Muhlenberg Announces Faculty Promotions
Three members of the faculty were recently promoted.Monday, May 19, 2025 01:56 PM
Photo by Kristi Morris/Littlewing Photography
Erika M. Sutherland (Spanish) is now a full professor.
Sutherland’s primary area is contemporary literature (1700-present) from Spain, with special interest in the representation of women, the body, and medicine. Teaching literature in a second language has led her to study the dynamics of teaching: What makes a student want to study literature in Spanish from a different time and culture? How can science and medicine work to draw today’s students in? She also teaches community-based interpreting and translation, skills that allow Muhlenberg’s heritage and advanced students to combine disparate areas of interest and study with Spanish in a high-demand field. On and beyond campus, she is a committed activist, organizer, and educator around immigration and immigrant rights. She holds a bachelor’s from Bryn Mawr College and a master’s and doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania.
Karen Tuerk (environmental science) is now a senior lecturer.
Tuerk’s introductory environmental science courses present the depth and breadth of topics covered in this interdisciplinary field of study. With an eye on current events, students consider the human impact on ecosystems, water, and air quality and the cycling of elements. Her courses cover notable issues — including population growth, climate change, and agricultural practices — on both a local and global scale. Her graduate and post-graduate work focused on the unintentional impacts of human activities on marine and estuarine environments. She holds a bachelor’s from Western Washington University and a master’s from the College of Charleston.
Sara Vigneri (media and communication) is now a senior lecturer.
Vigneri uses journalism as a launching pad for exploring what it means to be an engaged citizen and to encourage students to ask big questions about the human condition. As a researcher and reporter, she has a keen interest in journalism ethics and fact-based reporting. Her classes provide a blend of journalism case studies, ethical discussions and hands-on writing and reporting. She firmly believes that the real lessons of journalism happen outside the classroom, which is why she considers her role as faculty advisor to the Muhlenberg Weekly a significant aspect of her teaching at Muhlenberg. For over 20 years, she has worked as a reporter and editorial researcher/fact-checker for magazines, websites, and book publishers including Consumer Reports and Hachette's Artisan Books. She holds a bachelor’s from Rutgers University and a master’s from the University of Pittsburgh.
