College of the Ozarks welcomes new faculty members

Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 12:00 AM

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks started the 2023-2024 academic year with eight new professors. Eric Bolger, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College, said the number of new hires is higher than typical for the start of the academic year.

First Lieutenant Andrew Ashley will serve as instructor of military science at College of the Ozarks. Before College of the Ozarks, Ashley served as a commercial property manager and commercial real estate developer for 10 years. Before that, he was a logistics manager for a food and equipment company. He earned his bachelor's degree in applied mathematics and secondary education. Ashley is married to his wife of 12 years, Jennifer, and they have two boys. Ashley is also a Blackhawk pilot for the Missouri National Guard.
Jennifer Hernandez will serve as associate professor of applied nutrition at College of the Ozarks. Before coming to College of the Ozarks, Hernandez worked as a clinical dietitian at five different hospitals and managed a childhood obesity program at another hospital. In higher education, she taught as an adjunct at three different colleges and full time at Lambuth University in Tennessee, Glendale Community College and Northern Arizona University, both in Arizona. She was also the dietetic internship director at the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. Hernandez earned her bachelor's degree in nutrition and food science from Middle Tennessee State University. She is in the process of finishing her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction at Northern Arizona University. She is married to her husband of 15 years, Richard, and they have a 12-year-old daughter.
Dr. Eveline Lewis will serve as associate professor of business at College of the Ozarks. Prior to coming to College of the Ozarks, Lewis served as a business faculty member and the chair of the business department at Evangel University. Before working at Evangel, she worked in Indonesia, Taiwan, China, and the Philippines in both for-profit and nonprofit industries. She earned a bachelor's degree in food science and technology from Bogor Agricultural University in Indonesia, a master's degree in hospitality management from the University of Houston, a master's degree in business administration from Baylor University, and a doctoral degree in business administration from Anderson University in Indiana. Lewis is married to her husband of 32 years, and they have two adult children. She loves to travel, read, cook, and work with plants during her free time.
Dr. Lloyd Nguyen will serve as associate professor of criminal justice at College of the Ozarks. Nguyen earned several associate degrees, a bachelor's degree in psychology, a master's degree in behavioral science, and a doctoral degree in business administration – homeland security; leadership and policy. He comes from a background heavy in public service and military experience, including serving in both the United States Marine Corps and the United Sates Air Force Reserve. Nguyen is married to his wife, Stefany, and they have two adult children.
Dr. Bryan Osborne will serve as assistant professor of computer science at College of the Ozarks. Throughout his career, Osborne has served in many roles in IT including data analysis and modeling, database administration, system administration, systems analysis, systems integration, application design, and business continuity. His current areas of focus are data science and database technologies. Osborne received his bachelor's degree in computer science from Arkansas State University, his master's degree in atmospheric science from Texas Tech University, and his doctoral degree in computer science from Colorado Technical University. He is happily married to his bride of 36 years, and they have two adult children.
Captain Jamin Pyatt will serve as instructor of military science and physical education at College of the Ozarks. Pyatt served as an adjunct for the College for the last three years in the military science department. Prior to that, he worked for the Missouri Army National Guard full time. He recently completed his master’s degree in professional studies: sports management in 2022. He has also attended several military schools throughout his military career. Pyatt is married to his wife Hannah, and they have two children. He enjoys watching or playing sports in his free time.
Kimberly Smith will serve as assistant professor of nursing at College of the Ozarks. Before coming to College of the Ozarks, Smith served as an acute care nurse with a focus on cardiac nursing for eight years. During that time, she became a clinical adjunct instructor, and once she obtained her master’s in nursing education in 2016 from Cox College, she became a full-time faculty/program coordinator for Crowder College in Cassville, Missouri. Smith earned her bachelor's degree in nursing in 2008 from Missouri Southern State University. She is married to her husband of 17 years, and they have two children, Gabriel and Madison.
Dr. Shelli Starrett will serve as professor of engineering and physics at College of the Ozarks. Starrett taught as a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Le Tourneau University in Longview, Texas, from 2017-2022. Before that, she was a faculty member in the electrical and computer engineering department at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, for more than 20 years. Starrett graduated with her bachelor's master’s degree in electrical engineering from Missouri S & T as well as her doctoral degree in electrical engineering from Iowa State University. She enjoys gardening, taking care of her chickens, crafting, and working on construction projects. She is married and has one son.