AARON BELLAR
Back to All Faculty![](https://www.cumberland.edu/wp-content/themes/cumberland-theme/src/media/cumberland-logo.png)
Dr. Joshua John Klaassen is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Cumberland University. He joined the faculty in the summer of 2024. Prior to coming to Cumberland, he completed his undergraduate studies in Chemistry with a minor in Biology at Nebraska Wesleyan University. After completion of undergraduate studies, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri where he completed a doctorate in Chemistry and Geosciences under the guidance of James R. Durig. During this time his studies included spectroscopic, conformational, and structural studies. His dissertation was entitled “Conformational and structural determinations of substituted four and five membered rings by infrared, Raman, and microwave spectral studies”.
A partial list of his publications can be found below. During this time, he also served as a guest editor for the Ben van der Veken Honor Issue, July 2014, Spectrochimica Acta Part A Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 136. He has also served as part of a team for editing a peer- reviewed international journal and as part of the scientific counsel for several legal cases.
Dr. Klaassen has taught undergraduate courses in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, and forensics for 13 years at University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas University, Metro Community College, University of Central Missouri, and Bethel University before coming to Cumberland University.
Professional and organizational affiliations include Coblentz Society and Society for Applied Spectroscopy.
Dr. Klaassen is currently looking for students to take part in research opportunities. Research includes the fields of computational chemistry, molecular structural determinations, biochemical power generation and storage, and spectroscopic studies. Please contact Dr. Klaassen if interested in research, scientific meetings, and/or scientific writing/publication.
Publications:
Durig, J.R., Panikar, S.S., Klaassen, J.J. “Far infrared spectroscopy applications” Encyclopedia
of Spectroscopy and Spectrometry, 1 January 2016, Pages 558-565, ISBN: 978-012803224-4
Holly Gothard joined Cumberland University as a full-time faculty member in 2024. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology, concentrating in Cellular and Molecular Biology, from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN. She then moved on to graduate school at Tennessee Tech, where she received her master’s degree in biology.
During her graduate studies, Holly Gothard conducted research in genomics, with a specific focus on
establishing a comprehensive whole-genome sequence and tissue-specific transcriptomes for the imperiled crayfish species Faxonius wrighti, commonly known as the Hardin Crayfish. Her commitment to understanding the genomic response of at-risk species to habitat degradation is aided by next-generation sequencing techniques and bioinformatics.
Beyond her research pursuits, Holly feels so blessed and excited about teaching and connecting with the
students here at Cumberland University. She is dedicated to inspiring genuine interest and love for
biology among her students. The passion for her teaching reflects her profound love for the field and the
joy to share it with others.
Dr. Josh Greer is an Assistant Professor and Progam Director for the graduate and undergraduate Sports Management programs at Cumberland University.
In collaboration with colleagues, Dr. Greer also co-led the development of several innovative programs, including the Masters in Business Administration: Sports Administration concentration and Sports Marketing minor, catering to students interested in the strategic aspects of sports promotion.
Recognizing the emerging field of esports, Dr. Greer played a pivotal role in establishing and directing the Esports Program at his institution. Under his guidance, the program flourished, attracting passionate students and enthusiasts alike. Dr. Greer also led the development of the Esports Management Minor, offering specialized education in the administration and organization of esports events and teams.
Throughout his career, Dr. Greer’s dedication to academic excellence and innovation has profoundly influenced the landscape of sports management education, preparing students to thrive in diverse roles within the sports and esports industries
A. Rebecca Murphy joined the Vise Library team in Fall 2023 as an Instruction Librarian. She completed her Masters of Library Science program in December 2022 through East Carolina University. She previously worked as an Assistant Librarian for the Henderson County Public Library system in North Carolina for two years.
Rebecca grew up in Asheville, North Carolina and earned her Bachelors of the Arts in History at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She briefly studied acupuncture at a local college before pursuing a degree in Library Science. She enjoyed being on a college campus and decided to pursue an academic concentration at East Carolina University, specifically hoping to work with student researchers. In her free time, she enjoys reading historical nonfiction, writing, gardening, caring for her various pets, and spending time with her friends and family.
Hannah Cole is an academic coach at Cumberland for the Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Education & the Arts. In this role, Hannah is dedicated to helping students succeed at Cumberland and thrive during their time at the university.
Before Cumberland, Hannah worked as a Graduate Assistant for Tennessee Technological University where she taught English Composition and tutored students in writing. At Tech, she earned her Master of Arts in English. Prior to that, Hannah received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Austin Peay State University.
Outside of her role at Cumberland, Hannah enjoys reading at home with her three cats, concerts, and movie theater popcorn.
Jessica Fenn joined the Vise Library staff in 2021 as a technical service librarian. Jessica received her master’s degree in Information Science through UT-Knoxville Spring 2020. Jessica had one practicum experience at Middle Tennessee State University in 2019. She has also worked at Volunteer State Community College as a Library Assistant for 10 years.
Jessica grew up in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University in 2017 and an Associates of Science degree in Psychology from Volunteer State Community College in 2013.
For over 40 years, Jim Shulman has been an invested member of the Middle Tennessee community.
A graduate of Vanderbilt Law School, Shulman had a long career in Tennessee’s state government, including being the lead legal counsel for the state Department of Finance and Administration, chief of staff for then-Speaker of the House Jimmy Naifeh, deputy commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Health, and executive director of the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability.
In 1999, he was elected to the Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County Council (25th District), where he served two four-year terms and chaired the Budget, Transportation and Public Works Committees, prioritizing city funding accountability and emergency preparedness.
In 2015, he was elected to the Metro Council as an At-large member and served in that position until he was elected as Nashville’s 9th Vice Mayor after a 2018 special election. He was then re-elected in 2019 for the new term which concludes in 2023.
He begins a new path in the Fall of 2023 by joining the faculty at Cumberland University where he will be teaching political science.
Shulman and his wife Lori have two daughters, Madeline and Audrey. He is a Cincinnati Reds baseball fan and has run ten half-marathons.