As the academic year gets underway, Christopher Newport is excited to welcome talented new faculty to campus. These teacher-scholars bring deep expertise that will bridge disciplines and offer new perspectives. Students will be able to explore a wide range of topics in their classes, from corporate political activity to female entrepreneurship and venture financing to integrating computer science with the arts.
New faculty: (top row) Alejandra Bonilla-Mena, MA; Jason Ammons, MFA; Alison Dobbins; Dr. Nora Donoghue; Dr. Lani Faith Gacula
(bottom row) Dr. Nandini Das; Dr. Thomas Prato; Dr. Brandon Prettyman; Dr. Rachel Wagner '19
Jason Ammons, MFA
Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance
Jason Ammons earned his MFA in theatre-scenic design from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he also graduated with undergraduate degrees in art-printmaking and anthropology. He formerly served as a Naval liaison to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force in Yokosuka, Japan. He has worked extensively in technical theatre and design as well as in television for a variety of networks, including Channel One and Discovery. His specific areas of interest include Eastern European theatre and opera, puppetry arts, and the intersection of anthropology and theatre.
"I am excited to collaborate with the incredibly talented students and faculty at CNU and within the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance,” said Ammons. “My hope is to inspire my students creatively and help expand their worldview."
Fun fact: Ammons loves to travel and is an avid fan of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Alejandra Bonilla-Mena, MA
Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology
Alejandra Bonilla-Mena grew up in Quito, Ecuador, and she moved to the United States to complete her graduate studies in geography at The Pennsylvania State University. Bonilla-Mena is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology. Her research focuses on urban and economic geography, Latin American studies, and housing. She enjoys unpacking the interconnection between finance and space, particularly in cities and the real estate market.
“I am really excited to get to meet the students and design creative activities with them to disentangle the particularities of space. I am also looking forward to collaborating with faculty here at CNU,” said Bonilla-Mena.
Fun fact: Bonilla-Mena loves dogs, and during her fieldwork in Ecuador she rescued a puppy that traveled all the way back with her to the U.S!
Dr. Nandini Das
Dr. Nandini Das, who earned her PhD in economics from Virginia Tech, is joining the Department of Economics as an assistant professor. Her research lies at the intersection of applied microeconomics, development economics, and agricultural economics, with a focus on evaluating the economic impacts of knowledge interventions in low-income settings. Her dissertation research examined a training program that promoted multi-stage agricultural technology adoption in Bangladesh. She has also studied the impacts of financial literacy programs for refugee youth in Uganda and collaborated with organizations, including the World Food Program (WFP), USAID, and the World Bank. Dr. Das is passionate about teaching and mentoring students, and she emphasizes building critical-thinking skills and helping students connect economic theory to real-world challenges.
"I've always believed that some of the best learning begins with asking thoughtful questions. I hope to create a space at CNU where students feel comfortable exploring ideas and learning from one another, and where they develop skills that stay with them long after they leave the classroom,” said Dr. Das. “ I'm also excited to collaborate with faculty across disciplines and learn from their perspectives."
Fun facts: Dr. Das says her favorite way to unwind is watching Studio Ghibli movies. Whenever she visits a new place, she's usually on the hunt for hidden cafés and restaurants because she believes the best way to get to know a place is through its food. Despite being a dog person, she somehow ended up being adopted by two cats.
Dr. Nora Donoghue
Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures
Classical Studies from Columbia University, and a BA in classics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She specializes in Mediterranean archaeology, ancient craft production, daily life, and the Latin language. Her research explores the connections between material culture and daily life, with a particular focus on craft production, such as textile production and breadmaking. She is an active field archaeologist, serving as registrar for the Lechaion Harbor and Settlement Land Project where she is designing a collection database, and as site director for the Poggio Civitate Archaeological Project, an Etruscan excavation south of Siena, Tuscany, where she mentors undergraduate students in the field.
Having previously taught at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome, she enjoys integrating her archaeological background into the classroom, helping students discover tangible connections to the ancient experience.
