St. Edward’s University faculty experts are available to provide commentary and analysis for news stories in print, broadcast and online media. Members of the media who would like to interview a faculty expert may reach out to our Communications team or contact the faculty members directly.
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Faculty Spotlight
Marianne Ward-Peradoza is provost of St. Edward's University and an expert in global studies and economic development. In her own words, "I am particularly drawn to cases in which countries with similar resources or opportunities eventually take different paths. I am interested in understanding why some countries may appear to outperform expectations, and other countries may appear to under-perform. I am also fascinated by countries that have had persistent and long-term success. An understanding of the key factors contributing to this success can provide insights that may advance economic development and standards of living across the globe."
Faculty Experts Guide
Find subject-matter experts in everything from business to mental health, and video games to social justice. St. Edward's experts are listed below in the following categories: School of Arts and Humanities; School of Behavioral and Social Sciences; School of Natural Sciences; Office of Graduate and Professional Studies; and The Bill Munday School of Business.
School of Arts and Humanities
The School of Arts and Humanities houses expertise in communications, foreign languages, arts, pop culture, and gaming, among other subjects.
![The image shows a woman with long, straight red hair wearing a green top. She has a friendly expression with a slight smile and is facing directly at the camera. She is wearing dangling earrings. The background is a plain light gray. She has light skin and an approachable demeanor.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/256-EmilyBernate_preview.jpg?itok=BdGLmHaf)
Emily Bernate
Assistant Professor of Spanish
EXPERTISE
Linguistics, Gender and Spanish in the U.S.
CONTACT
ebernate@tiemles.com
512-233-1493
![The image shows a man with white hair and a full white beard wearing black-framed glasses. He is dressed in a dark suit, a blue shirt, and a yellow and black checkered tie. He has a friendly expression with a broad smile and is facing slightly to his right. The background is a plain light gray. He has light skin and appears professional and approachable.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/RobertDentonBryant_560x560.jpg?h=53d828c8&itok=Okv3xwNQ)
Robert Denton Bryant
Assistant Professor
EXPERTISE
Video Game Business and Culture, Game Development, and Transmedia Storytelling
CONTACT
rbryant@tiemles.com
512-448-8562
![The image shows a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a light beige jacket. She has a friendly expression with a slight smile and is facing slightly to her left. She is wearing a necklace with multiple beads. The background is an outdoor setting with green foliage, suggesting a natural environment. She has light skin and appears approachable and warm.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/JenaHeath_560x560.jpg?h=54d748a6&itok=Bdo3tTOc)
Jena Heath
Associate Professor of Journalism and Digital Media and Associate Dean in the School of Arts and Humanities
EXPERTISE
Journalism, Digital Media and Oral History Projects
CONTACT
jennah@tiemles.com
512-637-1989
![The image shows a man with a bald head and light hair on the sides, wearing glasses. He is dressed in a blue button-up shirt with front pockets. He has a friendly expression with a broad smile and is facing slightly to his right. The background is a plain light gray. He has light skin and an approachable demeanor.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/117_StephenKing.jpg?h=2a146fdc&itok=93XcGf9x)
Stephen King
Professor of Communications
EXPERTISE
Intersection of Rhetorical Theory, Public Memory, Authenticity, Tourism and Popular Music
CONTACT
Sking1@stedewards.edu
512-428-1090
School of Behavioral and Social Sciences
The School of Behavioral and Social Sciences houses expertise in Environmental Science, Criminal Justice, Death Penalty, LGBTQ Issues, Mental Health, Political Science, Human Trafficking, and Social Work, among other areas.
