Worcester State University welcomes ten new faculty members to campus this fall, bringing diverse expertise and a shared commitment to teaching, scholarship, and student success. Get to know the newest members of the Worcester State community and learn more about the experience and perspectives they bring to campus.
Dr. Jennifer Lingle
Education
The Education Department is pleased to welcome Dr. Jennifer Lingle to our faculty this fall, based in Sullivan Building, Room S-227. Dr. Lingle earned her Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Development from UNC Greensboro in 2024, following an M.Ed. in Middle Grades Curriculum and Instruction and a B.A. in Classical Studies, also from UNCG. Most recently, Dr. Lingle served as an IPiE (Institute for Partnerships in Education) Project Coordinator at UNC Greensboro, where she coordinated grant-funded research-practice partnerships, led interdepartmental professional development, and taught undergraduate education courses — including middle grades internship courses and coursework for dual-enrollment programs. She holds an NC Professional Teaching License spanning grades 6–9 mathematics, English language arts, and science, as well as K–6 elementary licensure. Dr. Lingle brings hands-on experience in middle grades education, field-based teacher preparation, and partnership coordination — expertise that will strengthen our practicum and licensure programs.
Dr. Daniel Kraemar
Earth, Environment, & Physics
Dr. Kraemer received his PhD from UConn in 2025 and most recently taught at Texas A&M University – Galveston. He is a broadly trained geographer whose research examines social vulnerability to natural hazards and disasters. His work at the interface of human and natural systems is a natural fit for Earth, Environment, & Physics’ interdisciplinary approach.
Dr. Alberto (Bert) Correa
Biology
Dr. Correa earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Cornell University. Dr. Correa’s research interests include biofabrication, synthetic biology, and the use of light-induced transposons to perform highthroughput investigations on molecular mechanisms of regulation in bacteria. In the classroom, Dr. Correa has used 3D-printed models to explain structures and process in the classroom and has experience working as a genome engineer in industry.
Dr. Emma Wear
Biology
Dr. Wear earned a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of California – Santa Barbara. As a broadly-trained aquatic microbial ecologist, Dr. Wear is interested in how aquatic microbial communities impact energy flow and available organic matter. Currently, Dr. Wear is examining how bacterioplankton interact with dissolved organic matter in coastal marine habitats and will expand to other water sources to assess bacterial community structure change and carbon fluctuations.
Allan Mugisa
Business Administration & Economics
Allan Mugisa brings a strong blend of academic expertise and industry experience to his role in finance education. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Walden University, a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Salem State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Economics, also from Salem State University. Allan has served as a Senior Financial Planning Analyst at MaineGeneral Health, where he led financial analysis and planning initiatives that supported organizational strategy and long-term financial health. He has also taught as adjunct faculty at institutions including Fitchburg State University and Colorado State University, where students have recognized his clear expectations, thorough feedback, and genuine commitment to their success. Allan’s research interests include foreign trade, supply chain management, business process improvement, and enterprise solutions, with a particular focus on applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to these areas to enhance organizational performance. His recent attainment of the Series 6 and Series 63 securities licenses further reflects his commitment to financial planning and ongoing professional development. Combining hands-on industry experience with a strong scholarly research agenda, Allan is well positioned to bridge theory and practice and help prepare students for successful careers in finance.
Bruce Cohen
Business Administration & Economics
Professor Bruce Cohen will be teaching a variety of Marketing classes at Worcester State University. He has over 40 years of industry experience, having been employed in the garment industry and the computer industry, where he worked for Digital Equipment Corporation during the 1980’s. For over 30 years Professor Cohen managed his own business, as President of ABC Food Service Equipment Inc. His company distributed specialty food service equipment (smokers, wood fired grills, pizza ovens, gelato equipment and seafood processing equipment). He was responsible for all the administrative, marketing, and sales functions for his company.
In 2019 Professor Cohen retired from his business to pursue a full-time teaching career. Prior to his full-time teaching responsibilities, he taught on a part-time basis. He taught a wide variety of courses which included business communications, employability/career planning, leadership, management, sales, and team building. At his previous college (Anna Maria) Professor Cohen developed a student consulting company, where students were hired by clients to develop strategic plans. His objective for teaching, for over the past 25 years, is to send students into the management field to transform the world of work. The goal of this transformation is to have management students manage employees in such a way, as to ensure sustainability of the planet, development of their employees and to ensure that goals of organizations are accomplished.
Dr. Benjamin (Ben) Sturtz
Chemistry
Ben Sturtz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Worcester State University. He earned his B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Physics from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and his Ph.D. in Chemistry, specializing in synthetic inorganic chemistry, from Case Western Reserve University. Ben has taught a wide range of chemistry courses at both Worcester State and Case Western Reserve, including general chemistry, organic chemistry, and inorganic chemistry. He particularly enjoys working closely with undergraduate students and helping them develop both their laboratory skills and confidence as scientists. His research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of phthalocyanines and related compounds. At Worcester State, he is developing undergraduate research projects involving phthalocyanine synthesis, with potential applications in areas including phototherapeutics and solar energy. He is especially interested in giving undergraduate students opportunities to participate directly in research and experience the process of scientific discovery. In addition to teaching and research, Ben has been involved in student mentoring, departmental assessment, recruitment, and outreach. He is excited to continue building opportunities for Worcester State students to engage in hands-on chemistry, research, and mentorship.
Lindsey Parker
SLHS
Dr. Lindsey Parker is an assistant professor with a passion for voice and swallowing disorders. After Dr. Parker received a B.A. in English Literature from Northwestern University she earned her M.A. and Ph.D. from Louisiana State University with a focus on improving the reliability of clinical diagnostics for auditory-perceptual judgments of voice quality and interpretation of modified barium swallow studies. Her clinical experience within the medical field has focused providing person-centered care for those with voice, swallowing and upper airway disorders which in turn shapes her approach in the classroom. Dr. Parker’s current research explores how individuals’ online health information seeking behaviors may inform the development of patient-centered educational resources and digital health communication strategies in voice care.
Nicole Potter
Nursing
Nicole Champagne Potter, RN, MSN, SCRN, MSRN-BC, is an accomplished nursing professional and educator with 20 years of experience in nursing and healthcare. Throughout her career, Nicole has gained diverse clinical and leadership experience in acute rehabilitation and telemetry stroke care, while also serving as a nursing supervisor in hospital and outpatient healthcare settings. Nicole is deeply committed to nursing excellence and professional development. She holds specialty certifications in stroke care and medical-surgical nursing and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Her professional interests include mentoring nurses and nursing students, advancing evidence-based practice, and preparing future nurses to provide safe, compassionate, and patient-centered care. As a Nursing Professor at Worcester State University, Nicole brings a valuable combination of
clinical expertise, leadership experience, academic knowledge, and a dedication to student success. She is passionate about inspiring and empowering the next generation of nurses while contributing to the continued growth and advancement of the nursing profession.
Maria Fahey
Nursing
Maria Fahey, MSN, RN, is an accomplished nursing educator and clinical leader with more than two decades of experience in nursing education, patient care, clinical leadership, and infection prevention. She has served as a Nursing Educator and faculty member at Worcester State University, as well as a Nursing Clinical Instructor at Anna Maria College and Becker College. Maria is passionate about developing confident, knowledgeable nurses through evidence-based education, clinical mentorship, and hands-on learning. She holds multiple master’s degrees, including a Master of Science in Nursing, and a Certificate in Nursing Education from Worcester State University. She is committed to excellence in nursing practice, education, leadership, and continuous professional development.