New hires reflect UC’s commitment to research, innovation and impact

A&S welcomes new experts to lead evolving programs through 'Discovery in Action'

4 minute read November 6, 2025

With the 2025-26 school year in full swing, UC's College of Arts and Sciences has welcomed five faculty members to lead departments that span from chemistry to journalism.

Dean James Mack said these new hires “reflect our unwavering commitment to ‘Discovery in Action,’ as we continue to enhance our academic and research excellence”. With these additions, the future of UC is in good hands, he said, and students can look forward to new opportunities for learning, research, and innovation.

Africana Studies: Guy-Lucien Whembolua

Guy-Lucien Whembolua, UC's head of the Africana Studies department. Photo/Provided.

Guy-Lucien Whembolua earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Africana Studies and his Doctorate in Biobehavioral Health from Pennsylvania State University. He then joined the University of Minnesota Medical School, where he participated in a Health Disparities Research program before coming to UC. As a behavioral scientist, his research focuses on the socio-cultural determinants of health among African populations and their diasporas.

Chemistry: George Stan

Head of UC's Department of Chemistry George Stan. Photo/Provided

George Stan is a physical chemist exploring how computational biophysical chemistry can reveal the secrets of molecular interactions. A graduate of the University of Bucharest and Pennsylvania State University, his early work examined how gases interact with carbon nanotubes and alkali surfaces. After postdoctoral research at the University of Maryland and the National Institutes of Health, Stan joined UC’s faculty in 2006, where he continues advancing research in protein folding and molecular dynamics.

History: Katherine Sorrels

Head of UC's Department of History Katherine Sorrels. Photo/Provided

Katherine Sorrels is a historian whose work explores the intersections of medicine, disability, and the Jewish experience in modern Europe and North America. She earned her PhD in history from the University of Pittsburgh and teaches courses on health and medicine, eugenics, and the Holocaust. When she’s not researching or teaching, Sorrels can usually be found in her garden—or listening to a podcast about one.

Journalism: Victoria LaPoe

Head of UC's journalism department Victoria LaPoe. Photo/Provided

Victoria LaPoe is an award-winning journalist and scholar whose work dives into media sourcing, digital communication and public relations. She joined UC’s journalism team in 2025 after being a full professor at Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. As a lifetime member of the Indigenous Journalists Association, LaPoe’s research and studies bridge innovation, journalism and storytelling.

School of Policy and International Affairs: Stephen Mockabee

Steve Mockabee, head of UC's School of Public and International Affairs. Photo/Provided

Current faculty member Stephen Mockabee has been tapped to head the School of Policy and International Affairs. His scholarship centers on elections, public opinion, and the relationship between religion and politics. His work has appeared in top journals such as Political Research Quarterly, Political Analysis, and the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. Dr. Mockabee enhances UC’s background in election studies, public opinion research, and religion in politics, while fostering partnerships that connect scholarships with real-world democratic processes.

These experts bring more than research and experience – they bring robust vision, energy and determination. Dean Mack said their work “will play a critical role in strengthening our research capabilities and enriching the educational experiences we offer.”

Featured image at top: Aerial view of UC's uptown west campus in Clifton. Photo/Provided

By Denise Meads

Student Journalist, College of Arts and Sciences Marketing and Communication

artscinews@uc.edu