CV
Academic Service at TJC: The College of East Texas
2025-present • Dept. Chair of Philosophy, Humanities & Foreign Lang. • 12 instructors
2024–25 • Faculty Senator • 2-Year Elected Term
2019-20 • Dept. Coordinator • in lieu of Dept. Chair
Higher Ed Teaching Positions
2019-present • Adjunct Professor of Religion • University of Texas, Tyler
2012-present • Prof. of Philosophy, Ethics, Religion, & Humanities • TJC
2008-11 • Grad Teaching Fellow (Religion, Film, Humanities) • Florida State Univ.
Awards in Education
2021, 22 “Star Professor” Award (x2) • Phi Theta Kappa (TJC)
2019-20 “Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence” • Tyler Junior College
Postgraduate Education
2020 Postgrad Cert. | Holocaust Studies • University of Texas, Dallas
2011 MA | History & Philosophy of Science • Philosophy Dept., Florida State Univ.
2009 MA | Humanities (Religion) • Humanities Dept., Florida State Univ.
Academic Competences
Specialization: Intellectual History, Religion & Ethics, History of Religion
Competence: Philosophy, Ethics, World Religions, Humanities, Islam, Film Studies
Languages: English (native), French & German (reading), Hebrew & Arabic (learning)
Peer-Reviewed Publications (Selected)
“Chapter 1: Forgiveness in Judaism.” Invited chapter for The Philosophy of Forgiveness: Vol. III. Vernon Press (2018).
“Islam in the Early Modern Protestant Imagination (1528–1588).” ERAS Journal (Monash University, Australia), Issue 13 (2012).
“Heidegger’s Bridge.” The Florida Philosophical Review 9.2: 121–135. Online. ISSN: 1535-3656 (2009).
Higher-Ed Teaching Experience (17 years)
University of Texas, Tyler (2019 – )
PHIL 4300 — Islamic Philosophy
RELI 3320 — Intro to Islam
PHIL 1304 — World Religions
Tyler Junior College (2012 – )
PHIL 2306 — Ethics
PHIL 1301 — Philosophy / Honors
PHIL 1304 — World Religions / Honors
HUMA 1301 — Humanities / Honors
Florida State University (2008 – 11) | Instructor of Record
REL 1300 — World Religions
HUM 2250 — Modern Humanities
HUM 2235 — Medieval Humanities
HUM 3930 — Television & Culture
Florida State University (2008 – 11) — Teaching Assistant
HUM 3930 — Islamic Culture
REL 3194 — The Holocaust
REL 1300 — World Religions
HUM 3321 — Multicultural Film
Administrative Experience
2025-present • Department Chair | Philosophy Dept., TJC
Set department policy for 12 professors teaching 900+ students
Evaluate profs, set department standards, and lead department meetings
Schedule and assign profs across 9 courses, liaise between departments
2019–20 Department Coordinator (in lieu of chair) | Philosophy Dept., TJC
Contribute to monthly college meetings of department chairs
Lead committee policy meetings
2014–19 Philosophy Committee Chair | Humanities & Philosophy Dept., TJC
Lead department discussions on textbooks, policies, etc.
Contribute to the interview process for new philosophy professors
Academic Presentations (Selected)
2026 Invited Speaker for Honors Colloquium, “The Phenomenology of Play”
TJC: The College of East Texas
2025 Invited Speaker (PD), “Kant & the 240-Year-Old Solution to AI in Education” TJC: The College of East Texas
2024 Invited Speaker for Staff Training, “Daoism & Institutional Effectiveness”
TJC: The College of East Texas
2022 Invited Speaker for Honors Program Colloquium, “The Philosophy of Time” TJC: The College of East Texas
2018 Invited Speaker for Philosophy of Religion course — University of Texas at Tyler
2016 Invited Panelist, “Ethical Perspectives on the Syrian Refugee Crisis”
University of Texas at Tyler
Invited Speaker, “Ubuntu, Levinas, and Ethics in Africa”
2nd Annual OMA Diversity Conference, Stephen F. Austin University
2014 Invited Speaker, “Bioethics & the Philosophy of Science”
Brown Bag Lecture Series, Univ. of Texas Biomedical Research Center
2011 “Hildegard of Bingen: The Agency of a Medieval Woman Mystic”
American Academy of Religion Annual Conference
2010 “Critical Analysis of the Western Film Tombstone”
Modern Language Association Annual Conference, McGill University
Public Lectures & Presentations (Selected)
2026 “Panel Discussion for the Life of Chuck film & Modern Christianity”
Invited Speaker for Open Table Faith Program, First Christian Church, Tyler
2025 Invited Speaker for “Peace of Mind” Regional Conference (1000+ attend)
Mosaic Counseling of East Texas, W.T. Brookshire Conference Center
2025 “Christianity in Context: A History of First Century Israel”
Invited Speaker for 2-part lecture series, First Christian Church, Tyler
2024 “Jewish Ethics and the Face of the Other in the Exodus Narrative”
Invited Speaker, Webb Historical Society / Texas St. Historical Assoc.