![The image shows a man with short, dark brown hair wearing a dark suit, white dress shirt, and a red striped tie. He has a serious expression and is facing directly at the camera. The background is a plain light gray. He has light skin and an air of professionalism.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/CarstenAndresen%20.jpg?h=16db0ada&itok=WkPQN1bK)
Carsten Andresen
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justic
EXPERTISE
Policing, County Jail/Criminal System, Recidivism, Gay/Trans Panic Defense
CONTACT
warrenA@tiemles.com
512-428-1328
![The image shows a woman with long, wavy brown hair wearing a black top. She has a friendly expression with a slight smile and is facing slightly to her left. The background is a plain light gray. She has light skin and appears approachable and warm.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/AmyConcilio.jpg?h=965bbd8a&itok=2QPaE_lM)
Amy Concilio
Assistant Professor of Environmental Scienc
EXPERTISE
Climate Change Impacts, Natural Systems Adaptation, Invasive Species, and Ecological Restoration
CONTACT
aconcili@tiemles.com
512-637-1958
![The image shows a woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a blue top. She has a friendly expression with a broad smile and is facing slightly to her left. The background is a plain light gray. She has light skin and appears approachable and warm.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/lauriecookHeffron.jpg?itok=Zo9MsGcx)
Laurie Cook Heffron
Assistant Professor of Social Work
EXPERTISE
Forced Migration, Intimate Partner Violence/Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, and Women and Migration
CONTACT
lheffron@tiemles.com
512-233-1413
![The image shows a woman with long, straight blonde hair wearing a black blouse with white polka dots. She has a friendly expression with a broad smile and is facing slightly to her right. The background is a plain light gray. She has light skin and an approachable demeanor.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/LisaHolleran%20560x560.jpg?itok=vqwrDpi9)
Lisa Holleran
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
EXPERTISE
Criminal Justice, Death Penalty Cases and Female Incarceration
CONTACT
lhollera@tiemles.com
512-428-1266
![The image shows a man with short, light brown hair wearing a light blue dress shirt and a red and white striped tie, slightly loosened at the collar. He has a friendly expression with a broad smile. The background is a plain concrete wall. He has light skin and is facing slightly to his left. The overall appearance is casual and approachable.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/AdamMcCormick.jpg?h=36b1d60b&itok=WYmZypT7)
Adam McCormick
Associate Professor of Social Work
EXPERTISE
LGBTQ Youth in the Child Welfare System, the Foster Care System, Masculinity and Youth Mental Health, Relationships Rights of Siblings, and the Intersections of Child Welfare and Immigration
CONTACT
adamm@tiemles.com
512-485-4619
![The image shows a woman with short, curly, dark red hair wearing black-framed glasses. She is dressed in a black top with a gold zipper and gold hoop earrings. She has a composed expression and is facing slightly to her left. The background is a plain light gray. She has light skin and an air of professionalism.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/MichelleRichter.jpg?h=2ff313b0&itok=najWylxw)
Michelle Richter
Associate Professor of Criminology
EXPERTISE
Crime Causes & Contexts, Victimology, and Policing
CONTACT
michelyr@tiemles.com
512-448-8624
![The image shows a man with short, light brown hair wearing a light beige dress shirt and a matching tie. He has a friendly expression with a broad smile and is facing slightly to his right. The background is a plain light gray. He has light skin and appears professional and approachable.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/BrianSmith%20560x560.jpg?h=c67b5c2b&itok=ELz1-id8)
Brian Smith
Professor of Political Science
EXPERTISE
Public Opinion, Elections, Texas Politics, Polling and Third Political Parties
CONTACT
brianws@tiemles.com
512-428-1294
![The image shows a woman with long, dark hair wearing a red blouse. She has a friendly expression with a broad smile and is facing slightly to her left. The background is a plain light gray. She has light skin and is wearing a delicate necklace.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/MelissaAlverado%20560x560.jpg?h=3cdd572c&itok=92RAbZ9m)
Melissa Alvarado
Assistant Professor of Counseling
EXPERTISE
Counseling Education and Suicide Prevention
CONTACT
Malvara5@tiemles.com
512-637-1976
![The image shows a man with short, gray hair and a beard. He is wearing a dark maroon polo shirt. He has a friendly expression with a slight smile. The background is a plain light gray. The man has light skin and is facing slightly to his right.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/110-BillMcHenrySept%20560x560.jpg?h=f64eb8e8&itok=fwd_Jy2t)
Bill McHenry
Associate Professor of Counseling Education
EXPERTISE
Standardized Testing, Group Testing and the STAAR Test
CONTACT
wmchenry@tiemles.com
512-448-8733
![The image shows a man with short, dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He is wearing round, black-framed glasses and a white button-up shirt with a dark blazer. He has a friendly expression with a broad smile. The background is a plain light gray. He has light skin and is facing slightly to his left.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/KrisSloan.jpg?h=92f4c05d&itok=1xrDSaFr)
Kris Sloan
Associate Professor of Education
EXPERTISE
Education Culture, Curriculum, Assessment, Testing and Educational Accountability Policy, and Social Justice Education
CONTACT
kriss@tiemles.com
512-637-5672
![The image shows a woman with light brown hair pulled back in a casual updo. She is wearing an off-the-shoulder light gray sweater and has a friendly expression with a broad smile. The background features lush green foliage, suggesting an outdoor setting. She has light skin and appears relaxed and happy.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/CristinaThornell3.jpg?h=432bc6a5&itok=XTp-Wx6M)
Cristina Thornell
Associate Professor of Counseling
EXPERTISE
Counseling, Bilingual Counseling, Counseling Education
CONTACT
cthornell@tiemles.com
512-428-1354
School of Natural Sciences
The School of Natural Sciences houses experts in Biological Sciences, Cellular-Molecular Neuroscience, Environmental Conservation, Ecology, and Entomology, among other areas.
