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SUNY Canton Welcomes New Faculty Members

Canton, NY (09/30/2025) — More than 20 new faculty members have recently started their careers at SUNY Canton.

The most significant growth at the college has been within the Cybersecurity and the Data Science and Analytics programs, with three new full-time faculty and two new adjunct instructors within the School of Science, Health and Criminal Justice.

"Hiring these new faculty members strengthens our expertise in our curricula, which includes specialized topics like information security and artificial intelligence," said Professor Kambiz Ghazinour, who oversees both programs. "Specifically, our newest hires bring expertise in quantum security, computer vision and biometrics, and smart vehicles and secure communications."

Cybersecurity is currently the most popular four-year program at SUNY Canton, with more than 300 students. It first launched in 2018 with fewer than 20 enrollments. Data Science, the college's newest program, which focuses heavily on developing and implementing artificial intelligence technologies, has more than 30 students enrolled during its inaugural year.

New faculty in both programs, which are offered entirely online, include:

  • Assistant Professor Betis Baheri, Ph.D.
  • Assistant Professor Mahmud Chowdhury, Ph.D.
  • Adjunct Instructor Afzal Hossain.
  • Assistant Professor Murat Simsek, Ph.D.
  • Adjunct Instructor David Wells.

Some of the college's other popular degrees within the School of Business and Liberal Arts also gained multiple faculty positions. The Business Department, which includes Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Legal Studies, and Management programs, is overseen by the school's new Director and Associate Professor Dawn Robinson, Ph.D. Additional new hires are:

  • Visiting Assistant Professor Huihua (Alice) Jiang, Business.
  • Lecturer Sam Joseph, Business.
  • Assistant Professor Keung (Kathy) Kim, Ed.D., S.J.D., Legal Studies.
  • Adjunct Instructor Michael Perrault, Accounting.

Other faculty members from all three of the college's schools include:

  • Assistant Professor Marian Amissah, Ph.D., Health Care Management.
  • Lecturer Michael Barney, Automotive Technology.
  • Adjunct Instructor Melinda Burwell, Health and Fitness Promotion.
  • Visiting Lecturer Thomas Fuller, Funeral Services Administration.
  • Lecturer Lauren Frank, Health Care Management.
  • Adjunct Instructor Mathew Guardino, Automotive Technology.
  • Assistant Professor Lynn Higman, Ed.D., Applied Psychology.
  • Adjunct Instructor Kelli Ligeikis, Civil Engineering Technology and Construction Technology: Management.
  • Assistant Professor Sarah Looney, Nursing.
  • Lecturer Kayla Merchant, Early Childhood.
  • Lecturer Gena Nelson, Applied Psychology.
  • Associate Dean of Nursing Doreen Rogers, D.N.S.
  • Adjunct Instructor Christine Varner, Nursing.

Discover SUNY Canton, where innovation meets opportunity. The college's career-focused educational programs emphasize hands-on and applied learning opportunities in digital design, engineering technology, health, information technology, management, public service, and veterinary technology. Faculty members bring real-world experience and exceptional academic expertise to the classroom. As a leader in online education, SUNY Canton offers unmatched flexibility with hundreds of courses and 25 comprehensive degree programs offered completely online. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos compete at the NCAA Division III level and are members of the SUNYAC. In addition to its 15 traditional teams, SUNY Canton offers coed varsity esports and cheerleading.

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New Faculty - SUNY Canton Lecturer Kayla Merchant teaches an Early Childhood class. Merchant is one of the newest faculty members at the college.

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