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Kristy Ruf, Adjunct Voice Instructor at Avila University, is originally from the Kansas City area. Ms. Ruf received both her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Vocal Performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She traveled to Boston, MA for graduate study and opera performance at the New England Conservatory of Music. Her doctoral study was through the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Conservatory. She has taught at the university level at Avila University, the University of Missouri-Columbia, and the Conservatory at UMKC.

As a performer, Kristy’s most memorable roles include Susannah in Floyd’s Susannah, Lady Billows in Albert Herring, Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, and Suor Angelica in Puccini’s Suor Angelica. She has performed solo vocal recitals including works by Korngold, Wagner, Wolf, and Beach. Kristy participated in the University of Missouri Concert Series as a soprano soloist, performing Stravinkys’ Les Noces, Vaughn Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, and Bruckner’s Te Deum. She is also proud to have performed alongside Avila’s own students and faculty in their performance of Carmina Burana in Goppert Theater.

Kristy’s heart lies in teaching, both at the university level and in her home studio. She has been a vocal instructor/coach and piano teacher for over twenty years in Kansas City, Columbia, and Boston. The students who have graced her doorsteps hold her greatest accomplishments. Her youngest piano student was four years old and her youngest-at-heart vocal student was 87. Kristy is also a collaborative pianist and she enjoys sharing the stage with students in performances and auditions.  

Some KC design credits include: Spinning Tree Theater, Theatre in the Park, Kansas City Regional Theatre, KCAT, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, Quality Hill, and the American Heartland Theater.She has also guest designed at Kansas University and Wichita State University. She worked as a stitcher in the costume shop at Glimmerglass Opera for two summers, and has also designed and worked in the shop and on wardrobe many summers with Music Theater of Wichita.  In 2011, she received the Zelma Weisfeld award from USITT for her costume designs. (www.shannonlynnsmith.com)

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Started at Avila
2019

Courses Taught
Radiologic Science I, II and III, Radiation Biology and Protection, and Curriculum Review.

Research Interests

Hobbies

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Emily Alley’s career in strategic communication is comprised of freelance journalism and Air Force Public Affairs. She served as communication lead for the 2019 initial delivery ceremony of the KC-46 Pegasus, the culmination of an eight-year, $43 billion program which was the first AF mobility aircraft initial delivery in 27 years. Emily synchronized a team of 35 who comprised five communication functions:  live video feed of the event; photo and video documentation; social media posting and monitoring; media escort; and the first initial press conference following the aircraft landing, which included the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and three sitting members of Congress. Her team generated $9.6 million in equivalent media advertising.

Her other major projects include working Public Affairs for multiple airshow events; assisting and documenting humanitarian work in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake; serving as the acting lead for the Air Force Public Affairs office in Kandahar, Afghanistan during the capture of Osama Bin Laden; and providing photo support for the 2012 presidential inauguration.

Emily earned her master’s degree in Strategic Communication from KU’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Dr. Alrawashdeh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Avila University. He has a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. His Professional experience include automation, cyber security, and computer networking. He is a reviewer for several IEEE conferences and journals including IEEE Access and Springer’s Journal for the Frontiers of Information Technology and Electronic Engineering. He also served on the committee of the International Workshop on Big Data Analytic for Cyber Intelligence and Defense (BDA4CID 2018, IEEE Big Data 2018). He enjoys working with college students and teaching them Computer Science and helping them explore new ideas in technology.

Research Interests: 

Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Neural Network, Automation, Embedded System, Web Development.

Hobbies:

Dr. Alrawashdeh enjoys playing soccer, photography, and reading.

Publications:

Google Scholar:   https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Cn5wzvsAAAAJ&hl=en

He holds a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from Loyola University of New Orleans, and his undergraduate degree is in Religious Studies from Benedictine College.  

Dave lives and raises his family in Prairie Village, KS with his wife Kelly. 
He is an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

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Megan Ashcraft RN, MSN began teaching at Avila Fall 2016. She teaches in the Foundations and Health Assessment courses. She has experience as an adjunct clinical faculty.  Megan has been a nurse for 16 years, specializing in medical/surgical nursing and trauma case management at The University of Kansas Hospital.  In May 2016, Megan graduated from the University of Missouri at Kansas City with a Masters Degree in Nursing, specializing in Nursing Education.

Megan has lived in Kansas City her entire life. She shares her home with her husband, two sons, a daughter, a dog and two cats. Her passion is educating patients and sharing her love of nursing with students.  She loves to spend time with her family, travel, ride jet-skis and do arts and crafts.

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Personal Statement
As Avila’s Artist-in-Residence, my main objective is to bring visibility to the university’s Creative Writing emphasis in the English major. The writing of poetry, short stories, and plays is an extremely popular pursuit by more and more professionals, students, and the general public in the contemporary world. Even before coming to Avila, I took on the cause of broadening the audience for writers in all genres. 

Further, as Artist-in-Residence, I am joining a great tradition of artists who believe strongly that the world needs and must know about the importance of the imagination as it relates to Creative Writing. As a result, I see myself as an ambassador for Avila to the community, state, and nation. I know Avila’s Creative Writing students will go on to be serious professional writers. Finally, it is my intention to create a reputation for Avila as a place that allows one’s creative muse to flourish.

Awards & Recognition

2002: Kansas City, Missouri Mayor’s Recognition Proclamation Award; The United Minority Media Association's Leadership Award from the Midwest-
Southeast Regional Conference; The Special Exhibit of Stanley E. Banks’ Life and Literature at the Black Archives of Mid-America, Inc.  2000: Writers Place Award in Kansas City, Missouri  1989: The National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship/Grant for Creative Writing 1987: Future Playwrights of America Institute Playwriting Award from the University of Missouri-Kansas City 1981: The Langston Hughes Prize For Poetry from BookMark Press, University of Missouri-Kansas City  1979: The English Department Award at University of Missouri-Kansas City             

Books / Publications

• On 10th Alley Way. Kansas City: BookMark Press, 1980. 
• Coming From a Funky Time and Place. Kansas City: The Georgia A.B. Press, 1988.
• Rhythm and Guts. Kansas City: The Georgia A.B. Press, 1992.
• Blue Beat Syncopation . Kansas City: BookMark Press, 2003. 

Anthologies 

• “Uncle Orie.” The English Journal. Ed. Stephen N. Judy. East Lansing, Michigan: National Council of Teachers of English, 1979: 29. 
• “Dee.” Shooting Star Review. Eds. E. Ethelbert Miller et al. Pittsburgh, PA: Shooting Star Productions, Inc., 1990: 14. 
• “Huey Newton Sang His Song.” The Berkeley Poetry Review. Eds. Natalia Apostolos and Jonathan Bradford Brennan. Berkeley, CA: The Berkeley Poetry Review, 1991: 49. 
• “Ghosts After 27 Years.” I. Ed. Stephen Caldwell Wright et al. Sanford, Florida: The Seminole Press, 1998: 46. 
• “Annihilation No. 7-11.” Memories & Memoirs. Ed. Sharon Kinney Hanson. Warrensburg, MO: The Mid-America Press, Inc., 2000: 8. 
• “Dysfunctioning.” Emerson of Harvard: A Celebrative Bicentennial Anthology to Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882). Ed. John H. Morgan. Bristol, IN: Quill Books, 2003: 4. 
• “On Composing the Personal Poem.” Veterans’ Voices. Ed. Margaret Clark. Mission, Kansas: Hospitalized Veterans Writing Project, Inc., Spring 2002: 2. 

