Faculty and Administration - Graceland University Undergraduate Catalog

Board of Trustees

Michael R. Wiley, PhD, Chair (2023), Blue Springs, MO

Sue Bevington, Vice-Chair (2023), Kirkland, WA

David J. Brown, MBA, Treasurer (2023), Lake Winnebago, MO

Samuel G. (Sam) Smalldon, MBA, Secretary (2025), Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Joe Booz, JD, (2024), Scottsdale, AZ

Holly Caskey, (2023), Maplewood, MN

Stassi D. Cramm, PhD, (2023), Independence, MO

Emily Hughes, JD, (2025), Iowa City, IA

Aleksander (Aleks) Memca, (2024), San Diego, CA

Randall E. Pratt, JD, (2025), Lees Summit, MO

Dennis Shields, JD, (2023), Baton Rouge, LA

Julia Snethen, PhD, (2023), Kenosha, WI

Ryan Watson, (2024), Overland Park, KS

Toyia K. Younger, PhD, (2025), Ames, IA

(Terms expire at midnight the day before the summer meeting of the year indicated.)

Executive Council

Patricia H. Draves, PhD, President

Shane Adams, BA, Chief Marketing Officer

Talia Brown, MEd, Chief Information Officer

Kristi Hettrick, BA, Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Beth Higdon, MA, Executive Director Planning and Effectiveness

Robert Lundeen, MBA, Interim Vice President for Business and Finance

David Schaal, EdD, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students

Jodi L. Seymour, Executive Assistant to the President and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees

Joel D. Shrock, PhD, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty

Deborah Skinner, MSEd, Vice President for Enrollment and Strategic Growth

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Office of the President

Patricia H. Draves, PhD, President

Jodi L. Seymour, Executive Assistant to the President and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees

Miriam Dozier, PhD, Director of Human Resources

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Academic Affairs

Joel D. Shrock, PhD, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty

Jen Abraham-White, MS, Sustainability Coordinator

Sara Blessing, DMA, Chair, Department of Visual and Performing Arts

Paul Binnicker, MBA, Director, Center for Graduate and Continuing Studies

Kevin Brunner, PhD, Director, Ackerley Computer Science and Technology Scholars Program

Tanya Coffelt, EdD, Chair, Gleazer School of Education

Robert Davidson, PhD, Director, Master of Science in Nutrition and Human Performance Program

Jared Doty, MBA, Director, Center for the Study of Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship; Director of Esports

Jeffrey Draves, PhD, Director, Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics Program

Ioseb (Soso) Gabelaia, PhD, EdD, Interim Chair, Department of Humanities

Steven Glazer, PhD, Chair, Department of Social Sciences

Zac Harmon-McLaughlin, DMin, Dean, Community of Christ Seminary

Elise Hector, PhD, Assistant Dean, School of Nursing

Donna Hurt, MSW, Director, TRIO Student Support Services

Nancy King, PhD, Director, Life and Leadership Program

Jolene Lynn, PhD, Dean, School of Nursing

Melanie Mason, DAT, Chair, Department of Health and Movement Science

Jeffery McElroy, EdD, Chair, C.H. Sandage School of Business

Peggy Mothershead, BA, Registrar

Leigh Murray, PhD, Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Julie Neas, MEd, Director, TRIO Talent Search

James Redmond, PhD, Director of Academic Support Labs and Tutoring

Mary Shawgo, PhD, Chair, Department of Natural and Physical Sciences

Jason Smith, PhD, Chair, Department of Math, Computer Science, and Data Science

Jacob Starks, MA, Director, University Libraries

Brian J. White, PhD, Director, Honors Program

Pam Worlund, BA, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty

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Athletics

Brady McKillip, MS, Athletic Director

Mari Chandler, Athletic Operations

Erin Lundy, MS, Senior Women’s Administrator and Head Athletic Trainer Certified

Stewart L. McDole, ReD, Associate Athletic Director and Head Women’s Volleyball Coach

Zachary R. Mullins, MA, Associate Athletic Director and Head Wrestling Coach

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Business Services

Robert Lundeen, MBA, Interim Vice President for Business and Finance

Janice K. Tiffany, JD, Executive Director of Business Services

Sherri Brenizer, BS, Director of Accounting Services

Talia Brown, MEd, Chief Information Officer

Susan Reed Illg, Associate Treasurer

Kevin Rushing, MA, Director of People and Project Management

Brenda Toney, Facility Services Manager

Enrollment

Deb Skinner, MSEd, Vice President for Enrollment & Strategic Growth

Barbie Bell, BA, Director of Graduate and Adult Admissions

Twong Wells, BS, Director of Undergraduate Admissions

Reta George, Director of Student Financial Services

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Institutional Advancement

Kristi Hettrick, BA, Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Paula Anderson, MBA, Senior Director for Advancement Services

