Our faculty are eager to share their expertise as well as their commitment to collaboration, innovation, and servant leadership through Concordia’s uncompromising Christian mission.
John Boonenberg
DMA
Associate Professor
Office: Kreft K210
Phone: (734) 995-7482
Education
- BM - Piano Performance, The University of Michigan (2007)
- MM - Piano Performance, The Juilliard School (2009)
- DMA - Music Performance, University of Michigan (2012)
Teaching Interests
- Parish Music, Worship Arts, Hymnody, Worship Arts Leadership, Music Theory, Music Theory, Piano
Farah Shleemon Kamw
PhD
Assistant Professor
Office: Science Building 110
Education
- Ph D - Computer Science, Kent State University (2019)
- MS - Computer Science, University of Zakho (2011)
- BS - Computer Science, University of Baghdad (2005)
Contributions
- Ma, C., Zhao, Y., Curtis, A., Kamw, F., AL-Dohuki, S., Yang, J., Jamonnak, S. & Ali, I., (2020). CLEVis: A Semantic Driven Visual Analytics System for Community Level Events. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.
- Jamonnak, S., Zhao, Y., Curtis, A., Al-Dohuki, S., Ye, X., Kamw, F. & Yang, J., (2020). GeoVisuals: a visual analytics approach to leverage the potential of spatial videos and associated geonarratives. (pp. 1-21). International Journal of Geographical Information Science. http://dx.doi.org...
- Kamw, F., Al-Dohuki, S., Zhao, Y., Eynon, T., Sheets, D., Yang, J., Ye, X. & Chen, W., (2020). Urban Structure Accessibility Modeling and Visualization for Joint Spatiotemporal Constraints. (1 ed.,vol. 21,pp. 104-116). IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems. http://dx.doi.org...
- AL-Dohuki, S., Kamw, F., Zhao, Y., Ye, X., Yang, J. & Jamonnak, S., (2019). "An Open Source TrajAnalytics Software for Modeling, Transformation and Visualization of Urban Trajectory Data." 2019 IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Conference (ITSC). IEEE. http://dx.doi.org...
- Kamw, F., Al-Dohuki, S., Zhao, Y., Yang, J., Ye, X. & Chen, W., (2019). Visually Analyzing Latent Accessibility Clusters of Urban POIs. Porto: 10th EuroVis Workshop on Visual Analytics, Porto, Portugal, June 2019, Eurographics Association.
Research Interests
- Information Visualization and Visual Analytics
- Database Management ( SQL Database, Document Database, Graph Database, Spatial Database)
Teaching Interests
- Database Design
- Programming and Software Engineering
Amber Melick
DAT, AT, ATC, CAT(C)
Assistant Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building N263
Phone: (734) 995-7488
Bio
Amber received her B.S. in Kinesiology-Athletic Training from CSU, Fresno, M.S. in Kinesiology from CSU, Fullerton, and her Doctorate of Athletic Training from Temple University. Prior to coming to Ann Arbor, she was an adjunct instructor and certified athletic trainer at Fullerton College.
Education
- MS - Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton (2008)
- BS - Kinesiology, California State University, Fresno (2006)
- Doctorate of Athletic Training, Temple University (2023)
Contributions
- Giacomazzi, A. (2018). Juggling Act. Training and Conditioning. http://training-c...
- Giacomazzi, A. (2017). Clinic to the Classroom. Training and Conditioning. http://training-c...
- Melick, A. (2009). Analysis of the Impact Performance of Ice Hockey Helmets Using Two Different Test Methods. (4 ed.,vol. 6,pp. 1-7). Journal of ASTM International.
Research Interests
- Concussions in hockey
- Skin infections in the wrestling population
Teaching Interests
- Athletic Training
- Strength and Conditioning
Georgia Nickerson
Ph.D.
Professor
Office: Science Building 120
Phone: (734) 995-7513
Bio
My lifelong passion for language and artistic expression has brought me to Concordia University, where I share my love of the literary with our students.
