As a Carnegie-designated R2 research university, Southern Connecticut State University continues to strengthen its commitment to high-impact scholarship, student-centered teaching, and community-engaged research with the arrival of new faculty for the 2025–2026 academic year.
This year’s cohort of educators and scholars brings expertise spanning the sciences, education, health professions, business, the arts, and social sciences — advancing Southern’s growing research enterprise while enhancing hands-on learning opportunities for students.
Together, they bring a variety of skills and backgrounds to the institution that will serve to enhance not only Southern’s academic offerings but also enrich the campus community.
College of Arts & Sciences
Dionysus Birnbaum, assistant professor of mathematics
Jessany Maldonado, assistant professor of women’s and gender studies, joins Southern from Kentucky State University. Research interests center Black socio-sexual cultures and sexual behavior. She holds a Ph.D. in gender studies from Indiana University, an M.A. from the University of Northern Iowa, and a B.S. from Purdue University.
Lilah Rahn-Lee, assistant professor of biology, joins Southern from William Jewell College. Research interests include the cell biology and gene expression behavior of bacteria and how these organisms can be engineered for applied purposes. Her current work explores expanding organisms used for spore display to enhance enzyme durability and industrial applications. She earned an A.B. from Bryn Mawr College and a Ph.D. from Harvard University and completed postdoctoral work at UC Berkeley.
Nicholas Rodrigo, assistant professor of sociology
Sameer Ramchandran, assistant professor of music
Aashma Uprety, assistant professor of computer science, comes to Southern from Howard University. Research interests include artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, particularly the security and privacy of distributed machine learning systems. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Tribhuvan University in Nepal and a Ph.D. in computer science from Howard University.
College of Education
Madison Correia, assistant professor in the Department of Inclusive Education and Behavior Sciences, joins Southern from a public school system. Research interests include teacher preparation programs, special education training, inclusive education, and special education advocacy. Her current work examines the self-efficacy of general and special education teachers in their preparedness to teach students with disabilities. She holds multiple degrees from Southern and is completing an Ed.D. in educational leadership from the University of Bridgeport.
Jennifer Connolly, assistant professor in the Department of Inclusive Education and Behavior Sciences, comes to Southern from EASTCONN, where she served as an educational consultant. Research interests include effective consultation and collaboration practices in schools, generalization of applied behavior analysis (ABA) in school settings, and supporting educator practices that highlight neurodiversity and assent. She holds advanced degrees in school psychology from the University of Connecticut and earned her BCBA-D credential there.
Nicole Danishevsky, assistant professor of curriculum and learning
Stephanie Sulkowski Fumiatti, assistant professor of curriculum and learning, joins Southern from Madison Public Schools. Research interests include teacher autonomy and curriculum fidelity in literacy instruction; humanizing teacher preparation; culturally responsive teaching; reflective practice; literacy coaching; and educator resilience. She holds an Ed.D. from Northeastern University.
Grace Halsey, assistant professor of curriculum and learning
Michael Rafferty, assistant professor of curriculum and learning
Bethany Silver, assistant professor of educational leadership and policy studies
College of Health & Human Services
Jakell Bradley, instructor of nursing
Andrea Coppola, assistant professor in recreation, tourism, and sport management, joins Southern from Springfield College. Research interests include acute and critical care occupational therapy practice, healthcare simulation education, experiential learning, student wellness, competency-based education, and interprofessional collaboration. She holds a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Creighton University.
Christopher Gackenheimer, assistant professor of social work, comes to Southern from a therapeutic day school in Connecticut, where he served as a clinical supervisor. Research interests include disability, belonging, and inclusion in special education, disability history, the role of the practice doctorate in social work, and the use of AI in mental health. He holds a D.S.W. from Southern.
Seon Kim, assistant professor of marriage and family therapy
Christine Soracchi, assistant professor of social work
Elizabeth Saunders Wegeler, assistant professor of health and movement sciences
Cayla White, instructor of communication disorders
Devon White, assistant professor of social work
Jennifer Templeton, assistant professor in recreation, tourism, and sport management, joins Southern from Manhattanville University. Research interests include athletic director leadership during periods of uncertainty and disruption.
Libraries
Tracy Sutherland, librarian, joins Southern from Oberlin College. Research interests include video gaming, music, dance, and library user services, with a focus on access services, course reserves, circulation, and improving the patron experience. She holds a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an M.L.I.S. from Simmons University.
School of Business
Vaibhav Keshav Kamble, assistant professor of finance and real estate
Athletics
Corrinne Tarver joins Southern Athletics from Fisk University, where she served as the program’s first head coach of gymnastics and later as athletic director. Her professional focus centers on student-athlete development, leadership, and equity in collegiate athletics. She holds a B.S.W. from the University of Georgia and a J.D. from New York Law School.