Poetry

A Black And Blue Woman
She hates being the head 
     of the house, 
     would rather blast the radio loud, 
     let B.B. King pick her troubles away. 
When two policemen woke her 
in the middle of the night 
     with news that her youngest son 
     had been murdered, 
     she got mad with B.B. King 
     for twenty-four hours straight. 
Three months later her husband 
     of twenty-five years 
     was found bled to death 
     with two bullet wounds 
     in his throat and neck 
     made by a Saturday Night Special. 
When a doctor called 
to tell her what had happened, 
     she cursed him and the males 
     in her family, 
     slammed down the telephone receiver, 
     ripped open a can of beer, 
     fussed with God, 
     pleaded for B.B. King 
to wail away her deep, dark blues.

Carl
Blown into two pieces 
by a blast from a sawed-off shotgun; 
     that’s all his family 
     can remember sometimes. 
Newspaper articles were written 
as though he were born 
a vicious street punk. 
But, this fragile gangster 
     with a chipped front tooth 
     and ears that seemed 
     bigger than his head 
     never got the chance 
     to mature into 
     a good citizen. 
In a photograph of 
him at age four, 
that his mother sleeps with 
under her pillow, 
he has vanilla ice cream and snot 
smeared from chin to forehead 
     while walking gently 
     with a load 
     in the seat 
     of his pants.  

America Are We Safe, Were We Ever
Will we ever let America 
     Be true to her huddled masses? 
Why do we glorify myths, 
     stereotype the least amongst us, 
get outraged only by 
     some atrocities? 
America, is a little starving, 
     some homelessness, 
     factions of racism tolerable? 
Are we safe among ourselves? 
     Will a jail on every corner 
     be enough? 
Can our pop musicians play 
     our troubles into oblivion? 
Can we be truly free 
     if a few do away with liberties 
     they think unnecessary? 
Will it matter in the 
21 st Century if the 
     O’s in the ozone are massive, 
if the planet is a 
     totally polluted place, 
if hazardous waste makes all of us 
     other kinds of human beings? 
Should we count on scientists 
     producing enough genetically 
     perfect human beings? 
Maybe one day our lives 
     will be fairy tales— 
the Brothers Grimm our gods, 
     and even then can any 
     of us guarantee that
     the bogeyman won’t visit.

Research Interests

Food science, microbiology, and public health.

Hobbies

Outdoor activities with my two dogs, live music events, and reading.

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Originally from Los Angeles, mezzo soprano Kelly Birch now resides in Kansas City, having recently completed her Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. ​ She also holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of California, Irvine and a Master of a Music in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory. Dr. Birch currently teaches Collaborative Piano and is Staff Accompanist at Avila University.

Dr. Birch is a versatile performer and educator in both voice and collaborative piano. She has been teaching private voice, piano, and music theory lessons for over 16 years; first with OrchePia School of Music based in Orange County, California, then with the Kansas City School of Music in Lenexa and Overland Park, followed by graduate teaching at UMKC, and now at Avila University. She is a member of good standing with the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She regularly accompanies singers, instrumentalists, and churches across the Kansas City Metro Area in lessons, recitals, competitions, auditions, and religious/holiday services.

An active operatic and concert performer, Dr. Birch has sung regularly with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City since 2015 and with Musica Sacra since 2016. She performed Gustav Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony under the baton of Kyle Pickett and the Topeka Symphony Orchestra in April of 2016 and made her European debut in the role of Suzuki in Puccini's Madama Butterfly with the Varna International Opera Academy, based in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. She will be going back to Bulgaria this summer to perform the title role in Maurice Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilèges. Last year she traveled to San Diego to perform the role of Delfa in Cavalli's Giasone with Opera NEO and will be returning in July to perform the role of Rosmira in Handel's Partenope. During her time at UMKC, she performed the lead roles of Bertarido in Handel's Rodelinda, Zita in Gianni Schicchi, and La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica, and as a soloist with the UMKC Wind Ensemble, UMKC Choirs, and as a winner of the 2017 Concert & Aria Competition.

Martha Blackman, RN, MSN and Assistant Professor of Nursing, has taught at Avila University since 1998. She currently coordinates and/or teaches in a variety of courses in the junior and senior year including Patient Care Skills, Health and Illness 1 & 2; Pharmacology, Development of the Professional Nurse 1, and Population Based Health. Ms. Blackman also co-teaches an interdisciplinary course, Global Health Concerns, in the summer.

Martha has worked as a registered nurse in many different roles and clinical settings. She has been a staff nurse on cardiac intensive care and telemetry units, as well as an orthopedic unit. She has worked in the field of Home Health as a nurse case manager, a clinical supervisor, and an agency administrator. 

Martha is also active in several cycling organizations and is an avid cyclist. She leads a weekly ride for area cyclists and is a League Cycling Instructor through the American League of Bicyclists.  You will see her bicycle in her office most days since she rides to work.

Martha received a B.A. in Human Development and Family life from the University of Kansas in 1974. She also earned her BSN and MSN from the University of Kansas (1977 and 1996 respectively).

Martha was named the 2004-2005 Avila Professor of the Year.

Lonna Boen, RN, MSN has been an instructor at Avila University since 1994. She provides theory and clinical instruction to undergraduate students in the area of medical-surgical nursing. Her main teaching focus is in the areas of health assessment, patient care skills, pharmacology and beginning level medical-surgical nursing. Lonna is coordinator of the School of Nursing Admissions Committee. She advises a large group of nursing students at the University, is a Faculty Athletic Representative and is very active in the academic community on campus. 

Lonna's past practice experience has been in the area of medical-surgical nursing as a staff nurse and as an outpatient clinic manager for a hospital in South Dakota. Following graduation from her master's program, Lonna became project coordinator for a large NIH Grant at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha, Nebraska. Lonna also provided clinical instruction for students at UNMC in their undergraduate nursing program.

Since moving to Kansas City, Lonna has become active as a volunteer for the Red Cross, providing assistance for flu clinics in the local area. She is also a volunteer at Rachel House which is a pregnancy resource center.

Ms. Boen received her BSN from South Dakota State University and her MSN at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau in 1984.

Lonna was named the 2005-2006 and 2010-2011 Avila University Professor of the Year.

Dylan is currently the resident lighting designer at Weathervane Playhouse, and will be designing their production of Gypsy in December. Previous designs include: A Chorus Line, I Hate Hamlet, 42nd Street, and Pippin. Additionally, Dylan has designed for: Monomoy Theatre, Greensboro Opera, North Carolina Theatre for Young People, Oddfellows Playhouse, Firehouse Theatre, Georgia Thespians, UNC-Greensboro,  & Columbus State University.

Dylan has served as a production manager for the following theatres: Firehouse Theatre, Peppercorn Theatre, and Project: Educational Theatre.

During his time working with Ampa Events, Dylan served as the Lighting and AV Manager for fundraisers, galas, and promotional events. high profile clientele included: Former Vice President Joe Biden, The US House of Representative, The US Senate, and the NAVY among others.

Dylan received recognition for his design of Compañeras from the Kennedy Center. Additionally, Dylan has served as a National Stage Management Fellow at the Kennedy Center.

Dylan is excited to be working at AVILA!

