The University of Maine at Presque Isle is welcoming several new employees at the start of the 2010-2011 academic year, including new professors, four coaches, and professional staffers.

Deena Albert Parks joins the University as the Athletic Training Education Clinical Coordinator. Parks most recently served as a Physical Therapy Aide at Northern Physical Therapy in Presque Isle where she was responsible for providing rehabilitation services in conjunction with the Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist needs. Prior to this position, she served as an Athletic Trainer for three years at Maine General Medical Center, and as an Athletic Trainer at HealthSouth in Portland. She has served as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Utica College of Syracuse University in Utica, NY, at the University of Maine in Orono, and at Neumann College in Aston, Penn. She served as a Graduate Intern Athletic Trainer at Villanova University in Villanova, Penn.

Parks graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Fitness Physical Education with a concentration in math and science. She then went on to get her Master’s degree in Health Administration at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Penn. Parks is a member of the National Athletic Trainer’s Association and the Maine Athletic Trainer’s Association. She is also a certified Pharmacy Technician and a NATABOC Certified Athletic Trainer.

Charles Johnson joins the Criminal Justice Department as an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice. He most recently was employed at Washington State University, where he taught a number of Criminal Justice courses for eight years. Prior to that, Johnson was the Private Security and Investigations Instructor at Barclay College in Sacramento from 1987-1989. Johnson received his Associate’s degree in Administration of Justice from Los Angeles City College. He then went on to graduate from the California Highway Patrol Academy where he was named Top Marksman. Johnson then earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Criminal Justice at California State University in Sacramento. At Washington State University, he earned his Ph.D.

Johnson has published several works and has served as a researcher, investigator, and field supervisor of a number of research projects. He also holds numerous certifications and has earned professional awards including being named Outstanding Employee of the Quarter at Barclay College. He is a member of Alpha Phi Sigma – the Criminal Justice Honor Society – the American Society of Criminology, and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS).

Paul Johnson joins the University as a Professor of Psychology. Johnson was most recently employed as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at John F. Murphy Homes, Inc. where, among other duties, he provided behavior analytic services to adults with developmental disabilities and conducted functional analysis of problem behavior. Prior to this, he was a Pre-Doctoral Intern, also at John F. Murphy Homes, Inc., from 2007-2008; a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Southern Maine from 2005-2010; a School Psychological Service Provider at the Margaret Murphy Center for Children from 2005-2007; a Psychological Examiner at the Windham School District in 2004; and a Behavioral Consultant at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2003.

Johnson graduated from the University of Southern Maine with not only his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, but a Master’s degree in School Psychology, and his Psy.D. in School Psychology as well. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, and the Psi-Chi National Honor Society in Psychology. Johnson is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist with the National Association of School Psychologists, and a Certified School Psychological Service Provider with the State of Maine’s Department of Education.

Peng Peng Yu joins the University as a Mathematics and Physics Professor. Yu was previously employed as a Post Doctoral Researcher for the Research Center for Gravitation and Cosmology at the University of Wisconsin from 2008 to 2010. He has also served as a Research Associate and a Graduate Research Assistant, and Graduate Teaching Assistant at Dartmouth College for both the Thayer School of Engineering and the Department of Physics and Astronomy from 2001-2008. Yu graduated from Beijing University with a Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Physics and Nuclear Technology, and then went on to Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, where he earned his Ph.D. in Physics and Astronomy.

Yu has worked closely with Robert R. Caldwell on a number of publications and has given presentations at sites located all over the country including Boulder, Colo., St. Louis, Mo., and Ithaca, NY. He is also a member of the American Mathematical Society.

Sara Martin joins the University’s Community and Media Relations Office as an Administrative Assistant. Previously, Martin was employed at Central Maine Community College in Auburn, where she wore a number of hats including: Assistant Athletic Director, Resident Director, Sports Information Director, Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach, and the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Women’s Basketball Team. Martin has also been employed as a Health and Science Teacher with MSAD #58, where she was the Head Varsity Softball Coach for Mt. Abram High School.

