As the new academic year begins at Columbus State University, several long-serving faculty members are stepping into new leadership roles within some of the university’s colleges and departments.

“Our faculty represent not only subject-matter experts in their respective fields, but many like our new associate deans, chairs and directors are respected leaders within our university,” said Dr. Pat McHenry, Columbus State’s interim provost and executive vice president. “We’re thankful to them for serving in these new capacities as they continue to share their knowledge with our students.”

D. Abbott Turner College of Business & Technology

Dr. Tesa Leonce has been appointed associate dean in the Turner College. A member of the Department of Accounting & Finance’s faculty since August 2014, Leonce most recently served as the department’s chair. Prior to Columbus State, she served in regular and adjunct faculty roles at Wake Forest University, Eastern Illinois University and the University of Wyoming. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in finance and business computer information systems from Midwestern State University, and a doctorate in economics from the University of Wyoming.

Dr. Gisung Moon has been appointed chair of the Department of Accounting & Finance. Currently an associate professor and a member of the department’s faculty since 2003, he previously taught at Berry College. He holds a bachelor’s in economics from Dankook University, a master of business administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a doctorate in finance from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

College of Letters & Sciences

Dr. Bryan Banks has been appointed chair of the newly formed Department of History, Philosophy & Geography. Currently an associate professor of history and a member of the department’s faculty since August 2018, he serves as executive editor of “Age of Revolutions” and taught previously at the State University of New York-Adirondack, Georgia State University, Florida Atlantic University and Florida State University. He holds a bachelor’s in world history from Georgia State University, and both a master’s in European history and a doctorate in 18th-century Atlantic world history from Florida State University.

Dr. Troy Keller has been appointed chair of the Department of Earth & Space Sciences. Currently a professor of environmental science in the department and a Columbus State faculty member since August 2006, he previously served in academic, research and administrative roles at the University of Michigan Biological Station, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, St. Johns River Water Management District, BCI Engineers and Scientists Inc., Santa Fe College, Georgia Institute of Technology and Bowling Green State University. He holds a bachelor’s in zoology from Ohio Wesleyan University, and both a master’s and doctoral degree in biology from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Jonathan Meyers has been appointed interim chair of the Department of Psychology. Currently an associate professor of chemistry and assistant dean for strategic and student initiatives in the College of Letters & Sciences, Meyers joined the university’s faculty in August 2014. His previous teaching roles include appointments at Coastal Carolina University, Indiana University Bloomington and the University of West Georgia. He holds a bachelor’s in chemistry with ACS certification from the University of West Georgia and a doctorate in biological chemistry from Indiana University.

Honors College

Dr. Andrea Dawn Frazier has been appointed the Honors College's associate dean of undergraduate research in addition to her role as a professor in the Department of Teacher Education, Leadership & Counseling. Before her appointment to the Columbus State faculty in August 2010, she previously taught at Ball State University. She holds a bachelor’s in psychology with minors in African American studies and women’s studies from the University of Houston, a master of science in human services administration from the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, and a doctorate in educational psychology with a cognate in research methodology from Ball State University.

Dr. Ryan Lynch has been appointed the Honors College's associate dean of honors and interdisciplinary studies in addition to his role as an associate professor in the Department of History, Philosophy & Geography and co-coordinator of the CSU Digital Humanities Program. Before his appointment to the university’s faculty in Fall 2016, he previously taught at the University of Oxford, Stetson University and Middlebury College's Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. He holds a bachelor’s in history and religious studies from Stetson University, a master of letters in Middle Eastern history and language from the University of St. Andrew, a master of philosophy in Islamic studies and history from the University of Oxford, and a doctor of philosophy in Middle Eastern history from the University of Oxford.

Research & Graduate Studies

Dr. Yesem Kurt-Peker has been appointed as interim director of Graduate Studies in addition to her role as a professor in the TSYS School of Computer Science. A member of the school’s faculty since January 2013, her previous teaching experience includes appointments at Randolph College, Pomona College, Indiana University Bloomington and Middle East Technical University. She holds both a bachelor’s in computer engineering and mathematics and a master’s in mathematics from Middle East Technical University, and a doctorate in mathematics from Indiana University Bloomington.

For a directory of and information about Columbus State University’s faculty and staff, visit columbusstate.edu/profiles.