CLU welcomes 17 new faculty members

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Aug. 28, 2009) California Lutheran University is welcoming 17 new faculty members.

Gerhard Apfelthaler
Professor, International Business and International Management
Apfelthaler headed the international management department at a Graz university and coordinated the international postgraduate program of the Community of European Management Schools. His books include "The Deadly Sins of International Business." He has bachelor's and master's degrees from University of Vienna and a doctorate from Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration.

Robert Beilin
Senior Lecturer, Graduate Psychology
Beilin is the former director of a state forensic mental health program and county court family mediation and investigation unit. A family therapist and mediator, he often testifies in family law and forensic mental health cases. He earned a bachelor's degree from UCLA, a master's degree in counseling/education from University of Southern California, and master's and doctoral degrees in sociology from UCLA.

Nathan Carlson
Assistant Professor, Mathematics
Carlson has worked with middle school and university educators on teaching math and he received a University of Arizona Math Department Teaching/Service award. He taught and conducted research in a postdoctoral position at the University of Arizona. He has a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Oberlin College and master's and doctoral degrees in mathematics from University of Kansas, Lawrence.

Jennifer Christian
Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice and Sociology
Christian's numerous publications and presentations reflect her research and teaching interests in political sociology, public policy, public opinion, criminology, media, and law and society. She earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and psychology at California State University, San Marcos, and master's and doctoral degrees in sociology from Indiana University, Bloomington.

Lynn Creighton
Senior Lecturer, Art
Creighton is an internationally recognized and exhibited sculptor known for her clay and bronze female figures, which are influenced by her shaman training and vision quest experience. She has previously taught classes at CLU and other local colleges. She earned a bachelor's degree in education from Temple University and bachelor's and master's degrees in art from California State University, Northridge.

Rahuldeep Gill
Assistant Professor of Religion
Gill specializes in Sikh, Hindu and Muslim traditions and has expertise in the Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, Persian and German languages. His writings investigate the role of religious literature in defining communal identity. Gill earned a bachelor's degree in religion from the University of Rochester and master's and doctoral degrees in religious studies from University of California, Santa Barbara.

Dan Hamilton
Assistant Professor, School of Business
Director of Economics, CLU Center for Economic Research and Forecasting
Hamilton began working with economic forecast models as part of the Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates Group formed by Nobel Prize winner Lawrence Klein. In 2000, he joined the UCSB Economic Forecast Project where his clients included Vandenberg Air Force Base, the County of Santa Barbara and the California Environmental Protection Agency. He has a bachelor's degree from UC Davis and master's and doctoral degrees from UCSB.

Eric Kinsley
Senior Lecturer, Music
Kinsley has performed and lectured in many venues including the Getty Center, the Huntington Library and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. He has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York Harpsichord Society and the Sylvia Marlow Foundation. He earned a bachelor's degree from CSUN, a master's degree from UCSB and a doctorate from the Manhattan School of Music.

Kirk M. Lesh
Instructor, Economics
Senior Economist, CLU Center for Economic Research and Forecasting
As the real estate economist at the UCSB Economic Forecast Project, Lesh presented annual projections for several communities. His research interests include the impact of public unions on governments and real estate. He holds a bachelor's degree in finance and economics from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an MBA from UC Irvine. He is finishing his doctoral dissertation at UCSB.

Maureen Reilly Lorimer
Assistant Professor, Teacher Education
A former Distinguished Teacher in Residence at CSU San Marcos and faculty associate at Claremont Graduate University, Lorimer has extensive experience as a teacher, mentor and program coordinator in K-12 schools. Her work has focused on middle school teaching and learning. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in human development from Pacific Oaks College and a doctorate in education from Claremont.

Edlyn Vallejo Peña
Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership
A James Irvine Foundation and USC Diversity fellow, Peña taught courses and led dissertation workshops at USC. Her expertise includes faculty development and equitable educational outcomes for college students. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology from UC Santa Cruz, and a master's degree in postsecondary education and student affairs and doctorate in education from USC.

L. Jeanne Ricci,
Instructor, Teacher Education
Ricci worked as a teacher program coordinator and project director for Moorpark Unified School District and is the former principal of Walnut Canyon, a visual and performing arts magnet school. She has received many professional awards. She has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Northeast Louisiana University and a master's degree in educational administration from CLU.

Mariana Robles-Dalany
Assistant Professor, Teacher Education
Director, Liberal Studies Program
Robles-Dalany has been a teacher and administrator in public and private K-12 schools. A native Spanish speaker and first-generation college graduate, she understands the challenges faced by many California students. She has a bachelor's degree from USC, a master's degree from California State University, Los Angeles, and a doctorate in urban educational leadership from Claremont Graduate University.

Nate Sinnott
Instructor, Theatre Arts
Sinnott has worked in theater for more than a decade, designing more than 50 productions in a wide range of genres. During that time, he also taught at Santa Rosa Junior College, Playhouse Merced and several high schools. Sinnott earned a bachelor's degree in theatre design/technology from Slippery Rock University and a master's in theatre set design from University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Harry Starn Jr.
Associate Director, California Institute of Finance at CLU
Executive-in-Residence, MBA in Financial Planning Program
Starn has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and manages a fee-only financial planning practice, Action Financial Planning, LLC. He has been teaching online in CLU's MBA in Financial Planning Program since 2005. He earned a bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a master's degree in finance from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Bill Watkins
Executive Director, CLU Center for Economic Research and Forecasting
Director, Master of Science in Economics
Associate Professor, Economics
Watkins is the former executive director of the UCSB Economic Forecast Project and previously served as an economist with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington, D.C. Watkins has been widely published and quoted in academic journals, traditional media and new media. He holds a bachelor's degree in finance from CSUN, and a master's and doctorate in economics from UCSB.

Deric Wisleder
Assistant Professor, Exercise Science
An expert in biomechanics and motor control, Wisleder has researched limb dynamics and their potential as neuromotor control parameters and lumbar spine response to axial compression in vivo. He has a bachelor's degree in biomechanics at Southern Illinois University, a master's degree in kinesiology from UCLA and a doctorate in biomechanics/kinesiology from Pennsylvania State University.