ABINGTON, Pa. — Penn State has announced promotions in academic rank for 16 Penn State Abington faculty effective July 1.   

“Their dedication to research, teaching and service is commendable and demonstrates their commitment to our campus and our students. We are so fortunate to have such gifted scholars in our midst,” said Andrew August, interim Abington chancellor. 

A full professor must provide evidence of a substantial record of advanced research and/or creative work and of leadership in their field of specialization in addition to possessing a terminal degree or its equivalent.

Faculty promoted to full professor: 

• Friederike Baer, history 

An associate professor must provide evidence of an established reputation in scholarly, artistic or professional achievement and possess a terminal degree or its equivalent.

Faculty promoted to associate professor:

• Abigail O. Akande, rehabilitation and human services

• Zhanel B. DeVides, accounting

• Vinayak Elangovan, computer science

• Seonghee Han, finance 

• Masataka Okutsu, engineering 

• Sabahattin G. Ozden, information technology

• Jack Isaac Pryor, theater 

• Glenn Sterner, criminal justice

• Mukul Talaty, engineering

An associate teaching professor must have demonstrated ability as a teacher and adviser and evidence of professional growth, scholarship and/or mastery of subject matter in addition to possessing a terminal degree or its equivalent or a master's degree or its equivalent.

Faculty promoted to assistant teaching professor:

• Rebecca Zysk, math

An assistant professor should possess a terminal degree or its equivalent, must have demonstrated ability as a teacher or research worker, and shown evidence of growth in scholarly, artistic, or professional achievement.

Faculty promoted to associate teaching professor: 

• Stacey Conway Saxton, rehabilitation and human services 

• Matthew Rigilano, English

• Deborah Wright, business

A teaching professor must possess a terminal degree, have demonstrated exceptional ability as a teacher and adviser, and have shown evidence of professional growth, scholarship and/or mastery of subject matter at a level of distinction beyond that of their previous rank.

Faculty promoted to teaching professor:

• Vivian Hsu, psychological and social sciences

• Thomas Stone, business

About Penn State Abington 

Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,100 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 25 majors, accelerated master's degrees, undergraduate research, the Schreyer Honors College, NCAA Division III athletics and more.