Meet the New Faces at McKendree This Year!
(LEBANON, Ill., Aug. 25, 2025) – McKendree University is pleased to announce that new faculty and staff members have joined our campus community.
New faculty members include the following:
Dr. Jen Barr-Starms, instructor of education and director of teacher education, joined McKendree University in the fall of 2024, initially serving as an adjunct instructor before stepping into the role of Education Placement Coordinator. Dr. Barr-Starms brings more than 24 years of experience in PK-12 education, where she served as a classroom teacher, instructional technologist, and district-level administrator. Her deep commitment to educator preparation and student success continues to shape her work in higher education.
Dr. Arjun Bhomick, visiting assistant professor of chemistry, has taught at the University of Houston – Clear Lake since 2024. Previously, he was a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Arkansas. He has also worked as a senior research chemist at Jacam Catalyst and has served as a faculty member at Kalamazoo College. In Bangladesh, he taught undergraduate and master’s level courses at a public university.
Kelly Kendrick, lecturer of education, has served in several school districts throughout Illinois, supporting students with diverse learning needs. She most recently worked as a behavioral and emotional support specialist at O’Fallon District 203, where she collaborated with staff to implement SEL programming and de-escalation strategies. Prior to that, she served as a special education co-teacher at East St. Louis District No. 189, a behavior teacher at Collinsville District No. 10, and a resource teacher at Signal Hill District No. 181. She has also taught special education across elementary and middle school grade levels. In addition, she recently served as an adjunct instructor and now teaches undergraduate and graduate education courses and supervises pre-service teachers.
Sam Speer, instructor of music education and director of choral activities, has taught middle school and collegiate music for seven years in Utah and Wisconsin. He was most recently the conductor of the University Chorus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and previously taught conducting, sight-singing, and the University Chorale at Brigham Young University. He also sang with the Madeleine Cathedral Choir in Salt Lake City and was company manager for the Santa Fe Desert Chorale.
Dr. Martha Kahlert Weld, lecturer of education, has served as a teacher and administrator at O’Fallon Township High School for 27 years and as a director of leadership development and director of school based mental health grants for Regional Offices of Education. She has been a coach, consultant, and mentor for area schools in data analysis and application, school improvement, and leadership. She has recently been a part-time instructor for McKendree’s School of Education graduate programs.
New staff members include the following:
- Randy Baruth – assistant men’s basketball coach
- Keely Davis – admission counselor
- Laura Diesen – academic affairs office manager
- Gabrielle Hall – public safety security officer
- Thomas Jenkins – assistant football coach
- Anna Leitner – resident director
- Alliyah Mercurio – IT help desk technician
- Wendy Snow – staff accountant
- Alexander Staab - director of sports information
- Caren Stogner – public safety officer
- Lisa Storey – assistant director for community education
- Regan Van Wie – head dance coach
- Nicholas Zuckerman – assistant football coach
McKendree is also proud to have promoted the following employees recently:
- Cheralo “Jen” Barr-Starms – instructor of education
- Joe Blasdel – director of speech and debate, head speech coach
- Kelly Collier – lecturer of education
- Carol Erickson – manager of accessibility
- Nichole Hogue – student success coach
- Martha Kahlert-Weld – lecturer of education
- Kelly Kaylor – student success coach
- Jennifer Miller – vice president for student affairs
- Brent Nicholson – head debate coach
- Alexandria Stevens – student success coach
- Megan Stutsman – area coordinator
- Brandon Wade – instructor of business
- Calvin Wertman – assistant vice president for student affairs
- Karyn Wilson – assistant dean for student success
-McK-
