Coastal Carolina University announces two new appointments: Teresa Burns has been named to the position of Director of Core Curriculum/General Education, and Richard Johnson has been named Director of Graduate Studies.

Burns, associate professor of chemistry and physics leads the Core Curriculum Committee and guides the curriculum, assessment and evaluation of the goals and student learning outcomes. As director, Burns is committed to building a broader community among students and faculty, ensuring coordination across all colleges and disciplines, and coordinating assessment efforts.

Burns joined the Coastal Carolina University faculty in 1998. She earned a bachelor's degree in physics from New York University in 1998 and a doctorate degree in physics from Utah State University in 1994.

Johnson, formally associate provost for graduate studies and academic outreach, helped develop a system for assigning graduate assistantships and reorganized the Graduate Council this past year. As director, Johnson will focus seek opportunities for growth in the University's graduate programs.

Johnson joined the Coastal Carolina University faculty in 2006. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in music education from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign and a doctorate degree in conducting from Michigan State University. He has extensive experience as a conductor and is active as a clinician and consultant in the fine arts.