New Academic Programs Launching in Lamoni
July 22, 2025 | Angela Slosarski
#ReppinGU An example of the professional growth and valuable connections gained through learning opportunities in the business program: (left to right) business students Joseph Boyce ’25 and Ivan Joseph ’26 with coach and professor Sehwan Kim, PhD, put their strategic skills to the test at the 2025 National Collegiate Sales Competition (NCSC).
Graceland’s new MBA program is designed for those who want to lead with vision and integrity in an ever-changing world. Whether a recent graduate looking to jumpstart a career or a working professional ready to take the next step, this program provides the strategic, financial, and ethical foundation needed to lead organizations of all kinds.
Housed on the Lamoni campus and offered in a flexible format (in-person, online, and limited hybrid classes), the MBA features a rich curriculum focused on real-world application, critical thinking, and leadership development. Students will gain experience in areas like marketing, data-driven decision-making, organizational behavior, and entrepreneurship. A capstone project in the final semester will challenge them to apply their learning to real business problems, a fitting culmination for a program rooted in practical excellence.
Current Graceland students who are taking classes on the Lamoni campus can be conditionally admitted to an accelerated version of the MBA program before graduation. Once accepted, they will begin graduate coursework during their senior year, allowing them to complete their MBA in only one year after graduating with their undergraduate degree.
“This isn’t just about offering another degree. It’s about preparing students to be thoughtful, values-driven leaders in whatever path they choose.”
PRESIDENT JOEL SHROCK, PhD
A nursing student in our Independence program smiles brightly — we can’t wait to see the same enthusiasm on our Lamoni campus!
For the first time, students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing can now do so entirely from Graceland’s Lamoni campus. Until now, Lamoni students transferred to the Independence campus after two years to complete their nursing degrees. Beginning this fall, they can complete all four years, and clinical placements, in and around the Lamoni area.
“We are thrilled to bring this program to Lamoni. The dedicated faculty and outstanding facilities that have been the hallmark of our Independence program will now be mirrored in Lamoni, creating a seamless experience across both campuses.”
SHARON LITTLE-STOETZEL, PhD, RN, CNE, CCRP
Dean, School of Nursing
Prospective students list nursing as one of the programs they want most on the Lamoni campus, so the administration and the School of Nursing delivered, providing students with the ability to be fully engaged in campus life while pursuing their nursing degree. The result will be more aspiring nurses in southern Iowa and surrounding rural areas — communities that are in growing need of compassionate, qualified care.
Additionally, the Lamoni-based nursing program offers students the chance to pair their degree with a second major in Transformational Leadership, a natural complement for those who see nursing not just as a profession, but as a calling to lead and serve.
“Expanding our nursing program to Lamoni builds on Graceland’s enduring tradition of preparing exceptional nurses who make a difference in their communities,” said Graceland President Joel Shrock, PhD. “This move represents our commitment to meeting student needs and advancing rural health care— two areas central to our mission.”
The Lamoni program will be led by Dr. Kathleen “Paco” Cadman ’02, a Graceland alumna with expertise in rural health. “Having someone with Dr. Cadman’s passion and experience at the helm of this program is key to helping us support future nurses and serve the surrounding community,” added Dr. Little-Stoetzel.
These two new programs carry Graceland’s mission into new spaces and make it more accessible for more students — students who are ready to lead, care, and make a difference. They’re also reminders of what has always set Graceland apart: a deep belief in the potential of every student, and a commitment to walk alongside them on their journey.
Academics - Spring / Summer 2025
July 22, 2025
A closer look at three safety-focused programs preparing Graceland graduates to serve and protect their communities and critical systems.
Academics - Spring / Summer 2025
July 22, 2025
When Barbara Pitchford ’73 Voshall, DNP, RN, began her journey at Graceland, she likely never imagined the profound influence she would have on the field of nursing education.
Academics - Spring / Summer 2025
July 22, 2025
Allied Health major and track runner Grace Testerman ’26 has many sides: the athletic, the creative, and the caring side. She’s happiest where she can be all three, and for her senior capstone project, she found a place that turned out to be just right.
