Nine New Gardner-Webb Faculty Members Welcomed at 2024 Faculty Assembly

Professors Bring Expertise in Curriculum & Instruction, Administration, Psychology, Human Services and English

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University welcomes new faculty members in the College of Education, College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts and Sciences. They were introduced at the Faculty Assembly today (Aug. 13).   

College of Education

Dr. Cherie “Sherry” Aldrich

Aldrich has dedicated over 25 years to education across North Carolina, serving as an elementary teacher, K-12 reading specialist, high school English teacher, and K-12 school and district administrator. Her notable achievements include National Board Certification in 9-12 ELA, being a recipient of the N.C. Principal Fellows Program, and presenting research globally. Aldrich holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from UNC-Greensboro, a master’s degree in school administration from N.C. State, and an Educational Specialist degree in K-12 educational leadership from Appalachian State. Last year, she completed her doctorate in K-12 educational leadership at UNC-Wilmington.

Brittany Evans

Evans joins Gardner-Webb this fall as a visiting instructor in the Elementary Education Program. She worked in K-8 public schools as a teacher, instructional coach, and assistant principal. She has worked in GWU’s College of Education as an adjunct since 2021. She is earning her EdD in curriculum and instruction at Gardner-Webb. She earned her MA in school administration and BS in elementary education from East Carolina University. 

Dr. Michael Fenech

Fenech completed his PhD at the University of Texas at Austin and recently finished his postdoctoral work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He now serves as an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, where he will teach methods courses and advise pre-service teachers and doctoral students. His research interests center around how students’ classroom experiences influence their attitudes toward mathematics, as well as how mathematics teachers can promote positive attitudes in their classrooms. His passion lies in teaching future mathematics educators the best practices for providing their students with positive experiences.

Dr. Le Kang

Kang was born in China and taught English at the college level there for several years before moving to the U.S. to further her studies and research in curriculum and instruction. She holds a Ph.D. in teaching, curriculum, and learning from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. With 15 years of experience teaching at both the K-12 and higher education levels, she has worked in diverse linguistic and socioeconomic settings. She holds a Nebraska Educator’s Certificate in K-12 World Language Education and a Mixed Methods Research Certificate. Her research interests include multilingual and multicultural education, language assessment, program evaluation, technology integration, and teacher leadership and professional development.

Dr. Melia Neale

Neale has worked as a public-school teacher and administrator for over 30 years. She recently served as a member of District and Regional Support at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction providing assistance to low performing school districts. Neale has been an adjunct professor at GWU for over 12 years and is looking forward to joining the faculty full-time. She received her PhD in Special Education from the UNC-Charlotte.

Dr. Denise Q. Patterson

Patterson joins GWU this fall as assistant professor and clinical experience director in the College of Education. Patterson holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the UNC-Greensboro, a Master of Education in elementary education from the UNC-Charlotte, a Master of Arts in school administration from Gardner-Webb, and an Ed.D. in educational leadership from the UNC-Charlotte. She also has a certification in K-12 gifted education. With 30 years of experience, she has served as an assistant principal, founding principal of an elementary school, associate superintendent, chief academic officer, principal supervisor for early middle colleges, superintendent, and adjunct professor. She was named Lincoln County Schools Teacher of the Year, Lincoln County Schools Assistant Principal of the Year, and Lincoln County Schools Principal of the Year.

College of Health Sciences

Dr. Adam Davila

Davila is a professor of psychology who specializes in cognition and animal behavior. He completed his PhD at Auburn University where he studied olfaction and memory with both human participants and specially trained explosive detection dogs. His work has been published in journals such as Animal Cognition and Learning and Behavior.

College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Tracey-Ann Carter

Carter, is an assistant professor of human services in the Department of Public Service. In her educational journey she has earned her bachelor’s in psychology, Master in Human Services, an Education Technology Graduate Certificate in blended online learning and teaching, and her Ph.D. in human services with a specialization in counseling studies. With over nine years of higher education experience, she has been an academic advisor, assistant professor, department chair and distance education coordinator. Her fields of expertise are family systems, assistive technology, and program development. She co-founded a collegiate recovery grant-funded program that allowed students the opportunity to become certified as peer recovery specialists and present their research at national and international conferences.

Dr. Josh Pittman

Pittman joined GWU in January as Assistant Professor of English Language and Literature. He earned his PhD in English from Baylor University in Texas and a Master of English from East Carolina University. His area of expertise is medieval literature, and he tends to focus on questions of theological and philosophical anthropology. He is originally from eastern North Carolina, but he grew up as a missionary child in Turkey.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.