Faculty Focus

CCU is home to countless faculty members who are experts in their chosen fields of study. Along with their efforts in the classroom and mentoring students, many are sought by the media to share their expertise on a range of subjects, while others pen books about their valued research. The following are a few such examples:

• Mark Chandler, professor of practice in the Department of Intelligence and Security Studies, has provided expert analysis on the Israel-Hamas war. He also conducted numerous interviews after the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) shot down a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach in February. A retired DoD senior defense intelligence official, Chandler spoke with local and regional TV stations as well as national and international media outlets such as BBC Radio, Inside Edition, LiveNow from Fox, and Sinclair Broadcast Group’s The National Desk. The latter outlet also sought his knowledge about the national security risks regarding unidentified aerial phenomenon.

• Drew Kurlowski, associate professor of political science, was sought out by Newsweek to share his insight on the poll numbers of Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and U.N. Ambassador who is a Republican presidential candidate. He also was quoted in a Tampa Bay Times article about the 2024 presidential race. 

• During a podcast interview with Fox News Radio, Matthew Gilbert, lecturer of marketing, provided an overview of Threads. He explained how the social media platform works and its potential threat to Twitter.

• Sara Brallier, Ph.D., and Stephanie Southworth, Ph.D., professor and assistant professor, respectively, in the Department of Sociology, have co-authored a book based on their six years of research on homelessness in Horry County, S.C. The book, titled Homelessness in the 21st Century: Living the Impossible American Dream, uses data from more than 250 interviews and field notes and identifies barriers including a lack of affordable housing, the stigmatization of homelessness, inadequate access to healthcare and gainful employment, and difficulty accessing available social services.

• Robert M. Johnson III ’98, Daniel C. Abel, and Sharon L. Gilman, faculty members in the Gupta College of Science, have co-authored a new book titled Tooth and Claw: Top Predators of the World. Published by Princeton University Press (PUP), the book examines predators ranging from big cats and wild dogs to sharks, reptiles, and killer whales. The publication was illustrated by Elise Pullen ’19, a former CCU graduate student. According to a PUP overview, the book covers apex and other top predators in each major vertebrate family, discussing where and how they live, how they are faring in the modern world, and why they matter. The authors also share informative and entertaining anecdotes from their decades in the field learning about predators and reveal hard truths about the role humans continue to play in their fate.