Office of the Dean: Bios

Kimberly Moffitt (Ph.D. in communication/media studies from Howard University) joined the UMBC community as an assistant professor of American Studies. Before assuming the role of dean for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, she was professor and director of the Language, Literacy and Culture doctoral program and affiliate professor of Africana Studies. A media critic whose research focuses on mediated representations of marginalized groups as well as the politicized nature of Black hair and the body, Dr. Moffitt has published several articles and book chapters, as well as five co-edited volumes, including Michelle Obama and the FLOTUS Effect: Platform, Presence, and Agency (Lexington Books, 2019), Gladiators in Suits: Race, Gender, and the Politics of Representation in Scandal (Syracuse University Press, 2019), Blackberries and Redbones: Critical Articulations of Black Hair and Body Politics in Africana Communities (Hampton Press, 2010), The Obama Effect: Multidisciplinary Renderings of the 2008 Campaign (SUNY Press, 2010) and The 1980s: A Transitional Decade? (Lexington Books, 2011). Her latest work explores the black body in Disney programming and the impact of colorism on Black teens. Dr. Moffitt often writes op-ed articles for the Baltimore Sun and is a frequent guest on local public radio, television, and Internet broadcasting programs. She is a member of the public service sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the secretary of the board of the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE), and the founding parent and former board member of Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys Charter School, a 4th-8th college preparatory school.

Alan Yeakley was hired externally in 2016 to become Chair of the Department of Geography &
Environmental Systems and then in 2023 he joined the Dean’s Office. Prior to coming to
UMBC, Dr. Yeakley was co-founder of the Department of Environmental Science and
Management at Portland State University. His research centers on watershed ecology and
hydrology, as well as in urban ecosystem science and in environmental sustainability. At UMBC,
he has taught courses in Physical Geography, Urban Ecosystems, and Watershed
Biogeochemistry. Dr. Yeakley has published numerous journal articles and book chapters, as
well as a book entitled Wild Salmonids in the Urbanizing Pacific Northwest. His appointments
have included an NSF postdoctoral fellowship with the University of Georgia, and a
gubernatorial appointment to serve on the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team for the
State of Oregon. He is responsible for more than $4 million in external awards and serves on the
editorial boards of two international journals in environmental science and management. Dr.
Yeakley earned his BS in Mathematics from the Texas A&M-Commerce, and his MS and Ph.D.,
both in Environmental Science, from the University of Texas at Dallas and from University of
Virginia, respectively.

Dr. Preminda Jacob joined the Department of Visual Arts in 1995 and the Dean’s Office in 2019. Her areas of teaching and research focus on modern and contemporary art history and theory, the visual culture of Indian films, and public art and urbanism. Her work documents and theorizes ephemeral art forms that animate the everyday, public spaces of post-colonial cities in South Asia. Dr. Jacob has published numerous articles, book chapters, and a book, Celluloid Deities: The Visual Culture of Cinema and Politics in South India (Lexington Books, Rowman and Littlefield, 2009 and Orient Blackswan, India 2010) www.celluloiddeities.com. She received a J. Paul Getty Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the History of Art and the Humanities and a Rockefeller Humanities Fellowship to support her research for this book. Dr. Jacob’s service to the university includes a three-year term as Chair of the Department of Visual Arts. Dr. Jacob earned her BA from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, her MA in Art Criticism from Maharaja Sayaji Rao University, Vadodara, India, and her MA in Art History from Binghamton University, and her Ph.D. in Art History from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Eva Dominguez, the Assistant Dean of Finance, joined the Dean’s Office in 1999. She brings extensive administrative experience in college administration, as well as a diverse background in both the private and public sectors. She received her first degree in archeology and classics but now spends her time as a CPA.