Lisa Gilbert, BA, Donor Engagement Coordinator

Rick Isham, MBA, Senior Director for Major Gifts

Ginelle Sakima Roberts, DDS MS, Director of Development

Jeffrey Morgan, BA, Director of Development

Angela Slosarski, BS, Associate Director for Annual Giving and Campaign Relations

Georgia Seagraves, MA, Associate Director for Advocacy and Alumni Engagement

Joe Worlund, MA, Senior Director of Development

Jessica Kelsey, Executive Assistant to the Vice President

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Institutional Effectiveness & Research

Beth Higdon, MA, Executive Director for Planning and Effectiveness

Stephanie Shields, AA, Institutional Research and Reporting Coordinator

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Student Life

David D. Schaal, EdD, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students

Marcia Core, Administrative Assistant to Vice President

Peyton Anderson, GSG President

Morgan Bradford, PhD, Director of Residence Life

Mindy Graham, MS LOD, Director of Student Activities and Conferences and Events

Mike Hoffman, MAR, Campus Ministries Director

Nancy Hoffman, Disability Services Coordinator

Patricia A. Hoffman, Student Support Specialist

Diana J. Jones, BA, DSO, Director of Intercultural Office

TBD, Personal Counselor

TBD, Director of Tutoring and Writing Center

Mary Pat Tiernan, General Manager, Sodexo Food Services

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Administrators/Professionals with Faculty Status 2023-24

Year in parentheses designates date of appointment.

Patricia H. Draves (2017), President
BA, Mount Holyoke College; PhD, University of Illinois

Zac Harmon-McLaughlin (2019), Dean of the Community of Christ Seminary
BA, MAR, Graceland University; DMin, San Francisco Theological Seminary

Jolene Lynn (2017), Dean, School of Nursing
BSN, Pittsburg State University; MA, Webster University; MSN, University of Missouri-Kansas City; PhD, University of Missouri-St Louis

Peggy Mothershead (2019), Registrar
BA, Graceland University

Joel D. Shrock (2022), Dean of Faculty
BS, MA, Ball State University; PhD, Miami University

Jacob Starks (2021), Director, University Libraries
BA, New College of Florida; MA, University of South Florida

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Full-time Faculty 2023-24

Year in parentheses designates date of appointment.

Wendy Berdych (2022), Assistant Professor of Nursing
BSN, University of Missouri-Kansas City; MSN, Walden University

Sara Blessing (2014), Associate Professor of Music
BA, Luther College; MM, Oklahoma State University; DMA, University of Iowa

Kevin Brunner (1998), Professor of Information Technology
BS, Graceland College; MS, PhD, Nova Southeastern University

Samantha Byrnes (2019), Associate Professor of Nursing
BSN, University of Missouri; MSN, University of Central Missouri

Anthony Chvala-Smith (2015), Associate Professor of Religion
BA, Central Michigan University; PhD, Marquette University

Tanya Coffelt (2006), Professor of Education
BS, Iowa State University; MA, Ed Specialist, University of Missouri – Kansas City; EdD, Drake University

Michele Dickey-Kotz (2000), Professor of Education
BA, MA, University of Northern Iowa; EdD, University of Missouri-Columbia

Jeffrey Draves (2017), Professor of Chemistry
BA, Monmouth College; PhD, University of Illinois

Allison Dudley (2009), Professor of Education
BSE, MA, Truman State University; EdD, University of Missouri-Columbia

Eric Elliott (2021), Instructor of History
BA, Graceland University; MA, Southeast Missouri State University

Jack Ergo (2001), Associate Professor of Music
BM, MM, Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University

Ioseb (Soso) Gabelaia (2022), Assistant Professor of Business
BA, International Black Sea University; BA, MEd, Graceland University; PhD, International Black Sea University; EdD, Drake University

James Geiselman (2017), Associate Professor of Allied Health
BS, Illinois College; BS, MS, DC, Logan University

Karen Gergely (2015), Associate Professor of Art
BFA, Shepherd University; MFA, University of Cincinnati

Arup Ghosh (2023), Assistant Professor of Computer Science
BT, West Bengal University of Technology; MS, University of Trento; PhD, Ajou University

Steven A. Glazer (1996), Professor of History
BA, Union College; MA, PhD, Georgetown University

Austin Harrington (2023), Assistant Professor of Humanities
BA, Grand View University; MFA, Lesley University; PhD, Iowa State University

Elise Hector (2018), Assistant Professor of Nursing
BSN, MSN, Missouri Western State University; PhD, University of Kansas