2023 TJC Honors Program Graduation Ceremony
Invited Speaker, Tyler Junior College
2022 “What Christians can learn from Jewish History & Tradition”
An invited 2-Part Lecture Series, First Presbyterian Church, Kilgore
2020 Two Regional Academic Presentations Cancelled due to COVID-19
2019 “The Kaaba: The Center of the Islamic World.” Tyler Junior College
“Sibling Rivalry in the Torah.” Sunday Sermon, Timberland Unitarian Church
2018 “The Book of Kells: Irish Christianity’s Most Cherished Artifact.” TJC
“The Righteous at Yad Vashem.” Sunday Sermon, Timberland Uni. Church
“Sibling Rivalry in Genesis.” Shabbat Sermon, Temple Beth El (Reform)
2017 “Religious Tolerance.” Honors Colloquium, Tyler Junior College
“Antisemitism in America.” Timberland Unitarian Church
Interfaith Discussion Panel at Wiley College (HBCU)
“The Jews of Ireland.” Shabbat Sermon, Temple Beth El
2016 Interfaith Panelist for “The Crisis of Empathy.” SFA University
“The Philosophy of Science.” Center for Earth & Space Science Ed., Tyler
“The Golden Age of Islam.” East Texas Islamic Society
Yom HaShoah Presentation, Ahavath Achim (Conservative Synagogue)
“The Jewish Experience in America.” Black Student Association, TJC
2015 “The Jewish People & the World’s Religions.” 3-Part Lecture Series, Beth El
“Islam with A. Khalifa.” Austin Heights Baptist Church
“Totality & Infinity.” Yom Kippur Sermon, Temple Beth El
Film Discussion for “One Peace at a Time.” Tyler Public Library
“Islam & the Jewish People.” Sunday Sermon, Tyler Unitarian Church
2014 Panelist for “Artists, Philosophers, & Scientists.” Tyler Junior College
Coffee Hour Discussion for Honors Students on “ISIS.” Tyler Junior College
“Aristotle & the Happy Life.” Sunday Sermon, Tyler Unitarian Church
“Hinduism & the Four Aims of Life.” Sunday Sermon, Tyler Unitarian Church
2011 “Christianity in Context: Jews, Greeks, Romans, and Arabs” — a 4-Part Public Lecture Series, First Presbyterian Church, Tallahassee
2010 “Mars & the Specter of Progress.” HPS Brown Bag Series, Florida State
“The Roots of the Reformation.” Guest Lecture at Florida State
2009 “Simulacra & Consumption.” Ecologies Colloquium, Florida State
2008 “Kant & the Imminent Surfer.” Lighthearted Phil Society, St. Pete College
Academic Service at Tyler Junior College (Selected)
2027 • Study Abroad Coordinator | 1-Wk Humanities Program in London & Paris
2026 • Distance Education Committee of Tyler Junior College
2025 • Department Chair | Philosophy, Humanities, & Foreign Language
2018- • Invited Judge for the University of Texas Ethics Bowl
2023-25 • Faculty Senate Representative
2023-25 • Invited Member of the TJC International Day Committee
2023-24 • Faculty Development Committee
2015, 2019, 2020, 2022 • Dept Hiring Committees
Professional Lecturer Development (Selected)
2026 Great Teacher’s Retreat — 3-Day PD offsite at Texas Campgrounds
2025 University of Texas at Tyler Online Instructor Certification
2024 Respondus Online Training Module
2023 Caring Campus Program & Student Veteran Support Program
2022 Teaching Online Foundations & Pedagogy | University of Texas Training
2020 Honorlock (Online Testing) Training
2016 – 20 Postgraduate coursework and research at the University of Texas at Dallas