OBU College of Humanities and Social Sciences Welcomes New Faculty

August 19, 2016

OBU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences is pleased to welcome seven new faculty members.

The Division of Language and Literature welcomes Dr. Lindsey Panxhi as assistant professor of English. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from John Brown University. She then earned both a Master of Arts in English and a Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Arkansas. She taught numerous courses as a teaching assistant and instructor of record at Arkansas, including various composition and world literature courses.

The Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences welcomes three new faculty members.

Dr. Antonio Chiareli joins the faculty as professor of sociology and intercultural studies. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and French from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. He then earned both a Master of Arts and Ph.D. from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He served as professor of sociology and intercultural studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, for seven years. Previous to that, he served as an associate professor and then as a tenured associate professor at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. He has also served as a visiting professor of sociology at two universities in Brazil, including the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, where he likewise served as an adjunct professor.

Dr. Camille Lafleur comes to OBU as assistant professor of marriage and family therapy. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in human development and family life from the University of Kansas. She then earned a Master of Science in marriage and family therapy from OBU. She later earned a Ph.D. in human ecology specializing in marriage and family therapy. She has served as an adjunct faculty member at Kansas State. She has also served as an adjunct faculty member for the online marriage and family therapy program with Northcentral University in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist and an American Associate for Marriage and Family Therapy approved supervisor.

Dr. Christopher McMillion joins the University as assistant professor of political science. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Baylor University. He then earned a Master of Arts in political science from the University of Notre Dame and later earned a Ph.D. in political science, also from Notre Dame. He has served as an instructor at Notre Dame, teaching Constitutional law. He has likewise served as a teaching assistant at Notre Dame, teaching courses in political theory, Constitutionalism, civil liberties and American political thought.

The Division of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies welcomes Chad Payn as assistant professor of church recreation and director of the national sport and recreation ministry center. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in recreation administration from OBU and a Master of Arts in Christian education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He most recently served as director of the sports and recreation ministry at First Baptist Church of Carrollton, Texas. He previously served as the family life center director at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, Texas.

The Division of Teacher Education welcomes two new faculty members.

Dr. Terry James joins the faculty as associate professor of education and director of teacher education. He earned both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Indiana State University. He then earned a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma. He had previously served as assistant professor at OBU from 2008-2014. He has served in the public schools of Indiana and Oklahoma for 40 years as English teacher, coach, assistant principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent. During the 2015-16 school year, he served as interim superintendent of the Miami, Oklahoma, schools.

Marie Farley joins the faculty as assistant professor of education. She earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from OBU and a Master of Education in reading from the University of Central Oklahoma. She is a national board certified teacher in literacy for reading, language arts, and early and middle childhood. She has taught in the McLoud Public Schools system for 22 years, teaching Kindergarten, first grade, and fourth grade, and also serving as both a literacy resource specialist and reading specialist.