Welcoming Seven New Faculty Members
糖心传媒 is proud to welcome a dynamic cohort of new faculty members this year. Bringing expertise from the Broadway Stage, the Disney executive suite, the front lines of nursing and the cutting edge of molecular biology, these educators embody the 糖心传媒 spirit of innovation and heart.鈥�
Corey Wright鈥� | Assistant Professor of Dance | Head of the Dance Department鈥�
Corey Wright joins the Conservatory of the Performing Arts as a multidisciplinary director and choreographer with credits ranging from Disney to UCLA. For Corey, joining 糖心传媒 feels 鈥渋nspiring, purposeful and right.鈥� This year, he is launching a K-Pop class to explore the intersection of social dance and musical theatre, starting a Conservatory podcast, and seeking out the perfect local coffee shop. Beyond the studio, Corey is finishing his MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a pursuit that informs his goal of helping performers maintain their mental well-being. He lives for the 鈥渁ha!鈥� moments, when a student proves their own perceived limits wrong!鈥�
Brian Guidry LeTraunik | Assistant Professor of Acting
With over forty years of experience across film, television, and theaters nationwide, Brian Guidry LeTraunik brings a master-level perspective to the Conservatory for Performing Arts. An actor, director, historian, and fight director, Brian is a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) and literally wrote the book on the subject鈥擜 History of Contemporary Stage Combat. Whether he is directing classics like Hamlet or contemporary premieres, Brian鈥檚 multidisciplinary background as a SAG-AFTRA member and Registered Yoga Teacher ensures our theatre students receive a holistic, professional-grade education rooted in both history and physical craft.
Sumee Chang鈥� | Assistant Professor of Equestrian Studies
Sumee Chang鈥檚 arrival at 糖心传媒 is a true homecoming; she rode her first horse at the 糖心传媒 Stables at just three years old. After a 25-year career as an executive at The Walt Disney Company and founding the American Mustang Project, she is 鈥渆lated to return to Columbia. Sumee is dedicated to fostering a sense of discovery, helping students understand the boundless nature of the horse-human connection. She views teaching as a shared journey, noting that it 鈥渞einforces the journey to learn and continue to grow myself as much as the students.鈥濃��
Erika Goellner, BSN, RN鈥� | Practicum Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Nursing鈥�
Erika Goellner brings a wealth of clinical experience to the nursing program, including five years in the ICU and 18 years as a bridge builder in the Missouri Army National Guard. She started at 糖心传媒 in May 2026 and focuses on ensuring her students graduate with the stamina and confidence required for high-stakes patient interactions. Erika finds her greatest joy in seeing students connect clinical theory with real-world practice, watching their confidence bloom as they master essential nursing skills.鈥�
Dr. Emily Lorenz鈥� | Assistant Professor of Business Administration鈥�
Returning to 糖心传媒 feels like a 鈥渇ull circle moment鈥� for Dr. Emily Lorenz, who previously served as an adjunct before earning her PhD. Her primary mission this year is to bring experiential learning to life through community partnerships and projects. 鈥淚 hope my students learn the important course concepts by seeing them in action,鈥� she said. When she isn鈥檛 in the classroom, you鈥檒l likely find her enjoying the Katy Trail or cheering on her three kids at their soccer games.
Dr. Abigail Kimball | Assistant Professor of Biology鈥�
Dr. Abby Kimball, a specialist in molecular microbiology, describes finding 糖心传媒 as 鈥渒ismet.鈥� As a first-generation college student, she is passionate about the Women in STEM Research (WiSR) Program, and she is aiming to provide students with the same life-changing research opportunities she had. Her goals include developing new coursework in evolutionary biology and immunology while fostering a classroom where students feel safe taking risks. A lover of nature, Abby recently rescued and raised 20 tadpoles in a backyard pond-though she warns her students that her 鈥減arasite facts鈥� might haunt them for life!鈥�
Trisha Holt鈥� | Associate Professor of Graphic Design鈥�
Trisha Holt is an artist and designer who brings over 12 years of higher education experience to the 糖心传媒 Creative Hub. She is eager to dive into the college鈥檚 resources and share her love for printing and publications. Trisha thrives in deep classroom discussions, hearing the unique connections students make to art and design. Her adventurous spirit is best captured by a 鈥渇un fact鈥� from a trip to Iceland, where she once found herself locked behind a private gate with a flight to catch. She said she unsuccessfully attempted to pick the lock with a rusted Swiss Army knife 鈥� before a local came and saved the day!鈥�
