Chesapeake College Opens with Seven New Full-time Faculty Members

This fall, Chesapeake  College welcomes seven full-time instructors to the faculty. Between them, the new faculty members have a breadth of instructional and career experience from across the country.

“Like our students, our instructors come to Chesapeake, form near and far, with diverse backgrounds and experiences, transforming the educational landscape for our students in ways that will prepare them for the global 21^st Century. Like all of our faculty, they will change the lives of our students,” said Dr. Kathryn Barbour, vice president for Academic  Affairs.

Katherine Diane Baumgartner (associate professor of nursing) comes to Chesapeake after teaching at Anne Arundel Community College for five years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Stevenson University and a master’s degree nursing from Wesley College. In addition, she served as the administrative coordinator at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Sedonna Brown (instructor of nursing) comes to Chesapeake after years of experience in the field of nursing. In addition, Brown taught in the nursing programs at Bowie State University and Anne Arundel Community College. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bowie State University and a bachelor’s of nursing from   Johns Hopkins University.  Brown also has a master’s degree in nursing from Bowie State University.

Gwen Buxbaum (business instructor) joins Chesapeake from Charter Oak State College in New Britain, Connecticut, where she was a business instructor. Buxbaum has many years of experience teaching and developing online courses. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing management from Syracuse University and master’s degree in management from the University of California – Los Angeles.

Heather Cunningham (assistant professor of science) was most recently an adjunct lecturer at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and a project coordinator for the Natural History Society of Maryland in Baltimore. A biological science major, Cunningham earned a bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Alabama. She has a publication contract with Johns Hopkins University Press for her book “The Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas”.

Bridget Lowrie (assistant professor of criminal justice and paralegal studies), a former adjunct instructor at Chesapeake, has served as assistant state’s attorney in both Dorchester and Worchester counties.  Her experience also includes internships at the National Women’s Law Center in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. House of Representatives. Lowrie earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at American University and a doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law.  She was admitted to Maryland Bar in 2004.

Sarah E. Ross (early childhood instructor) joins the full-time faculty after serving as an adjunct instructor for two years and a Continuing Education teacher for eight years.  A graduated of Chesapeake College, Ross went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Wilmington University and a master’s degree in education from Ashford University.  In addition to teaching early childhood development courses, Ross has managed childcare facilities and trained childcare staff.

Robert C. Thompson (humanities/theatre instructor) will lead Chesapeake’s theatre arts program this year.  Before joining Chesapeake, Thompson was executive director for eight years of the Odd Act Theatre Group in Trenton, N.J. Thompson earned his bachelor’s degree in theatre performance and English literature from Susquehanna University. He went on to complete a master’s degree and Ph.D. in theatre performance studies at the University of Maryland.  In addition to teaching Chesapeake’s theatre classes, Thompson will direct two productions this year for the college.

New full-time and temporary faculty members began classes this week at Chesapeake College. Picture here, left to right, are: Ruth Plinke, Bridget Lowrie, Diane Baumgartner, Gwen Buxbaum, Robert Thompson, Marc McDonald, Heather Cunningham, Sarah Ross and Sedonna Brown.

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