Education
- Ph D - English Literature, West Virginia University (2006)
- MA - English Literature, West Virginia University (1998)
- BS - English, Frostburg State University (1995)
Contributions
- Kreiger, G. (2018). "How to Restore an Abandoned Garden at a House You Bought In Ypsi." Bear River Review. Ann Arbor: Bear River Review.
Presentations
- Kreiger, G. (2021). Our Father and My Father: Religion and Child Sexual Abuse in Linda Katherine Cutting’s Memory Slips and Kathryn Harrison’s The Kiss. Paper. Midwestern Modern Language Association Annual Convention. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- Kreiger, G. (2018). Rescuing Emerson in the Contemporary College Classroom. Oral Presentation. MASAL Annual Conference. Lansing.
Research Interests
- Trauma in Life Writing
- Nineteenth-Century Women Writers
Teaching Interests
- Creative Writing
- American Literature
Scott Edward Yakimow
Ph.D., M.Div., M.A.
Professor
Office: Krieger 114
Phone: (734) 995-7411
Bio
Rev. Dr. Scott Yakimow arrived at Concordia University Ann Arbor after spending five years as a mechanical engineer working in hydraulics, another four as a missionary in both East Africa and Morocco, and five years as an Associate Professor at Concordia - Portland. His academic interests cover the areas of philosophical theology and comparative religion. Most specifically, he is interested in scriptural logics, particularly those exhibited by pre-modern Christian exegesis, contemporary Lutheran theology, and medieval Islamic tafsir, analyzing them through the thought of the American philosopher, Charles S. Peirce and the contemporary Jewish philosopher, Peter Ochs. This interest leads him to investigate such diverse areas such as Lutheran confessional theology, pragmatic philosophy, ethics, scriptural exegesis and Islam. <br><br>Scott is married to Miriam, and they have five children together. His interests include enjoying his family, mountain biking, hiking, reading, and traveling.
Education
- Ph D - Comparative Scripture, Interpretation, and Practice, University of Virginia (2014)
- M Div - Concordia Seminary (2004)
- MA - Comparative Scripture, Interpretation, and Practice, University of Virginia (2011)
- MA - Islamic Studies, Luther Seminary (1999)
- BS - Mechanical Engineering, Valparaiso University (1994)
- Christ College Scholar, Valparaiso University (1994)
- Modern Standard Arabic, Arabic Language Institute in Fez (2006)
Contributions
- Yakimow, S. (2021). Spreading Open the Letter and Peering Inside: Gregory Nazianzen, Scriptural Pragmatism, and Doctrinal Development. In Jacob Goodson (Ed.), (1 ed.,vol. 19,pp. 37). The Journal of Scriptural Reasoning. https://jsr.shant...
- Yakimow, S. (2019). Testing the Spirits: The Early Church on Judging Prophecy and Prophets. In Theodore Hopkins and Scott Yakimow (Ed.), (1 ed.,vol. 6,pp. 13-37). Ann Arbor, MI: Concordia Theological Journal.
- Yakimow, S. (2016). Signs of Transformation: Communicating the Gospel in an Age of Nones and Dones. In Victor Raj (Ed.), (2 ed.,vol. 24,pp. 281-297). Lutheran Mission Matters.
Presentations
- Yakimow, S. (2020). Signs of Transformation: A Semiotic Approach to a Lutheran Engagement with the World. Lecture. Tri-Circuit Gathering. LCMS Michigan District offices.
- Yakimow, S. (2016). Inquiring into Inquiry. Paper. Theological Educators Conference. Irvine, California.
- Yakimow, S. (2015). Proclamatory Pragmatism: An Investigation into the Lutheran Logic of Law and Gospel. Lecture. Puget Sound Pastor's Conference. Whidbey Island, WA.
- Yakimow, S. (2015). The Role of Doctrine in the Church’s Life. Lecture. Oregon Pastor's Conference. Bend, OR.
- Yakimow, S. (2014). Doctrine and Truth. Lecture. Bi-Circuit Gathering. Portland, OR.
