Dr. Michael Bean
Assistant Professor of Education and Interim Assistant Provost
Dr. Bean is excited to be part of Concord’s Education Department, working with students he describes as respectful and ready to learn. One lesson Dr. Bean and our other faculty members teach Concord students is the reality of the profession. Through a variety of placements and teaching opportunities, or “in the fire” opportunities as Dr. Bean describes them, our students are prepared to enter the field.
“I have a passion for education. I see how that can open doors and create opportunities.”
Faculty
Dr. Joan Pendergast
Chair, Department of Social Work and Title IX Coordinator
When Dr. Pendergast was finishing her Ph.D. in Social Work Education at the University of South Carolina, she dreamed of teaching at a school like Concord. “I have wanted to live in the mountains for as long as I can remember,” she says. In 2007, she accepted a tenure-track position at CU and has found a home here. “The campus community is welcoming and accepting,” she says. Before completing her doctoral degree, Dr. Pendergast was a practicing social worker, valuable experience she shares with her students. “When I speak with students about social work, I explain that this is the best job and worst job you can have,” she says. “It’s very rewarding to see how people can change their lives, and it can be discouraging when these changes do not come.” Dr. Pendergast is dedicated to preparing her students for the realities they’ll face after graduation, and says she enjoys “being a small part of their journey.”
Faculty
Dr. Germain Badang
Assistant Professor of Languages
Educated in Cameroon, a country in central West Africa, Spain, and in the United States, Dr. Badang comes to Concord University with extensive knowledge of several languages, a past steeped in multicultural experiences, and dedication to teaching. His goal is to use his knowledge to “challenge [his students] so that they can discover in themselves what they never thought they were able to do.” Dr. Badang says he strives for excellence in every student and cultivates a sense of community in his classroom, “where students express their solidarity and support each other’s efforts.” Currently, Dr. Badang is working with his students to create a Language Club on campus.
Faculty