Meet Chatham’s New Full-Time Faculty
Students listen to a lecture in Beckwith Lecture Hall.
Each year, Chatham Pulse sends a questionnaire to new full-time faculty members at Chatham to help them introduce themselves to the campus community.
For fall 2026, Pulse spoke to new faculty in occupational therapy, nursing, and the sciences.
Gail Hoover
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Where are you from?
I have spent the last 25 years in Pittsburgh. I have lived in Texas, Oklahoma, and North Carolina previously.
What were you doing before you came to Chatham?
Before joining Chatham University, I served as an assistant nursing professor of nursing at Misericordia University. I also have experience in clinical nursing leadership. My background includes bedside nursing, nursing education, and leadership, all of which have shaped my passion for preparing the next generation of nurses.
What subjects/courses do you teach?
I am currently teaching Doctor of Nursing Practice courses this term.
What should students know about you?
Students should know that I am passionate about nursing education and truly invested in their success.
Angela Karpieniak, OTD ’25
Assistant Professor and Associate Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for Occupational Therapy
Where are you from?
I am originally from Pittsburgh! I grew up in West Mifflin, spent summers working at Kennywood Park. I spent the last 15 years living in Washington, D.C. and working at the National Rehabilitation Hospital and Trinity Washington University. I loved the area and it will always be a part of “home” for me.
What were you doing before you came to Chatham?
I moved to Washington, D.C. after I completed my occupational therapy master’s degree. I was living outside of Old Town Alexandria with my family in a town called Del Ray and teaching at Trinity Washington University in their Occupational Therapy programs. I completed my doctorate at Chatham in 2025 in their post professional OT program.
What subjects/courses do you teach?
I currently am teaching Foundations of Occupation and Wellness, an introductory occupational therapy course. I am also the associate fieldwork coordinator and help teach classes that facilitate community-based collaboration with students. I am board certified in physical rehabilitation and have enjoyed teaching classes that include topics about neurology and recovery from things like stroke, brain injury, and spinal cord injury.
What should students know about you?
I loved the time spent in the clinic and enjoy incorporating what I learned as a clinician into my classes. I also have been increasingly interested in helping students feel prepared for the professional world. I completed a capstone project on emotional intelligence and professional behaviors.
My husband and daughter are excited to get to know the Pittsburgh area, we have scratch off cards that reveal different activities and places to visit in the area. So far, we have done the incline, Kennywood park, the Children’s Museum, and soon we will be exploring the local pumpkin patch scene.
Abbie Purney
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. I went into the Marine Corps after high school, so I traveled a little bit then. I married a marine who did 20 years, and when he got out, we moved to Henderson, NV and lived there for 21 years. We moved to Gibsonia, PA five years ago to be near our daughter.
What were you doing before you came to Chatham?
Prior to coming to Chatham University, I taught online for Chamberlain University for their prelicensure online BSN program, as well as on ground when I was in Nevada. I have also taught adjunct at a few colleges in the post licensure program. I am a registered nurse, so prior to teaching full time, I spent 24 years working in a hospital where most of that time was in critical care.
What courses are you teaching?
I will be teaching various courses in the RN to BSN program and MSN program.
What should your students know about you?
I have been a registered nurse for 31 years, including over 20 years in critical care. My background includes Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (CCNS) certification, being a certified nursing educator, and preparing undergraduate and graduate nursing students for clinical practice. I have been married for 41 years and have two grown daughters and five grandchildren. I love to scrapbook and travel on my motorcycle in my spare time.
Spencer Witte
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Where are you from?
Omaha, NE. Go Mavericks! I grew up in Omaha and went to the best downtown high school in the country (Omaha Central). I completed my undergraduate education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha before moving to Columbus, OH to pursue my Ph.D.
What were you doing before you came to Chatham?
I was doing bioanalytical chemistry research on protein response to ionizing radiation to try and develop a new method for quantifying radiation exposure in unexpected circumstances. Outside of that, I was doing a lot of traveling when I could. My favorite destination was San Juan, Puerto Rico.
What subjects/courses do you teach?
I teach general chemistry, analytical chemistry, and biochemistry.
What should students know about you?
I love chemistry! Outside of chemistry, I play chess and write and record music.