ALMA — The Alma College Board of Trustees, at its February board meeting, approved faculty tenure and promotions, effective with the 2025-26 academic year.
Lisa Kaylor, an assistant professor of mathematics, was awarded tenure and promoted to the rank of associate professor. Kaylor, who was hired at Alma in 2019, has a Ph.D. from Wesleyan University. In 2025, she published “On the Impact of Homework Format in an Elementary Statistics Course,” an article through the Ohio Journal of School Mathematics.
Eric Calhoun, associate professor of biology, was promoted to full professor. Calhoun, who was hired in 2008, has a Ph.D. from Mayo Graduate School. He is a member of the Alma College Research Experiences in STEM Settings (RESS) program committee, which is part of the part of the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program and funded through the National Science Foundation. His signature courses include Genetics, Cancer Biology, and Immunology.
James Mazzuca, associate professor of chemistry, was promoted to full professor. Mazzuca, who was hired in 2014, has a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. His area of expertise is physical chemistry. His signature courses include Chemical Analysis, Chemical Thermodynamics, and Quantum Chemistry.
Trustees approved the awarding of emeritus status to Dave Zerbe, the Paul Cameron Russell Professor of Music and chair of the music department.
They also approved sabbatical leave for Reid-Knox Professor and chair of the history department Liping Bu, Charles A. Dana Professor of World Languages and Cultures Holly Liu, Arthur L Russell Professor of Political Science and chair of the political science department Derick “Sandy” Hulme, and professor of psychology Marc Setterlund.
At Alma College, our faculty are full-time teachers first, deeply committed to knowing their students and helping them succeed. Small class sizes make room for real conversations, personalized instruction, and 1:1 mentoring that connects coursework to hands-on, experiential learning. Faculty work closely with students to support both career preparation and personal growth, helping them turn interests into direction and opportunity. Learn more about our student-centered approach to academics and explore programs today.
