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
Risto Atanasov
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. Risto Atanasov has research interests in Group theory, Topology, Combinatorics,
and Graph theory.
Office: 426A Stillwell Building
Phone: 828.227.3942
Email: ratanasov@wcu.edu
John Wagaman
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.
Scott Barlowe
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 (FSU). Dr. Anbouhi's academic career began at Haverford College, where he served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Statistics. At Haverford, 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.
Daniel Atterholt
Instructor
After spending 27 years in corporate sales and marketing, Daniel Atterholt was presented with the opportunity to enter the teaching profession. After teaching math for 3.5 years in a high school, 3 years at LBJ Job Corp., and several years teaching as an adjunct lecturer at 蘑菇短视频and SCC, Atterholt began full time at 蘑菇短视频 in the Fall of 2014.
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.
Price Berryhill
Associate Instructor
Price Berryhill is an Associate Instructor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Daniel Best
Associate Instructor
Daniel Best is an Associate 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 for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU. Visit their personal website at: https://agora.cs.wcu.edu/~mbudden/
Andrew Chockla
Associate Instructor
Andrew Chockla is an Associate Instructor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU. 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
Visiting Assistant Professor
Dr. Adam Gregory is a Visiting 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: agora.cs.wcu.edu/~holliday/
Cory Howk
Associate Professor
Dr. Cory Howk is an Associate Professor for the Math and Computer Science Department at WCU.
Kathy M. Jaqua
Professor
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 in her long career as a mathematics professor at WCU, Dr. Jaqua is committed to helping students achieve their educational goals.
Chris Johnson
Assistant Professor
Dr. Chris Johnson is an Assistant 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.
Jeffrey Lawson
Professor, Dean of Graduate School and Research
Dr. 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 and visiting research positions at University of Surrey, Caltech, Fields Institute, and St. Mary's College of Maryland. He 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 Lecturer
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: http://agora.cs.wcu.edu/~emcnelis/
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: http://agora.cs.wcu.edu/~ascott/index.shtml
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 Western Carolina鈥檚 Mathematics and Computer Science Department 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.