New Faces Join Robbins College Faculty in Fall 2025

“We are excited to welcome this outstanding cohort of new faculty members to Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences. Each individual brings immense value to Baylor University—whether through teaching excellence or research expertise. I also extend my gratitude to our faculty who led and assisted with the searches that brought these exceptional new colleagues to Baylor University. We look forward to seeing their positive impact on our students and university.” —Jason R. Carter, PhD, Dean

Tiffany Barrett, PT, DPT, DSc 

Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy

Tiffany Barrett joins Baylor Physical Therapy as Clinical Associate Professor, bringing expertise in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and anatomy curriculum, along with a background in hybrid physical therapy education. Most recently, at Augustana University, she served as Associate Professor and Director of Admissions for its hybrid physical therapy program.

As a clinical practitioner and active researcher, Barrett’s interests focus on treatments for neck pain, dry needling, and evidence-based treatment for individuals with musculoskeletal pain. She continues to serve in the clinic on a per diem basis as a physical therapist at Active Therapy Alliance in Waco. Alongside several Baylor Physical Therapy researchers, Barrett is contributing to grant-funded research to study how to best identify patients with neck pain who could likely benefit from cervical spinal manipulation.

Barrett holds a Doctor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Science from Texas Tech University and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Colorado. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Nevada. Since 2016, she is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. She is also certified as a Running Gait Analysis Expert and holds certifications for hybrid learning and dry needling.

Brian K. Cambra, EdD, CFLE

Lecturer, Department of Human Sciences and Design 

With more than 24 years of experience in higher education, Brian K. Cambra joins the Department of Human Sciences and Design’s Child and Family Studies program as Lecturer. He previously served as a temporary lecturer for the program, so he is a familiar face among faculty, staff, and students.

Cambra served in the United States Air Force and the California Air National Guard. After being honorably discharged, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Development from San Diego State University, graduating magna cum laude. At Amberton University, he earned his Master of Science degree in Human Relations, and at Linköping University in Sweden he earned his Master of Arts degree in Adult Learning and Global Change and his Master of Social Science degree in Child Studies. He went on to gain a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology from Robert Gordon University in the United Kingdom. Finally, Cambra earned his Doctor of Education degree in Community Care and Counseling, specializing in Marriage and Family Counseling, from Liberty University, graduating with high distinction.

As a Certified Family Life Educator, Certified School Counselor, and Certified Counselor, Cambra has extensive international experience working with children and families in military, faith-based, educational, and non-governmental environments. His research has focused on trauma-informed care, including topics such as how men cope with loss from miscarriage, understanding how to help refugees impacted by war trauma, and connecting with your child during difficult times. 

David Escajeda, PA-C, AT 

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation

The Health Science Studies program welcomes David Escajeda, as Clinical Assistant Professor, who brings more than 30 years of healthcare experience. He hopes to bring his experience, skills, and years of connections to the program, while continuing to teach, mentor, and inspire the next generation of clinical professionals.

A proud Baylor alumnus, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education and served as a student athletic trainer for the University’s football, baseball, and track teams. Escajeda obtained his Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Southwest Texas State University (now known as Texas State University), during which he gained experience in acute care orthopedics, wound care, working with traumatic brain injury patients, and working in a hospital’s intensive care unit. At the University of Texas Medical Branch, he earned his Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree and was a recipient of the program’s Clinician of the Year award.

As a Certified Physician Assistant, Escajeda has extensive experience in clinical practice. His career was highlighted with 18 years at TMI Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery in Arlington, Texas, working alongside orthopedic surgeon Keith Meister, MD, team physician of the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Stars. There, Escajeda worked as a first assistant in surgery and an outpatient clinician, while providing medical coverage for various sporting events. He has spent the last several years working at Baylor Scott & White Southwest Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics Clinic, and he will continue to practice with the spine team.

