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Saint Vincent College hires seven faculty for 2024-25 academic year

Saint Vincent College hires seven faculty for 2024-25 academic year

by Public Relations | August 27, 2024

LATROBE, PA – Saint Vincent College is pleased to announce the hiring of seven faculty members for the 2024-25 academic year. 

School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences:

  • Dr. Mary Beth Yount will assume the role of Irene S. Taylor Endowed Chair for Catholic and Family Studies. She holds a doctorate in Catholic systematic theology with specialization in ethics and practical theology from Duquesne University. Yount is writing a book that examines how relationships, rituals, sacraments and signs contribute to identity formation and cultural transformation, especially in a family context.
  • Dr. Emily Arledge, C’15, will start a position of visiting assistant professor of history. After graduating from Saint Vincent with a bachelor’s in history and theology, Arledge earned a master’s at Duquesne and a doctoral degree at Loyola University of Chicago. She was an assistant professor of history at Belmont Abby College, and a teacher of record, discussion section instructor and teaching assistant at Loyola.
  • Laura Knoop Very will start a position of assistant professor of music. She earned a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration at Duquesne and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at Yale University. Very has performed as an operatic soprano in primary and secondary roles in major opera houses in the United States, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera, Santa Fe Opera and Pittsburgh Opera.

Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing:

  • Dr. Andy Palko will start a position of assistant professor of biological sciences. He earned a doctorate in health and physical activity at the University of Pittsburgh. Palko’s research is centered on critically assessing and enhancing diagnostic, evaluative and treatment tools and protocols for sports injuries, particularly concussions.
  • Dr. Marcela Mera will start a position of assistant professor of computer and information systems. A graduate of University of Cauca in Popayan, Columbia, Mera earned master’s and doctoral degrees at West Virginia University. Her research focuses on enabling robots to visually interpret their surroundings, a key step towards advancing technologies in self-driving vehicles and smart agriculture.
  • Dr. Sergio Andres Paredes will start a position of assistant professor and director of engineering labs. A graduate of University of Cauca in Popayan, Columbia, Paredes earned master’s and doctoral degrees at West Virginia University. He is studying the development of advanced materials that best convert heat into electricity and improve sustainable energy technologies.

Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government:

  • Dr. Jacob Boros, C’16, will start a position of assistant professor of political science. After graduating from Saint Vincent, Boros earned master’s and doctoral degrees at Baylor University. He will focus on environmental politics and sustainability in his courses at SVC.

Portrait of new 2024 Faculty Members

New faculty at Saint Vincent College: front row (from left) Emily Arledge, Marcela Mera, Laura Knoop Very, Mary Beth Yount; back row (from left): Jacob Boros, Sergio Andres Paredes, Andy Palko

 

 

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