Alverno College Announces Faculty Promotions

It is with great pride that Alverno College announces the recent promotions of our esteemed faculty.

Alex Blom, Ph.D., has been promoted to professor of physical sciences. Blom earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics from Minnesota State University, Mankato and he earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Iowa State University. He has taught at Alverno since 2009.

Trish Lewis, Ph.D., has been promoted to professor of religious studies. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her Master of Arts in Theology and her Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Marquette University. Lewis has taught at Alverno since 2010.

Karin Wasiullah, DNP, APNP-BC, has been promoted to professor of nursing. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Alverno College, her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Concordia University. She has taught at Alverno since 2010.

Leslie Henry, MM, MT-BC, has been promoted to associate professor of music. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Alverno College and her Master of Music with an emphasis in Music Therapy from Colorado State University. She has taught at Alverno since 2016.

Shari Fehrenbach, MSN, RN, APNP, FNP-BC, has been promoted to associate professor of nursing. She earned Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Concordia University, and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She has taught at Alverno since 2015.

Sharon Skinner, Ph.D., has been promoted to associate professor of business. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Marquette University, a Master of Science in Software Design and Development from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., a Master of Arts in Spanish from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and her Ph.D. in Leadership, Learning and Service from Cardinal Stritch University. She has taught at Alverno since 2017.

Brenda Kilpatrick, Ph.D., has been promoted to professor emerita of psychology. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication from Alverno College, a Master of Arts and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill. She has taught at Alverno since 1998.

Chris Young, Ph.D. has been promoted to professor emeritus of biology. Young earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn., and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota’s Program in the History of Science and Technology. He has taught at Alverno since 2002.

About Alverno College

Founded in 1887 by the School Sisters of St. Francis, Alverno College promotes the academic, personal and professional development of its students in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Undergraduate programs for women are offered in more than 60 areas of study, and graduate programs in education, nursing, community psychology, school psychology, music therapy, music and liturgy, and business are open to women and men.

A leader in higher education innovation, Alverno has earned international accolades for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, which emphasizes hands-on experience and develops in-demand skills. The college, Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution, ranks among the top schools in the Midwest for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and innovation by U.S. News & World Report. For two years, The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education named Alverno the country’s most inspiring college.

Based in Milwaukee, Wis., Alverno College is a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college.