Merrimack College has hired 17 new faculty members for the 2025-26 academic year. These teachers, researchers and thought leaders bring a wide breadth of knowledge and expertise in fields such as nursing, accounting, clinical mental health, communications and criminology.
“We are honored to introduce our newest faculty as well as celebrate our newly tenured and promoted faculty,” said John “Sean” Condon, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “At Merrimack College, we strive to invest in our colleagues and recognize and reward merit, dedication and commitment. The faculty who are being welcomed and celebrated today champion our mission to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives. We are fortunate to have these distinguished academic leaders as colleagues and we look forward to their ongoing leadership as we continue to achieve the goals laid out in the College’s Agenda for the Future.“
Rachel G. Aghara, PhD, CCC-SLP
Rachel G. Aghara, PhD, CCC-SLP, Associate Professor of Practice; Director of Speech, Language & Learning
- Ph.D. Communication Sciences & Disorders, University of Texas at Austin
- M.S. Communication Sciences & Disorders, University of Texas at Austin
- B.S. Speech Pathology & Audiology, State University of New York at Geneseo
Catherine Bonier, Ph.D.,
Catherine Bonier, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Practice & Program Director, Architecture
- Ph.D. Architecture, University of Pennsylvania
- M.Arch. University of Pennsylvania
- B.A. Harvard College
Areas of Expertise: Architectural history, theory, research, and design, Urban history, theory, research, and design, Architectural teaching, learning, and research, frameworks, pedagogies of imagination.
David S. Brown, MBA
David S. Brown, MBA, Director, Entrepreneurship Lab & Lecturer
- MBA University of California, Los Angeles
- MSEE, Tufts University
- BSEE, Tufts University
Teaching Interests: Cognitive, social-emotional, and behavioral assessment and evaluation; strength-based approaches and interventions for youth; social-emotional learning and development.
Tara Chiarizio, Ed.D.
Tara Chiarizio, Ed.D., Assistant Professor of Practice, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Ed.D. Educational Psychology, American International College
- M.A. Clinical Psychology, American International College
- B.A. Psychology, Framingham State College
Teaching Interests: Cognitive, social-emotional, and behavioral assessment and evaluation; strength-based approaches and interventions for youth; social-emotional learning and development.
Kristen DeCost, DNP
Kristen DeCost, DNP, Associate Clinical Professor, Nursing
- DNP (c) Nursing Education, Regis College
- MSN-FNP Regis College
- ASN Lawrence Memorial/Regis College School of Nursing
Teaching Interests: Adult-Med Surg, Fundamentals of Nursing, Health Assessment, Dimensional Analysis, Pharmacology.
Martin J. Egan, Ph.D.
Martin J. Egan, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Cell & Molecular Biology
- Ph.D. Molecular Plant Pathology, University of Exeter, UK
- B.Sc. (Hons) Biological Sciences, University of Exeter, UK Research
Teaching Interests: Cell Biology, Molecular Plant Pathology.
Robin Hall, Ph.D.
Robin Hall, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Electromechanical Engineering
- Ph.D. Robotics Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- B.S. Electrical Engineering, The University of Rhode Island
Teaching Interests: Engineering Computation and CAD, Project based learning.
Sabryna Herring-Antwine, LPC-S
Sabryna Herring-Antwine, LPC-S, Assistant Professor of Practice, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
- Doctorate of Professional Counseling, Mississippi College
- Master’s, Clinical Mental Health, University of Louisiana at Monroe
Teaching Interests: Clinical mental health counseling, supervision, multicultural counseling, professional development and applied therapeutic techniques.
Carol Langlier, Ph.D.
Carol Langlier, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Practice, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Northeastern University
- CAGS in Counseling Psychology, Anna Maria College
- M.Ed. in School Counseling, Northeastern University
- B.A. in Biology, University of New Hampshire
Teaching Interests: Counseling Theories, Diagnosis and Assessment, Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social and Cultural Foundations.
Maggie Matern, Ph.D.
Maggie Matern, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Neuroscience & Molecular Biology
- Ph.D. Human Genetics & Genomic Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore
- B.S. Genetics, University of New Hampshire
Scott McEnelly
Scott McEnelly, Lecturer, Athletic Training & Exercise Science
- Ph.D. Kinesiology, Concordia University- Saint Paul (In Progress)
- M.S. Exercise and Sport Science, Merrimack College
- B.S. Exercise Science, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
Teaching Interests: Strength and Conditioning, Testing and Prescription, Applied Strength and Conditioning, Internship/Fieldwork.
Sarah O’Brien, MSN, RN, CCRN
Sarah O’Brien, MSN, RN, CCRN, Assistant Professor, Neuroscience & Molecular Biology
- Doctor of Nursing Practice, University of Southern Maine (In Progress),
- Master’s in Nursing Education, University of Southern Maine
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Appalachian State University
Teaching Interests: Critical care nursing, medical-surgical nursing, health assessment, pharmacology, clinical skills development, patient safety, critical thinking and time management in nursing practice.
John Richards, Ph.D.
John Richards, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Practice & Program Director, Construction Management
- Ph.D. Engineering Management
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- M.S. Civil Engineering, University of Colorado-Boulder
- M.S. Engineering Management, University of Missouri-Rolla
- B.S. Civil Engineering, Bucknell University
Teaching Interests: Construction Management, Engineering Management, Project Management, Leadership, Decision Analysis.
Shannon Savage, DNP, FNP-C, CHSE
Shannon Savage, DNP, FNP-C, CHSE, Assistant Clinical Professor,
- Doctor of Nursing Practice, Regis College
- Family Nurse Practitioner, Regis College
- Master of Science in Nursing Education, Regis College
Teaching Interests: Public health, medical/surgical nursing, simulation.
Amanda Smith, SLPD, CCC-SLP
Amanda Smith SLPD, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor of Practice & Coordinator of Clinical Education, Speech, Language & Learning Program
- DEGREE
- DEGREE
- DEGREEo
Teaching Interests: TEACHING INTERESTS
Danny Spataro, M.S.
Danny Spataro, M.S., Assistant Professor of Practice, Sport Management
- M.S., Sports Management, Texas A&M University
- B.A., Technical Resource Management, Southern Illinois University
Teaching Interests: Sports Sponsorship and Endorsements, Sport Marketing, Introduction to Sport Management, Athletic Administration, Sales Leadership and Strategic Partnerships in Sports.
Angelina Tzacheva, Ph.D.
Angelina Tzacheva, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Practice, Computer Science
- Ph.D. Information Technology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- M.S. Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- B.S. Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Teaching Interests: Foundations of Programming.
