Ten UJ faculty earn promotions

Several University of Jamestown faculty members received promotions that take effect with the beginning of the fall semester on August 25.

Two faculty members were promoted from associate professor to professor; eight faculty members were promoted from assistant professor to associate professor, and one faculty member was promoted from instructor to assistant professor.

Elizabeth Flory

Professor Elizabeth Flory earned her Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Science before she came to UJ in 2017. She teaches in the Department of Natural Science at UJ and said her favorite course to teach is microbiology lab.

Flory’s prior research included studying antibodies and immunity in mice with the goal of collecting data that could help create a human vaccine for chlamydia.

James Schanandore

Professor James Schanandore earned his Ph.D. in zoology from North Dakota State University and has previously taught at NDSU and the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. He joined UJ’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in 2017 and has taught science courses including anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology.

Schanandore’s scholarly research follows two lines. The first assists in the production of biological profiles for deceased individuals for both modern and historical human remains using diagnostic imaging described as forensic radiology. The second research line focuses on physical therapy teaching and learning, ultrasound imaging applications, and 3D printing applications.

Jessie Arneson

Associate Professor Jessie Arneson was born and raised in Jamestown and completed her Ph.D. in Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University. She taught at WSU before joining UJ.

Arneson’s research has focused on supporting scientific visualization skill development in undergraduate science and designing effective teaching and assessment strategies for biology and biochemistry courses.

Marc Carpenter

Associate Professor Marc Carpenter earned his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon and teaches history and political science. He said his favorite courses include roleplaying key historical moments.

Carpenter has published several historical works, including his recent book “The War on Illahee: Genocide, Complicity, and Cover-Ups in the Pioneer Northwest,” Yale University Press, 2025.

Ernesto Fundora

Associate Professor Ernesto Fundora earned his Ph.D. in Romance Studies from the University of Miami. He taught at UM before joining UJ. In the Department of Arts and Humanities, he teaches Spanish and Latin, as well as courses in Latin American and Caribbean literatures and cultures. He said his favorite course to teach is “Spanish Across Time: Origins and Evolution of a Global Language,” particularly because it invites the students to discover the fascinating historical, cultural, and linguistic journey that started when the Latin spoken in Hispania was stretched into something new.

Fundora is the founding director of the Virtual Immersion Program, has published several articles, translations, and theater anthologies, and is currently serving as director of the Foreign Languages Program at UJ.

Anne Gassmann

Associate Professor Anne Gassmann is a North Dakota native who earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Before earning her doctorate, she taught at middle schools and high schools in the upper Midwest.

Gassmann leads the three choral ensembles at UJ (Concert Choir, Cantus, and Vox Angelus) while also teaching music education courses. As a soprano, she continues to perform as an ensemble member and soloist throughout the Midwest and New York.

Sheri Gunderson

Associate Professor Sheri Gunderson has been teaching nursing since 2008 and has worked in nursing since 1990. Her background includes long-term care, post-surgical care, home health/hospice, and pediatric care.

Gunderson earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2009 and is working on her Doctor of Nursing Practice through the University of Mary, Bismarck. She is serving a two-year term as a faculty representative on the UJ Board of Trustees.

“Medical-surgical nursing class is my favorite because I get to see the nursing students finish their first full year of nursing classes,” Gunderson said. “Seeing the lightbulb moments and increase in confidence is energizing to me.”

Jonathan Lasco

Associate Professor Jonathan Lasco earned a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Texas and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University.

Lasco’s research includes engineering education, flood resilience, and curve number hydrology. He said Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering are his favorite courses to teach.

“Having grown up in a country that is blessed with water resources but at the same time, vulnerable to typhoons and floods, I developed a passion for research in the field of water resources engineering,” he said.

Michael McIntyre

Associate Professor Michael McIntyre earned his Master of Fine Arts from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and has served as UJ’s Director of Theatre since 1996.

McIntyre has directed and designed more than 120 productions in academic, community, and children’s theatres in Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota. He has been the site manager for the NDHSAA State B Play Contest since 2012 and has taught and codirected Jamestown High School’s summer Advanced Theatre Arts program for 30 years.

“My favorite class to teach is Directing,” McIntyre said. “Most of our students arrive with an interest in a singular element of the theatrical process. The multi-faceted requirements of successful directing challenge and stretch everyone and the class culminates with a rewarding and very public final project shared with a community and university audience.”

Erik Sand

Associate Professor Erik Sand was born and raised in Ellendale, North Dakota, and was recruited to attend Jamestown College by Coach Rollie Greeno and Chemistry Department Chair Dr. Jerry Knoblich.

Sand graduated and was halfway through earning his Master of Science in computer science at NDSU when he was recruited to teach at JC. That teaching job was supposed to last one year, but he came to love the work and has been teaching Jimmies for more than 40 years.

Kevin Jauregui

Kevin Jauregui earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo and a Master of Science from Emporia State University in 2021. He taught high school and middle school in California for 10 years prior to coming to UJ in 2022. His research interests include Innovative pedagogical and assessment methods in mathematics teaching.