Faculty & Staff
Sociology Program Faculty
Brett Zollinger
Sociology Professor and Chair; Docking Institute of Public Affairs Director
Ph.D., Utah State University, 1998
M.S., Utah State University, 1994
B.A., Northwestern Oklahoma State Univ., 1992
Rarick Hall 145F
Phone: 785.628.5881
E-mail: bzolling@fhsu.edu
Gary D. Brinker
Professor of Sociology
Ph.D., Baylor University, 1997
M.S., Baylor University, 1994
Rarick Hall 139
Phone: 785. 628.5233
E-mail: gdbrinker@fhsu.edu
Christy Craig
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Ph.D., University of Kansas 2015
M.A. Colorado State University 2006
Rarick Hall 145E
Phone: 785.628.4174
Email: cmcraig2@fhsu.edu
D. Nicole English
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Ph.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2014
M.A., University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2006
B.A., University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1998
Rarick Hall 145B
E-mail: DNEnglish2@fhsu.edu
Kate McGonigal
Associate Professor of Sociology
Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004
M.A., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1998
B.A., Drake University, 1992
Rarick Hall 141
Phone: 785.628.5699
E-mail: kmcgonig@fhsu.edu
Angela Pool-Funai
Assistant Provost for Academic Programs
Dean of the Graduate School
Associate Professor of Sociology
DPA, Valdosta State University, 2014
MPPA, Baylor University, 2008
BA, Stephen F. Austin State University, 1996
Email: aepoolfunai@fhsu.edu
Pelgy R. Vaz
Professor of Sociology
Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 1984
M.A., University of Bombay, 1974
B.A., University of Bombay, 1972
Rarick Hall 145D
Phone: 785.628.5359
E-mail: pvaz@fhsu.edu
Mike Walker
Instructor of Sociology
M.S., Utah State University, 1995
B.S., Weber State University, 1985
Rarick Hall 160D
Phones: 785.628.5563 (w), 785.639.5563 (m)
E-mail: mwalker@fhsu.edu
Senior Administrative Assistant
Jessica M. McGuire
Senior Administrative Assistant/Marketing
Rarick Hall 145A
Phone: 785.628.4550
E-mail: jmmcguire2@fhsu.edu
Student Workers
Mery Ouattara
Student Office Assistant
Rarick Hall 145
Phone: 785.628.5840
E-mail: a_ouattara.se@fhsu.edu
Academic Advising Specialists
Adjunct Faculty
Steven Balthazor, Pharm. D.
Adjunct Instructor
Pharm. D., University of Kansas, 2003
B.S., Chemistry, Fort Hays State University, 1998
Licensed by the Kansas State Board of Pharmacy
Email: sjbalthazor@fhsu.edu
Judith L. Bragger
Adjunct Instructor of Sociology
Ph.D., University of Florida, 2014
M.A., University of Florida, 2009
B.A., University of Florida 2007
Email: jlbragger@fhsu.edu
Jennifer Colby
Adjunct Instructor of Sociology
M.S., University of Kansas, 2009
B.S., Kansas State University, 1997
E-mail: jscolby@fhsu.edu
Laura Chartier
Adjunct Instructor of Sociology
M.S.W., University of Kansas, 2016
B.S.W, Fort Hays State University, 2003
E-mail: lachartier@fhsu.edu
Elizabeth Dingler
Adjunct Instructor of Sociology
M.A., Wichita State University, 2009
B.A., Wichita State University, 2007
E-mail: ejdingler@fhsu.edu
Eileen Doherty
Adjunct Instructor of Sociology
M.S., Fort Hays State University, 1977
B.A., Fort Hays State University, 1974
E-mail: edoherty@fhsu.edu
Sara Jackson
Adjunct Instructor of Sociology
M.S.W., University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2012
B.A., Journalism, University of Missouri, 1987
E-mail: ssjackson2@fhsu.edu
Kirk Johnson
Adjunct Professor of Sociology
(Professor - University of Guam)
Ph.D., McGill University, 1998
M.A., Ohio University, 1992
B.A., Fort Hays State University, 1990
Phone: 671.735.2856 (17 hours ahead of Central Time!)
E-mail: kdjohnson2@fhsu.edu
Sean P. Keenan
Adjunct Professor of Sociology
Ph.D., Utah State University, 2000
M.S., Utah State University, 1993
B.S., Mesa State College, 1989
Phone: 435.770.1114 (Mountain Time)
E-mail: spkeenan@fhsu.edu
Michelle Kowalski
Adjunct Instructor of Sociology
Ph.D., Bowling Green State University, 2003
M.A., Heidelberg College, 1994
B.A., The Ohio State University, 1989
Email: mmkowalski@fhsu.edu
Curt Krebsbach, LPC, LCAC
Adjunct Instructor
Ph.D., Psychology, Capella Univeristy
M.Ed., University of Missouri, 1987
B.A., Psychology, Columbia College, 1985
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor
Email: chkrebsbach@fhsu.edu
Kristin Kerrigan
Adjunct Instructor of Sociology
M.A., University of Nevada, 1996
B.A., Drake University, 1994
E-mail: kkerriga@fhsu.edu
Ken Laundra
Adjunct Professor of Sociology
Ph.D., Utah State University, 1999
M.A., Central Michigan University,
B.S., Michigan State University,
E-mail: khlaundra@fhsu.edu
Jeannie Majercin
Adjunct Instructor of Sociology
M.P.S., Fort Hays State University, 2015
B.A., Fort Hays State University, 2013
E-mail: j_majercin@fhsu.edu
Jessica Niblack
Adjunct Instructor of Sociology
B.S., Women's Studies, Wichita State University, 2010
M.S., Sociology, Wichita State University, 2013
E-mail: jeniblack@fhsu.edu
Abin Ojha
Adjunct Instructor of Sociology
Ph.D., Sociology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University, 2015
MPS., Social Entrepreneurship, Fort Hays State University, 2024
MA., Liberal Studies, The City University of New York, 2019
MA., Rural Development Studies, Tribhuvan University, 2004
BA., Economics and Mathematics, Tribhuvan University, 2002
Email: a_ojha@fhsu.edu
Shane Schneider
Adjunct Instructor of Sociology
M.P.S., Fort Hays State University, 2020
M.A., Arizona State University, 2018
B.S., Kansas State Univeristy, 2013
Email: sbschneider@mail.fhsu.edu
Amanda Sowers, LSCSW, LMSW, TLAC
Adjunct Instructor
M.S.W., Washburn University, 2014
B.S.W., Fort Hays State University, 2010
Licensed Master's Level Social Worker
Licensed Drug and Alcohol Social Worker
Email: amsowers@fhsu.edu