Nikki Baker joins UIS as a visiting instructor in the School of Communication and Media. She earned a master’s degree in communication from UIS in 2013. Baker’s professional interests include how leadership is enacted through communication and the power of listening in leadership and interpersonal relationships. She enjoys music, reading, refurbishing furniture and spending time with her grandchildren.

Tim Bill has been appointed as an assistant professor in the School of Communication and Media after serving UIS most recently as a communication instructor. He earned a doctorate in communication from the University of Kentucky in 2025. Bill’s research focuses on public speaking anxiety, with additional interests in nonverbal communication, conflict management and risk and crisis communication. He enjoys reading, hiking, drawing, caring for plants and, more recently, archery.

Anthony Bogetti joins UIS as an assistant professor in the School of Integrated Sciences, Sustainability and Public Health. He earned a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 2023. Bogetti’s research focuses on developing computer models and simulations of the biochemical building blocks of life to advance human health and environmental science. He enjoys exploring, hiking, walking his dog, listening to music and making pizza.

Mason Kuhn joins UIS as an associate professor and director of the School of Education. Kuhn earned a doctorate in education from the University of Northern Iowa in 2015. Kuhn’s research focuses on science education, with an emphasis on epistemology. Kuhn enjoys basketball and football.

Ray Lauk joins UIS as an assistant professor in the School of Education. He earned a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1996. Lauk’s research interests include the impact of LGBTQ+ sexual orientation on school superintendent leadership and the impact of partisan political groups on school board elections and policy. He enjoys running, travel, reading, writing and movies.

Dongyue Liang joins UIS as an assistant professor in the School of Integrated Sciences, Sustainability and Public Health. Liang earned a doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2021. He is a computational chemist whose research focuses on multiscale simulations of complex interfaces. Liang enjoys watching soccer and playing simulation games.