WATERVILLE, MAINE, September 2025 — Thomas College welcomed three new faculty members and four new staff members to the community this fall.
Faculty includes Dr. Michael Schrimpf, Assistant Professor of Biology; Dr. Julia Saloni, Associate Professor of Chemistry; and Dr. Lisa Hibl, Associate Professor of Composition and Writing Specialist.
Dr. Schrimpf will teach biology courses at Thomas College. His research background is in ecology, with a diversity of interests in species distributions, aquatic ecosystems, and bird biology. Dr. Schrimpf has a doctoral degree in Ecology and Evolution from Stony Brook University; master’s degree in science in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences from University of Washington; and a bachelor’s degree in biology and German from Lawrence University.
Dr. Saloni will be teaching science courses at Thomas College. Dr. Saloni earned her master’s degree in chemical engineering from Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (WUST) in Poland and went on to complete a Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry at Jackson State University (JSU) in Mississippi. She has been actively involved in teaching and mentoring students since her graduate studies. In recognition of her dedication, she received the JSU Teacher of the Year Award in 2016 and the Distinguished Alumna Award from WUST.
An enthusiastic and committed chemistry educator, researcher, and mentor, Julia has extensive experience teaching General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. She is the author of Calculations in General Chemistry I Workbook and has published numerous research articles, many in collaboration with undergraduate students. She is a strong advocate for broad access to science and education and believes deeply in the transformative impact of early research experiences on student success in college.
Dr. Hibl will be teaching writing and literature courses at Thomas College. Hailing from Bailey Island, Maine, Dr. Hibl attended Bowdoin College, and then pursued graduate studies in writing and literature. She completed an MFA in Poetry at Arizona State University and a PhD in Literature at Brandeis University. She loves to walk, garden, and swim in the ocean.
Staff members who joined Thomas College this fall include Nate Pelsma, Executive Director of Business Innovation and Corporate Campus; Suheir Alaskari, Director of Professional and Career Development; PJ Singh, Senior Associate Director of Admissions & Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach; and John Suga, Executive Director of Physical Plant and Campus Planning.
Pelsma brings over 25 years of experience in business innovation, workforce development, and organizational leadership across the education, nonprofit, finance, and healthcare sectors. Most recently, he served as Principal and Founder of Summit Ridge, LLC, where he advised organizations on strategic human capital initiatives. He also held multiple executive roles with RTW Investments and its charitable foundation, where he led initiatives in organizational effectiveness, community impact, and rare disease support.
Pelsma. is passionate about building cross-sector partnerships and creating sustainable talent pipelines through non-traditional education models. He holds an MBA from Boston College and a BA from the University of Kansas and currently teaches as an adjunct in the Ryan School of Business at Thomas College.
Alaskari joins Thomas College from Colby College, where she has served as the Associate Director of Student Employment Services in Human Resources for the past two and a half years. She previously held positions as an HR Generalist/DEI Coordinator at the Office of the Secretary of State and as Director of Student Employment at the University of New England.
Alaskari holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Baghdad University, a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics from Mälardalen University in Sweden, and a master’s degree in policy, Planning, and Management from the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School of Public Policy.
She currently serves as Vice President for Community Support and Director of Inclusive Excellence for the National Student Employment Association, Vice Chair of the Board for the New Mainer Capital Area Project, and as a Board Member for the Bread of Life organization in Maine. Alaskari speaks three languages, Arabic, Swedish and English.
Singh was born to Indians from Punjab but grew up and went to high school in Accra, Ghana. He has lived in Maine for 25 years and worked in college admissions and soccer at various levels for over 17 years. Singh is a passionate professional who enjoys working with students and their families on the college admissions process. He has two sons who were both born and are being raised in Maine which is why Maine is always going to be home for him.
Suga is a 4th generation dairy farmer and Maine Maritime Academy graduate. He has 10 years of experience in mechanical systems, utilities and HVAC with a lifetime experience in equipment operation and maintenance. Suga lives in Vassalboro, ME with his wife, Autumn, and dogs, Duke and Daisy.
These new faculty and staff are already making a difference in preparing our students for success in their personal and professional lives, and for leadership and service in their communities.
To learn about other Thomas College employees, view the faculty and staff directory.
About Thomas College
Thomas College, located in beautiful Waterville, Maine, is defining what it means to be the College of the Future. With a strong commitment to innovation, career readiness, and community partnerships, Thomas College is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of Maine’s top colleges for social mobility. Our distinctive Guaranteed Job Program™, accelerated undergraduate degrees, and flexible graduate programs empower students to advance faster in business, entrepreneurship, education, technology, applied STEM, and arts & science fields. At Thomas, belonging isn’t a buzzword; it’s a promise. We create a supportive, welcoming environment where every student is seen, valued, and prepared to thrive in a rapidly changing world.For more information visit thomas.edu or contact MacKenzie Riley Young at [email protected] or 207-859-1313. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.