MWSU Media Room
FACULTY AND STAFF EXPERTS LIST
Western has hundreds of faculty and staff members with expertise in a wide variety of areas that are available for media interviews. Listed below by topic are a few of our experts. Please contact Kent Heier, 816-271-4124, to arrange an interview with one of these experts, or to find an expert in a field not listed here.

Topic Expert Title
Arts Martha Greer Director, Center for Community Arts
Athletics: MWSU and college athletics Brett Esely Assistant athletic director, external relations
Auditing: Applied Decision Making Dr. Stephen Butler associate professor of business
Biology: Biochemistry Dr. Jason Baker professor of biology
Biology: Ecology (esp. aquatic ecology) Dr. Mark Mills assistant professor of biology
Biology: Fish Dr. Mark Mills assistant professor of biology
Biology: Microbiology Dr. Jason Baker professor of biology
Biology: Reptiles and amphibians Dr. Mark Mills assistant professor of biology
Blogging Amy Chastain graduate teaching assistant, English
Chemistry: Organic chemistry Dr. Jonathan Rhoad assistant professor of chemistry
Communication: Intercultural Communication and Cultural Differences Dr. Mei Zhang assistant professor of communications
Conservation Issues Dr. Mark Mills assistant professor of biology
Criminal Justice Larry Andrews (retired)  
Economics Dr. Patrick McMurry professor of economics
Economics: Banking in Tough Conditions Dr. Reza Hamzaee professor of economics
Economics: Global Monetary System Dr. Reza Hamzaee professor of economics
Economics: Gold, Oil, Dollar, etc. Dr. Reza Hamzaee professor of economics
Economics: Health Care Dr. Reza Hamzaee professor of economics
Economics: Housing Market and the Future Dr. Reza Hamzaee professor of economics
Economics: Labor and employment Dr. Patrick McMurry professor of economics
Economics: National Debt Dr. Reza Hamzaee professor of economics
Economics: The Value of the Dollar vs. Major Currencies Dr. Reza Hamzaee professor of economics
Education: Differences between China and U.S. Dr. Mei Zhang assistant professor of communications
Education: Education in Corrections Chad Elifrits director, Educational Diagnostic Services, WRDCC
Education: Foreign Language Dr. Susan Hennessy professor of French
Education: Missouri HS athletics Chad Elifrits director, Educational Diagnostic Services, WRDCC
Education: MWSU Northland campus Venny Pruitt director of Northland Programs
Education: Second Language Acquisition Dr. Susan Hennessy professor of French
Environmental Issues Dr. Mark Mills assistant professor of biology
Fossils Dr. Karen Koy assistant professor of biology, geology
French: Language, culture, politics Dr. Susan Hennessy professor of French
Geology: Earth processes (rivers, flooding, glaciations, erosion, large-scale climate) Dr. Karen Koy assistant professor of biology, geology
Geology: Rocks, minerals, Earth's age and formation Dr. Karen Koy assistant professor of biology, geology
Infectious Diseases Dr. Jason Baker professor of biology
Literature: Children's and Young Adult Dr. Mike Cadden professor of English
Mining Dr. Karen Koy assistant professor of biology, geology
Music: Choral music Dr. David Benz assistant professor of music, director of choral studies
Natural disasters (earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, tsunami) Dr. Karen Koy assistant professor of biology, geology
Orthopedics Dr. Maureen Raffensperger  
Petroleum Dr. Karen Koy assistant professor of biology, geology
Physical Therapy Dr. Maureen Raffensperger  
Politics Dr. Jonathan Euchner assistant professor of government
Psychology: Neuroscience and Biological Psychology Dr. Phillip Wann professor of psychology
Vaccines Dr. Jason Baker professor of biology