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Erin Boston BSN, RN began teaching as full-time faculty in 2018, but served as the Nursing Education and Resource Center Coordinator from 2016-2018. She teaches Health Assessment, Development of the Professional Nurse 1, as well as Practicum. Erin specializes in Hospice within Saint Luke’s Health System and will be graduating from Southwest Baptist University in December of 2018 with a Master of Science in Nursing, specializing in Nursing Education.

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recitals and workshops in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana and Ohio, as well as having original compositions performed at the University of Kansas, the University of Nebraska, and Catholic Theological Union. Since becoming a Missionary of the Precious Blood and ordination as a Catholic priest in 2000, he has been a preacher, a spiritual director, a teacher, a college administrator, a pastor, and a chaplain. Now he is involved in Retreat and Renewal Ministry based at Precious Blood Center in Liberty, MO as well as serving as Chaplain at Avila University in Kansas City, MO.

You can follow Fr. Keith and his blog:

 http://homiliesandstraythoughts.wordpress.com/

Rhonda Brown RN, MSN, CCRN was hired as a full time faculty member in August of 2006, although she was a clinical and laboratory adjunct faculty for Avila for the previous two years. Rhonda is currently an Assistant Professor and teaches theory in the Health and Illness III course and the High Acuity Course. She teaches and coordinates clinical in the Practicum II course and High Acuity Clinical. She will also coordinate the theory portion of the Capstone course and be involved in the Capstone Clinical. Rhonda received her ADN in 1980 and her BSN in 1982 from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Rhonda received her MSN in Clinical Specialty and Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1988. She was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau in 1980.

Rhonda's clinical experience includes being a staff nurse on a surgical floor, medical and surgical intensive care units, and instituting the role of Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist in a community hospital. Prior to her faculty appointment she was a staff nurse in the Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit. Rhonda has been certified as a Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) since 1986 and is also a Basic Life Support Instructor Trainer and an Advanced Cardiac Life Support training center faculty.

Rhonda has five boys and enjoys involvement in their activities as well as music, skiing, reading and travel

Jessica Brunsman, MSN, RN, CPN, began teaching as full-time faculty at Avila University in 2013, although she was adjunct clinical faculty for one year prior.  She teaches Health Assessment Lab, Pediatric clinical in the Practicum II course, Women and Children, and Capstone theory and clinical. She also took on the role of co-clinical coordinator in 2016-2017.

Jessica has been a registered nurse since 2007, and has earned her Certification in Pediatric Nursing (CPN), as well.  She has worked at Children’s Mercy Hospital since 2003, where she continues to work with the inpatient population in the following specialties: orthopedic, neurology, rehabilitation, and nephrology.  She is active on many committees there, including her unit education, scheduling, and spirit committees. She is a member of the CPN Champion hospital-wide committee, which encourages and supports employees wanting to become CPN certified.

Jessica earned a degree in Photojournalism from Arizona State University in 2002, with a minor in Family Studies.  She earned her BSN from St. Luke’s College in 2007, and she completed her MSN with a Nurse Educator focus in December 2013 at Webster University.  She was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau in 2012. She is active on the Charlie’s House Education Committee.

Jessica is married, has three young children, and enjoys spending time with her extended family.  Jessica has grown up in the Kansas City area and is originally from St. Louis, MO. Jessica is passionate about teaching nursing and sharing her love for the profession with others.

Dr. Amity Bryson, Music Department Chair, teaches various music courses including applied voice, and directs both Avila Singers and University Singers. Dr. Bryson completed her doctoral work at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Conservatory of Music and holds both a BS Ed in music education and a MM in voice performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia, she is also an alumnae of Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri. In addition to previous faculty appointments at William Woods University and Westminster College, Dr. Bryson has taught in the public school systems at both the elementary and secondary levels.

Dr. Bryson is active in local, state, and national professional music organizations and is a member of the board of the Kansas City Metro chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She also serves on the state board of Missouri Choral Directors Association as Repertoire and Standards Chair for Women's Choirs.

As a lyric soprano, Dr. Bryson continues to perform on both the recital and opera stage. Recent recitals include a program of art songs by women composers, featuring In a Persian Garden by Liza Lehmann. Opera roles have included Zerlina, Juliette, and Ännchen, but most memorable was her portrayal of Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel.

Dr. Amity Bryson, Music Department Chair, teaches various music courses including applied voice, and directs Avila Singers, Cyrene, and University Singers. Dr. Bryson completed her doctoral work at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Conservatory of Music and holds both a BS Ed in music education and a MM in voice performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is also an alumnae of Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri. In addition to previous faculty appointments at William Woods University and Westminster College, Dr. Bryson has taught in the public school systems at both the elementary and secondary levels.

Dr. Bryson is active in local, state, and national professional music organizations. She has served as Secretary, Vice President and President of the Kansas City Metro chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing as well as on the state board of Missouri Choral Directors Association as Repertoire and Standards Chair for Women’s Choirs.

As a lyric soprano, Dr. Bryson continues to perform on both the recital and opera stage. She has a recurring role in the Gaslight Cabaret as both singer and music director.  Recent recitals include a program of art songs by women composers, featuring In a Persian Garden by Liza Lehmann. Opera roles have included Zerlina, Juliette, and Ännchen, but most memorable was her portrayal of Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel.  Musical Theatre roles include Mama Morton in Chicago and the Witch in Into the Woods among others.

B.A., University California Irvine
Ph.D. University of Missouri-Kansas City

Dr. Bucher is a licensed psychologist who maintains a small private practice working with individuals and couples. She teaches courses related to communication skills, personality psychology, and theories of counseling and addiction. Dr. Bucher heads the Laboratory for the Study of Language Use and Behavior Change, where she is collaborating with students interested in linguistic indicators of deception, and motivation to make changes related to health.

Ms. Buck has been a nurse 7.5 years with the majority in the ER and PACU. I received my BSN from Missouri Western State University and I received my MSN - education from University of Central Missouri. In my free time my husband and I love to travel and I love to read.  We enjoy spending time with our nieces and our 4 cats! 

Her research interests focus on animal development, tissue regeneration, and stem cells, specifically studying cell signaling pathways involved in planarian regeneration. She teaches introductory biology, anatomy and physiology laboratory, and biochemistry.

Started at Avila
2010

Courses Taught
Introductory Biology, Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory, and Biochemistry

Research Interests
Dr. Burgess earned her Ph.D. from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in 2007. Her research interests focus on molecular and morphological analyses of cell signaling pathways important in animal development and tissue regeneration.

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Brian Ciolek, M.S., SCCC, CSCS,*D, RSCC serves as a full-time faculty member in the Avila Kinesiology department and as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Athletic Department. Brian earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from University of Central Missouri in 2005 and Master of Science in Exercise Science from California University of Pennsylvania in 2008.  He also holds numerous coaching/sports certifications including Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (CSCCa), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA), Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (NSCA), and Tactical Strength and Conditioning Coach (NSCA). 

Brian is an experienced educator and strength coach who uses functional movement evaluation and performance testing to establish baselines that inform his strength and conditioning program design, as well as, to measure progressing athletic development.  This day-to-day practical application of movement science content supports Brian’s instruction of courses in the areas of measurement and evaluation, exercise and nutrition, personal fitness training, and strength and conditioning.

Mrs. Cobb is an Associate Professor, and Director of Clinical Experiences for graduate and undergraduate programs. Within these roles, she supervises the Teaching Excellence Team, Practicum and General Methods placements, teacher candidates and interns. She is the instructor for the Final Clinical Experience Seminar class, and she teaches other Education courses. She is also an Academic Advisor in the School of Education. Previously, she taught high school English for ten years in the Shawnee Mission and DeSoto school districts. She also served on the Curriculum Council, and was the Department Chairperson. She has certifications in secondary English and Social Studies. Her areas of expertise are curriculum, instruction, and teacher development. 

