The University of Wisconsin-Superior welcomed six new full-time instructors to campus this fall. The group represents five academic departments: Department of Education; Health and Human Performance; School of Business & Economics; Human Behavior, Justice & Diversity; and Math and Computer Science.

Each new instructor brings a wealth of expertise in their disciplines and teaching experience to the campus. They are committed to the mission of UW-Superior, engaging variously in active teaching and learning and helping students prepare for their professional futures.

Meet the new instructors

Joshua K. Bedi Ph.D., is an assistant professor of economics in the School of Business and Economics. He teaches all types of economics classes and has broad research interests including immigration, entrepreneurship, politics, and crime.

Kelsey Benson is an assistant professor of teacher education in the Department of Education. Benson began teaching as a Peace Corps volunteer in the West African nation of Guinea. After that, she spent six years as a middle school Special Education teacher in Atlanta. In 2024, she graduated from the University of Georgia with a Ph.D. in educational theory and practice.

Allison French is an assistant professor of psychology in the Department of Human Behavior, Justice & Diversity. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in Applied Developmental Psychology. French uses an intersectional approach to examine undergraduate STEM students’ motivation, support and belonging.

Dan Hurley is a teaching assistant professor of counseling in the Department of Education. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Minnesota where he has practiced in residential and outpatient therapy roles for the past 16 years. Hurley specializes in trauma based therapies and works primarily with children, adolescents, families and couples.

Lisa Paulson, Ph.D., a teaching assistant professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at UW-Superior, previously taught at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She is a former physical and health education teacher and chairs the Physical Activity Council for SHAPE America, along with other service roles in the field.

Tim Pervenecki is a teaching assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Louisville in applied and industrial mathematics. He previously taught at Wabash College and UW-Eau Claire.