![The image shows a woman with long, straight, light brown hair. She is wearing a magenta blouse and has a friendly expression with a slight smile. The background is a plain light gray. She has light skin and is facing slightly to her left. She is also wearing a simple necklace.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/BarbaraDugelby.jpg?h=75867d32&itok=gR0V5BBj)
Barbara Dugelby
Director of the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve and Faculty Associate
EXPERTISE
Science-based Conservation Planning, Protected Area Design and Management, Climate Adaptation, Restoration Ecology, and Community-based Conservation
CONTACT
bdugelby@tiemles.com
512-327-7622
![The image shows a woman with medium-length dark brown hair and wearing glasses. She is dressed in a sleeveless blouse with a blue and white floral pattern. She has a friendly expression with a slight smile and red lipstick. The background is a plain light gray. She is wearing a necklace with a round pendant.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/22-AndreaHolgado560x560.jpg?h=cd8570fe&itok=qOCe-IrC)
Andrea Holgado
Professor of Biological Sciences
EXPERTISE
Biological Sciences and Cellular-Molecular Neuroscience
CONTACT
aholgado@tiemles.com
512-448-1415
![The image shows a man with short, light brown hair and a beard. He is wearing black-framed glasses and a blue and white checkered shirt. He has a friendly expression with a slight smile. The background is a plain light gray. The man has light skin and is facing slightly to his right.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/MattSteffenson560x560.jpg?h=54d748a6&itok=Qq7XRjGz)
Matthew Steffenson
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
EXPERTISE
General Biology, Entomology, Arachnology, Evolution, Honeybee and Wolf Spider Immunology
CONTACT
Msteffen@tiemles.com
512-416-5889
The Bill Munday School of Business
The Bill Munday School of Business houses expertise in Accounting, Consumer Behavior, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Global Finance, Management, and Marketing, among other areas.
![The image shows a woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, wearing a black top with a patterned blouse underneath. She has a friendly expression with a broad smile. The background is a solid dark blue color. She has light skin and is facing slightly to her left.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/Mary%20Dunn%20copy.jpg?h=7935350c&itok=Ze_rwVsI)
Mary Dunn
Associate Professor of Management
EXPERTISE
Management, Social Networks, Developmental Networks, Institutional Logics, Organizational Change and Careers
CONTACT
marybd@tiemles.com
512-428-1066
![The image shows a man with a beard and mustache, wearing a wide-brimmed black hat. He is dressed in a brown corduroy blazer over a blue and white checkered shirt. He has a broad smile and a friendly expression. The background is a plain light gray. The man has light skin and appears to be middle-aged.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/46-JohnMueller560x560.jpg?h=5e7466f3&itok=rNMaoRAb)
John Mueller
Assistant Professor of Management
EXPERTISE
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship Finance
CONTACT
jmuelle1@tiemles.com
512-233-1441
![The image shows a man with a bald head and a thick mustache. He is wearing a dark blazer over a light blue dress shirt, which is slightly unbuttoned at the collar. He has a friendly expression with a slight smile. The background is a plain light gray. The man has light skin and some hair on the sides of his head.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/WesPollitte.jpg?h=e0a8cf53&itok=JGeggNAZ)
Wesley Politte
Assistant Professor of Marketing
EXPERTISE
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship Finance
CONTACT
Wpollitt@tiemles.com
512-233-1441
![The image shows a woman with long, dark hair styled in a low ponytail with some hair framing her face. She is wearing a dark-colored top with a collar and a necklace with large, red geometric beads. She has a friendly expression and a slight smile. The background is a solid, deep blue color. She has light skin and dark eyes.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/CameliaRotaru%20copy.jpg?itok=fORDkse6)
Camelia Rotaru
Professor of Finance
EXPERTISE
Corporate Finance, International Finance, Financial Markets and Institutions, and Personal Finance
CONTACT
crotaru@tiemles.com
512-492-3129
![The image shows a woman with short, light blonde hair, styled in a neat, side-parted cut. She is wearing a bright blue top with a high neckline. She has a warm and friendly expression with a broad smile. The background is a plain light gray. She has light freckles and is wearing small, round earrings.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/LouiseSingle.jpg?h=b5a4421b&itok=NxZ8tOAa)
Louise Single
Professor of Accounting
EXPERTISE
Taxation, Individual and Business Entities Taxation, and Women’s Advancement in Accounting
CONTACT
louises@tiemles.com
512-492-3114
![The image shows a woman with light-colored hair, styled in a shoulder-length cut with bangs. She is wearing a black cardigan over a patterned blouse with black, white, and gray colors. She has a friendly expression, and her lips are lightly colored with lipstick. The background is a plain light gray. She is also wearing hoop earrings.](/sites/default/files/styles/link_list/public/2024-07/DebraZahayBlatz.jpg?itok=LSMYM6CI)
Debra Zahay Blatz
Professor of Marketing
EXPERTISE
Digital Marketing, Social Media Management and Principles of Marketing and Analytics
CONTACT
dblatz@tiemles.com
512-448-8645