Gettysburg College professors all share the desire to enhance our intellectual environment through their courses and scholarly research. This year, seven faculty earned tenure and rank of associate professor, and five were promoted to full professor. Read about these distinguished teachers and scholars.
Rank of associate professor
English Prof. Aristides Dimitriou
As a first-generation college student and a first-generation citizen from a mixed-race and multiethnic immigrant family, English Prof. Aristides Dimitriou has devoted his research to literature that uplifts the voices of marginalized groups.
About Prof. Dimitriou
Academic Focus: The relationship between multi-ethnic literature of the United States and literature of the Caribbean and Latin America
Education: Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley; B.A., University of Miami
Years at Gettysburg: Seven
Published in: Arizona Quarterly (University of Arizona Press), College Literature (Johns Hopkins University Press), MELUS (Oxford University Press), Small Axe (Duke University Press), Studies in the Novel (Johns Hopkins University Press)
Current Projects: A digital humanities project to facilitate social analysis and critique, and a book that examines the politics of time across ethnic American and Caribbean works of historical fiction
“This tenure is more than a professional milestone; it’s a testament to resilience, to years of pushing forward when the path was uncertain,” Dimitriou said. “To earn tenure in literary studies, especially, is to affirm that words matter—that imagination, public discourse, interpretation, and critique help shape our world. I’m honored to continue this work with our students, especially as they go on to shape the world for future generations.”
Environmental Studies Prof. Tasha Gownaris ’09
Environmental Studies Prof. Tasha Gownaris ’09 and her students have spent several summers working alongside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff on Petit Manan Island in the Gulf of Maine, studying how seabirds adapt their behavior in response to rapid shifts in climate and food availability.
About Prof. Gownaris
Academic Focus: Foraging ecology, population ecology, and conservation of fishes and seabirds in marine and freshwater systems
Education: Ph.D., Stony Brook School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences; post-doctoral research in biology, University of Washington; B.S., Gettysburg College
Years at Gettysburg: Six
Academic Recognition: 2025 recipient of the Luther W. and Bernice L. Thompson Distinguished Teaching Award
Current Projects: Collaborating with Kenyan scientists on understanding changes in waterbird populations across Kenyan lakes and is involved in several projects related to open educational resource development in ecology and oceanography
“Receiving tenure at Gettysburg has truly been a full-circle moment for me,” Gownaris said. “I arrived at Gettysburg College in Fall ’05 as a nervous and lost first-gen student, and the faculty here changed my life—many of them, but a special shoutout to my mentor [Environmental Studies Prof. Emeritus] John Commito, ‘Doc.’ I am so lucky to have had them as professors and mentors then and to have them as colleagues now.”
Philosophy Prof. Nathifa Greene
Covering topics including human rights, peace, and ethical theory, Philosophy Prof. Nathifa Greene applies transnational and decolonial perspectives to engage her students in global explorations of philosophy beyond Western philosophical traditions.
About Prof. Greene
Academic Focus: The philosophy of the body, social and political theory, and moral psychology, with attention to conceptions of gender and race in the Atlantic world
Education: Ph.D., Stony Brook University; M.A., Stony Brook University; B.A., Gettysburg College
Years at Gettysburg: Nine
Academic Conferences and Presentations: American Philosophical Association, Caribbean Philosophical Association, Center of the City University of New York, Ludwig Maximillian University of Munich, Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy, and University of Oregon
Academic Projects: Developed new courses in bioethics and in Latin American and Caribbean philosophy (Greene’s teaching covers various topics of contemporary concern, including human rights, peace and nonviolence, and ethical theory)
“I enjoy teaching philosophy at Gettysburg College because the opportunity to work closely with students makes it possible to engage students’ individual interests in the classroom,” Greene said. “I appreciate the institutional support that I have received to build a teaching toolkit that engages students as careful thinkers, considering ideas from multiple perspectives.”
Spanish Prof. Aarón Lacayo
Dedicated to supporting underrepresented students, Spanish Prof. Aarón Lacayo values connecting his students with Latin American history and culture through his courses.
About Prof. Lacayo
Academic Focus: 20th and 21st century Latin American literature, cinema, and culture with an emphasis on Central America, environmental humanities, and literary translation
Education: Ph.D. and M.A., Rutgers University; B.A., New York University
Years at Gettysburg: Eight
Published Works: Two book-length translations, Gordon Matta-Clark’s visual poetry, “Art Cards/Fichas de arte,” and Claudia Hernández’s Salvadorean novella, “La han despedido de nuevo” (“They Have Fired Her Again”)
Current Project: “Unaccompanied Cinema: Ecologies of Violence in Contemporary Central American Film”
“The tenure track always comes with its set of challenges to a professor at every institution. I’ve really enjoyed learning from my students and working with my colleagues at Gettysburg College throughout the past several years,” Lacayo said. “That sense of satisfaction feels even more rewarding with achieving tenure at Gettysburg—a community that has enriched my career in many ways.”
