Faculty members who are new to the college join a small cohort under the leadership of a pair of faculty mentors. These mentors coordinate group and individual meetings, class observations, and programming for faculty members who are new to our community.
Md Nure Alam earned his PhD in analytical chemistry from Oregon State University in 2024. During his graduate studies, he gained extensive experience mentoring undergraduate students in general and analytical chemistry as a teaching assistant. This experience inspired him to enhance teaching skills and brought him to work at Rhodes. Dr. Alam’s obtained research experience with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic detection of a cyanide countermeasure (Dimethyl trisulfide), and use of liquid chromatography separation technique coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry for analysis of bioactive phytochemicals from medicinal plants. His current research interest lies in qualitative and quantitative analysis for biomedical applications.
Gretchen Ernster Henderson (she/her) joins Rhodes College as the Spence L. Wilson Distinguished Professor in the Humanities and Associate Professor in the English Department. Dr. Henderson earned her Ph.D. in English and Creative Writing from the University of Missouri-Columbia, M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Columbia University, and B.A. in History from Princeton University. She previously taught at The University of Texas at Austin, Georgetown University, University of Utah, and MIT. Dr. Henderson’s research interests cross-pollinate creative writing, environmental arts, integrative sciences, cultural histories, and public humanities, with a current focus on watersheds. She has taught a range of courses across English and Creative Writing, Environmental Humanities, Art and Museum Studies, Comparative Media Studies, Social Work, and other interdisciplinary fields.
Jace King studied computer simulation (agent-based, continuous, and discrete-event simulations), with a personal interest in the application of simulation and modeling to games and computer science education. He has worked as a simulationist and taught math and computer science at the high-school and college levels.
Stephen Kipps' research revolves around the effects of privatized development on political behavior and perceptions in rural U.S. communities. He has taught courses in American Politics, American Political Thought, and Environmental Politics.
Cameron Ogg joins the Biology Department and Neuroscience Program as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Ogg received her PhD in Neurobiology from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2017. She comes to Rhodes following her postdoctoral training at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Dr. Ogg’s research interests center on the neuromodulation of behavioral flexibility. In both graduate school and in her postdoc work, she used in vivo calcium imaging to explore how neural activity in certain brain areas is organized, how that organization is affected by certain neurotransmitters, and what effect those changes have on behavior. Last year, Dr. Ogg taught at Rhodes as a St. Jude CAP (Career Advancement Program) Fellow. She will continue to teach courses such as Intro Bio, Senior Neuroscience Seminar, and Sensory Neurobiology.
Sierra Peters is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and the F. Elaine Donelson Chair of Psychology and Religion. Dr. Peters received her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Florida State University in 2025. Her program of research integrates evolutionary and social psychological perspectives to explore how long-term romantic relationships begin, develop, and sometimes dissolve. Dr. Peters has taught courses such as Social Psychology, Intimate Relationships, and Research Methods. To learn more about Dr. Peters, you can visit her personal website.
Addison Schwamb joins the Computer Science Department as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Schwamb's research focuses on computational neuroscience - specifically, she aims to use dynamical systems and machine learning approaches to model individualized brain dynamics that vary over time. In particular, Dr. Schwamb focuses on developing these models for use in clinical settings, to assist clinicians in diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of neural pathologies. They have assisted in teaching an introductory course combining programming with linear algebra, as well as in developing an application-focused differential equations course.
Julia Wefferling joins the Department of Psychology as a Visiting Assistant Professor. Dr. Wefferling earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from Tufts University in 2025. Her research explores how children, adolescents, and adults think about different social groups and the consequences of these beliefs. Beyond her research, Dr. Wefferling enjoys mentoring students, traveling, and reading. She enjoys teaching courses in Introductory Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Research Methods and Design, Social Psychology, and Psychopathology.