WATERVILLE, July 2016 — Thomas College announced the hiring of two new faculty members to support growing enrollments in the Criminal Justice and Sport Management programs. Dr. Gail Rioux and Natalie West will join Thomas College in September 2016.

“These new faculty members are bringing with them a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to their new roles at Thomas, and they are eager to begin engaging with our faculty, staff, and especially our students,” said Provost Thomas Edwards. “We are excited about what they will add to our College.”

Dr. Gail Rioux will be joining Thomas as an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice.

Rioux has nearly thirty years’ teaching experience in higher education, and has held administrative positions as both Chair and Dean. Her research and teaching interests focus on prisons, jails, domestic violence and delinquency.

Rioux has published articles and reports on issues related to Homeland Security education, stalking and community policing. She is a member of the Academy of Criminal Justice Science and Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society. Rioux holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Southern Maine and her master’s and doctoral degrees from the School of Criminal Justice from the University of Albany, State University of New York.

Natalie West will join Thomas as Assistant Professor of Sport Management. West holds her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Simmons College and her Master’s in Sport Leadership from Northeastern University. She is currently finishing her doctorate in Educational Leadership with a research focus on the academic performance of Division III student-athletes.

Prior to Thomas, West served as an adjunct faculty member at Emmanuel College, Lasell College and Northeastern University. West also has extensive administrative and coaching experience. She has held positions as both Director of Communication for the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) and as Assistant Commissioner. West has also worked as the Director of Marketing for a privately-owned sports organization.