Jacques Hendieh (2022), Assistant Professor of Accounting
BS, Institut Pedagogique National de l’Enseignement Technique (Dekwaneh, Liban); MS, University of Bergundy (Dijon, France); PhD, Grenoble School of Management (Grenoble, France)

Shawnna Jackson (2018), Assistant Professor of Nursing
BSN, Graceland University; MSN, University of Missouri

Stephanie Jacques (2023), Assistant Professor of Nursing
BSN, Chamberlain College of Nursing; MSN, University of Central Missouri

Melissa Jonas (2021), Assistant Professor of Nursing
BSN, University of Missouri; MSN, University of Kansas

Machel Kazungu (2023), Assistant Professor of Graphic Design
BFA, Memphis College of Art; MFA, University of Memphis

Evan Kennedy (2021), Assistant Professor of Psychology
BS, University of Alabama; MS, University of Alabama; PhD, University of Alabama

Sehwan Kim (2022), Assistant Professor of Sport Management
BA, Kyung-Sung University; M.Ed., University of Georgia; PhD-ABD, University of Georgia

Nancy King (2022), Associate Professor of Psychology
BS, Central Missouri State University; MS, University of Kansas; PhD, University of Kansas

Aryn Kruse (2023), Assistant Professor of Education
BS, MEd, PhD, Iowa State University

Sharon Little-Stoetzel (2012), Professor of Nursing
BS, Truman State University; MSN, University of Missouri-Columbia; PhD, University of Phoenix

Kimberly Manuel (2018), Assistant Professor of Theatre and Scene Design
BA, Graceland University; MFA, California Institute of the Arts

Melanie Mason (2020), Assistant Professor of Health and Movement Science
BA, Northwestern College; MS, Kansas State University; DAT, Temple University

Stewart L. McDole (1982), Professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation
BA, Graceland College; MS, ReD, Indiana University-Bloomington

Jeffery McElroy (2008), Professor of Business Administration
BA, Graceland University, MBA, Drake University; EdD, Drake University

Jake McGinnis (2023), Assistant Professor of Humanities
BA, Northland College; MA, University of Idaho; PhD, University of Notre Dame

Breann McMannamy (2022), Assistant Professor of Mathematics
BS, Saginaw Valley State University; MA, Central Michigan University

Sean McMannamy (2022), Assistant Professor of Data Science
BA, University of North Carolina at Asheville; MS, North Carolina A&T State University; PhD, Central Michigan University

Layne Nowlin (2023), Instructor of Health and Movement Science
BA, Graceland University; MS, University of Wisconsin La Crosse

Nicole Ortiz (2022), Assistant Professor of Health and Physical Education
BA, Graceland University; MEd, Western Governors University

Cara Phipps (2023), Assistant Professor of Theatre
BA, University of Portland; MFA, The University of Texas at Austin

Shaen Polasky (2023), Assistant Professor of Education
BA, Simpson College; MS, Walden University; EdD-ABD, Drake University

Jennifer L. Poulton (2001), Professor of Biology
BA, Wittenberg University; PhD, Pennsylvania State University

Robert A. Poulton (2003), Professor of Economics
BA, Wittenberg University; PhD, Pennsylvania State University

Daniel V. Pratt (1999), Professor of Chemistry
BS, Graceland College; PhD, University of Washington

James Redmond (2023), Director of Academic Support Labs and Tutoring
BA, Western Michigan University; MFA, University of Michigan; PhD, University of North Texas

Matt Schneider (2022), Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
BS, Lindenwood University; MS, Lindenwood University

Iqra Shagufta Cheema (2023), Assistant Professor of Humanities
BA, University of Central Punjab; MA, MPhil, Government College University; PhD, University of North Texas

Mary Shawgo (2011), Professor of Biology
BS, Northern Michigan University; PhD, Kansas University Medical Center

Jeri A. Sindt (2009), Professor of Nursing
BSN, Graceland University; MSN, Research College of Nursing-Kansas City

Jason Smith (2012), Professor of Mathematics
BA, University of Minnesota; MS, University of North Dakota; PhD, Iowa State University

Barbara A. Voshall (1999), Professor of Nursing
BS, Graceland College; MN, University of Kansas/Lawrence; DNP, Oakland University

Yong Wang (2022), Assistant Professor of Sport Management
BA, Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China); MEd, Springfield College; PhD, University of New Mexico

Brian J. White (2004), Professor of English
BA, Graceland University; MS, Utah State University; PhD, University of North Dakota

Parker Worden (2023), Director of University Bands
BSEd, BA, BS, Northwest Missouri State University

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Faculty Emeriti

Steven L. Anders (1978-2023)/Economics
BA, Graceland University; MA, PhD, Kansas State University