Diane Longnecker, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is thrilled to have Diane Longnecker, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, join as Assistant Professor. Her expertise in swallowing disorders and her extensive clinical experience will enrich the Department’s teaching and research missions.

Prior to joining Baylor, Longnecker formed connections with medical facilities and partners throughout Texas, serving as a speech-language pathologist at the University Medical Center in Lubbock, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and at Baylor Scott & White Health in Dallas. Since 2019, she has been a lecturer at the Florida Dysphagia Institute in Orlando, Florida.

Longnecker received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She then went on to earn her Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders at the University of Texas at Dallas and her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Health Studies at Texas Woman’s University. Longnecker holds the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competence, a license to practice as a speech pathologist in Texas, and is a Board-Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders. 

Currently, she is a member of the Dysphagia Research Society and the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She serves professionally as a mentor for the American Board for Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, and is the Vice President for Educational and Scientific affairs for the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Sahar Mihandoust, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Human Sciences and Design

The Department of Human Sciences and Design welcomes Sahar Mihandoust as Assistant Professor of Interior Design. She brings a blend of teaching, research, and industry expertise to the program, experience she gained internationally and in the United States. 

While living in Iran, Mihandoust earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Azad University of Tabriz and her Master of Architecture degree in Designing Cultural-Educational Buildings from Iran University of Science and Technology. She received her Master of Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. Later, she earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Interior and Environmental Design from Texas Tech University.

Mihandoust comes to Baylor from Sam Houston State University, where she served as Adjunct Professor. Prior, at Clemson University’s Center for Health Facilities Design and Testing, she managed a wide array of healthcare research projects as Research Associate and Research Assistant Professor. 

Mihandoust’s research is grounded in the intersection of healthcare design and environmental psychology with a focus on how the built environment affects patient and provider safety, mental health, and experience within healthcare settings. She has investigated an array of topics such as the impact of built environments on prevention of healthcare worker burnout, the role of environmental factors in shaping patient experiences, and the role of environment in forming flow disruptions in high acuity settings. Mihandoust employs methods such as full-scale mock-up simulations, scenario-based evaluations, behavioral observations, surveys, and virtual reality to assess design strategies and their impact on clinical workflow and human experience. Her areas of expertise include healthcare environments, human-centered design, and simulation, with a focus on evidence-based approaches that connect design decisions to measurable outcomes for patients, families, and providers.

Justin T. Morris, PhD

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation

Justin T. Morris joins the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, as Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of the Master of Science in Sport Pedagogy program. He brings experience in coaching and physical education settings. 

Morris earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education at Louisiana Tech University. He then went on to specialize in pedagogy and psychological sciences at Louisiana State University, securing his Master of Science degree in Kinesiology and later, his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Kinesiology.

Before his time at Baylor, he was an Instructor at Louisiana State University. In this role he taught courses, was the undergraduate coordinator of health and physical education (K-12) concentration, coordinator for activity courses, and adviser to students earning a minor in coaching education. Before his time at LSU, Morris served as a physical education teacher, inspiring a love for physical activity in students from kindergarten through seventh grade. He also coached high school athletics.

These roles as coach and physical education teacher sparked Morris’ research interests in exploring how various social factors influence the motivation of adolescent athletes and their youth sport experience. Specifically, he is interested in examining how social factors, such as coaches and parents, impact achievement orientation, self-determined motivation, and motivational climate.

Douglas B. Petersen, PhD, CCC-SL, BCS-CL

Professor and The Vance Masteller Endowed Research Chair of Child Language Disorders, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

With nearly 20 years of experience in speech-language pathology, grants, education, and research, Douglas B. Petersen joins the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders as Professor and The Vance Masteller Endowed Research Chair of Child Language Disorders. 

