March 6, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

We are thrilled to announce the names of the academic faculty members who have been awarded tenure and/or promotion effective July 1, 2026. The tenure approvals were issued by the Board of Regents during their quarterly meeting held March 5-6, 2026.

This marks a significant milestone in their professional journeys, reflecting years of dedication to innovative research, excellence in teaching, and meaningful service to our community.  

Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor

Kavita Batra, Ph.D., MPH, BDS, FRSPH, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine

Jennifer Bellor, Ph.D., School of Music, College of Fine Arts

Gabriela Buccini, Ph.D., M.S., IBCLC, Dept. of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health 

Melissa Carrion, Ph.D., Dept. of English, College of Liberal Arts

Katherine Feather, Ph.D., LCPC, Dept. of Counselor Education, School Psychology, and Human Services, College of Education

Zhange Feng, Ph.D., Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences

Timothy Grigsby, Ph.D., Dept. of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health 

Samantha John, Ph.D., Dept. of Brain Health, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine

Jarret Keene, Ph.D., Dept. of English, College of Liberal Arts

Makayla Lavender, Ph.D., Dept. of Economics, Lee Business School

Nirmala Lekhak, Ph.D., RN, School of Nursing

Erika Marquez, Ph.D., MPH, Dept. of Environmental and Global Health, School of Public Health

Kenneth Miller, Ph.D., Dept. of Political Science, College of Liberal Arts

Brenna Renn, Ph.D., Dept. of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts

Payal Sharma, Ph.D., Dept. of Management and Entrepreneurship, Lee Business School

Jacob Skousen, Ed.D., Dept. of Educational Psychology, Leadership, and Higher Education, College of Education

Jennifer Vanderlaan, Ph.D., MPH, CNM, School of Nursing

François Vozel, Ph.D., Dept. of World Languages and Cultures, College of Liberal Arts

Tenure Only

Amanda Koziura, MLIS, University Libraries

Zaijing Sun, Ph.D., Dept. of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Integrated Health Science