East Asian Studies Prof. Yoko Nishimura
East Asian Studies Prof. Yoko Nishimura has taught numerous humanities and social sciences courses related to Japanese culture and society in ancient and modern times, addressing topics such as Japan-U.S. relations, Japanese religion on anime/manga, and Gettysburg and Tokyo in the 17th through 19th centuries.
About Prof. Nishimura
Academic Focus: Archaeology, history, religions, wealth inequality, and languages of East Asia and the Near East
Education: Ph.D. and M.A., UCLA; B.S., Loyola University Chicago
Years at Gettysburg: Seven
Publications: “The Evolution of Curved Beads (Magatama勾玉/曲玉) in Jōmon Period Japan and the Development of Individual Ownership” (Asian Perspective, 2018)
Current Project: Research on the quotidian objects used in the houses and graves of Jōmon-period communities in Japan
“As a minority woman from Japan, I hope my tenure encourages others in similar positions,” Nishimura said. “I am grateful to my departmental colleagues, the supportive Gettysburg community, and the students with whom I have shared so many meaningful moments. I also thank my sons and husband for their patient and loving support throughout this busy journey.”
Political Science Prof. Douglas Page
Regularly mentoring students in scholarly research, Political Science Prof. Douglas Page has taught a wealth of political science courses, including Controversies in the Politics of Europe, the Politics of National and International Courts, and Political Science Research Methods.
About Prof. Page
Academic Focus: Political consequences of discrimination and violence, with a focus on topics of gender and sexuality in Europe
Education: Ph.D., University of South Carolina; B.A., Vanderbilt University
Years at Gettysburg: Nine
Published in: American Political Science Review (Cambridge University Press), Electoral Studies (Elsevier), Political Behavior (Springer Science+Business Media), Social Forces (Oxford University Press)
Current Research: Political mobilization of marginalized individuals, the way in which institutions perpetuate and work to address marginalization, and the possibilities of peace-making between institutions and marginalized communities
“This has been my only institution since receiving my Ph.D. in 2016, and I am happy for the continuity that the College has provided me,” Page said. “I established productive teaching and research agendas and—perhaps more importantly—a welcoming and loving home in Pennsylvania. In the coming years, I look forward to continuing my trajectory and contributing to the community and political science discipline.”
Political Science Prof. Lindsay Reid ’11
As a first-generation college graduate with a passion for advising and mentoring, Political Science Prof. Lindsay Reid ’11 appreciates and supports the transformative nature of a liberal arts and sciences education, encouraging students of all backgrounds to develop and express their intellectual curiosities.
About Prof. Reid
Academic Focus: International relations with a specific focus on conflict management and the resolution of civil wars
Education: Ph.D., M.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; B.A., Gettysburg College
Years at Gettysburg: Six
Published in: Conflict Management and Peace Science (SAGE Publications), International Studies Quarterly (Oxford University Press), International Theory (Cambridge University Press), Journal of Conflict Resolution (SAGE Research), Journal of Global Security Studies (Oxford University Press), and Journal of Peace Research (SAGE Publications)
Current Projects: Having recently completed field research in Colombia, Reid’s latest research lies at the nexus of gender, peace, and conflict by examining the effects of peace agreements on women’s empowerment in the aftermath of civil wars.
“The mentoring and education I received at Gettysburg College transformed my path by opening up opportunities I didn’t know were possible and sparking a passion for international relations, rigorous social scientific research, and socially conscious work,” Reid said. “As a professor and advisor, one of the most rewarding parts of working at Gettysburg is truly getting to know students inside and outside of the classroom.”
Rank of full professor
Theatre Arts Chair Eric Berninghausen
With a background as a theater artist working in New York City and experience in designing shows, building props, and stage design, Theatre Arts Chair Eric Berninghausen invites all students to explore the art of scenic design through hands-on learning.
About Prof. Berninghausen
Academic Focus: Scenic design, experiential learning, technical theatre
Education: Master of Fine Arts, Boston University; B.A., Skidmore College
Years at Gettysburg: 14
Professional Experience: Numerous scenic designs, including “Two Trains Running,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” “A Chorus Line,” “Detroit ’67,” “The Beauty Queen of Leenane.” Previously, Berninghausen worked with the Manhattan Theatre Club, Signature Theater, Playwrights Horizons, and The Public Theater as a props artisan.
