A passionate educator, Dr. Jones has spent almost two decades making his mark at the university. He received Mercyhurst’s coveted Teaching Excellence Award even before earning tenure in 2012. At that point, he became chair of the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department and began strengthening the department's curricula, which led to the creation of a capstone research experience for students. Working alongside faculty amid three academic calendar changes, implementing further curriculum revisions, and purchasing and updating capital equipment, he successfully led his department to earn national degree accreditation from the American Chemistry Society in 2016. As a singer, songwriter and musician, not to mention a tea sommelier, photographer and chef, he manifests a strong creative bent.