Welcome New Faculty and Staff!

Gonzaga is thrilled to welcome 15 new faculty and staff members to the community this fall.

Andrew Bevilacqua

English Teacher

Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Education: MS Ed, Saint Joseph’s University; BA, English, Fordham University

On joining Gonzaga: “After attending a Jesuit high school and Jesuit universities, I always wanted to be back in that environment as a teacher. With each person I meet and everything I learn about Gonzaga, it’s easy to see why it’s such a welcoming, special place that lives out its mission so well. For me, the best part of being a teacher is learning from and being inspired by your students and seeing how they use their gifts and talents.”

Kate Griffith

Mathematics Teacher

Hometown: Angwin, California

Education: M Ed, Curriculum and Instruction, Catholic University of America; MA, Theatre Education, Gonzaga University; BA, Mathematics, Boston College

On finding her passion: “I enjoy the intersection and duality of math and theatre arts, and the opportunities I have to pursue my creative and logical sides in combination through teaching. I also love getting to share my passions with students and watch them grow in their knowledge and confidence over time. Their energy and humor are contagious and make teaching feel less like work.”

Shelly Farace

Fine Arts Teacher

Hometown: Marietta, Georgia

Education: BFA, Art Education, University of Georgia; BFA, Studio Painting, University of Georgia

Familiar Face: “I taught at Gonzaga for three years before leaving after the 2018-2019 school year to invest in my personal photography skills and business. I am excited to bring everything I’ve learned back to the Gonzaga students and photography program.”

Steve Beaulieu

English Teacher

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Education: PhD, English, Florida International University; MA, Literature, American University

On teaching: “I have taught literature, film, and writing at the University of Maryland and American University. I love teaching because every class is different, even if the subject is the same.”

Thomas “Mac” Kimmitt ’04

Counselor, Class of 2024

Hometown: Arlington, Virginia

Education: Post-Master’s, Mental Health Licensure, Trinity Washington University; MA, School Counseling, Trinity Washington University; BA, History, John Carroll University

On coming home: “As an alumnus and former Gonzaga Alumni Director, I am excited to come home and put my education and experience to good use! I also love counseling because I get to know students on a deeper level.”

Amy P. Harper, RN, MSN, ACNP-BC

School Nurse

Hometown: Follansbee, West Virginia

Education: MSN with certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Georgetown University; BSN, West Virginia University

Professional background: “I began my career at The Johns Hopkins Hospital as a nurse in the Cardiac Surgery ICU. After I received my Nurse Practitioner degree, I worked for three years at the Washington Hospital Center in Cardiac Surgery. I then worked for 11 years at The George Washington University Hospital as the Chief NP for the Division of Interventional Radiology. Most recently, I was the nurse at St. Albans. I’m excited to join the Gonzaga community!”

Emily Kokol-Rivera

Social Studies Teacher

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Education: MA, Education, University of Florida; MA, Educational Leadership, Saint Leo University; BA, History, American University

Favorite part of teaching: “I love helping students understand how the past both connects to and still impacts the present.”

Andrew Wood ’12

Band Director

Hometown: Alexandria, Virginia

Education: MM, Trumpet Performance, Louisiana State University; BM, Trumpet Performance, James Madison University

On following the steps of his mentor: “As an alumnus and former member of the Alumni Service Corps, I’m looking forward to being back where I went to school and served for a year, as well as to take the position that my mentor, Chris Flannery, held for many years.”

Michael Libunao-Macalintal

Assistant Director of Campus Ministry

Hometown: Moonachie, New Jersey

Education: MDiv, Yale Divinity School; BA, Theology, Fordham University

Why Campus Ministry: “I love being able to challenge and empower students to look at the world differently and see themselves as vessels with gifts and abilities that can transform our society. There is a real privilege and responsibility to be companions to these students as they make their formative journeys into men for and with others.”

Lucy Mugford

Spanish Teacher

Hometown: Excelsior, Minnesota

Education: MA, Leadership in Teaching with TESOL, Notre Dame of Maryland University; BA, Secondary Education and Spanish, Marquette University

First impressions: “The community has already been so welcoming to me. I’m looking forward to building relationships with students and fellow teachers as well as sharing my passion for the Spanish language and culture.”

Dan Lawrey

Mathematics Teacher H

ometown: Havertown, Pennsylvania

Education: BS, Mathematics Secondary Education, The Catholic University of America

Why he loves teaching: “I particularly love seeing when a concept clicks in a student’s head and they have that ‘Aha!’ moment where suddenly everything makes sense.”

Christopher V. Smith, S.J.

Science Teacher

Hometown: Asheville, North Carolina

Education: MA, Social Philoso- phy, Loyola University Chicago; MS, Chemistry/Biochemistry, Loyola University Chicago; BS, Chemistry and Russian Language, University of Notre Dame

Background: “I’m a Jesuit Regent, so I’m halfway through formation for the priesthood. Before entering the Society I was an analytical chemist for a short time and then a high school science teacher. As a science teacher at Gonzaga, I’m excited to be able to share faith and reason: science with conscience.”

Kevin Reilly

Assistant Athletic Trainer

Hometown: Lovettsville, Virginia

Education: MAT, Health Education, East Carolina University; BS, Sports Medicine, James Madison University

Professional background: “I have worked as an Athletic Trainer for eight years at the high school and college level. I particularly enjoy working with athletes post surgery who are returning to competition.”

Ian Wuertz

Assistant Dean of Students

Hometown: Denver, Colorado

Education: BA, Creative Writing, Seattle University

Why he’s excited to join the Gonzaga community: “I’m excited to get involved at a Jesuit school that treats the surrounding city as a part of the campus. Education and care of the whole person often happens outside of the classroom, and Gonzaga’s mission and commitment to the DC area embodies this very well.”