Research Interests
- Biblical Interpretation / Hermeneutics
- Theology and Science
Teaching Interests
- Philosophical Theology
- Scriptural Pragmatism
Adjunct Faculty
Christina Chang
DMA
Adjunct Professor
Education
- BMus - Piano Performance, University of Southern California (1997)
- MM - Piano Performance, University of Michigan (1998)
- DMA - Collaborative Piano, New England Conservatory of Music (2007)
- MA - Music Theory, University of Michigan (2001)
Catharine Edge
Cheer/Dance PTCoach, Adjunct Professor
Phone: (734) 624-7983
Education
- MA - Communication Studies, Eastern Michigan (2002)
- MS - Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education, Concordia University Ann Arbor (2020)
Teaching Interests
- Speech, Interpersonal Communication, Small Group Communication
- Coaching, Athletic Administration
- Public Relations
Andrew Johnson
MDiv, PhD
Adjunct Professor
Education
- Ph D - Practical Theology, Concordia Seminary (2022)
Jessica Keally Luckhardt
PhD
Adjunct Professor
Bio
Jessica Luckhardt has been working in higher education for the past 12 years. Prior to joining the faculty at CUAA, Jessica worked with AmeriCorps non-profits (City Year Detroit, Teach for America, and AmeriCorps-St. Louis. Her professional research interests include social justice, civic service, cultural humility, and in her current research position – the lived experience of military families.
Education
- Ph D - Human Science, Saybrook University (2018)
- MA - Multicultural and Transnational literature, East Carolina University (2010)
Elizabeth Marylin Mitchell
MM, BM
Adjunct Professor
Phone: (734) 358-0261
Bio
Elizabeth Mitchell, Mezzo-Soprano, performs a variety of repertoire ranging from opera to cabaret to art song and has ventured into stage direction. She has sung nationally with Ohio Light Opera, Detroit Opera, Utah Opera, Opera Western Reserve, Opera MODO, and internationally with Oper Im Park in St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria. Awards: 2022 Wilde Award- Best Lead Actress in a Play; 2019 BroadwayWorld Awards: Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.
Education
- BM- Bachelor of Music - Vocal Performance, University of Utah (2003)
- MM- Master of Music - Vocal Performance, University of Michigan (2007)
Research Interests
- Vocal Pedagogy
- History of Musical Theater
- Opera
Teaching Interests
- Individual Voice Lessons
- Musical Theater
- Group Voice Class
Amanda Williams
MM, BM
Director of Theatre and the Kreft Arts, Adjunct Professor
Bio
Amanda Williams started at Concordia University Ann Arbor in 2019 and is the Director of Theatre and Kreft Arts. Professor Williams directs the fall theater production, Boar's Head Festival, the spring musical production, oversees student productions, and teaches theater-related courses. She is also the director of event planning for the Kreft Arts Center. Outside of CUAA, she directs locally with groups such as Milan High School, Centerstage Productions, and Horizon Performing Arts. She received her bachelor's from Eastern Michigan University (2016) and her master's from Bowling Green State University (2018) under a full-tuition scholarship. She studied at Utah Vocal Arts Academy, in Graz, Austria with AIMS, and was a young artist with Pittsfield Opera Theatre. She has received coaching from renowned artists such as Dawn Upshaw, Elizabeth Baldwin, Eric Gibson, Monica Swartout-Bebow, and Jane Schoonmaker Rodgers. Her awards include the Sherley Vertte Young Artists Honorable Mention in the Harold Haugh Light Opera Competition, Graduate Division Second Place in the Conrad Art Song Competition, and Junior Division Second Place in the NATS Regional Competition. Likewise, she has enjoyed an active performing career in the community and internationally. She has performed with local groups such as Toledo Opera, UMGASS, and Comic Opera Guild. Her favorite roles include Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, Adele in Die Fledermaus, and Griselda in The Free Lance. She performed in several premiere performances and premiere recordings. Additionally, she was the soprano soloist and section leader at Dixboro United Methodist Church. Outside of theatre, she spends time with her family and Scottish Terrier, Prince. She enjoys swimming, decorating, refinishing vintage furniture, bike riding, reading, and traveling. She is thankful for the Christian community that CUAA fosters and hopes you will join her at this nurturing University.
Education
- BM - Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, Eastern Michigan University (2016)
- MM - Master of Music in Vocal Performance, Bowling Green State University (2018)