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Dr. Cooley earned his Ph.D. at the University of Missouri in 2014. His research focuses on the synthesis of fluorescent molecules and their use in the detection of biologically active molecules. Dr. Cooley teaches organic chemistry and biochemistry.

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Dr. Daggett received his Ph.D. at The Pennsylvania State University in 1993, the year he came to Avila. His research interests include any question/problem relating to the history of biology and the biology of microorganisms.  Dr. Daggett teaches introductory biology, general microbiology, molecular cell biology, and genetics.

Started at Avila 
1993

Courses Taught 
General Biology Cells and Genes, Genetics, General Microbiology, Molecular Cell Biology

Research Interests 
Interested in the history of infectious diseases; and currently researching how factors affecting Salmonella enterica's ability to form biofilms

Hobbies 
I enjoy reading, classic movies and piano. 

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Nicole Esquibel is an award-winning video and filmmaker, writer, and poet.  She is a graduate of the prestigious University of Iowa's MFA-Film and Video Production program. Her theoretical articles and written works of fiction have appeared in publications such as Sinister Wisdom and Our Voices. Ms. Esquibel's films and videos have screened both domestically and internationally, including winning the "Between the Lines" award at the Ann Arbor Film Festival. hush, the first film created under her production company Flying Dragon Films, received tremendous critical acclaim and the project was a closing night selection for the Kansas International Film Festival and screened at the Hot Springs International Documentary Film Festival. Recently she completed, La Pucelle, an experimental retelling of the trial of Joan of Arc, shot on Super16mm. Tu Me Quieres Blanca (You want me White) 2010, is a found footage project inspired by a poem by Alfonsina Stori, which seeks to explore the secondary role of Chicana women and Machismo in 20th Century America. Esquibel is author of The Image and the Border: the Films of Willie Varela, a chapter in Experimental Film: The Missing Frames. Currently, in pre-production on a feature length documentary, Neva (working title), examining the death of Neva Arlene Romero, a 21year-old college student and a series of bombings that took place in Boulder Colorado in the spring of 1974.

José Faus is writer, performer and visual artist. He is an independent teacher/mentor with an interest in the role of artists as creative catalysts for community building. He received degrees in Studio Art/Painting and Creative Writing/Journalism from UMKC. He is a founder of the Latino Writers Collective and sits on the boards of the UMKC Friends of the Library, The Latino Writers Collective and Charlotte Street Foundation. He has executed a variety of murals locally and internationally. He has published a chapbook This Town Like That from Spartan Press and a full-length poetry collection, The Life and Times of José Calderon from West 39 Press. He is currently working on a mystery novel set in Kansas City.

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His research interests include neurobiology and invertebrate behavior.  Dr. Fitch regularly teaches the following courses: human anatomy and physiology, animal physiology, an interdisciplinary course on behavior and the brain, and biology research (coordinator).

Started at Avila
1997

Courses Taught
General Biology I, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Behavior and the Brain, Animal Physiology, Cell Biology, Directed Studies in Biology, Biology Laboratory & Literature Research, Colloquium & Seminar and General Physiology

Research Interests
Neuroscience, especially neuroanatomy of the mammalian brain and invertebrate neurophysiology; Invertebrate behavior; Scholarship of teaching.  Awards: Avila Professor of the Year; State of Missouri Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching; National Society of Leadership & Success Excellence in Teaching Award. Member of the editorial board of the education journal, Bioscene.

Hobbies
I collect old music, 1954-1970 rock and roll.  I enjoy being active in recreational sports leagues. I love to play games, which for me are becoming increasingly more mental and less physical.  I am a below average amateur guitar picker. I have many strong political and philosophical views to which few people pay attention. I spend a lot of time reading & will read nearly anything.          

Her research interests include plant-insect interactions, predator-prey interactions, indirect effects, cooperative behavior, tropical ecology, and conservation.  She has worked primarily with insects and spiders in Central and South America.  She teaches introductory biology, anatomy and physiology lab, plant form and function, and the interdisciplinary classes Women and Science (with Dr. Carol Coburn) and Ecology Through the Writer’s Lens (with Dr. Amy Milakovic).

Started at Avila
2007

Courses Taught
General Biology, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Plant Form & Function, and  Biology Literature and Laboratory Research.

Research Interests
Behavioral ecology, plant-animal interactions, tropical ecology and conservation.  Member of the Ecological Society of America, and the Society for Conservation.

Hobbies
I enjoy creative writing, dance, hiking and camping.

B.S., University of New Haven
M.A., Adelphi University
Ph.D., Michigan State University

Dr. Gensheimer is a Community Psychologist who emphasizes an integrated systems-level, strengths-competencies approach to psychology. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in developmental psychology, orientation to psychology, and undergraduate practicum. Her current interests include enhancement and assessment of student learning, children and youth development, and academic service learning.

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Responsibilities include departmental strategic planning, program review, curriculum development and assessment, and budget oversight.

Dr. Gould is Professor of Theatre and Producing Artistic Director of Goppert Theatre at Avila. She has created a partnership with Theatre for Young America, a professional children’s theatre company, which led to co-productions at the Union Station City Stage in Kansas City, Missouri and job opportunities in design and performance for Avila graduates and faculty. 

Dr. Gould earned her Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in theatre and film. She was a recipient of a post-doctoral fellowship at Northwestern University where she participated in historical and interdisciplinary representation of the Holocaust. Dr. Gould co-authored an article with historian Dr. Jeffrey Myers, in Trajectories of Memory: Intergenerational Representation of the Holocaust in History and the Arts (Cambridge Scholars Press, 2008). She and her co-author present at international conferences and are reviewers for the Holocaust and Genocide Studies, published by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Dr. Gould, whose teaching interests include directing, theatre history, and interdisciplinary courses, has presented at the Association for Theatre in Higher Education and continues to direct. She serves her community by participating in a women’s educational organization and supporting an intercultural dialogue foundation. 

Joseph Grindstaff serves as a part-time adjunct instructor for Kinesiology. He earned his Master of Science from Avila in 2019.  He earned his Bachelor of Science from Avila in 2017.

When Joseph isn't on campus he is running a private personal training business. He leverages nearly a decade of practical experience to provide laser-like focus on the 'how' and 'why' of academic topics for his students.

Courses Taught: Personal Fitness Training, Kinesiology Research

Research Interests: Interested in the physiological stress response and sports performance optimization.

Hobbies: BBQ, Beer, Exercise

Dr. Guler specializes in TESOL, ELL education and teacher education. She taught ESL/EFL courses both in the United States and abroad. Her research mainly focuses on preparing pre-service and in-service teachers to teach English Language Learners.  She is widely published, has presented at numerous conferences, and has more than 10 years of ESL/ELL teaching experience at the high school, undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Guler teaches undergraduate and graduate education courses. She serves as the academic advisor for middle school and secondary education students and supervisor of student teachers. 

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Paige Illum has worked in higher education for over twenty-five years serving in a variety of enrollment and student life related positions at public and private institutions.  For the last thirteen years Dr. Illum has worked at Avila University and most recently in the role of Coordinator of Retention and the First Year Experience.  She has served the Department of Visual and Communication Arts as an adjunct faculty since 2008.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication at Kansas State University and her Master’s in Higher Education Administration and Ph.D. in Foundations of Education and Communication Studies from the University of Kansas. 

