Earlham College welcomes new teaching faculty for 2025-26 academic year

Each fall, Earlham’s classrooms, studios, and labs hum with fresh energy — not just from new students, but from the remarkable faculty who join the college. This fall, Earlham is thrilled to welcome 11 talented educators whose curiosity and commitment to teaching add to the College’s rich tradition of academic excellence. They bring new ideas, diverse experiences, and a shared passion for helping students thrive, both inside and beyond the classroom. As they unpack their books, set up their syllabi, and learn the best spots to relax on campus, the college is excited to see how their presence will shape the community in the months and years ahead.

Fatemeh Valizadeh Gamchi, assistant professor of data science. Fatemeh received her Ph.D. in System Modeling and Analysis from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her research focused on statistics and data science, and she is excited to share her expertise with our community.

Francoise Bachelder, adjunct instructor in French & Francophone studies. Originally from Montpellier, France, Fracoise is excited to connect with students and share their expertise with the Earlham community.

Cherish Bauer-Reich, instructor of engineering. Drawn to planets and geophysics from an early age, Cherish combined her interests in space and electronics by focusing on building sensors and applying computational methods to understand the subsurface of Earth and other celestial bodies. She is excited to teach students who are interested in learning how to use engineering to better the world.

Dez Brown, assistant professor of creative writing and African and African American studies. Writing as dezireé a. brown, Dez is a Black, queer, nonbinary poet and scholar from Flint, Michigan, whose debut poetry collection, they/she/he: ritual to forget your (un)becoming, is the winner of the 2025 Joe W. Bratcher Prize. Also a Pushcart Prize-nominated poet and a Quarterfinalist for the Screencraft Screenwriting Fellowship, Dez enjoys spending their free time gaming and playing cards.

Mark Condo, adjunct professor of supervised ministry. Mark is passionate about connecting with people, energized by learning their stories, having meaningful conversations, and exploring new ideas. In his free time, he enjoys hiking the trails of the Pacific Northwest, reading classic literature, traveling with his family, and relaxing at home with his spouse of 20 years, their two children, and their many pets.

David DeMark, visiting instructor of mathematics. David is a curious educator and urban explorer who is passionate about history, transportation, and basketball, especially the Minnesota Lynx and Timberwolves. They specialize in algebraic number theory and homotopical combinatorics, with a passion for teaching.

LaKendria Kenner, visiting assistant professor of African American studies. As a proud Carbondale, Illinois native, LaKendria joins the faculty with a strong academic background. Her work focuses on American history, African American history, and women and gender studies.

Elena Nur Lloyd-Sidle, assistant professor of spirituality. Elena received her Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Chicago. She is passionate about exploring comparative spiritual frameworks that can help us live lives of integrity during our time on this earth. As a teacher, scholar, and practitioner, she values the ability to see behind our received lenses and frameworks, understanding this as a practice in intellectual honesty as well as a spiritual practice.

Sachithra Manamalage, visiting assistant professor of chemistry. Sachithra is an inorganic chemist developing new catalysts for activating small molecules, such as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, drawing inspiration from how enzymes in nature perform these challenging yet crucial transformations for sustainable energy. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities and relaxing with activities such as painting, reading, or listening to music.

Kelsey Nolin, adjunct professor of photography. Raised on a farm in southwestern Pennsylvania, Kelsey draws inspiration from her upbringing to explore how landscape, space, and memory shape identity through both traditional and experimental photography, including using plant-based materials. As an instructor, she balances technical fundamentals with play and intentionality to help students develop a sustainable creative practice.

Rachel Robinson, visiting assistant professor in scenic and lighting design. Rachel Robinson, a stage designer, artist, technician, production manager, and educator from Dayton, Ohio, has built a career designing for numerous regional companies, teaching at both secondary and collegiate levels. She currently serves as a board member and treasurer for Magnolia Theatre Company.

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About Earlham College 

Earlham College and Earlham School of Religion foster a collaborative learning community that inspires and motivates students with transformative opportunities and experiences so they can become catalysts for good in a changing world. Located in Richmond, Indiana, Earlham is one of U.S. News & World Report’s Top 75 national liberal arts colleges and offers one of the top 20 classroom experiences in the nation, according to the Princeton Review.