Faculty Senate Members
2025-2026
Kirk Boyle, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English
Office Hours
Monday – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Wednesday – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
By appointment
Fabrice Julien, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.A.
Assistant Professor of Health and Wellness
Office: 463 Sherrill Center
Phone: 250-2396
Email: fjulien@unca.edu
Office Hours
Monday 1:45 pm – 3:15 pm
Wednesday 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
Friday By Appointment Only
Rob Shrode, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Office: 221 Zageir Hall
Phone: 825-6816
Email: rshrode@unca.edu
Kelly Biers, Ph.D.
Department Chair and Associate Professor of French
Office: 233 Whitesides Hall
Phone: 232-2440
Email: kbiers@unca.edu
Office Hours
Thursday 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Or by appointment
Suzanne Dittenber
Associate Professor of Art - Painting Concentration
Office: 212 Owen Hall
Phone: (828) 251-6875
Email: sdittenb@unca.edu
Peter Kusek
Lecturer of New Media
Office: 307 Owen Hall
Phone: (828) 350-4569
Email: pkusek@unca.edu
Office Hours
Tuesday 8:30 am – 10:00 am
Tuesday 5:15 pm – 7:10 pm
Thursday 8:30 am – 10:00 am
Thursday 5:15 pm – 7:10 am
Or by appointment
Melissa Mahoney, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Economics & Finance
Office: 157 Karpen Hall
Phone: 251-6672
Email: mmahoney@unca.edu
Laura Meadows, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Office: 303 Karpen Hall
Phone: 251-6615
Email: meadows@unca.edu
Office Hours:
Monday 9:30 am – 10:45 am
Wednesday 9:30 am – 10:45 am
Friday 9:30 am – 10:45 am
Tuesday 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Or by appointment.
Ted Meigs, Ph.D.
GlaxoSmithKline Distinguished Professor, Professor of Biology
Office: 305 Zeis Hall
Phone: 232-5155
Email: tmeigs@unca.edu
Office Hours:
Tuesday – By Email Request
Wednesday – By Email Request
Thursday – 1 to 3 p.m.
Sophie Mills, Ph.D.
Professor of Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Office: 122 Whitesides Hall
Email: smills@unca.edu
Office Hours:
Monday – 9:00 am – 9:30 am
Tuesday – 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Wednesday – 9:00 am – 9:30 am
Friday – 9:00 am – 9:30 am
Or by appointment.
Carolina Perez
Assistant Professor of Music
Office: 027 Lipinsky Hall
Phone: (828) 251-6456
Email: cperez4@unca.edu
Giovanny Pleites-Hernandez, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Political Science, Humanities 414 Coordinator
Office: 204 Zageir Hall
Phone: 251-6634
Email: gpleites@unca.edu
Farzana Rashid, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Office: Rhoades Robinson 224
Phone: 250-3918
Email: frashid@unca.edu
Michael Sarris
Lecturer of Computer Science
Office: 218 Rhoades/Robinson Hall
Email: msarris@unca.edu
Office Hours:
Monday 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Please email for an appointment (msarris@unca.edu).
Yvonne Villanueva-Russell, Ph,D.
Provost & Executive VC for Academic Affairs
Yvonne Villanueva-Russell earned her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She joined the faculty at Texas A&M University-Commerce and eventually held administrative roles as department head, assistant dean of the Honors College, associate dean of the College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts, dean of University College and founding dean of the College of Innovation and Design. During her time at A&M-Commerce, she coordinated the first-year experience and core curriculum, developed online new programs and initiatives, for adult learners, and served as PI for grants totaling $2.6 million.
Dr. Villanueva-Russell joined the University of North Carolina Asheville as the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in July 2024.