She has delivered numerous conference presentations including key-note addresses on issues related to higher education.  Her personal influences include her parents her showed her the value and example of hard-work and perseverance. 

Her professional influences include Dr. Ray Hiner, Emeritus Professor of History and Education who influenced her love of history and the value of good teaching and advising and Dr. Everett Rogers who developed the Diffusion of Innovation theory (http://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/MPH-Modules/SB/SB721-Models/SB721-Models4.html). 

Dr. Illum enjoys teaching Fundamentals of Communication as she feels the need to possess stellar interpersonal communication skills, work within a group/team environment and deliver messages in a public forum are important to any career and a valuable to personal development.

“Communication works for those who work at it.”

• John Powell

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Hong Ji received a Ph.D. in mass communication-journalism from the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. She teaches a variety of communication courses at Avila including public relations, mass media and society, and communication theory. Her research interests include strategic communications, media content analysis, and gender portrayal in media. She has taught at Ohio University and served as a senior methodologist at the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism in Washington D.C.  

• Dr. Johnson earned his M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Iowa.  His work was in experimental plasma physics studying ion beam injection in a double plasma discharge device, in which he found double-layers and an associated ionization instability. Dr. Johnson has since been teaching at the college level, and he loves teaching at Avila.

Classes Taught: Dr. Johnson teaches General Physics, Physics Concepts and has taught several interdisciplinary classes. He is a member of the American Association of Physics Teachers.

Hobbies: He likes Sudoku, unusual clocks and home improvement. He enjoys his daily walks (a lot) and is rarely late.

Started at Avila: 2005

Dr. Jessica Kamuru’s expertise is in special education with an emphasis in learning disabilities and mathematics. She is a 13- year veteran special education teacher, who taught students with disabilities in self-contained, itinerant and co-teaching settings in Kansas City, Mo. She recently received her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU).  Before leaving MU, Dr. Kamuru was presented with the Graduate Student Diversity Award and was nominated for Graduate Teacher of the Year Award. Dr. Kamuru has presented at a number of conferences for both special education and mathematics education. Her most recent presentations were at the Council of Exceptional Children-Teacher Education Division (CEC-TED) conference in New Orleans November (2019), and Psychology of Mathematics Education of North America (PMENA) in St. Louis (2019).  Dr. Kamuru is new to Avila but is excited to inspire the next generation of educators.

Dr. Keith serves as the Chair of the School of Education and as the Director of Graduate Education programs.  Her background in public education includes classroom teaching as a high school English teacher, and as a Gifted Education teacher.  She also worked as a curriculum and instruction supervisor.  She served as a member and as the Vice-President for the Missouri Staff Development Council. Dr. Keith has worked as a consultant in the areas of curriculum, assessment, and professional development. During her years of service at Avila, Dr. Keith has taught and advised both graduate and undergraduate students. She serves on the advisory council for the School of Graduate studies, and Undergraduate Council.

Education:

Ph. D. of Analytical Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Iran, July 2007.

Professional Positions:

Lecturer and Instructional Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison. 2016-2019.

Assistant Prof. of Chemistry, Azad University, Tehran, Iran, 2008-2014.


Courses Taught 

General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis.

Research Interests Development of new pedagogical methods in STEM education.

Drug delivery and supramolecular chemistry focused on cyclodextrins.

Electrochemistry of antioxidants and neurotransmitters.

Hobbies

I enjoy watching and playing basketball, reading and playing with my 4-year-old daughter.

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Tracy Koehler MSN, RN began teaching at Avila University in the Fall of 2018. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Baker University in 1998 and her Master of Science in Nursing Education from MidAmerica Nazarene University in 2018. Her academic focus was on mindfulness-based stress reduction to impact resilience and preservation of the nursing profession.

Prior to joining the School of Nursing at Avila University, Tracy was an adjunct instructor in the clinical and classroom setting for six years. Tracy has worked in a variety of clinical settings including medical/surgical acute care, intensive care, cardiac rehabilitation, emergency department, post-surgical recovery, and an outpatient clinic.

Tracy is married with three children, is active in her Catholic parish teaching religious education throughout the year, and is a certified yoga instructor.  

Started at Avila
1986

Courses Taught
Understanding Computers, Data Structures, C++, Java, Web Page Design, Web Page Programming, Database Management, COBOL, Visual Basic and A+

Research Interests
Member of Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges Interests and interested in robotics and web page design

Hobbies
I love to play softball, I am a deacon and the Youth Committee Chair of my church.  Every summer I plan, organize and lead several youth and adult sponsors on a mission trip.  We have taken the group to Arizona, Colorado, West Virginia, Tennessee, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Mexico, and Canada.

Dr. Michalis Koutsoupides is currently Artist in Residence at Avila University, where he teaches violin, viola, piano, music theory courses and ensembles. Dr. Koutsoupides has taught in the public system and privately since 2007. He holds a Doctoral degree in Viola Performance from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master’s degree in Violin Performance, as well as a Bachelor’s in Violin and Composition from the University of Kansas, and piano Diplomas from the National Conservatory of Cyprus and the Royal Schools of Music.

Dr. Koutsoupides appeared in music festivals across the United States, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and the United Kingdom. Dr. Koutsoupides was featured as a soloist with the Cyprus Chamber Orchestra, the St. Joseph Symphony, the University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra and the Austin Chamber Players. He recorded with groups in Texas, Kansas, Missouri and New York, and regularly performs with the St. Joseph Symphony, Kansas City Chamber Orchestra and the Kansas City Symphony.

He enjoys playing in the orchestra pit and conducting for shows at the New Theater, KC Repertory theater, The Barn, Jewish Community Center, Johnson County Community College, Unicorn, American Heartland Theatre, Musical Theatre Heritage and other venues around town. Michalis has orchestrated for new productions, such as Have You Met Miss Jones?, Rhythm City and arranged for several other productions. He has had the honor of sharing the stage with names such as Sir. Peter Gabriel, Idina Menzel, Shirley Jones, Ron Bohmer, Stevie Wonder and many others. Originally a native of Cyprus, Dr. Koutsoupides has become a citizen of the United States as of 2017, and is proud to be calling Kansas City home.

Dr. Lambke received her Ph.D. in English from Saint Louis University. She specializes in rhetoric and composition with particular interest in the intersections of technology and rhetoric. While she researches and composes in various modes, including multimodal and textual composition, much of her scholarship is designed to be heard. Such sonic compositions are an intricate mix of speaking and writing afforded by 20th and 21st century technological innovation. Her publications can be listened to in the online journals Present Tense, Harlot, and Kairos.

She has been Creative Director for Fleishmann-Hillard Public Relations, Woods Creative Group, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Her graphic design work has won national awards from the Public Relations Society of America, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, and the International Association of Business Communicators, as well as awards from the Kansas City Advertising Club and the Kansas City Art Director's Club.

Susan earned a Master of Fine Arts from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Kansas City Art Institute. She also attended the Maryland Institute College of Art. Prior to joining the faculty at Avila University, she taught Graphic Design at the Kansas City Art Institute and the University of Kansas.

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John Livingston has worked extensively as a collaborative pianist, getting his start at the age of 13. Since then he has had a continuous stream of collaborative experiences ranging from choirs, to musical theatre, to college instrumental lessons and recitals, and more.

