Welcome New Faculty and Staff!

Gonzaga is thrilled to welcome 15 new faculty and staff members as well as two Alumni Service Corps members to the community this fall.

  Steve Beaulieu
  English Teacher
  Hometown: Miami, Florida
  Education: PhD, English, Florida International University; MA, Literature, American University
On teaching: “I have taught literature, filming, and writing at the University of Maryland and American University. I love teaching because every class is different even if the subject is the same.”
Fun Fact: “My name is actually ‘Steve.’ It isn't short for Steven.”

  Andrew Bevilacqua
  English Teacher
  Hometown:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  Education:
MS Ed, Saint Joseph's University; BA, English, Fordham University
On joining Gonzaga:
“After attending a Jesuit high school and Jesuit universities, I always wanted to be back in that environment as a teacher. With each person I meet and everything I learn about Gonzaga, it's easy to see why it's such a welcoming, special place that lives out its mission so well. For me, the best part of being a teacher is learning from and being inspired by your students and seeing how they use their gifts and talents.”
Fun Fact:
“I was once an extra in an episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia although unfortunately my scene was cut.” 
 
  Shelly Farace
  Fine Arts Teacher
  Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
  Education: BFA, Art Education, University of Georgia; BFA, Studio Painting, University of Georgia
Familiar Face: “I taught at Gonzaga for three years before leaving after the 2018-2019 school year to invest in my personal photography skills and business. I am excited to bring everything I've learned back to the Gonzaga students and photography program.”
Fun Fact: “We added a new puppy, Luna, to the family this year!”
 
  Kate Griffith
  Mathematics Teacher
  Hometown: Angwin, California
  Education: M Ed, Curriculum and Instruction, Catholic University of America; MA, Theatre Education, Gonzaga University; BA, Mathematics, Boston College
Professional Background“After receiving my teaching certification from Gonzaga University, I began my teaching career in Boston as a member of the Urban Catholic Teacher Corps of Boston College, teaching and serving under-resourced Catholic schools in the city while earning my M.Ed. I taught all levels of high school math from Algebra 1 through Calculus, and directed performing arts productions. I moved to the D.C. area three years ago and taught Math and Performing Arts at The Academy of the Holy Cross. I recently graduated in May from Catholic University with a Master of Arts in Theatre Education. I enjoy the intersection and duality of math and theatre arts, and the opportunities I have to pursue my creative and logical sides in combination through teaching.”
On why she loves teaching:“I love getting to share my passions with students and watch them grow in their knowledge and confidence over time. Their energy and humor are contagious and make teaching feel less like work.”
 
  Amy P. Harper, RN, MSN, ACNP-BC
  School Nurse
  Hometown: Follansbee, West Virginia
  Education: MSN with certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Georgetown University; BSN, West Virginia University
Professional background: “I began my career at The Johns Hopkins Hospital as a nurse in the Cardiac Surgery ICU.  After I received my Nurse Practitioner degree, I worked for three years at the Washington Hospital Center in Cardiac Surgery.  I then worked for 11 years at The George Washington University Hospital as the Chief NP for the Division of Interventional Radiology. Most recently, I was the nurse at St. Albans. I’m excited to join the Gonzaga community!”

  Thomas “Mac” Kimmitt ‘04
  Counselor, Class of 2024
  Hometown:Arlington, Virginia
  Education: Post-Master’s, Mental Health Licensure, Trinity Washington University; MA, School Counseling, Trinity Washington University; BA, History, John Carroll University 
On coming home: “As an alumnus and former Gonzaga Alumni Director, I am excited to come home and put my education and experience to good use! I also love counseling because I get to know students on a deeper level.”
 
  Dale Johnson
  Chief Financial Officer
  Hometown: Stillwater, Minnesota
  Education: MS, Johns Hopkins University; BA, Williams College
Why Gonzaga: “I am drawn to the strong sense of community united in the purpose of developing boys into Men for Others; I love the location on Eye Street; and I am inspired by Gonzaga's partnership with the McKenna Center. In my role as CFO, I have the opportunity to advance the mission of the school, the work of the faculty, and the strength of the institution through the stewardship of resources.”
Fun Fact: “I was a Nordic skier and distance runner in high school and college -- and this past winter I completed the 55 kilometer Birkebeiner ski marathon in northern Wisconsin.”

  Emily Kokol-Rivera
  Social Studies Teacher (AP US History and AP Comparative Government)
  Hometown: Tampa, Florida
  Education:MA, Education, University of Florida; MA, Educational Leadership, Saint Leo University; BA, History, American University
Favorite part of teaching: “I love helping students understand how the past both connects to and still impacts the present.”
Fun Fact: “I love Florida Gator football!”
 