Dr. Linda Dusman’s compositions and sonic art explore the richness of contemporary life, from the personal to the political. At UMBC she chaired the Music Department for 12 years between 2000 and 2020, during which the department moved from the Fine Arts Building into the state-of-the-art Performing Arts and Humanities Building. Many external partnerships with UMBC were fostered under her leadership, including with Shriver Hall Concerts, Candlelight Concerts, the Knabe International Piano Competition, and the Nathan Carter School of Music in west Baltimore. Her work has been awarded by the International Alliance for Women in Music, Meet the Composer, the American Composers Forum, and the State of Maryland in 2004, 2006, and 2011. She founded I Resound Press, a digital archive of music by women composers in 2008. Dusman was honored at UMBC with the Lipitz Professorship in 2013 and the Bearman Family Chair in Entrepreneurship from 2019-22. She was awarded UMBC’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017.

Tamara Brown has been in the University of Maryland System since 1984. She joined UMBC in 1999 as the Department of Public Policy Administrative Assistant. In 2007, she joined the Dean’s Office, College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences. She is the Executive Assistant to the Dean and the Office Manager for the Dean’s Office.

Lisa Thomas started working at UMBC in 2012 when she joined the Education Department as an Administrative Assistant.  She joined the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences in 2017 as an Executive Administrative Assistant. She is responsible for faculty recruitment, faculty searches, CAHSS Controlled Spaces Coordinator, and the Event Coordinator.

Donna Hart started at UMBC in 2008 as an Administrative Assistant with the UMBC Police Department. She later became the Executive Administrative Assistant for the Chief of Police. In 2014, she joined the Dean’s Office in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences as a Business Services Specialist. After earning her HR Management degree in 2019, she became a Business Manager where she works closely with the Assistant Dean, the CAHSS financial team, and the administrative staff within the college.

Jamie Jung started at UMBC in 2011 as a Grant Accountant in the Office of Contract and Grant Accounting. She then moved to her next venture at UMBC, assisting the Associate Provost for Financial Management in the Provost Office and the Office of Vice President for Research as an Accountant. In 2018, she joined the Dean’s Office as Business Manager, working closely with the Assistant Dean and the Associate Deans, the CAHSS Financial Team, and the administrative staff within the college.

Dan Dubyoski joined the Dean’s office in 2019 from T. Rowe Price. He works closely with the Assistant Dean, Business Managers, and the Shared Service Center. Dan assists in overseeing the Dean’s office finances, facilitating transactions, and serves as a resource for the college’s administrative personnel.

Rashanda joined the Dean’s Office in 2024 as a Business Services Specialist. She currently serves in the US Army Reserves as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Specialist. After working for the University of Maryland Global Campus, Rashanda brings with her seven years of higher ed experience. Rashanda works in the CAHSS Shared Services Center processing payroll and serving as a resource for the college’s administrative staff.

Kelly Hodges began working at UMBC in 2000 as a Contingent I employee in the Department of Economics. In 2004 she became a full-time Administrative Assistant in the Department until 2008, when she became the Office Supervisor. In 2020 she joined the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences as a Business Services Specialist working for the CAHSS Shared Services Center. She works closely with the Business Manager of the Shared Services Center and the CAHSS Administrative Staff.

James Hamilton started at UMBC in 2017. He is a Washington, D.C., native and has served in the field of higher education for over seven years. James worked as a Senior Research Assistant in the Office of the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs at Coppin State University for three years. After leaving Academic Affairs, he transitioned into the College of Business and worked as an Academic Advisor before being promoted to Transfer Coordinator. He brings knowledge in the areas of academic advisement, recruitment, and other key student support services. James received his B.S. in Sport Management from Coppin State University and earned his M.S. in Management from UMUC.

Jayla Godfrey, a York, PA native, is a new 2024 addition to UMBC. Jayla has three years of experience working in the field of higher education with a concentration in disability, inclusion, student success, and academic advising. Prior to UMBC, Jayla served as a Program Coordinator for University of Delaware’s Career and Life Studies Certificate (CLSC), a 2-4 year inclusive higher education program for students who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Jayla earned her B.A. in Psychology, with minors in Business Management and Gerontology and Aging Studies from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. She has also earned her M.S. in Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs from West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

Debbie joined UMBC in 2018 as the psychology academic advisor. She has over 6 years of experience in higher education. Debbie received her B.A. in Psychology and her M.Ed. in Counseling and College Student Affairs, both from Bloomsburg University of Pennslyvannia.

