As more than 600 first-year students begin their academic journeys at Bellarmine University tomorrow, they’ll be joined by 11 new faculty members who will start their first full academic year on campus. “In 2009, as an incoming first-year student at Bellarmine University, I never thought that 10 years later I would be an assistant professor of Special Education at my alma mater!” said Dr. Ali Taylor, a new faculty member in the Annsley Frazier Thornton School of Education. “Having graduated in May of 2019 from the Education & Social Change Ph.D. program, I am thrilled to be joining the staff of educators at Bellarmine University. My desire is to make as much of an impact on future educators as my professors made on me.”  Lauren Jones, who graduated from Bellarmine with a bachelor’s in health science and a master’s in health science in May, joins the College of Health Professions as director of Clinical Education for the respiratory therapy program. “Returning to Bellarmine to teach allows me the opportunity to give back to a university and profession that has instilled a passion and drive within me, and to inspire and support students in pursuing their own passions,” she said. The new hires will help ensure that Bellarmine continues to maintain its small class sizes and personal attention to each student.  “Our faculty are at the heart of the signature educational experience students find at Bellarmine University,” said President Susan M. Donovan. “These excellent new faculty members will be instrumental as we develop highly personalized pathways to success for every student, in the classroom and beyond, as envisioned in our strategic plan.” The new faculty members fill a combination of new positions and positions that became available through retirements or departures from the university. NEW FACULTY MEMBERSDr. Savita ChaurasiaAssociate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Mary Ellen DeHoffAssistant Professor of Biology Dr. Kevin HansenAssistant Professor of Health Services & Senior Living Leadership Lauren JonesRespiratory Therapy InstructorDr. Stella KanchewaAssistant Professor of Psychology 
Colin KearneyCommunications Instructor Jennifer MillerNursing Instructor Dr. Caitlin MurphyAssistant Professor of Education 

Ron NewtonBusiness Administration Instructor Dr. Alexandra TaylorAssistant Professor of Education Dr. David G. WolfProfessor of Health Services & Senior Living Leadership  Article by Carla Carlton, Director of Development Communications in Bellarmine's Office of Enrollment, Marketing and Communication