In 2009, Mr. Livingston partnered with a local community theatre company, Pentacle Theater, in their production of “My Fair Lady”. Hooked by this initial foray into musical theater, Mr. Livingston continued to work with Pentacle Theater on 6 of their following musical productions. During this partnership, his talents were developed as both a rehearsal and performance pianist for musical theater. Beyond this work, John continued to strengthen his reputation as an accompanist, working with local middle and high school choirs. Notably, he accompanied West Salem High School’s choir in their 1st place performance in Oregon State High School Choir competition in the year 2013.

Being accepted to the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2013, John studied Piano Performance under the highly-sought after tutelage of Dr. Robert Weirich, earning his Bachelor’s of Music degree (cum laude) in 2017. During his undergrad John worked closely with singers from all the voice studios which culminated in being asked to play Stravinsky’s famously difficult aria “No Word from Tom” from The Rake’s Progress at commencement ceremony in the Kauffman Center. John was subsequently accepted into the Master’s program at UMKC and was awarded one of the Opera Accompanying graduate assistantships. John has served as rehearsal pianist for Hänsel und Gretel, Poulenc’s La voix humaine, Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges, Mozart’s La finta giardiniera, and Johan Strauss Jr.’s Die Fledermaus. During his time at UMKC, along with all the work with singers, John also incorporated extensive instrumental accompanying, playing for lessons and recitals for cellists, violinists, oboists, trombonists, and more.

During his Master’s, John also began a relationship with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, playing for their Opera to Go program and subbing as a vocal coach for their Resident Artists. In the same vein, John performed with new opera company in Kansas City, Opera 180 for their premier production “Bon Operatit!” in April of 2018. John is also a founding member and principal accompanist of Choral Spectrum, a LGBTQ and supporting choir which is the first of its kind in Kansas City.

Besides his undergrad work with Dr. Robert Weirich, John has had masterclasses with esteemed teachers including Gilbert Kalish, Alon Goldstein, and Margot Garret. John recently completed his Master’s degree at UMKC having studied with the 2013 Van Cliburn third prize winner, Sean Chen.

John’s relationship with the Lyric Opera led to him being chosen to be the Resident Artist Coach/Accompanist for the KC Lyric Opera’s 2019-2020 season. John serves as Adjunct Faculty at Avila University where he teaches piano and serves a staff accompanist.

He has taught in the Theatre Departments at the University of Illinois and the University of Arkansas and was a guest director at the University of Delaware.

Gene has written over 40 plays, including Bubbylonian Encounter, which has been produced in 20 states and internationally. He has also written a book for young people on the topic of sexual abuse, Dear Elizabeth. Before coming to Kansas City, Gene was Artistic Director of the Casa Manana Playhouse in Fort Worth, Texas. He is co-founder and Executive Director of Theatre for Young America in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Arica has an M.A. in international peace and conflict resolution from American University's School of International Service and a B.A. in political science and international studies from the University of Kansas. Arica began her career at the U.S. Department of State as a grants management specialist in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. There, she worked on economic development and education projects primarily in Iraq in addition to smaller projects in Tunisia and Palestine. Arica was then promoted to a grants officer position in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs where she managed the countering violent extremism (CVE) portfolio in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Arica has also lived, studied, and conducted research in other conflict prone areas such as Lebanon and Colombia. In addition to her experience abroad, Arica also worked in a volunteer capacity with Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigration Services in Kansas City and Washington, DC. She is fluent in Spanish and speaks Levantine Arabic at the intermediate level.ć

B.S. Northwestern University
M.A. University of Missouri-Kansas City
Ph.D. University of Kansas

Dr. McCalley is Professor of Education and Psychology at Avila.

Dr. Stephanie Meyer (soprano) teaches voice at Avila University and UMKC Conservatory’s Community Music and Dance Academy. She holds her Bachelor of Music Education degree from South Dakota State University, Master of Music from University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from University of Missouri-Kansas City. Her dissertation entitled, Moving Songs, celebrates diversity in the arts with seven songs by André Previn and Toni Morrison, presented in collaboration with two dancers, piano, cello, narrator, and photography from the Nelson-Atkins’ exhibit, Through The Lens: Visions of African American Experience, 1950-1970.

 Meyer’s previous roles include Queen of the Night (Die Zauberflöte),  Le feu and Le rossignol (L’enfant et les Sortilèges), Mrs. Fiorentino (Street Scene), La Fée (Cendrillon), Bastienne (Bastien unt Bastienne), Madam Herz (Der Schauspieldirektor), Barbarina (Le Nozze Di Figaro), Tytania (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), the title role of Donizetti’s Rita, and Maria (West Side Story).

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Dr. Milakovic received her Ph.D. in English from Texas Christian University and joined the Avila faculty in 2009. She specializes in rhetoric and composition, with research interests that include the rhetoric of war, visual rhetoric, and modern rhetorical theory. Dr. Milakovic has served as Managing Editor of Composition Studies and published a book review on composition pedagogy in Rhetoric Society Quarterly. In addition to teaching writing, she also teaches courses which examine the intersection of war and the arts, particularly as their interplay both shapes, and is informed by, public discourse. 

Dr. Miller is an instructor in the School of Education undergraduate program. She is retired after 30 years serving as a teacher and elementary principal in the Raytown School District. Throughout her tenure, she served on numerous teams and professional committees focused on student achievement and professional learning. Dr. Miller has presented at the state and national levels and is published for her work in cultural competence and principal preparedness. Her areas of expertise are instruction, data review teams, and teacher leadership.

Daniel Morel is a Kansas City-based composer who energizes his music with spectral lyricism. Garnering commissions and performances across the United States, his music reflects myriad literary and natural interests. His works are permeated with the Western sensibilities of his Colorado upbringing, drawing on influences ranging from prairie thunderstorms to classic American poetry.

Mr. Morel has received awards and honors from the Mizzou New Music Initiative, Byrdcliffe Guild, the City of Hartford, the Hartt School, the Longfellow Chorus, and the Colorado State Music Teachers Association, among others. Recent premieres include the UMKC Conservatory Orchestra, Columbia Civic Orchestra, and Seasons Festival Orchestra.

Mr. Morel holds degrees from Bucknell University (BA) and The Hartt School, University of Hartford (MM, AD). He recently completed a doctorate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Performance details and further information are available at www.danmorel.com.Daniel

Shortly after her graduation she joined the research office of the Medical Imaging Department at the University Health Network in Toronto and served as a research statistician designing and supporting various research studies.  In addition, Dr. Moshonov-Cohavi has a true passion for teaching math and has been engaged in teaching both undergraduate and graduate level courses in Mathematics and Statistics since 2003. Her research interests include classification using logistic regression, measures of agreement and reproducibility and undergraduate mathematics and statistics education. At home, she enjoys cooking, walking in nature, studying spiritual wisdom, practicing Kung-Fu and spending time with her family.

Mrs. Murillo serves as the Director of Assessment and Accreditation.   Mrs. Murillo has a background in Psychology and Student Affairs in Higher Education.  In addition to overseeing program assessment and accreditation processes for the School of Education, Mrs. Murillo represents the School of Education on the Missouri Technical Advisory Committee and several state work groups.  Mrs. Murillo assists students with the completion of the state teacher certification process. She also serves as an academic advisor for undergraduate Elementary Education teacher candidates and supports students preparing to take the Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments.  Mrs. Murillo teaches courses to aid students in transition, such as First Year Seminar, Strategies for Academic Success, and Test Prep for Educators.  