  Dan Lawrey
  Mathematics Teacher
  Hometown: Havertown, Pennsylvania
  Education: BS, Mathematics Secondary Education, The Catholic University of America
Why he loves teaching: “I particularly love seeing when a concept clicks in a student’s head and they have that ‘Aha!’ moment where suddenly everything makes sense.”
 
  Michael Libunao-Macalintal
  Assistant Director of Campus Ministry
  Hometown: Moonachie, New Jersey
  Education: MDiv, Yale Divinity School; BA Theology, Fordham University
Professional Background:“I spent two years as a high school youth minister at a Franciscan parish in New Jersey before heading to divinity school in Fall 2017. I helped  establish the first organization for Filipino graduate students and a pilot program for Lay Catholic Studies at the school. My research worked at the intersections of communities of color and diasporic theologies, with a particular focus on Filipino/Filipino American experiences. I advocate on behalf of peoples and communities that have long been silenced or excluded, especially in religious and educational spaces. I work alongside students in the pursuit of a more loving and just world, rooted in religious traditions and communities.”
Why Campus Ministry: “I love being able to challenge and empower students to look at the world differently and see themselves as vessels with gifts and abilities that can transform our society. There is a real privilege and responsibility to be companions to these students as they make their formative journeys into men for and with others.”
 
  Lucy Mugford
  Spanish Teacher
  Hometown: Excelsior, Minnesota
  Education: MA, Leadership in Teaching with TESOL, Notre Dame of Maryland University; BA, Secondary Education and Spanish, Marquette University
Professional Background/Experience: “The past 3 years I have taught high school Spanish at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson, Maryland.”
First impressions: “The community has already been so welcoming to me. I’m looking forward to building relationships with students and fellow teachers as well as sharing my passion for the Spanish language and culture.”
 
  Kevin Reilly
  Assistant Athletic Trainer
  Hometown: Lovettsville, Virginia
  Education: MAT, Health Education, East Carolina University; BS, Sports Medicine, James Madison University
Professional background: “I have worked as an Athletic Trainer for eight years at the high school and college level. I particularly enjoy working with athletes post surgery who are returning to competition.”
 
  Christopher V. Smith, SJ
  Science Teacher
  Hometown:Asheville, North Carolina
  Education: MA, Social Philosophy, Loyola University Chicago; MS, Chemistry/Biochemistry, Loyola University Chicago; BS, Chemistry/Russian Language, University of Notre Dame
Background: “I'm a Jesuit Regent, so I'm halfway through formation for the priesthood. Before entering the Society I was an analytical chemist for a short time and then a high school science teacher. As a science teacher at Gonzaga, I'm excited to be able to share faith and reason: science with conscience.”
Why he loves teaching: “Besides the basic answer--I get to blow things up and do all sorts of experiments for demonstrations--I love seeing a concept click in a student's mind. It is the most rewarding feeling in the world. I also love science and sharing that love with my students.”
Fun Fact: “I speak Russian and Hebrew.”

  Andrew Wood
  Band Director
  Hometown: Alexandria, Virginia
  Education : MM, Trumpet Performance, Louisiana State University; BM, Trumpet Performance, James Madison University
What he he loves about teaching: “Helping students to cultivate a love of learning and specifically a work ethic and curiosity towards music.”
On following the steps of his mentor: “As an alumnus and former member of the Alumni Service Corps, I’m looking forward to being back where I went to school and served for a year, as well as to take the position that my mentor, Chris Flannery, held for many years.”

  Ian Wuertz
  Assistant Dean of Students
  Hometown: Denver, Colorado
  Education: BA, Creative Writing, Seattle University 
Why he’s excited to join the Gonzaga community: “I'm excited to get involved at a Jesuit school that treats the surrounding city as a part of the campus. Education and care of the whole person often happens outside of the classroom, and Gonzaga's mission and commitment to the DC area embodies this very well.”
Fun Fact: “You can buy my novel The Heirs of Clearwater on Amazon!”

In addition to these new full-time faculty and staff, we are thrilled to welcome back two members of the Class of 2016 as our 2020-2021 Alumni Service Corps: Luke Allen ‘16 and Patrick Edwards ‘16. Luke is a recent graduate of the College of William and Mary, while Patrick is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park. “I love that I'll be able to be a role model for the current students just like the ASC guys were role models for me,” says Patrick.


Welcome to all! 
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