A Maryland native, Robert has enjoyed a varied and successful career in media and film production. While living in Washington, DC, Robert worked as both writer and director of photography for entities like the Department of Defense, The Library of Congress, and National Geographic Television. He relocated to Los Angeles in the late 1990s and worked as a story editor for film studios and producers. Robert returned to Maryland in 2011. For the past 10 years, Robert has served as both faculty and staff at UMBC. He has taught courses in the Visual Arts Department, including media writing, film history, and history of animation, while maintaining a freelance career as an award-winning writer.  Robert also held a staff position as an advisor in The Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising, where he advised students and produced content for the office’s social media campaigns.  Robert is now an academic advisor for UMBC’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, where he specializes in the Department of Economics.  He holds his B.A. in Visual Arts; Film-Video as a proud alumnus of UMBC.

Molly Timko joined UMBC in 2022 as the pre-law academic advisor.  Molly worked for over 10 years in the fields of law, healthcare compliance, and research administration, and she is licensed to practice law in Maryland, New York, and the District of Columbia.  Prior to attending law school, Molly served as an undergraduate admissions counselor for international and transfer students in Buffalo, New York.  Molly earned her B.A. in Anthropology and Art History from the State University of New York at Buffalo, M.S. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from Canisius College, and J.D. from the City University of New York School of Law.

Jenae Wilson started at UMBC in 2006. A Maryland native, she has served in the higher education field for ten years. After graduating from UMBC, Jenae began working in the Registrar’s Office as a Transfer Evaluator. After two years, she transferred her skills to St. Bernardine’s Head Start where she served as a Family Services Coordinator for three years. Upon the center’s closure, she was employed at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) for four years as a veteran & online academic advisor. She rejoined UMBC’s Transfer Services in 2017 and was promoted to the role of CAHSS academic advisor in May 2020. Jenae earned her B.A. in English with a journalism minor from UMBC in 2003.

Jason Duncan has managed and supported a broad range of technology solutions and digital experiences for students, faculty, and staff in various roles within the University System of Maryland since 2002. He most recently served at the University of Baltimore, leading the ongoing development, maintenance, and enhancement of the institution’s digital presence. Previously he served in the Office of the Dean of the College of Education at Frostburg State University, where he supported a faculty-led technology outreach program designed to promote the adoption of educational technology and to address digital divide challenges by connecting the University with the local K-12 and business communities. He also served in FSU’s Office of Information Technology where he supported the launch of the University’s first online learning management system. Jason holds a B.S. in Philosophy from Frostburg State University and an M.S. in Information Systems from UMBC.

Nicholas Beckwith is a new and upcoming Digital Media Specialist for UMBC. He is a southern Maryland native and has lived there for the past seven years. He started working at UMBC in late March 2022. Nick initially started his UMBC academic journey in 2016 and graduated with a B.A. in Media and Communication Studies and a double minor in Cinematic Arts and Entrepreneurship in May 2020. During his time as a student, Nick interned for the UMBC recreation department as a Social Media Designer. He is currently pursuing an M.F.A. in Game Development at the Academy of Art University

Bonnie Lander joined UMBC in 2023 to coordinate event services at the PAHB, and assist with campus wide facilities upgrades. Previously she worked as the Arts and Culture Events Coordinator at 2640 Space in Charles Village and continues to volunteer for the High Zero Foundation, which has been curating experimental music in Baltimore since 1996. Bonnie is also a freelance soprano and composer, with a B.M. from the University of Miami Frost School of Music, a M.M. from the Peabody Conservatory, and a D.M.A. from UC San Diego.

Aimee joined UMBC in 2023 just in time for the new fall semester. She has spent most of the last 25 years enabling people to have a better technology experience. She took a break from this work to achieve two undergraduate degrees. She has a B.S. in Geology and a B.S. in Chemistry, both from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Briana McEachern joined UMBC 2021 as the Social Media Manager for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. She manages CAHSS’s social media accounts and promotes department events, courses, faculty, and other events.