By TENA L. COOK, CSC MARKETING COORDINATOR
CHADRON – New Chadron State College faculty members joining the campus community this fall include five faculty members in the School of Liberal Arts and two in the School of Professional Studies and Applied Science.
Additionally, Dr. Trudy Ecoffey joined the Rangeland Management faculty in January, and Dr. Miranda Scoggan, a former member of the Education faculty, has returned to CSC after working as a behavior interventionist at Natrona County School District in Casper, Wyoming, last year.
School of Liberal Arts
Dr. Eric Brewer, associate professor of Music, was an instructor at Waynesburg University in Pennsylvania from 2022 until earlier this year. He was the Fine Arts department chair, Music program director, symphonic band director, pep band director and music director for four musical theatre productions.
Brewer said he is excited to join CSC.
“The opportunity to work with bands and brass students together is appealing to me. I also enjoy working in small, tight-knit communities where I can really learn about the students and the surrounding area,” Brewer said.
He earned a doctorate of Musical Arts in conducting in 2026 from West Virginia University and a Master of Music from Yale University in 1999.
This semester, he will teach all levels of private lessons in all brass instruments, as well as the Wind Symphony, the CSC Community Symphonic Band, the Eagle Band , and Music for Classroom Teacher.
Paul McKinley, instructor of Theatre, served as a Theatre Technician last year at CSC. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in drama from Spring Arbor University and a master's degree in applied theatre from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. He is enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Education program at the Mississippi University for Women and expects to graduate in 2030.
McKinley will teach Principles of Acting, Technical Theatre, and Theatre History I this fall. He will also direct CSC’s productions this year, beginning with The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon in October.
McKinley’s specialties are applied theatre, all-abilities theatre, children's theatre, playwriting, acting and scenic design.
“I'm passionate about promoting educational and artistic opportunities in rural areas and exploring interdepartmental and community collaboration opportunities with the Theatre program. One of my goals for my classes and this year's productions is to encourage greater levels of involvement on and off the stage. I would love to connect with any faculty, staff, students or community members interested in participating in theatre in any way,” he said.
McKinley’s wife, Rachel McKinley, is an Assistant Professor of English at CSC.
Dr. David Moak, associate professor of History, earned a bachelor's degree in history and economics from American University and a master's and doctorate in history from Princeton University. At CSC, he will teach World History to 1500, World History since 1500, and Ancient West.
He said he was drawn to CSC because of its student-centered approach to teaching, including small class sizes and a strong sense of community. He finds the small-town environment charming and conducive to work and service.
Moak's research focuses on the Enlightenment and French Revolution in the late 1700s and their social, economic, political and cultural consequences for modern France.
“I'm thrilled to be here. I hope to highlight, through my teaching and research, the importance of French culture to Chadron and the surrounding region,” Moak said.
Dr. Craig Peaslee, assistant professor of Music, most recently served as a lecturer at the University of Miami, where he taught composition, aural skills and analytical techniques. He earned a doctorate in music composition in 2025 from the University of Miami.
He said he was drawn to CSC after visiting Chadron for his interview. He enjoyed the people, community and scenery of the rural setting since he grew up in a small town.
Peaslee will teach all levels of private lessons in bass and guitar, as well as Aural Skills II, Private Music Event Support, Music Appreciation, Jazz and Pop Combo, and Private Recording Techniques.
Dr. Jason Smith, assistant professor of English, earned his doctorate in English from Texas Christian University. His area of specialty is post-1945 American literature, focusing on multi-ethnic literature and social formations. He will teach Rhetoric and Writing, Elements of Literature, and Children’s Literature.
Smith said the faculty and community members he met during his interview process were very welcoming.
School of Professional Studies and Applied Science
Dr. Jennifer Bays, assistant professor of Counselor Education, earned a doctorate in counselor education and supervision from the University of Wyoming. She also has a master's degree in counseling and a bachelor's degree in biology.
While working as an adjunct for CSC, she said she consistently felt included and valued as a member of the department and program.
“I experienced a level of support and collaboration that was both refreshing and meaningful. When the opportunity arose to join the faculty on campus, it felt like a natural next step, one that allows me to continue growing as an educator while becoming even more connected to the CSC community,” she said.
Bays’ areas of research and professional interest include trauma-informed counseling and practice, sexual trauma, barriers to accessing mental health services, interdisciplinary applications of trauma-informed care, and collaboration across professional disciplines.
She will teach Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Group Counseling, and Clinical Mental Health Practicum.
Megan Gazak, instructor of Education, said she chose CSC because she feels she can make an impact. After eight years as an elementary school teacher, she looks forward to connecting with and mentoring future teachers.
Her area of specialty is the science of reading. She will teach Teaching Reading Diagnosis, Intro to Teaching, and Teaching Reading and Writing Elementary.
Gazak earned a bachelor's degree from Gardner-Webb University and a master's degree from Western Carolina University.
Dr. Trudy Ecoffey, associate professor of Rangeland Management, joined the faculty in January. She has a bachelor's degree in animal science from the University of Nebraska, a master's degree in range ecology and wildlife from the University of Nebraska, and a doctorate in biology from South Dakota State University.
Her specialty is bison. She will teach Farm and Ranch Management, Animal Nutrition, Range Ungulate Production, Animal Breeding and Genetics, and Agriculture Seminar.
She was the Executive Director of the Tanka Fund in Rapid City, South Dakota, where she led the return of more than 400 buffalo to Native American caretakers. In a press release, the Tanka Fund Board of Directors said her tenure was marked by significant achievements and her legacy of positive contributions includes leadership, vision, and tireless commitment.
Dr. Miranda Scoggan, assistant professor of Education, earned a bachelor's degree in education and special education and a master's degree in learning and technology from Western Governors University. She earned a doctorate in education with an emphasis in special education from Northcentral University.
She taught special education and behavior in Chugwater, Wyoming, and was a district case manager in Wheatland, Wyoming. She is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Scoggan will teach Introduction to the Exceptional Learner, Pre-referral and Micro Teaching, Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Classrooms, and Assessing Individuals with Mild/Moderate Disabilities.