Current Projects: Model making, scenic design for “Little Women the Musical,” painting, sculpting, furniture design and construction, recent invitation to design a world premiere of “Mannequin”
“I love my job working with creative students in the theatre at Gettysburg,” Berninghausen said. “It is actually quite amazing what can be accomplished by collaborative and creative people. The theatre is an open pathway to excel in life and rise to the expectations of the future.”
Health Sciences Chair and Public Health Policy Co-chair Amy Dailey
As a social epidemiologist exploring community-based participatory research, Health Sciences Chair and Public Health Policy Co-chair Amy Dailey applies her scholarship and academic interests to topics related to social determinants of health.
About Prof. Dailey
Academic Focus: Health disparities
Education: Ph.D., Yale University; Master of Public Health, Tulane University; B.S., Alma College
Years at Gettysburg: 15
Published in: American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) (American Public Health Association), American Journal of Epidemiology (AJE) (Oxford University Press), Progress in Community Health Partnerships (PCHP) (Johns Hopkins University Press)
Current Projects: Partnering with local organizations, such as Healthy Adams County, to address community health concerns, including food insecurity, housing, and mental health
“This recognition reflects the support of the many collaborators and community partners I’ve had the privilege to work with over the years,” Dailey said. “I’m especially grateful for the shared efforts to advance scholarship and develop curricular programming that promotes equity and community health.”
Biology Prof. Ryan Kerney
Completing research on six continents, Biology Prof. Ryan Kerney has worked extensively on science policy through the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and is currently leading the Eisenhower Institute Undergraduate Fellowship program as the Harold G. Evans Professor of Eisenhower Leadership Studies.
About Prof. Kerney
Academic Focus: Amphibian embryo development; diversity of skeletal, limb, and lung development; formation of vestigial structures; descriptive morphology; the symbiotic relationships between embryos and microbes
Education: Ph.D., Harvard University; postdoctoral research, Dalhousie University; B.A., Hampshire College
Years at Gettysburg: 13
Published in: Biochemical Society Transactions (Portland Press), Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution (Elsevier), Oikos (Wiley-Blackwell), Science Advances (American Association for the Advancement of Science)
Current Projects: Program director for Advancing Science, a K-12 outreach program
“Gettysburg is a terrific institution for merging research and teaching,” he said. “My students tackle difficult problems in the lab and make meaningful advances to our understanding of biological diversity. The research infrastructure and culture of student research make it an exceptional place to do science.”
Economics Chair Linus Nyiwul
Before he joined the faculty at Gettysburg, Economics Chair Linus Nyiwul taught in the Talent Advance Program at the Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst.
About Prof. Nyiwul
Academic Focus: Environmental and natural resource economics and economic development
Education: Ph.D., UMass Amherst; M.A., American University in Cairo; B.S., University of Buea in Cameroon
Years at Gettysburg: 16
Most Recent Published Works: Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy (Agricultural and Applied Economics Association), Energy Economics (Elsevier), Energy Policy (Elsevier), International Economics and Economics Policy (Springer Nature), Journal of Macroeconomics (Elsevier)
Current Research Focus: Environmental policy and development
“My top goal is to give my students the best experience in my classes. I know some of these experiences can last a lifetime,” Nyiwul said.
Environmental Studies Chair Andy Wilson
An avid bird researcher, Environmental Studies Chair Andy Wilson is his department’s resident “wildlife ecologist,” renowned for sharing his passion for birds and conservation with students through undergraduate research opportunities.
About Prof. Wilson
Academic Focus: Large-scale bird conservation issues; environmental change impacts on bird populations and distributions
Education: Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University; B.S., Sheffield Hallam, United Kingdom
Years at Gettysburg: 14
Published Works: Lead editor of the “Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania,” published in 2012; published more than 35 peer-reviewed journal articles, including several with Gettysburg student co-authors
Current Projects: Spearheaded a third Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas project which will run 2024-2029, conducting bird surveys using drones and camera trapping studies of mammals in the Gettysburg National Military Park
“I am deeply honored to be promoted,” he said. “I owe my success to the wonderful community here at Gettysburg College—my incredibly kind and supportive colleagues, and the many talented students who have worked hard in my courses and research program. Every day working with great people is a good day!”
Related Links:
By Michael Vyskocil
Photos by Miranda Harple, Casey Martin, and Shawna Sherrell (unless otherwise noted)
Posted: 09/04/25
