Pomona College in Claremont, California, has officially introduced its incoming cohort of educators for the 2026-27 academic year. Across ten different academic departments, a dozen new faculty members have assumed tenure-track, tenured, and coterminous positions. Recently, both new and returning professors gathered together at a welcome mixer on campus to celebrate the start of the academic term. Among the newly arrived group, three professors—including one proud campus alumnus—have previous teaching experience at the institution.

Nic Benacerraf joins the faculty as an assistant professor of theatre. Operating as both a professional scenic designer and a performance scholar, he builds immersive environments designed for live theatrical events and performances. He completed his Master of Fine Arts at CalArts and is currently finishing his doctoral degree at The Graduate Center within the City University of New York.

Paul Bump takes on the role of assistant professor of biology. He secured his Ph.D. in biology from Stanford University. As a cellular, developmental, and molecular biologist, his research utilizes unique animal models to uncover foundational universal principles in the field of regeneration biology. When discussing his appointment, Bump notes that the inquisitive and bright nature of the student body drew him to the institution, expressing enthusiasm for the mutual exchange of critical thinking and creative problem-solving in their shared academic endeavors.

Aaron Colton serves as the director of college writing alongside his position as an assistant professor of English. His academic inquiry centers on how authors and the act of writing are portrayed across the past century of American popular culture and literature. The University of Iowa Press published his inaugural monograph, titled Writing Through Writer’s Block: Lessons from Modern American Fiction, in 2025. He earned his doctoral degree from the University of Virginia.

Karla Cordova holds the position of assistant professor of economics, having originally started instructing courses at the college back in 2021. She previously served as a Chau Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow within the Department of Economics during the 2024-25 academic year. Her scholarly investigations analyze the ways local economic conditions and immigration policies influence Hispanic families and children, as well as how pension structures impact the existing gender wealth gap. Her Ph.D. was awarded by the University of Arizona.

Cyril Creque-Sarbinowski steps in as an assistant professor of physics and astronomy. Having received his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University, his academic focus centers on formulating innovative analytic and statistical tools to probe theories extending beyond the standard model of particle physics and cosmology.

Joseph Gonzalez takes charge as the director of sports medicine and assistant professor of physical education. In this capacity, he oversees all operational facets of the sports medicine division, which encompasses supervising athletic training personnel, managing the main athletic training facility, coordinating comprehensive medical care, and continuing the rollout of broad health and wellness programs.

Ernesto R. Gutiérrez Topete, a member of the Class of 2017, returns as an assistant professor of linguistics and cognitive science. As an undergraduate student at the college, he completed a double major in linguistics and Spanish before pursuing his master’s degree and Ph.D. at UC Berkeley. He previously worked at the campus as a Chau Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow from 2023 to 2025 and as a visiting assistant professor during the 2025-26 academic year. His research zeroes in on the phonetics of bilingualism and the acquisition of second languages across diverse language pairings. Reflecting on his return, Gutiérrez Topete shares that experiencing the institutional mission firsthand as an undergraduate inspired him to become part of that ongoing story of preparing students to improve the world.

Peter Haproff assumes the role of associate professor of geology. As a field geologist, his research explores plate tectonic processes that drive volcanism, rifting, and mountain building throughout the long span of Earth’s history. He obtained his doctoral degree from UCLA.

Louise Ince joins as an assistant professor of neuroscience, having completed her doctoral studies at The University of Manchester. Her investigative work looks at how the internal biological rhythms of the human body influence neuroimmune health and overall physiological function. Ince emphasizes that she wanted to work in an environment where she could offer sustained mentorship, guiding students from their initial curiosity as first-year undergraduates through to independent research roles. She highlights that the blend of academic rigor and tight-knit community makes this possible, noting a specific desire to make scientific careers feel accessible to students regardless of their backgrounds, which aligns tightly with the college’s broader mission regarding educational access.

Noah Kwicklis is welcomed as an assistant professor of economics. His research investigates the mechanisms through which income and wealth distribution influence the broader macroeconomy and modify how monetary and fiscal policies transmit across business cycles. He earned his Ph.D. from UCLA.

Alexandra Lippman serves as an assistant professor of anthropology, having initially taught at the institution starting in 2020 in the capacity of a visiting assistant professor. Operating as a multimodal anthropologist, her scholarly projects investigate race, media technology, and soundscapes within Latin America. Her upcoming book, titled Funk Power: Sound, Sovereignty, and Blackness in Brazil, is scheduled for publication through Duke University Press.

Danielle Lynch takes on leadership as the director of athletics, chair of the Physical Education Department, and assistant professor of physical education, overseeing the twenty-one NCAA Division III varsity athletic teams fielded by Pomona-Pitzer. Her doctoral research centered on the lived experiences of Black male professional athletes amid ongoing social justice campaigns, investigating the intersection of sport, activism, and personal identity. Aspiring scholars looking to understand faculty profiles and institutional priorities can benefit from studying these appointments alongside broader Ivy League strategies.

For additional details regarding faculty updates, department announcements, and campus events, readers can check the official portal.

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