Professor Shelley Orr
Television, film and new media professor Shelley Orr has served as a lecturer at San Diego State for the past eight years, but she begins this semester as a tenured-track assistant professor.
Orr graduated with a bachelor’s degree in performance studies from Northwestern before receiving a MFA in dramaturgy from University of California, San Diego and a doctorate in theate.
Orr is inspired most by experimental theater that lets people see the world differently.
“I am inspired by things I don’t really know the answer too,” Orr said. “I really respond to experimental work and work that challenges an audience to see the world in a new and radical way, which is something I don’t see very often.”
Professor Megan Welsh
Public affairs and administration professor Megan Welsh begins her first faculty position this fall semester.
Welsh will teach to research method courses in the master’s program of public administration.
“I decided to teach at SDSU because I’m a native Californian, and I did my dissertation research on the California prison system and I’d like to expand on that,” she said.
Welsh recently graduated with a doctorate from City University of New York Graduate Center and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She recommends that current graduate students to read anything and everything, even if it’s not required by the professor.
She is also excited to be a part of the SDSU community.
“I’m looking forward to becoming a part of this great community—it feels big, but small altogether.”
Professor Jessica Pressman
English and comparative literature professor Jessica Pressman spent the past year as a visiting professor while starting a digital humanities initiative, but begins this semester as a tenured-track professor.
Pressman graduated with a doctorate from University of California, Los Angeles and is the author, co-author and co-editor of multiple texts.
This semester, Pressman will be teaching two classes in the English department titled 21st Century Experimental Novel and The Book in the Digital Age.
Pressman believes that curiosity is important and that it’s a privilege to be in a place of higher education.
“I’m inspired by curiosity, open-mindedness and generosity,” Pressman said. “I’m inspired by people who want to learn and who care about other people.”
Professor Joseph Gibbons
Sociology professor Joseph Gibbons begins his first faculty position in California this semester.
Gibbons graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Ramapo College before earning a master’s degree and a doctorate in sociology at the University of Albany, State University of New York.
“I decided to start teaching because I love getting students enthusiastic and excited about powerful ideas,” Gibbons said. “A large aspect of sociology is dealing with social inequalities and I think there’s something very powerful about discussing things that make people outraged.”
Gibbons finds motivation in curiosity and the exploration of different social issues.
“I’m really excited about the student body I’ll be getting to work with,” Gibbons said. I’m interested to see the caliber of students here as well as the diversity of students.”
