New Orleans LA – Eight faculty members in seven different disciplines have been promoted at Xavier University of Louisiana, according to Dr. Anne McCall, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Promoted to the rank of full professor in their respective disciplines were: Dr. Partha Bhattacharjee and Dr. Hector Biliran, Jr. in biology, Dr. Lamartine Meda in chemistry, Dr. Anderson Sunda-Meya in physics and computer science, and Dr. Circecie Olatunji in Education and Counseling.

Two other faculty – Dr. Brian Turner in psychology and Dr. Patrick Vernon in mathematics – were both promoted to the rank of associate professor, while Dr. Yingnan Zhao was promoted to clinical associate professor in the College of Pharmacy.

“These outstanding faculty members, through their selfless dedication and commitment to excellence, have helped to foster the culture of success that is the Xavier legacy,” said McCall. “Along with their many colleagues, they provide the education, mentorship, and opportunity for hands-on research and community involvement that fuel student progress. Coupled with the innate ability, creativity, and ingenuity of our students, we are able to produce graduates who are prepared to meet the talent needs of the workforce and who are positioned to assume roles of leadership and service in a global society.”