USM study abroad coordinator, Kennesaw State economics professor join Mississippi College faculty

Joshua D. Pitts and Erin J. Zanza have joined the School of Business and Department of Modern Languages, respectively.

A seasoned professor with an impressive grasp of economics and a versatile study abroad specialist have each joined the Mississippi College faculty.

Joshua D. Pitts, professor of sport management and economics at Kennesaw State University, bolsters the School of Business faculty, while Erin J. Zanza, study abroad coordinator at the University of Southern Mississippi, strengthens the Department of Modern Languages as an instructor on French, linguistics, and culture.

Marcelo Eduardo, dean of the MC School of Business and Anderson Professor of Finance, said Pitts will be teaching one of the most challenging subjects in the school’s curriculum – business statistics.

“Dr. Josh Pitts is a wonderful addition to our faculty and I expect our students to quickly discover what a wonderful teacher he is,” Eduardo said. “He has the knowledge, skills, and talent to make this class a tremendous learning experience for our business majors.

“Josh’s vast teaching experience, along with his research interest in sports management, will make his classes not only highly practical, but also very interesting.”

After obtaining his B.S. in mathematics, his M.A. in applied economics, and his Ph.D. in applied economics from Mississippi State University, Pitts joined the faculty of Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio, as an assistant professor of economics. Two years later, he joined the faculty at Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, where he spent 12 years rising through the ranks to professor of sports management and economics.

The author or coauthor of two dozen peer-reviewed articles in leading industrial publications, Pitts has given more than 20 presentations at professional meetings and conferences nationally. He is an active member of the North American Association of Sports Economists.

Amy Williamson, associate professor and chair of modern languages at MC, said her department staff is excited to welcome Zanza into the fold.

“Erin has a strong background in French, TESOL, and study abroad,” Williamson said. “She is already bringing new excitement to our department and the French program.

“She will be taking on responsibilities as the director of the French program, academic advisor, and honor society sponsor.”

Recipient of an Honors College Study Abroad Grant for French studies in Paris and for dance studies in London, Zanza was awarded a Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grsnt by the Mississippi Legislature and a Presidential Scholarship by the University of Southern Mississippi Honors College.

After obtaining her B.A. in foreign language (French) and anthropology from USM, Zanza served as a teaching assistant and adjunct instructor while working toward her M.A. in teaching of languages (French/TESOL). She has served as USM’s study abroad coordinator for the last two years.

Zanza was named the 2024 Outstanding Online Student in the MATL-TESOL Emphasis Program in the USM School of Social Science and Global Studies.