WCU’s School of Art and Design faculty members are dedicated, talented, and passionate professionals who have practiced in professional and academic settings. They bring a wealth of scholastic, corporate, and organizational experiences to the classroom and encourage you, the student, to think critically, communicate effectively, and make the connection between your studies and professional aspirations.
All faculty members have demonstrated expertise in the specific discipline of their teaching assignment and they are experts in the subject matter being presented.
Here at WCU, studio art faculty are accomplished artists with M.F.A. degrees; art history faculty hold Ph.D.s; and art education faculty hold either a Ph.D. or Ed.D. degree. Interior Design faculty members are expected to hold at least the M.A. in interior design and to be a practicing professional designer.
| Richard Tichich | Department Chair |
| Erin Adams | M.F.A.; Assistant Professor, Interior Design |
| Patricia Bailey | M.F.A.; Associate Professor, Fine Arts |
| Joan Byrd | M.F.A.; Professor, Ceramics |
| Marie T. Cochran | M.F.A.; Assistant Professor |
| Martin Dewitt | M.F.A.; Founding Director, Curator of Fine Art Museum |
| Johnathan Farris | Ph.D.; Visiting Instructor, Art History |
| Cathy Griffin | M.F.A.; Professor, Photography |
| Jon Jicha | M.F.A.; Professor, Graphic Design |
| Kevin Kirkpatrick | M.F.A.; Studio Tech/Instructor |
| Mary Anna LaFratta | M.F.A.; Instructor, Graphic Design |
| Matt Liddle | M.F.A.; Professor, Print and Book Arts |
| Jane Nichols | M.S.D.; Assistant Professor, Interior Design |
| Candace Roberts | M.S.; Assistant Professor, Interior Design |
| Marya Roland | M.F.A.; Professor, Sculpture |
| Erin Tapley | Ph.D.; Associate Professor, Art Education |
| Claire van der Plas | M.F.A.; Instructor, Fine Arts |
| Marc Yops | M.A.; Director of Interior Design Program |
| Part-Time Faculty | |
| Teaching Assistants | |
| Other Department Contacts | |