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Board of Trustees

Michael R. Wiley, PhD, Chair (2026), Blue Springs, MO

LouAnn Muir-Hutchinson, MPH, Vice Chair (2026), Groton, MA

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

Mike Seagraves, PhD, Secretary (2026), Granite Bay, CA

Jay Cook, MBA, (2027), Henrico, VA

John Godfrey, MA, (2025), Santee, CA

Steven E. Graffeo, MA, (2026), Independence, MO

Ronald D. (Ron) Harmon Jr., MAR, (2025), Independence, MO

Gwendolyn Hawks-Blue, (2026), Kansas City, MO

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

Vincent E. Lewis, EdD, (2026), West Des Moines, IA

Jim Lysinger, MBA, (2026), Scottsdale, AZ

Aleksander (Aleks) Memca, (2027), San Diego, CA

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

Julia Snethen, PhD, (2026), Kenosha, WI

John R. Whitehurst, (2027), Goleta, CA

Stephanie Winters McConnell, MS, (2027), Overland Park, KS

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

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

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Executive Council

Joel D. Shrock, PhD, Interim President

Shane Adams, BA, Chief Marketing Officer

Talia Brown, MEd, Chief Information & Data Officer

Kristi Hettrick, BA, Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Beth Higdon, MA, Executive Director Planning and Effectiveness

Jennifer Matney, MA, Vice President for Business and Finance, and Chief Financial Officer

Jacqueline McGlade, PhD, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty

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

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

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Office of the President

Joel D. Shrock, PhD, Interim President

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

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Academic Affairs

Jacqueline McGlade, PhD, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty

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

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

Gabriel Chrisman, MLIS, Director, University Libraries

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

Iqra Shagufta Cheema, PhD, Chair, Department of Humanities

Steven Glazer, PhD, Chair, Department of Social Sciences

Arup Ghosh, PhD, Chair, Department of Math, Computer Science, and Data Science

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

Elise Hector, PhD, Associate Dean, Undergraduate School of Nursing

Melanie Hijaz, MSN, Associate Dean, Graduate School of Nursing

Nancy King, PhD, Director, Life and Leadership Program

Sharon Little-Stoetzel, PhD, Interim Dean, School of Nursing

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

Kimberly Manuel, MFA, Interim Chair, Department of Visual and Performing Arts

Madison Martin, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty

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

Sean McMannamy, PhD, Director, Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics Program

Peggy Mothershead, BA, Registrar

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

Julie Neas, MEd, Director, TRIO Programs, TRIO Talent Search, TRIO Student Support Services

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

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

Brian J. White, PhD, Director, Honors Program

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Business Services

Jennifer Matney, MA, 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

Miriam Dozier, PhD, Director of Human Resources

Susan Reed Illg, Associate Treasurer

Kevin Rushing, MA, Director of People and Project Management

Stephanie Shields, AA, Institutional Research and Reporting Coordinator

Brenda Toney, Facility Services Manager

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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

Patrick Gwamna, 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

Jessica Kelsey,BA, Executive Assistant to the Vice President

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Institutional Effectiveness

Beth Higdon, MA, Executive Director for Planning and Effectiveness

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Graduate Faculty 2024-2025

Year in parentheses designates date of appointment.

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Community of Christ Seminary – Faculty

Zac Harmon-McLaughlin (2019), David and Betty Nipper Endowed Dean’s Chair
BA, MAR Graceland University; DMin, San Francisco Theological Seminary

Anthony Chvala-Smith (2002), Assistant Professor of Theology and Scripture
BA, Central Michigan University; MDiv, Princeton Theological Seminary; PhD, Marquette University

 

Community of Christ Seminary – Faculty Associates

David Anderson (2018), Faculty Associate
MAR, Graceland University; DMin, Lipscomb University

Debbie Bayless (2020), Faculty Associate
MARJ, Eastern Mennonite University

Jared R Beverly (2017), Faculty Associate
MTS, Chandler Divinity School of Emory University; PhD, The Chicago Theological Seminary

