Faculty & Staff
Department of Modern Languages and Literature

Thomas R. Schneider, Ph.D.
Professor of EnglishAssociate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences for Online EducationOffice Phone: (951) 343-3975E-mail: tschneider@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: James 471
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Ph.D. | English | University of California, Riverside | 2013 |
M.A. | English | University of California, Riverside | 2010 |
B.A. | English and Latin | Calvin College | 2007 |

Laura Veltman, Ph.D.
Professor of EnglishAssociate Dean, Division of Arts and LettersOffice Phone: (951) 343-4649E-mail: lveltman@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: W.E. James Building, Room 252
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Ph.D. | English | University of Wisconsin at Madison | 2006 |
M.A. | English | University of Wisconsin at Madison | 1998 |
B.A. | English and Psychology | Calvin College | 1996 |

Erika Travis, Ph.D.
Professor of EnglishDepartment Chair, Modern Languages and Literature Office Phone: (951) 343-4362E-mail: etravis@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: W.E. James Building, Room 260A
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Ph.D. | English | Claremont Graduate University | 2016 |
M.A. | English | California Baptist University | 2006 |
B.A. | English and Behavioral Science | California Baptist University | 2002 |

Berniece Alspach, Ph.D.
Professor of EnglishDirector of B.A. in English and BFA in Creative WritingOffice Phone: (951) 343-4943E-mail: balspach@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: W. E. James Building, Room 260B
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Ph.D. | English | Claremont Graduate University | 2016 |
M.A. | English | California Baptist University | 2006 |
B.A. | English | Florida State University | 1998 |

Gretchen Bartels Ray, PhD
Professor of EnglishOffice Phone: (951) 343-3974E-mail: gbartels@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: Point 215
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
PhD | English | University of California, Riverside | 2013 |
M.A. | English | University of California, Riverside | 2008 |
B.A. | English and Chemistry | Wheaton College | 2006 |

W. Daniel Blair, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of American Sign LanguageDirector, Center for Deaf StudiesOffice Phone: (951) 343-4762E-mail: dblair@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: W.E. James Building, Room 264
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Ph.D. | Educational Research | University of Alabama | 2006 |
M.Div. | Theology/Ministry | Beeson Divinity School, Samford University | 1995 |
B.G.S. | General Studies | Samford University | 1992 |

Joshua Fullman, PhD
Professor of EnglishOffice Phone: (951) 552-8020E-mail: jfullman@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: Office of Student Success, Lancer Arms 49
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
PhD | English | Southern Illinois University | 2013 |
MBA | Business Administration | Faulkner University | 2023 |
MSc | Medieval Studies | University of Edinburgh | 2008 |

David Isaacs, M.A.
Instructor of EnglishOffice Phone: (951) 343-4373E-mail: disaacs@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: W.E. James Building, Room 261
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
M.A. | Christian Apologetics | Simon Greenleaf University | 2000 |
M.A. | Faith and Culture | Trinity Graduate School | 2000 |
B.A. | English | California State University at San Bernardino | 1985 |

Toni Kirk, Ph.D.
Professor of EnglishOffice Phone: (951) 204-7798E-mail: tkirk@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: W. E. James Building, Room 265
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Ph.D. | Mythological Studies - Emphasis in World Literature | Pacifica Graduate Institute | 2010 |
M.A. | English Literature with emphasis in poetry, creative writing, multicultural literature, global literature, classic literature | California Baptist University | 2005 |
M.A. | Composition/Rhetoric | California State University, San Bernardino | 1989 |

Carla Liu, Ed.D.
Associate Professor of EnglishProgram Director, M.A. in EnglishOffice Phone: (951) 343-4434E-mail: cliu@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: W.E. James Building, Room 263A
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Ed.D. | TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) | Alliant International University | 2017 |
M.S. | TESOL | Nazareth College of Rochester | 1990 |
B.A. | Education/French | Hope College | 1984 |

James Lu, Ph.D.
Professor of EnglishOffice Phone: (951) 343-4277/343-4590E-mail: jlu@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: W.E. James Building, Room 256
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Ph.D. | English | Duke University | 1992 |
M.A. | English | Duke University | 1988 |
M.A. | Literature | Institute of American Literature | 1985 |

Khamla Dhouti Martinez, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of SpanishProgram Director, SpanishOffice Phone: (951) 343-4541E-mail: kdhouti-martinez@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: Jame Building 250
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Ph.D. | Spanish, Afro-Caribbean Literature | University of Texas at Austin | 2002 |
M.A. | Spanish | Middlebury College | 1994 |
B.A. | Romance Languages | Washington & Lee University | 1991 |

Jennifer Newton, Ph.D.
Professor of EnglishOffice Phone: (951) 343-4276E-mail: jnewton@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: W.E. James Building, Room 262
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Ph.D. | English | Baylor University | 2004 |
M.A. | English | Baylor University | 1999 |
B.A. | English | LeTourneau University | 1997 |

Noé Ruvalcaba, Ph.D.
Professor of SpanishOffice Phone: (951) 552-8778E-mail: nruvalcaba@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: James Building, Room 286
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Ph.D. | Spanish | University of California, Riverside | 2011 |
M.A. | Spanish | University of California, Riverside | 2007 |
B.A. | Spanish | University of California, Santa Barbara | 2005 |
B.A. | Latin American Studies | University of California, Santa Barbara | 2005 |

Owen Staley, Ph.D.
Lecturer of EnglishOffice Phone: (951) 343-4697E-mail: ostaley@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: W. E. James Building, Room 248
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Ph.D. | English | University of California at Los Angeles | 1996 |
M.A. | English | University of California at Berkeley | 1987 |
A.B. | Environmental Studies | University of California at Berkeley | 1980 |

Tae Sung, PhD
Associate Professor of EnglishDean of Student SuccessOffice Phone: 951-552-8992E-mail: tsung@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: Lancer Arms 39E
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
PhD | English | UC Irvine | |
MA | Theology | Fuller Seminary | |
BA | Literature | UC San Diego |

Jennifer Tronti, M.A.
Assistant Professor of EnglishDirector of First Year English CompositionOffice Phone: (951) 343-4290E-mail: jtronti@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: Office Location: W.E. James Building, Room #258
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
M.A. | Mythological Studies | Pacifica Graduate Institute | 2009 |
M.A. | Literature in English | Claremont Graduate School | 1995 |
B.A. | English | California Baptist College | 1994 |

Deron Walker, Ph.D.
Professor of EnglishOffice Phone: (951) 343-4652E-mail: dwalker@calbaptist.eduOffice Location: W.E. James Building, Room 263 B
Degree | Major Emphasis | Institution | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Ph.D. | Education | Southern Illinois University | 2004 |
M.A. | History | Eastern Illinois University | 1995 |
B.A. | History | Eastern Illinois University | 1994 |

Sean Langevin
Administrative Secretary, Modern Langauges and LiteratureOffice Phone: 951-343-4590E-mail: slangevin@calbaptist.edu