Dr. Scott Barlowe joined 蘑菇短视频as an Assistant Professor of Computer Science in 2013. Dr. Barlowe received a Ph.D. from the Department of Computer Science at UNC-Charlotte in 2011. He also has a Master鈥檚 degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Industrial Technology, both from Appalachian State University.
Julie Barnes
Professor
Dr. Julie Barnes is a Professor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Tyler Beamer
Adjunct Faculty
Tyler Beamer is an Adjunct lecturer for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Price Berryhill
Associate Instructor
Price Berryhill is an Associate Instructor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Daniel Best
Senior Instructor
Daniel Best is a Senior Instructor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Nathan Borchelt
Professor
Dr. Nathan Borchelt is a Professor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Mark R. Budden
Professor
Dr. Mark R. Budden is a Professor of Mathematics. He completed his Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2003. From 2003-2010, he was a faculty member at Armstrong Atlantic State University. He then joined the faculty at Western Carolina University. Dr. Budden's research interests are Ramsey theory, extremal combinatorics, and algebraic number theory. Visit his personal webpage at: https://markbudden.prof
Andrew Chockla
Associate Instructor
Andrew Chockla is an Associate Instructor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU. Andrew Chockla uses he/him/his pronouns.
Johnathan Dean
Instructor
Johnathan Dean is an Instructor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Elijah DeJonge
Instructor
Elijah DeJonge is an Instructor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Sloan Despeaux
Professor
Dr. Sloan Despeaux has called Cullowhee home since 2002, when she began her career at WCU. Dr. Despeaux has taught a variety of courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She is cofounder of the North Carolina Network of Math Teachers鈥� Circles and is active in her local Smoky Mountain Math Teachers鈥� Circle.
Greg Ferrin
Instructor
Greg Ferrin is an Instructor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Zhikai Gao
Assistant Professor
Dr. Zhikai Gao is an Assistant Professor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Adam Gregory
Assistant Professor
Dr. Adam Gregory is an Assistant Professor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Mark Holliday
Professor
Dr. Mark Holliday is a Professor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU. Visit their personal website at: TBD
Cory Howk
Associate Professor
Dr. Cory Howk is an Associate Professor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Chris Johnson
Associate Professor
Dr. Chris Johnson is an Associate Professor at his alma mater, 蘑菇短视频. Before coming back to WCU, he held visiting positions at Bucknell University, Indiana University, and Wake Forest University. Dr. Johnson received his Ph.D. from Clemson University under the direction of Martin Schmoll. Dr. Johnson uses he/him/his pronouns. Visit their personal website at: http://ccjohnson.org
Christa Johnson
Associate Instructor
Christa Johnson is an Associate Instructor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
William Kreahling
Associate Professor
Dr. William Kreahling is an Associate Professor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Jeff Lawson
Dean of Graduate School and Research, Professor
Dr. Jeff Lawson is the Dean of Graduate School and Research and a Professor of Mathematics. He previously served as Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success and Head of Mathematics and Computer Science. He held faculty positions at Trinity University and Wake Forest University. Dr. Lawson is an Associate Editor for The American Mathematical Monthly.
Laura S Lembeck
Associate Instructor
Laura S Lembeck is an Associate Instructor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU. Lembeck uses she/her/hers pronouns.
Nancy Matar
Adjunct Faculty
Nancy Matar is an Adjunct lecturer for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Erin McNelis
Associate Professor
Dr. Erin McNelis is an Associate Professor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU. Visit their personal website at: TBD
Michelle Pace
Assistant Professor
Dr. Michelle Pace is an Assistant Professor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Brandon Rupinski
Associate Instructor
Brandon Rupinski is an Associate Instructor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Andrew Scott
Associate Professor
Dr. Andrew Scott is an experienced computer science lecturer, software engineer, mobile applications developer, and researcher with a flair for creativity and visual design. While at 蘑菇短视频, Dr. Scott has taught a diverse range of topics under the umbrella of computer science and supervised undergraduate research projects. Visit their personal website at: TBD
John Wagaman
Professor
John Wagaman is a Professor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU. Dr. Wagaman uses he/him/his pronouns.
Stacey C. Zimmerman
Assistant Professor
Dr. Stacey Zimmerman joined 蘑菇短视频in 2022. She has been involved in mathematics education for more than 25 years, spanning both the secondary and post-secondary levels. Recognizing that mathematics can be a gatekeeper to a college degree and/or a lucrative career, Dr. Zimmerman dedicates herself to ensuring that every student becomes a doer and consumer of mathematics. Dr. Zimmerman uses she/her/hers pronouns.
Emeritus Faculty
Kathy Jaqua
Professor Emeritus
Dr. Kathy Jaqua is dedicated to helping students become excellent secondary mathematics teachers. Starting in her initial work as a high school mathematics and English teacher and continuing through her long career as a mathematics professor at WCU, Dr. Jaqua is committed to helping students achieve their educational goals. Dr. Jaqua is now Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, and continues to support teaching programs in Western NC.