Matt Frizzell (2020), Faculty Associate
MTS, Saint Paul School of Theology; PhD, The Chicago Theological Seminary

Katie Harmon-McLaughlin (2020), Faculty Associate
MAR, Graceland University; DMin, San Francisco Theological Seminary

Brittany Longsdorf (2020), Faculty Associate
MDiv, Princeton Theological Seminary; Dmin, Boston University School of Theology

Barbara Walden (2019), Faculty Associate
MA, State University of New York

Kristin Seemuth Whaley (2021), Faculty Associate
PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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Nutrition and Human Performance – Graduate Faculty

(Doctoral faculty are noted with an asterisk.)

Robert Davidson (2021), Associate Professor of Nutrition and Human Performance
BS, MS, Utah State University; PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison

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

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

 

Nutrition and Human Performance – Faculty Associates

Angela Brekken (2022), Faculty Associate
BS, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (Rutgers); MS Eastern Michigan University; EdD, Minnesota State University (Moorhead)

Daniel J. Jablonski (2022), Faculty Associate
BS, MS, DC, Logan University

Vanessa K. King (2022), Faculty Associate
BS, MS, DC, Logan University

Jeffery P. Krabbe (2022), Faculty Associate
BS, University of Nebraska; MS, University of Bridgeport; MPH, Purdue University; DC, Palmer College of Chiropractic

Rhonda M. Pittman (2022), Faculty Associate
BS, MS, DC Logan University

Jacob Sherer (2022), Faculty Associate
BA, Southern Illinois University (Edwardsville); BS, MS, MS, DC, Logan University

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Science and Mathematics – Graduate Faculty

(Doctoral faculty are noted with an asterisk.)

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

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

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

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School of Nursing – Graduate Faculty

(Doctoral faculty are noted with an asterisk.)

Melanie Hijaz (2017), Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing
BSN, Washburn University; MSN, University of Kansas

*Keith Jenkins (2022), Assistant Professor of Nursing,
AS, Roane State Community College, MS, Walden University; FNP, Maryville University of Saint Louis; PMHNP, University of Southern Indiana; DNP, Aspen University

*Kathleen Lenz (2011), Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing
BSN, MSN, University of Missouri-Columbia, DNP Graceland University

*Jolene Lynn (2017), Dean, Associate Professor of Nursing
BSN, Pittsburg State University; MSN University of Missouri-Kansas City; PhD University of Missouri-St. Louis

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

Kathleen Mammen (2006), Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing
BSN, University of Maryland at Baltimore; MSN, Medical University of South Carolina

Allison Roberts (2020), Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing,
BSN, Missouri State University, MSN, Duke University, DNP Wichita State University

*Wilaiporn Rojjanasrirat (2009), Professor of Nursing
BSN, Sappasittiprasong Nursing College; MA, University of Kansas, Lawrence; PhD, University of Kansas

Debra Stedem (2016), Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing
BSN, Missouri Western State College; MSN-FNP, University of Central Missouri

Diane Weinrich (2018), Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing
BSN, Central Missouri State University; MSN, DNP Graceland University

Jeana Wilcox (2021), Associate Professor
BA, University of Missouri; BSN, University of Central Missouri; MSN, PhD, University of Kansas

 

School of Nursing – Graduate Faculty Associates

Ashley Adams (2021), Faculty Associate
BSN, Nebraska Wesleyan University; MSN, Liberty University; Post-master’s AGACNP, DNP, Graceland University

Leigh Alexander (2021), Faculty Associate
BSN, Pittsburg State University; MSN, Wichita State University; post-master’s PMHNP Washburn University

Spencer Ashby (2022), Faculty Associate
BSN, MSN, Graceland University

Lisa Bourne Ringenberg (2010), Faculty Associate
BSN, MSN, University of New Mexico; DNP, University of Massachusetts Global

Stephanie Day (2017), Faculty Associate
BSN, MSN, Graceland University

Erin Duvall (2021), Faculty Associate
BSN, Southwest Baptist University; MSN, Missouri State University; Post-master’s, University of Cincinnati