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At the Iowa City Yacht Club, Dr. Jeffrey Myers, Professor and Chair of History at Avila University, waited with guitar in hand to sit in with the Blue Tunas, the house blues band—a respite from graduate school and an opportunity to experience the terror and exhilaration of live music. However, it is blues in a larger theoretical sense that also relates to Dr. Myers. A vital element of the blues is call and response, something that has become a centerpiece of Myers’s later research in a completely different context. 

Dr. Myers, a preeminent Holocaust scholar and historian of German history, was called to study the Holocaust after hearing a survivor bear witness. His response has come via teaching and scholarship to preserve the memory of and advocate for victims of this dark time in history.

Myers received his Ph.D. in history from the University of Iowa. He then studied as a research fellow at the University of Freiburg and the Institute for European History in Mainz. During these four years, Myers honed his knowledge of the language, culture, and history of Germany and witnessed history in the making with the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification.

At Avila University, Myers teaches German history, world history, and co-teaches the Holocaust in History and on Stage, an interdisciplinary course that explores the intersection of history and theatre. Myers has served as a Blue Ribbon Judge for the White Rose Essay Contest sponsored by the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, an organization that recently named him to its Board of Governors. Dr. Myers and co-author Dr. Charlene Gould from theatre have written an article exploring representation in Holocaust theatre, which will be published in a forthcoming anthology.

B.A. in Psychology & Biology, Baker University
Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, University of North Texas

Dr. Noble is an Assistant Professor and Director of the MS-Counseling Psychology program and Clinical Training. She is a licensed counseling psychologist in Missouri and Kansas, and she teaches graduate courses in learning and applying skills with multicultural sensitivity in counseling and intelligence assessment. Dr. Noble's areas of interest include counseling and assessing diverse individuals, along with training and supervising graduate students in their clinical work.  Her research interests are in the development of psychological tests and the applications of foundational counseling and helping skills.  

Specialty Certifications: NSCA-CPT

The 2019-20 academic year is Dr. Norwood’s first year as a full-time adjunct faculty member at Avila University within the Kinesiology Program. Last year he served as a part-time Visiting Professor & taught Introduction to Kinesiology (101) and Sports Psychology (393).

Dr. Norwood earned his Bachelor’s degree (Summa Cum Laude) in Psychology from Baker University (1991); a Master’s degree in Sports/Performance Psychology from the University of Kansas (1996); a Doctoral degree in Sports/Performance Psychology from the University of Kansas (2000).  

Courses Taught: NCAA Life Skills for Student-Athletes, Foundations of Sports Psychology, Introduction to Kinesiology, Sports Psychology, Nutrition and Exercise Physiology

Research Interests: Mental health & peak performance. The study of positive psychological constructs like hope, optimism and grit and their impact on performance-related variables and outcomes.

Clinical Experience: Dr. Norwood started his practice as a mental performance consultant as the Director of the Peak Performance Clinic at the University of Kansas where he served student-athletes and coaches for 8 years. He later opened his practice in Las Vegas, Nevada where he combined his knowledge and vast experience in the areas of Performance Psychology and Exercise Science to help create one of the most innovative and successful training facilities in the state of Nevada. His practice has enabled him to facilitate the development of optimal performance states for professional athletes, collegiate and high school student-athletes, coaches, law enforcement professionals, the United States military, Fortune 500 companies, executives, entertainers and business owners.  

For the next two years, he worked as a social worker in an adoption agency dealing with in-country and inter-country adoptions before coming to the United States in 2000 to get his Ph.D. in Social Work from the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. During this time he worked as a research assistant in the Office of Accreditation with the Council on Social Work Education. He joined the social work faculty at Creighton University before moving to Kansas City.

His primary teaching areas include Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Social Welfare Policy, Introduction to Social Welfare, and Social Work Research. He also teaches “Human Rights and Social Justice,” an interdisciplinary travel course to India.His teaching philosophy is based on collaborative learning. He believes that students should be able to bridge all three areas of practice - micro, mezzo, and macro - skills in social work. Dialogue, discussions, and role plays are some of the tools he uses to enhance knowledge and understanding of social work issues. Dr. Origanti brings with him a global perspective on understanding several social issues. He believes that we as a community need to address these social issues and there is no better place to begin this dialogue than in the classroom. 

Dr. Origanti serves on the Commission on Accreditation for Council on Social Work Education, is a Peer Reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission, and Vice-Chair of the National Planning Committee for the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors.

Benjamin Pascoe is an award winning filmmaker who has written, directed, produced and edited a variety of films that have screened for enthusiastic audiences around the world. His foundation is in narrative storytelling, but Ben has developed a taste for both experimental and documentary works. His most recent feature film, LEAVE IT ON THE TRACK, a documentary exploring roller derby culture in Austin, Texas, enjoyed a lengthy run on the festival circuit, including a celebrated world premiere at the 66^th Edinburgh International Film Festival.   

Ben has always been interested in teaching, but his spark was reignited while living and working in Austin, Texas. As an instructor for the Austin Film Society, he helped high school students develop and produce their own short films. Ben found this experience to be extremely rewarding and he decided on a career path that would offer him the best of both worlds: “Avila University encourages excellence in the classroom as well as professional development from their faculty. I fell into a wonderful opportunity here; one that will allow me to grow as an artist, and one that will enable me to guide our young filmmakers in their intellectual and creative development.”

Ben’s current project is a biography about Radames Pera, the child actor who played the iconic character, Grasshopper, in the 1970s television series, KUNG FU (1972-1975). Ben is also a board member for the Kansas International Film Festival and he enjoys contributing to its continued success.

Since joining the VisCom team at Avila University, Ben has come up with a set of priorities. On the very top of that list are his students: “I have spent my life developing a certain set of tools. Now I have the chance to share my knowledge and influence the next generation of storytellers, as we collaborate and discover new paths together.”

Benjamin Pascoe’s Productions: http://vimeo.com/channels/pascoe

Professor of Psychology

B.S., Tulane University
Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia

Dr. Pasqualini is a licensed clinical psychologist with a specialty in Clinical Neuropsychology. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in biological psychology, applied research methods, and emotion. She is also the faculty advisor for Psi Chi/Psychology Club. Dr. Pasqualini runs the Emotions Laboratory and invites interested Avila undergraduate and graduate students to join. Her current research interests include cognitive and psychophysiological aspects of emotion regulation, bio/neurofeedback, and facial expressions.

Majors: Business Administration (honoree in Business Administration)

Avila faves:  Bryan moved back to South America after graduating in December. We wish him luck!

Lindee Petersen Wilson joined the Social Work department at Avila University in the fall of 2002. She has extensive social work experience in child and family services, as well as more than 20 years of teaching experience in schools of social work.

Lindee is a licensed specialist clinical social worker in the state of Kansas, where she has a small clinical social work private practice, specializing in Internal Family Systems (IFS) treatment. She is a member of National Association of Social Workers and Baccalaureate Program Directors association.

For 18 years Lindee served as a family social worker and clinical supervisor in a juvenile delinquency diversion and prevention agency. In addition to providing supervision and family social work services, she designed and implemented an early identification program for young children who had a first-time arrest. The program organized families, schools, older youth in detention facilities, and police departments to prevent further delinquency behavior and to strengthen family units.

