SPOTLIGHTS:  STUDENT, FACULTY, STAFF & DEPARTMENTAL HIGHLIGHTS >> ARCHIVE

Anthony Troy Adams, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology, and Chair

Dr. Adams was born and raised in Ann Arbor, MI (home to The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor campus). He served on the faculty in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, & Criminology at Eastern Michigan University for 19 yrs, teaching courses in introductory sociology, social statistics, research methods, sociology of education, and sociology of sports.

Dr. Adams, along with his wife Lauren, came to ASU Jonesboro “because of the many opportunities coming to Jonesboro presented, (e.g., chance for me to affect people, curricula, and programs in various positive ways, and to engage in broader university-service).”

Some of his hobbies include watching sports, (ice hockey, football, and track & field), playing hockey and physical fitness, travel, and looking at residential real estate. When asked about his biggest adjustment to life in Jonesboro, he kindly responded, “the plethora of Mosquitoes”.

back to top

Dr. Hans J. Hacker Assistant Professor

Dr. Hans J. Hacker, assistant professor of political science, earned his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University. Dr. Hacker serves as pre-law advisor to the department, college and university. He is faculty sponsor for the ASU Pre-Law Club and coaches the ASU Moot Court Team. He is the author of The Culture of Conservative Christian Litigation (Roman and Littlefield, 2005), and of various articles and publications in the areas of constitutional law, law and society and public administration.

Some of his areas of interest and/or specialties include public law, constitutional law, civil rights and liberties, law and society, legal research and public administration.

The Austin, Texas native who earned his B.A. at the University of North Texas, and also taught at Johns Hopkins in Maryland, actually enjoys home restoration and gardening. Dr. Hacker also served a brief stint on the Ohio State Cycling team.

One of his biggest adjustments to Jonesboro is “actually being able to walk to the university… I really enjoy that.” Dr. Hacker also expressed that one of his reasons for coming to ASU was “the value that the university places on its teachers and professors.”

back to top

Professor Janice Kearney Visiting Professor

Professor Janice Kearney, a Gould, Arkansas native probably best known as President Bill Clinton's personal diarist, was invited by Arkansas State University to teach for the 2007- 2008 school year. “I saw coming to ASU as a great opportunity; teaching has always been something that I wanted to do.”

Professor Kearney graduated from the University of Arkansas. Some of her previous jobs include: working for Daisy Bates News (the civil rights legend), handling media affairs for the Clinton administration, as well as serving as the director of communications before her more than five year stint of being President Clinton's personal diarist.

Professor Kearney, who sees herself as a “small town girl,” doesn't view Jonesboro as a big adjustment. Her biggest obstacle has been “being an active writer, while also teaching classes.” She describes a good student as “one who wants to learn, is open and who doesn't come with, or is willing to let go of, preconceived notions.”

Through her publishing company; Writing our World Press, Professor Kearney has released three books, Cotton Field of Dreams, Quiet Guys do Great Things Also, and Conversations : A Bill Clinton Autobiography .

back to top

Dr. Aiqun Hu Assistant Professor

Dr. Aiqun Hu is one of the doctoral students who have trained in the emerging new field of world history, stressing a global and transnational perspective. She also had a diverse career background as a college teacher and civil servant in China before she went back to the UK for her second master's degree and later to the US for her doctoral studies. Her specialties are in Modern China, East Asia, and World History.

Aiqun Hu is very interested in contributing to the new MA program in Global History at ASU, with her topics of interests including: modern social security, state building, nationalism and global approaches. She is preparing a seminar in global history, and teaches courses in modern Chinese and Asian history.

She recently defended her dissertation titled “Social Insurance in Twentieth-Century China: A Global Historical Perspective.” Her dissertation explores the interactions of global and national forces in the origins and development of social insurance in various modern Chinese states.

back to top

Melissa Swanson Administrative Secretary

Melissa Swanson is the new administrative secretary for the Department of History. Hailing from Forest City, Arkansas where she worked as a secretary for the Deputy Superintendent for more than seven years, Mrs. Swanson along with her husband and three children decided to relocate to Jonesboro.

As a University of Arkansas Little Rock graduate with a degree in Business Administration, Mrs. Swanson notes that one of her reasons for coming to Jonesboro was the Jonesboro School District, “I really like the school district here for my children.”

When asked about her biggest adjustment she replied, “not having family close by to rely on. Mrs. Swanson enjoys scrap-booking and spending time with her kids. She replaces Laura Surdyk who now works in the Heritage Studies Office.

back to top

Rachelle Tadlock Administrative Secretary

Rachelle Tadlock , Administrative Secretary for the Office of the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is the second new staff member in the college. With a plethora of experience from her past jobs, including: fourteen years in banking, six years in the Lakeside School District, and six years in medical transcription, Mrs. Tadlock comes to Jonesboro along with her two children and husband.

Jokingly Mrs. Tadlock laughed about not having any hobbies or interests other than her family, “raising my family is all I've done for a while.” She admits to loving to read, going to church, as well as watching Dancing with the Stars and American Idol whenever time permits.

 back to top

Melanie Horton Accounting Tech

Melanie Horton , accounting tech for both the Office of the Dean of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, as well as the Graduate Office, recently joined the ASU family this year. Born in North Carolina, raised in San Antonio and recently relocating from Pennsylvania, Ms. Horton comes to ASU along with her husband Dr. Ron Horton (Director of Jazz Studies at ASU), and their two children.

Melanie graduated with a B.S. in accounting from the University of North Texas, and she most recently served as a senior analyst for a construction consulting firm in Pennsylvania.

Melanie enjoys reading, writing, and listening to music. When asked about her free time, she jokingly responded, “Do I have free time?” Her biggest adjustment to Jonesboro is “getting used to not having extended family members.”

back to top