Kayce Erikson (2021), Faculty Associate
BSN, MSN, Graceland University

Tonya Erickson (2015), Faculty Associate
BSN, MSN, DNP, Graceland University

Leigh (Diana) Erion (2014), Faculty Associate
BSN, MSN, Graceland University

*Andrea Garner (2018), Faculty Associate
BSN, Webster University; MSN, University of Phoenix; DNP, PhD, Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College

*Jean Gordon (2006), Faculty Associate
BSN, University of Miami; MSN, Kaplan University, DBA, Nova Southeastern

Katie Kincaid (2020), Faculty Associate
BSN, University of Missouri-Kansas City; MSN, Graceland University

Lara Landreneau (2022), Faculty Associate
BSN, University of Louisiana-Lafayette; MSN, Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences

Meghan E. Macy (2011), Faculty Associate
BSN, Rockhurst University-Research College of Nursing; MSN, University of Missouri-Kansas City

La’Chelle Moore (2022), Faculty Associate
BSN, University of Central Missouri; MSN, DNP, Maryville University

Colten Sharp Ebert (2023), Faculty Associate
BSN, University of Missouri-Kansas City; MSN, Graceland University

Paul (Trae) Stewart III (2024), Faculty Associate
MSN, Case Western State University; PhD, University of Southern California

Peggy Ward-Smith (2020), Faculty Associate
BSN, Rush University, MSN, St. Xavier University, MS-Counseling Psychology, Avila University, PhD, University of Missouri-Kansas City

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Physical Therapy – Graduate Faculty

(Doctoral faculty are noted with an asterisk.)

*Stephanie Anderson (2022), Assistant Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy
BA, Greenville College; DPT, University of Illinois at Chicago

*Matthew Casale (2023), Assistant Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy
BS, DPT, Saint Francis University; PhD, College of Health Care Services at Nova Southwestern University

*Darla Cathcart (2023), Assistant Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy
BS, Louisiana Tech University; MPT, DPT, Louisiana State University; PhD, University of Arkansas Medical Sciences

*Jamie Dyson (2023), Assistant Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy
BS, Northeastern University; DPT, A.T. Still University

*Wendy Herbert (2023), Associate Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy
BS, MS, PhD, The Ohio State University

*Jamie Holloway (2022), Assistant Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy
BS, Florida State University PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham; DPT, Duke University

*Mareli Klopper (2023), Assistant Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy
BPhysT, University of Pretoria; DPT, Evidence in Motion; DSc, Bellin College

*Leigh Murray (2021), Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy
BS, Methodist University; BS, Winston-Salem State University; MA, PhD, Kent State University

*Patricia Nelson (2022), Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy
BS, University of Minnesota; ScD, Texas Tech University

*Michael (Mike) Powers (2023), Assistant Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy
BS, University of Florida; MS, DPT, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals; EdD, University of Florida

*Taylor Rees (2023), Assistant Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy
BS, Kansas State University; DPT, South College; PhD, University of Kansas Medical Center

*Rebecca (Becca) Reisch (2023), Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy
BS, University of Wyoming; MSPT, DPT, Pacific University School of Physical Therapy; PhD, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals

*Jenna Segraves (2024), Assistant Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy
BS, University of Texas Austin; MS, DPT, University of Delaware

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Administration and Staff News

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Administration and Staff, Press Release

University Announces Joel Shrock as 19th President

September 10, 2024

On Tuesday, Graceland University faculty and staff gathered to...

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Deep Dive Into Research

July 29, 2024

“The facts were coming together, but something was still...

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Graceland Hires McGlade as Interim Faculty Leader

June 28, 2024

Interim President Joel Shrock, PhD, announced that the University...

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Jim Redmond Publishes New Poetry Collection

October 18, 2023

Jim Redmond's new book of poems Because You Previously...

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Graceland Development Promotes Two New Employees to the Team

May 9, 2023

Vice President for Institutional Advancement Kristi Hettrick ’96 promoted...

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Jacob Starks Presents at EBSCO User Group Conference

May 2, 2023

On June 7, Jacob Starks will speak at the...

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