Faculty News

The Loyalty Trap: Conflicting Loyalties of Civil Servants Under Increasing Autocracy, by Associate Professor of Sociology Jaime Kucinskas, was recently named this year’s winner of the Academy of Management Public and Nonprofit Best Book Award.

Nhora Serrano, director of academic technology, teaching, and research services, co-authored an essay, "Looking Back, Looking Forward: A Decade of the Comics Studies Society," published in Inks: The Journal of the Comics Studies Society (Vol. 10, Issue 1, Spring 2026).

Assistant Professor of Computer Science Sarah Morrison-Smith recently presented a research paper, “SQuID: Investigating Human-AI Collaboration through an Interactive Affinity Diagramming Tool,” at the Graphics Interface 2026 conference in Waterloo, Ontario.

Heidi Ravven, director and professor of Jewish Studies, recently presented the plenary address at a conference on “Wisdom from the Middle Ages: Philosophical Contributions from the Abrahamic Traditions.” The event was hosted by the University of New Brunswick in Canada.

National and regional news organizations regularly interview Hamilton faculty, staff, alumni, and students for their expertise and perspectives on current events, and to feature programs and activities on campus. May’s news topics included coverage of AI, art, and admissions, among others.

Director of International Student Services Omobonike Odegbami was invited to serve on the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) International Education Knowledge Community (IEKC) board as the region II representative for the 2026–2028 term. Region II includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.

Professor of Africana Studies Nigel Westmaas has co-edited a new book titled Moses Bhagwan: Enter the Political Kingdom: A Guyanese Political Memoir (Ian Randle Press, 2026) alongside co-editors Alissa Trotz and Sasha Panaram.

A review of Comprehending Cinema: Panoramic Audiovisioning, by Professor of Cinema and Media Studies Scott MacDonald, was recently published in the European Journal of American Studies (EJAS).

This year, we celebrate 10 faculty members whose years of teaching have left a lasting mark on the Hamilton community. Retiring in June are Mark Bailey (computer science), Erol Balkan (economics), Sally Cockburn (mathematics), Ella Gant (art), Patty Kloidt (physical education), Cheryl Morgan (French), Quincy Newell (religious studies), Onno Oerlemans (literature), Margie Thickstun (literature), and Bruce Walczyk (dance).