He makes his way to Baylor from the University of Wyoming, where he served as the Maggie & Dick Scarlett Chair in Speech-Language Pathology, Professor for the Division of Communication Disorders, and Affiliate Professor of Literacy in the College of Education. He is a Board-Certified Specialist in Child Language, holds his Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology, and is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 

Petersen’s research interests focus on the measurement of language and reading potential of school-age children. He is particularly interested in serving diverse student populations through the development and validation of dynamic assessments, curriculum-based universal screenings, and progress monitoring assessments that mitigate cultural, linguistic, and environmental bias. Petersen’s commitment to transforming language assessments and instruction in schools has led to collaborative development of tools like the CUBED™ Assessment and Story Champs® language programs. 

Petersen studied at Utah State University, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education, Master of Education degree in Speech-Language Pathology, and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Disability Disciplines: Speech-Language Pathology. 

Antonia Silva, PT, DPT, NCS, OCS 

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy

After serving as an adjunct lecturer for Baylor’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program since 2020, Antonia Silva will now serve as Clinical Assistant Professor. She has more than 20 years of clinical experience, having worked in neurological rehabilitation, acute care, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient general practice. 

After serving as a Petty Officer 2nd Class and Aerographer in the United States Navy, Silva attended Old Dominion University. There, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Through the American Physical Therapy Association, Silva is a Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist and a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist. She also holds certifications for Dry Needling Level 1 and for the LSVT-BIG program which treats people with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions.

Since 2015, Silva has been a physical therapist at Baylor Scott & White, focusing on outpatient neuro, inpatient rehabilitation, and acute care. In this role she coordinated staff education and mentorship programs, was coordinator and mentor for its neurologic physical therapy residency program, and was a clinical instructor. 

She is passionate about contributing to the advancement of the physical therapy profession, providing peer review services, speaking at lectures, and contributing to research projects. Most recently, she was a research assistant for a grant study of high-intensity training using a non-motorized treadmill on neuroplastic changes in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. 

Sarah Smith, DAT, LAT, ATC

Lecturer, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation

As an alumna of the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Sarah Smith feels honored to join her home department as Lecturer of Kinesiology and Human Anatomy. Her teaching emphasizes building a strong foundation in human anatomy and kinesiology, while encouraging students to apply knowledge through case studies, clinical examples, and teamwork.

She has taught at the university level since 2021. In addition, she brings extensive clinical experience as an athletic trainer, serving in a wide range of settings including collegiate and club sports, police and fire departments, and community events such as marathons. Smith is a Board-Certified Athletic Trainer who holds certification for Dry Needling Level 1, and she is a current member of the Texas Athletic Trainers Association and the National Athletic Trainers Association. 

Smith completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from the University of North Florida and her Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology from Baylor. Finally, Smith earned her Doctor of Athletic Training degree from Indiana State University.

Allie Vickers, CCC-SLP, DPNS 

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Allie Vickers is excited to return to Baylor’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, which is where she earned her own degrees. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.  

Specializing as a bilingual (English and Spanish) speech-language pathologist, Vickers has extensive experience in a variety of clinical settings, including acute care, children’s hospitals, home health, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, neonatal intensive care units, and schools. Her clinical interests include treatment of speech and language disorders in bilingual and multicultural populations, managing pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, and navigating evaluation and treatment of medically complex cases.

Vicker’s holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology and is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She also received certifications in Deep Pharyngeal Neuromuscular Stimulation and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation. She comes to Baylor after serving as a speech-language pathologist for the Midway Independent School District, in Texas.

ABOUT ROBBINS COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Established in 2014, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences seeks to enhance health, quality of life, and human flourishing for all individuals and communities through education, research, and innovation. It includes six academic departments—Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health, Human Performance, and Recreation; Human Sciences and Design; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; and Public Health—along with the Division of Health Professions, which houses the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. Robbins College offers 13 bachelor’s degrees, eight master’s degrees, and six doctoral degrees, as well as nine graduate programs in partnership with the U.S. Army. Graduate programs in Robbins College are offered in a variety of modalities, including on campus, online, and hybrid.