College of Liberal Arts
Sandra Botero, Politics
Born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, Botero moved to the United States to advance her education. She earned her master’s in Latin American studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a PhD in political science from the University of Notre Dame. At Willamette, she teaches students about courts and politics around the world, including in Latin America. Drawn to the university’s tight-knit community, Botero says she’s eager to work with and learn from her students. In her free time, she travels, watches movies and reads science fiction novels.
Maegan Parker Brooks, Civic Communication and Media
Parker Brooks was lured to Willamette by its “collaborative, civically engaged and academically rigorous” offerings. She teaches courses about rhetorical theory, African American public discourse and public school desegregation debates in the American West. Parker Brooks earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound and her master’s and PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She taught at the University of Puget Sound for several years before moving to Colorado, where she worked as a journalist. A former high school and college rugby player, Parker Brooks is married with two young children. When not working, she hikes, practices yoga and reads historical fiction.
Melinda Butterworth, Environmental and Earth Science
A newlywed and “mother” to two dogs, Butterworth teaches “Introduction to Environmental Science” and “Health and the Global Environment.” She earned her bachelors’ degrees in geography and psychology — and her master’s in geography — from Virginia Tech. She later earned her PhD in geography from the University of Arizona. Raised in Virginia and Massachusetts, Butterworth is eager to work with undergraduates and research local environmentally mediated infectious diseases. For fun, she hikes, camps, knits and travels.
Danielle Cadena Deulen, English
Returning to Oregon after an 18-year absence, Deulen teaches courses in creative writing and literature. She began teaching at the college level in 2002, working at George Mason University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Utah, where she earned her doctorate. She last taught undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Cincinnati. An award-winning poet, Deulen is a wife and a mother to a 1-year-old son. When she’s not teaching or parenting, she reads, hikes and cooks. During her college days, she recorded two “very unimaginative” pop albums under the name Micah Sky.
Michael Nino, Sociology
After spending much of his life in Texas, Nino is excited to teach courses in medical sociology, Latina sociology and quantitative methods at Willamette. He earned his bachelor’s in sociology and his master’s in interdisciplinary studies from West Texas A&M University. He later received his PhD in sociology from the University of North Texas, where he worked as a teaching fellow. Nino says he can’t wait to work with Willamette students, who have already impressed him with their dedication to education, community and social justice issues. In his free time, Nino fishes, bikes and watches movies with his wife and son — who, like him, are left-handed.
Cayla Skillin-Brauchle, Art
She’s lived in Vermont and Illinois, India and Thailand. Now Skillin-Brauchle is making a home for herself and her husband in Salem. A strong believer in the value of a liberal arts education, Skillin-Brauchle teaches drawing and new media courses. When not engaged in performing, drawing or bookmaking, she cooks, gardens and explores new places. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Beloit College and her MFA from Ohio University. In 2012-2013, she traveled throughout India as a Fulbright Fellow.
Kyle Stephenson, Psychology
Equally passionate about research and teaching, Stephenson is a Santa Clara, California transplant. He teaches courses in psychopathology, clinical psychology, the psychology of intimate relationships, and research methods and statistics. Stephenson was the first person in his family to attend college, and now he’s especially interested in working with Willamette students from underrepresented backgrounds. He earned his bachelor’s in psychology from Santa Clara University and his master’s and PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. For fun, he plays drums and explores new surroundings with his wife.
Atkinson Graduate School of Management
Jameson K.M. Watts, Marketing
A graduate of the Willamette MBA program, Watts specializes in software and digital marketing. Prior to earning his PhD from the University of Arizona, he developed several early-stage technology ventures acquired by Shutterfly Inc., Jive Software and Oracle. He later developed and taught courses in new product development and marketing at the University of Arizona. Watts is interested in researching marketing strategy, social networks, big data and natural language processing. In 2014, he won the ISBM Dissertation Proposal Competition. An avid mountain biker and skier, Watts makes his home in Lake Oswego, Oregon.