Matthew Armstrong
Matthew Armstrong, Ph.D., joins the Department of Exercise Science as an assistant professor of exercise science. This August, Armstrong founded the Applied Cardiovascular Physiology Lab at Syracuse University. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Armstrong was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Health and Human Physiology from 2021-24 at the University of Iowa, where he conducted research focused on large artery structure and function. Before moving to the United States, he completed a Ph.D. in Australia at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania.
Learn more about Matthew Armstrong.
William Collins
William “Bill” Collins joins the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies as an assistant teaching professor. He will teach classes in Food Science and Culinary Arts. Prior to this appointment, Collins worked at Syracuse University for 17 years as a Culinary Specialist. Before joining Syracuse University, Collins spent 30 years as an Executive Chef and Food and Beverage Director operating restaurants in Manhattan and across Central New York. He was employed at Montrachet, TriBeCa Grill, Nobu, Reebok Sports Club, MacKenzie-Childs, the Aurora Inn, and his signature restaurant, bc, located in Armory Square in downtown Syracuse.
Learn more about Williams Collins.
Jason DeFreitas
Jason DeFreitas, Ph.D., joins the Department of Exercise Science as chair and professor of exercise science. Prior to joining Syracuse University, DeFreitas was an associate professor and program coordinator of the Health and Human Performance program at Oklahoma State University. He spent 11 years at Oklahoma State, where he primarily taught classes in neuroanatomy and neuromuscular physiology. DeFreitas’ research focuses on how the brain controls movement, and how that control system changes with aging and/or training. His lab utilizes brain stimulation techniques, functional brain imaging, nerve conduction studies, and more. He has a strong applied focus with goals of reducing fall risk in older adults through physical activity interventions and improved diagnostic testing.
Learn more about Jason DeFreitas.
Sue Cornelius Edson
Sue Cornelius Edson joins the Department of Sport Management as a professor of practice. Edson currently serves as chief communications officer for Syracuse Athletics and is responsible for all public relations and media relations functions for the department. A 34-year veteran of Syracuse Athletics, Edson was promoted to her current role in the spring of 2015. Prior to her promotion, she served as associate director of athletics for communications (2006-14), assistant director of athletics for communications (2004-06), and director of athletic communications (1997-2004). Edson previously taught a class in sports public relations as an adjunct professor in Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications from 1994 to 2013.
Learn more about Sue Cornelius Edson.
Brandon Hollie
Brandon Hollie, Ph.D., joins the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy as an online assistant teaching professor. He will primarily teach classes related to theories of Marriage and Family Therapy. Currently, Hollie is the Owner/CEO of Hollie Therapy and Counseling and a researcher at Mathematica Policy Research. Prior to Mathematica, he was a postdoctoral research scholar with the Family Institute at Northwestern University.
Learn more about Brandon Hollie.
Alexia Lopes
Alexia Lopes, Ph.D., joins the Department of Sport Management as an assistant teaching professor. She will teach classes in International Sports Relations and Introduction to Sport Management. Her teaching focus will be on the international business of sport. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Lopes was an assistant professor from 2022-24 at St. Norbert College, where in two years she started two sport management programs (i.e., a minor and a major) in the Schneider School of Business and Economics. Beyond developing the sport management curriculum and teaching business courses, she was actively engaged in the Green Bay community.
Learn more about Alexia Lopes.
Britney Pitts
Britney Pitts, Ph.D., joins the School of Social Work as an assistant teaching professor in the online master of social work program (M.S.W.). Her teaching centers on anti-racism and social justice to support individual, family, and community well-being. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Pitts taught human behavior courses, advanced clinical practice courses, and generalist field instruction at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). She supervised M.S.W. and bachelor of social work (B.S.W.) interns and received the 2023 Liaison of the Year Award at VCU. Pitts also taught research courses at Iona University.
Learn more about Britney Pitts.
Kerianne Rubenstein
Kerianne Rubenstein, Ph.D., joins the Department of Sport Management as an assistant professor. She will teach classes in sport Analytics, primarily sport economics. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Rubenstein was an assistant professor from 2021-24 at North Dakota State University, where she taught economics and was a fellow with the Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth, and the Center for the Study of Public Choice and Private Enterprise.
Learn more about Kerianne Rubenstein.
Riley Whiting
Riley Whiting, Ph.D., joins the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy as an assistant teaching professor. He will teach graduate courses for the Marriage and Family Therapy program. Whiting recently completed his doctorate at the Ohio State University, where he nurtured his passion for teaching, clinical work, and research. He enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families in a private practice, and finds satisfaction in seeking to inspire students both in the classroom and through research.