Fourteen faculty members have been promoted, recognizing the exceptional work and impact of faculty across departments. The Pomona College Board of Trustees approved the promotions during meetings on December 12 and May 15-16. They take effect July 1.
Promoted to Associate Professor
Ellie Anderson was promoted to associate professor of philosophy and awarded tenure. Anderson specializes in continental European philosophy, with emphasis on 20th-century French philosophy and feminist theory.
Ryan Engley was promoted to associate professor of media studies and awarded tenure. Engley researches the intersection of psychoanalytic theory and media studies.
Sara Sadhwani was promoted to associate professor of politics and awarded tenure. Sadhwani specializes in Asian American and Latino voting behavior, elections, interest groups and representation.
Alaina Woo ’17 was promoted to associate professor of physical education. As the head women’s basketball coach, Woo has elevated Pomona-Pitzer women’s basketball since taking over the program in 2019.
Megan Zirnstein was promoted to associate professor of linguistics and cognitive science and awarded tenure. Zirnstein’s teaching and research combine perspectives from cognitive science, cognitive neuroscience and psycholinguistics to understand how the mind and brain accomplish amazing cognitive feats.
Promoted to Professor
Nicholas Ball was promoted to professor of chemistry. The Ball Laboratory’s focus is developing methodologies to make and activate sulfur(VI) fluorides.
Mietek P. Boduszyński was promoted to professor of politics. Boduszyński teaches U.S. foreign policy as well as courses on the Middle East, Eastern Europe and the Balkans, research design, and democracy and autocracy.
Alfred Cramer was promoted to professor of music. Cramer is a scholar of music theory whose multi-disciplinary work connects to fields as diverse as psychology, linguistics and history while drawing on his own considerable experience as a musical performer.
Jean-Paul “J.P.” Gowdy was promoted to professor of physical education. The 2026-27 season marks Gowdy’s 16th season as head coach of the Pomona-Pitzer men’s swimming and diving and women’s swimming and diving programs.
Heidi Haddad was promoted to professor of politics. Haddad teaches courses on international relations, human rights, NGOs, global cities and global governance.
Victoria Sancho Lobis was promoted to professor of art history. Lobis also serves as the Sarah Rempel and Herbert S. Rempel ’23 Director of the Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College.
Joyce Lu was promoted to professor of theatre. Lu teaches contemporary drama and performance, specializing in applied theatre, movement, and Asian and Asian American performance.
Wallace “Marty” Meyer was promoted to professor of biology. Meyer’s research explores the fields of conservation biology, invasion biology, biogeography and ecology. He also serves as the director of the Bernard Field Station.
Shlomi Sher was promoted to professor of psychological science. Sher’s research explores decision-making and consciousness and the complex interplay between rational and psychological levels of analysis in framing effects, context effects and apparent preference reversals.