Roanoke College professors are using their expertise to advise state leaders, mentor a new generation of scientific explorers and create compassionate, welcoming communities. Check out the latest in this month's faculty announcements:
Associate Professor Nelson Barre (Theatre) co-edited a special section of a global, peer-reviewed journal published by the International Association of Theatre Critics. The June 2026 edition of Critical Stages presented four essays that each explored modern theater through a unique lens but together shed light on theater's power to help audiences make meaning in a fragmented world.
Professor and Dean Alice Kassens (School of Business, Economics, and Analytics) was appointed to serve on Virginia's Joint Advisory Board of Economists. The expert panel advises Virginia leaders and assists in shaping the economic forecasts used to develop the state budget. Kassens has been selected for the board by multiple governors dating back to 2014.
Professor Chris Lassiter (Biology) mentored two student researchers who were invited to present at the national annual meeting of the Society for Developmental Biology. Robert "Mac" Jonas '28 and Alex Skibinski '28 worked with zebrafish embryos in Lassiter's developmental biology lab to examine how estrogen influences the body's ability to repair and regrow damaged tissue — a question of interest in the field of regenerative medicine and wound healing. Jonas also was a 2026 summer research fellow with the Society for Developmental Biology, with Lassiter serving as his advisor, another reflection of Roanoke's commitment to offering transformative research opportunities for students.
Associate Professor Teresa Milbrodt (Creative Writing) has authored a new novella, "Filigree," a work of fantasy writing that will be published by Wyldblood Press in October. Wyldblood specializes in showcasing the best in speculative fiction and fantasy. This summer, Milbrodt also presented a new paper at a conference of the International Society for Folk Narrative Research in Reykjavik, Iceland. The paper challenged harmful stereotypes about people with disabilities and instead explored disability as a natural part of human diversity.
Visiting Assistant Professor Zane Mullins (Economics) published the third chapter of his dissertation, "Narrow Stablecoins: Redemption, Runs, and Risk," in the Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance. His work examines the merits of a subset of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a more stable, fixed value. In the spring, Mullins also was invited to present a different side of his scholarship — this time focusing on the economy of the ancient Greek Ptolemies — at the 50th annual conference of the Association for Private Enterprise Education.
Assistant Vice President Lisa Stoneman (RC-RV) was appointed to a committee formed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to develop a national model for three-year degree programs. Under Stoneman's leadership, Roanoke became one of the first SACS-accredited institutions to offer accelerated, three-year bachelor's degrees. The programs make higher education more accessible for a broader cross-section of learners, including working professionals, who need flexible paths to career-advancing credentials. Currently, Roanoke offers three-year, online degrees in public administration and cannabis studies.
Associate Professor Melanie Trexler (Religious Studies) will be the inaugural speaker in a new lecture series on pluralism hosted by the University of Lynchburg. Trexler is head of the Center for Civic and Religious Pluralism established at Roanoke last year to help students and community members build the vital, lifelong skills needed to connect with others across a range of differences. The work is thoughtfully designed to support a community that is compassionate, respectful and welcoming.