Martin graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a Bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education, studied Applied Exercise Science with a concentration in Athletic Performance at Springfield College, and earned an Associate’s degree from Central Maine Community College in Sports Management with a concentration in Sports Management. Both of Martin’s parents were graduates of UMPI. She has vacationed in Northern Maine every summer since she was a little girl; she loves the area, and wanted to be a part of the University where her parents graduated.

April Sue Platt joins the University’s Residence Life Office as the new Area Coordinator for Student Activities. Platt was recently employed at Jackson Community College in Jackson, Miss., as the Director of Residence life from 2007-2009, where she also served as an Adjunct Faculty from 2009-2010. Prior to this, she was a Residence Life Coordinator at the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio, as a First Year Coordinator at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and as a Residential Treatment Specialist at The Manor in Jonesville, Miss.

Platt earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Sociology from Olivet College and continued on to earn her Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Akron. She also studied Diversity Management at Cleveland State University. At the University of Akron, she won the Co-Curricular Advisor Award, the Advisor of the Year Award, and the Award of Achievement. Platt brings eight years of demonstrated experience in Student Affairs to the University and is extremely committed and passionate about Student Affairs.

Heather Craig continues her service to the University as an Administrative Assistant in the Business Office. Craig was previously employed at the University as an Information Center Assistant.

Craig is currently working on her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science and Management. She is involved in a number of committees on campus including the Pride Committee, Parade Committee and the Senior Class Committee. She also serves as the faculty advisor for the Fellowship for Christian Athletes.

Kim McCrea has returned to the University as the Assistant Director of Gentile Hall and the Manager of the Outdoor Adventure Program. McCrea has experience working in higher education – most recently working as UMPI’s Clinical Coordinator of Athletic Training. In addition, she brings with her experience in outdoor recreation, having led a trip along the Allagash Waterway and a winter ascent of Mt. Katahdin.

McCrea graduated from the University with Physical Education and Athletic Training degrees. She also has a Master’s degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education from the University of Maine. McCrea has several important certifications including: Wilderness First Responder, Lifeguarding Certification, Swift Water Rescue, Certified Athletic Trainer, and Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Jay Beaulieu has joined the University as the new Women’s Volleyball Coach. Beaulieu has served as an Education Technician/Classroom Teacher at Circle of Learning, Inc. in Caribou, as the Varsity/Junior Varsity Volleyball and Wrestling Coach at Manchester High School in Manchester, NH, where he was also a Full-Time Public Art Educator from 2000-2007.

Beaulieu graduated from Rivier College in Nashua, NH, with a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education. During his time at Rivier, Beaulieu was a member of the Men’s Volleyball team. He was the recipient of the Coach’s Award and Player’s Award, and was also named Rivier College’s Student Athlete of the Year.

Dan Williams joins the University as the new Women’s Soccer Coach. Williams has coached with the Dutch Soccer Academy for the past five seasons, and is known for his high energy and motivational coaching style.

Williams is originally from Eastbourne, England. He played for more than three years on the Hastings United Football Club in England. Williams also played for Sussex, where he was captain of the team that won two league championships.

Daniel Hotham joins the University as the new Head Golf Coach. Hotham recently retired from Northern Maine Community College, where he coached the golf team for 22 years.

Hotham has a degree in Education from the University of Maine at Machias, and a Master’s degree from Antioch New England Graduate School. He continues to play golf and has won several club championships, including the Spudland Open twice.

Paul Stone has joined the University as the new Nordic Ski Coach. Stone comes to the University from the University of Vermont, where he has over four years of experience and was named the NCAA Eastern Coach of the Year in 2009. Stone has also served as the Nordic Coach at Colby College, Williams College, and Southern Maine-based Coastal Nordic Ski Team.

Stone qualified for the World Junior Championships in high school and went on to ski for Dartmouth, where he was named MVP and qualified to compete in the NCAA Championships four times. He is currently on the NCAA’s executive committee of the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association for Skiing.