Dr. Susan Ashcraft
Dr. Hermilo Jasso
Dr. Lori West
Dr. John Wykoff
Four faculty members at Lee University have been promoted to the rank of distinguished professor, the highest academic honor the university awards.
This rank is awarded when a Lee professor has performed with great distinction over an extended period of time and has performed at a level of excellence, recognized as exceptional among fellow professors at the university.
Dr. Susan Ashcraft joined the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences in 2001 and currently serves as a distinguished professor of psychology and human development. She teaches undergraduate courses including Marriage and Family, Human Sexuality, and Lifespan Development, as well as graduate courses in school counseling.
Dr. Ashcraft is a published author and researcher in the areas of child and adolescent sexuality and marriage/family relationships. She received her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in psychology from Lee, her Master of Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Dr. Hermilo Jasso, distinguished professor of economics, joined Lee's business faculty in 1987 after a successful stint in the business world. He has been listed in multiple business journals, including Who’s Who Among American Entrepreneurs and Who’s Who Among Hispanic Americans. Dr. Jasso teaches courses such as Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and Investments, and has been a guest lecturer at universities around the world.
Dr. Jasso was the first recipient of Lee’s Janet Rahamut Faculty Award and the inaugural recipient of The Nora Chambers Award, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Lee University Faculty Council. He earned a PhD from Universidad De La Empresa in Uruguay, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Laredo State University, and his Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Lee College.
Dr. Lori West joined Lee’s Natural Science and Mathematics faculty in 2006 and now serves as a distinguished professor of biology and assistant chairperson for the Department of Natural Sciences, where she teaches courses such as Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Genetics, along with a variety of labs.
Dr. West is actively engaged in student research through the SEA-PHAGES and SEA-GENES programs, resulting in the publication of several bacteriophage genomes. West also supports K-12 education as a guest scientist, performing demonstrations and experiments at local schools. She earned her PhD from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and her BA from Maryville College.
Dr. John Wykoff, recently promoted to associate dean of the Lee University School of Music, serves as a distinguished professor of music theory and composition. An award-winning composer, his choral and instrumental works are performed internationally and have been featured in major venues and festivals.
Dr. Wykoff has received significant commissions, including an anthem for the 2016 U.S. Presidential Inauguration, and served as composer-in-residence for Perform International, creating “Out of This Darkness: A Normandy Cantata.” He earned his PhD from the City University of New York, his Master of Arts from Queens College, and his BA from Covenant College.