Dr. Katie Manning is a PLNU alumna who joined the faculty full time in 2015. She teaches a variety of writing and literature courses, specializing in poetry and women writers, with intersecting interests in literary publishing and linguistics.

Dr. Alain Lescart joined PLNU in 2005 as a professor of French and world literature. He also teaches two special classes on science fiction and fantasy literature. His main specialties are in 19th century French literature and in French fantasy literature. Lescart has published many articles on these topics and gives a lecture/paper each year on these two topics: one during the annual 19th French Studies Colloquium in fall and the other during the 20th-21st French Studies Colloquium in spring. He is also the editor of the French New York-based review: FRANCOGRAPHIES.

Dr. Paula Cronovich has taught Spanish at the collegiate level at UCLA and PLNU (since 2012); she thoroughly enjoys sharing her passion for Hispanic culture, language, history, and literature with her students. She has lived in Madrid, Spain and Santiago, Chile and traveled extensively in Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, and Costa Rica. A graduate of UCLA and the University of Southern California, her area of interest is contemporary Latin American fiction, and she has taught all levels of Spanish language, advanced writing and grammar, and literature and cultural classes.

Dr. Scott Bennett teaches Latin American literature, culture, and Spanish language courses. He has visited numerous Latin American countries, and has lived in Guatemala City; Mexico City; and Campinas, Brazil. He enjoys exposing his students to Latin American reality through literature, music, film, art, and especially photography. Bennett’s scholarly interests include Latin American literature (with an emphasis in contemporary Mexican narrative), Mexican border literature, literary translation, Brazilian literature, film studies, and visual literacy and pedagogy.

Dr. Ward started teaching at PLNU in 2008. She also served as the Intramural Director from 2012-2022, which provides activities, sports and leagues for over 500 students each semester. In the Kinesiology Department she introduces all of our incoming students to future healthcare professions in Orientation to Kinesiology (KIN1001).

Brian Thornton is in his second year with the PLNU athletic department after joining the Sea Lions' staff in March 2014.

Thornton oversees all aspects of marketing and branding for the athletic department, specifically connecting with the internal and external PLNU community, including corporate sponsors.

After graduating from PLNU, Dr. Jeff Sullivan became a certified athletic trainer, then taught at San Jose State and Oregon State before returning to his alma mater, where he has taught since 2003. His expertise is in pathology to the shoulder and cervical spine. Sullivan previously directed the Athletic Training Education Program for eight years at PLNU, guiding it through a 10-year accreditation cycle.

The 2017 season will be the ninth for Coach Joe Schaefer at the helm of the PLNU baseball program. He has posted a record of 243-166-1 (.593 winning percent) over his eight seasons, including winning the GSAC regular season and postseason tournament titles in 2009, and reaching the NAIA World Series in 2009 and 2010. In fact, those two seasons under Schaefer were arguably the best campaigns in PLNU baseball history.

Dr. Brandon Sawyer graduated from PLNU with a B.A. in Athletic Training and became an ATC shortly after graduation. Over the years he spent time practicing as an athletic trainer for the San Diego Chargers, high schools, PLNU, and an arena football team in Fresno, CA. While Dr. Sawyer loved working as an athletic trainer his true passions are studying, teaching, and researching the physiology exercise and disease. Both his masters and doctoral degrees were in exercise physiology. Dr.

Dr. Brandon Sawyer graduated from PLNU with a B.A. in Athletic Training and became an ATC shortly after graduation. Over the years he spent time practicing as an athletic trainer for the San Diego Chargers, high schools, PLNU, and an arena football team in Fresno, CA. While Dr. Sawyer loved working as an athletic trainer his true passions are studying, teaching, and researching the physiology exercise and disease. Both his masters and doctoral degrees were in exercise physiology. Dr.