Catherine M. Anthony (1971-1991)/Nursing
BSN, University of Kansas; MSN, The Catholic University of America

William L. Armstrong (1991-2010)/Education
BA, Graceland College; MA, University of West Florida; EdD, University of Kansas

Paul M. Beck (1992-2018)/Economics
BA, DePauw University; MA, University of Missouri-Kansas City; PhD, University of Missouri-Columbia

Howard J. Booth (1969-2000)/Religion
BA, Graceland College; MA, University of Missouri-Kansas City; PhD, University of Iowa

Richard I. Clothier (1960-77;1980-2000)/Music
BA, Pittsburg State University; MA, University of Iowa; EdD, University of Northern Colorado

Jerome D. DeNuccio (1987-2012)/English
BS, MST, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; MA, PhD, University of Minnesota

David C. Devonis (1997-2021)/Psychology
BA, Temple University; MA, PhD, University of New Hampshire

Michele Dickey-Kotz (2000-2023)/Education
BA, MA, University of Northern Iowa; EdD, University of Missouri-Columbia

Teri Foster (2005-2021)/Biology
BA,BS, PharmD, University of Kansas

Tom S. Freeman (1960-1997)/Psychology and Education
BSEd, Northwest Missouri State University; MS, Colorado State University; EdD, University of Northern Colorado

Bruce M. Graybill (1961-1994)/Chemistry
BS, Iowa State University; PhD, Florida State University

Carolyn J. Green (2006-2018)/Nursing
BSN, MN, PhD, University of Kansas

Nancy Halferty (1997-2017)/Education
BA, University of Missouri; MEd, Truman University; EdD, Nova Southeastern

Gerald E. Hampton (1960-2010)/Physical Education
BS, William Jewell College; MS, Northwest Missouri State University; EdD, Columbia University Teachers College

Thomas J. Hart (1986-2010)/Music
BA, Olivet College; MM, DMA, Michigan State University

Claudia D. Horton (1994-2018)/Nursing
BSN, Graceland College; MSN, University of Missouri; PhD, University of Missouri-Kansas City

Lin Howell (2007-2018)/Nursing
BS, MSN, Webster University

James S. Jones (1983, 2002-2014)/Computer Science
BS, University of Missouri-Rolla; MA, DePaul University; PhD, University of Iowa

William E. Juhnke (1974-2009)/History
BA, Bethel College; PhD, University of Kansas

Cristina S. Karmas (1999-2019)/English
BA, University of Nevada; MA, PhD, Ohio State University

Sharon M. Kirkpatrick (1980-2010)/Nursing
BSN, California State University; MN, PhD, University of Kansas

Deborah Nalani Leialoha (2001-2020)/Education
BS, Southern Illinois University; MAT, Webster University; PhD, University of Missouri-Kansas City

Shelly Leialoha-Hartsack (2004-2020)/Education
BS, Northwest Missouri State University; MEd, Graceland University; PhD, Walden University

Dennis McElroy (2000-2020)/Education
BS, MS, PhD, Iowa State University

Bradley D. Mercer (2003-2019)/Chemistry
BS, Graceland College; PhD, Texas Christian University

Barbara Hiles Mesle (1987-2016)/English
BA, Graceland College; MA, University of Chicago; PhD, University of Kansas

C. Robert Mesle (1980-2016)/Philosophy
BA, Graceland College; MA, University of Chicago Divinity School; PhD, Northwestern University and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Stephen K. Murdock (1984-2012)/Mathematics
BA, Graceland College; MA, Northwest Missouri State University; PhD, University of Iowa

William H. Norman (1984-2010)/Sociology
BA, MA, University of Northern Iowa; PhD, University of Iowa

Phyllis O’Daniels (1987-2010)/Education/Physical Education
BA, Graceland College; MS, HSD, Indiana University

Brenda S. Parkes (1978-1998)/Nursing
BSN, MPH, University of Michigan; PhD, University of Texas-Austin

Max Pitt (1999-2023)/Business
BS, Graceland University; MBA, University of Texas

Jan Rice (2007-2018)/Nursing
BSN, Avila College; MSN-ACNS, University of Missouri-Kansas City; PhD, University of Kansas

William D. Russell (1966-2007)/Political Science and History
BA, Graceland College; MDiv, St. Paul School of Theology; JD, University of Iowa

Brian C. Smith (1999-2020)/Psychology
BA, Rice University; JD, University of Texas-Austin; PhD, University of Minnesota

Ronald K. Smith (1978-2017)/Mathematics
BA, Graceland College; MS, PhD, Iowa State University

Thelma Sword (2002-2018)/Nursing
BSN, Graceland College; MSN, Drake University; EdD, University of Phoenix

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