Carole Edwards

Associate Professor, Department of Classical & Modern Languages and Literatures

Carole Edwards, Associate Professor, Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, received her doctorate from Purdue University in French with an emphasis on Francophone Studies. In her recent book on West Indian Francophone dramatists, she focuses on giving a voice to women writers of the Diaspora, a marginalized group of authors living in the French Caribbean, away from mainland France. Her current research interests also include Sub-Saharan writers and their interpretation of the notion of sacrifice. As a teacher, she continues to abide by the learning-centered methodology. She utilizes a communicative approach in her classes, stressing interactive and student-centered instruction. She believes that “an educator should foster an environment where teaching and scholarship coexist to the benefit of students, faculty, and the community.” This is why she is thrilled to be contributing to Texas Tech's new strategic ambitions.

Alastair Hamilton

Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Alastair Hamilton, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, has research interests in algebra and topology. He is interested in connections between these areas and aspects of mathematical physics, such as quantum field theory. His work involves attempting to place certain physical notions into appropriate mathematical frameworks, and conversely, exploiting physical ideas in tackling classical problems in mathematics. Specifically, he studies a subject known as Topological Quantum Field Theory, which is a branch of mathematical physics whose predictions depend upon only the topology of space-time, and not on its underlying geometric properties.

He believes that students learn best by studying examples. In his lectures he strives to include examples demonstrating how mathematical theory can be applied to tractable worldly problems.

Jens Omli

Assistant Professor, Department of Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences

Jens Omli, Assistant Professor, Department of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences, specializes in sport psychology and coaching, and conducts research related to the influence of adult involvement in youth sport. Omli's current research efforts focus on understanding how children want parents to behave during youth sport events, and how these behaviors influence health and performance outcomes in children. Omli is also the Global Director for the International Sport Connection, a program funded by the U.S. State Department's SportsUnited Division, that provides sport coach training aimed at helping coaches transition from a narrow focus on talent-development and strategy-implementation, to a more comprehensive vision of coaching, that promotes youth and community development. Omli indicated that he "is proud to be a member of the HESS faculty, and particularly excited to incorporate Tech students in future research and sport outreach endeavors, both locally and internationally."

Kendra Dyanne Rivera

Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Kendra Rivera, Assistant professor, Department of Communication Studies, is an organizational communication scholar who is interested in employees' identities at work.  Her research focuses on the communication of emotion, burnout, and wellness in the workplace, and the intersections of race, class, gender and sexuality.  Her research on “How to Bust the Office Bully” is a resource for organizations and targets of bullying around the world, and her most recent publication explores the role male executives play in work-life policies.  In forthcoming publications, Dr. Rivera draws from the two and a half years she spent “shadowing” and interviewing U.S. Border Patrol Agents and discusses the role of emotion, stress and ethical decision-making for law enforcement officers.  Her work reaches scholarly audiences while also seeking to provide practical suggestions that can lead to more productive and just organizations, as well as more healthy employees. Her dedication to making scholarship applicable in everyday life is also evident in her teaching philosophy. “My goal in teaching,” says Dr. Rivera, “is to empower students with the knowledge that communication theory provides, so that students communicate effectively and improve their world.”