“In my classroom, I hope students will encounter multiple perspectives of the ancient world that reflect identities they may connect with,” said Dr. Donoghue. “I look forward to collaborating with students and my colleagues at CNU both in and out of the classroom.”
Fun fact: Dr. Donoghue is an avid sourdough baker whose starter is named Doughmitian after the Flavian emperor. In her free time, she loves hanging out with her two dogs, Zoey and Macaroni.
Alison Dobbins
Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance
Dobbins is an interdisciplinary project creator focused on integrating elements of dance, media, music, theatre, and computer science in performance. She is the project director and creator of “Dance Engine, Shark! The Interactive Musical,” “BranchOut,” and other projects that focus on audience engagement and creating community through performance.
"I am looking forward to working with the amazing students and faculty at CNU,” said Dobbins. “From projection mapping on the side of buildings to pick-up performances in the halls - I can't wait to see what we create."
Fun Fact: Dobbins majored in mathematics and worked in a neuroscience lab for a few years right out of college. She loves learning and acquiring new skills. Theatre is where she eventually landed, as she feels there is something new to discover every day.
Dr. Lani Faith Gacula
Dr. Lani Faith Gacula earned her PhD in business administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She also holds an MS in entrepreneurship and an MBA in international business from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, as well as an MBA from the University of the Immaculate Conception in the Philippines. Her research interests include female entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial finance, and venture founding.
“I look forward to inspiring students to think creatively, pursue innovative ideas, and build the confidence to become future entrepreneurs,” said Dr. Gacula. “I'm also excited to collaborate with CNU's faculty and contribute to a supportive and engaging academic community.”
Fun fact: Dr. Gacula used to be a radio DJ, and when she’s not in the classroom, you'll often find her on her yoga mat.
Dr. Thomas Prato
Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science
Dr. Thomas Prato joins CNU as an assistant professor of kinesiology within the Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Immaculata University, his master’s degree from Temple University, and his PhD from the University of Georgia. A board-certified athletic trainer (ATC), Dr. Prato’s research focuses on concussion assessment and management, biomechanics, and vision. He is passionate about teaching and mentoring students, with the goal of creating engaging learning experiences both in the classroom and through research.
“I am excited to join a community that truly values learning, collaboration, and student success. I’m looking forward to getting to know the students, becoming involved on campus, and connecting with the surrounding community. I’m also excited to collaborate with faculty across disciplines to build on existing partnerships, explore new ideas, and create meaningful research opportunities for our students,” Dr. Prato said.
Fun fact: Having grown up in the Philadelphia area, Dr. Prato is a die-hard Eagles fan and hasn’t missed watching a game in more than 10 years.
Dr. Brandon Prettyman
Department of Management and Marketing
Dr. Brandon Prettyman is an assistant professor at the Luter School of Business. He earned a master's degree in management and a PhD in strategy and entrepreneurship from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research examines how leadership characteristics and firms' non-market strategies influence organizational performance and public outcomes, with a particular focus on corporate sustainability and corporate political activity.
"I look forward to working with CNU students as they develop the logical thinking and practical skills needed to lead organizations, build businesses, and make a meaningful impact in their communities,” said Dr. Prettyman. “I'm equally excited to collaborate with faculty across the University to create engaging learning experiences."
Fun fact: Dr. Prettyman enjoys spending his summers traveling internationally, presenting research at academic conferences, and experiencing new cultures.
Dr. Rachel Wagner
Department of Leadership and American Studies
A proud alumna of Christopher Newport, Dr. Rachel Wagner ‘19 completed her MA and PhD in political science at the University of Toronto. In graduate school, she specialized in political theory to build upon interests that grew from CNU’s Leadership Studies minor. Her interdisciplinary research explores how conceptions of the self and its relationship to the body inform notions of interest, risk, and qualities necessary for political leadership. She is thrilled to be joining the Department of Leadership and American Studies this fall.
“I have greatly missed the community and collaborative spirit of CNU, and am so excited to be returning as a member of the faculty to support another generation of Captains,” said Dr. Wagner.
Fun fact: In her spare time, Dr. Wagner competes in artistic roller skating.