Lindee teaches Generalist Social Work, and three social work practice courses focusing on individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. She also teaches special topics courses on child maltreatment, child protection, and resiliency and trauma recovery, as well as grief and loss, and crisis intervention at the individual and community levels. As Director of Field Education, Lindee oversees the Field Education component of the curriculum and places students in agencies to complete their 500 hours of field experience.
 

Scholarship & Teaching Interests:

She received a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in film studies, a master’s from Webster University in media communication, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Missouri. Hamilton also received a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities to study black film history at University of Central Florida.

He has been at Avila since 1972.  His research interests are focused on the natural history and ecological relationships of amphibians and reptiles in the West Indies.  Dr. Powell teaches introductory biology; animal form, function, and development; ecology, evolution, vertebrate anatomy, and interdisciplinary courses on environmental issues (with Dr. David Wissmann) and the natural and cultural history of Hawaii and the Bahamas (with Dr. Wissmann).  He coordinates an NSF-funded summer undergraduate research program offered every other year.

Started at Avila
1972

Courses Taught
General Biology II, Animal Form, Function and Development, Ecology, Evolution, Vertebrate Anatomy, Environmental Issues, Darwin & Literature, Natural & Cultural History of the Islands (Hawaii and the Bahamas), Opening of the West: Lewis & Clark.

Research Interests
Community ecology and natural history of West Indian amphibians and reptiles.  Authored and co-authored several publications and books.

Hobbies
I love chasing lizards, photography and travel, especially to places where I can chase lizards…

http://www.avila.edu/bobpowell 

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Mark Alister Raymer was born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1983, and was raised in Allover Texas.  Raymer still maintains his strong connections with New Zealand that make their way into his attitude, attire, and art.  He received his BFA from the University of North Texas in 2009 and his MFA from the University of Kansas in 2016.  He has been an artist in residence at the Charlotte Street Studio Foundation, exhibited his work nationally and abroad, and participated in a number of exchange portfolios.  Raymer currently resides in Kansas City, making art and teaching printmaking, drawing and design.   

Janet Reagor, RN, PhD, is Chair and Assistant Professor of Nursing and Director of the RN-BSN program. She has taught at Avila University since 2002. She currently teaches courses in the RN to BSN program including, research, healthcare informatics, development of the professional nurse, population based nursing, and capstone practicum.

Dr. Reagor has worked as a registered nurse in many different roles and clinical settings over the past 30 years. She has been a staff nurse in a community hospital on medical-surgical units, intensive care units, and in the Emergency Department.

Her interest in teaching began with patient and family teaching, and led to a position in staff development in a community hospital. In this setting she was responsible for new employee/new graduate nurse orientation and continuing education for all nurses at the facility. Prior to teaching at Avila University, Dr. Reagor was an instructor for nine years at a nursing school in Central Illinois. She also started an Advanced Cardiac Life Support program in this rural county and served as Course Coordinator and Regional Faculty for the American Heart Association. Dr. Reagor has volunteered as a nurse for numerous local and national Boy Scouts of America events, including summer camps and the 1997 National Jamboree.

Dr. Reagor received a BSN from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1975, a Master's degree in Nursing from the University of Illinois in 1993 and a PhD in Nursing from the University of Kansas in 2010. Her dissertation focused on the perception of readiness for practice of senior baccalaureate nursing students following a clinical practicum.  

At home she enjoys gardening, quilting, reading and spending time with her husband and dogs. She has 2 adult children and 2 granddaughters.

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She started teaching undergraduate mathematics the following fall, and has since enjoyed teaching a variety of courses at different levels and with an array of methods of instruction. Her research interests have included the history of mathematics and geometry, but her energies have primarily been focused on education. Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family (including 3 nieces), playing board games, baking, and spending time at church.

Mr. Roup has an educational background in psychology and education, focusing on guidance and counseling. He has earned his certification as a 7-12 School Counselor and has taught a variety of Student Success and Academic Strategies courses in higher education. He specializes in the areas of the state teacher certification process, student recruitment and retention, and the admissions process. Mr. Roup coordinates the enrollment of all Graduate Education students, and serves as the Academic Advisor for all Graduate Initial Teacher Certification students and the Teaching and Learning masters degree.  He also serves as a member of the Graduate Studies Committee. 

Started at Avila
2015

Courses Taught
Clinical Education, Radiographic Procedures, Special Topics; Computed Tomography

Research 
Interests
My interests lie in the technology of our ever changing field. I enjoy learning cutting edge advances so I can bring that information to our students. I am a member of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, Association of Educators in Imaging and Radiologic Sciences and Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. 

Hobbies
I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling. In my spare time I coach soccer and love being active.

Mrs. Saviano is the office manager for the School of Education. She began her career at Avila in August 1999 where she served as Director of the Child Care Center. In August 2004, she joined the School of Education. Mrs. Saviano provides administrative support to the School of Education faculty and staff. She also serves as the Placement Coordinator for education students' initial and mid-level field experiences and is responsible for maintaining the School of Education's Teaching Excellence Team (TEXT).

Outside of his work in academia, Matt has worked since 1998 as a professional actor, performing with The Old Globe, The Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Indiana Repertory Theatre, and many other theatres across the country. Internationally, Matt performed at the Royal Shakespeare Co. in the UK and with Shakespeare Link Canada in Quelimane, Mozambique. He spent seven years as a Core Acting Company member with American Players Theatre in Spring Green, WI and has recently appeared on stage in Kansas City with Heart of America Shakespeare Festival and Kansas City Actors Theatre. Matt holds an MFA in performance studies from the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program (2003).

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B.A., M.S., Ph.D., University of Kansas

Dr. Sirridge is a Licensed Psychologist, and has been a teacher and psychotherapist for thirty years. He is currently the President of the Kansas City Association of Psychoanalytic Psychology (KCAPP) which is the local chapter of Division 39 Psychoanalysis of APA. He completed a two year advanced training program in psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

With a background in both advertising and public relations, Jeff Slutsky had an opportunity to practice what he preached when he became part owner of a night club and later a health club.  With the marketing dollars now coming out of his own pocket, he soon began to discover and develop result-oriented, low-cost tactics to build sales. 

His grassroots marketing program has received a great deal of national media attention including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Inc Magazine, and CNN.  Jeff has presented and consulted with many organizations including AT&T, American Express, Chevron, Walt Disney, Pizza Hut, Honda, Sony, Goodyear, The US Army, Marvel Entertainment and McDonald’s. 

He’s the founder of Street Fighter Marketing which specializes in teaching businesses how to market, promote and increase sales on a shoe-string budget.   He has authored and published 10 books including Street Fighter Marketing Solutions.  Plus he’s produced three audio albums and six video training programs.  But his most successful production to date . . . is the birth of his triplets.

Dr. Smith, as a Professor of Chemistry, has teaching interests including general and analytical chemistry along with chemical instrumentation courses.  He has presented research at national conferences for the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS).

Dr. Smith earned his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona in analytical chemistry where his research focus was energetic studies of ionic collisions in tandem mass spectrometry. He was a recipient of the Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Post-doctoral fellowship also at the University of Arizona in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology where he participated in mass spectrometry proteomic investigations. Dr. Smith has co-authored many peer-reviewed journal publications pertaining to development of mass spectrometry methods with ambient ionization or chromatography for the qualitative and quantitative analysis on a wide variety of samples. He has also co-authored a book chapter titled ‘Mass Spectrometry Applications in Forensic Science’ that is contained in the Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry: Applications, Theory, and Instrumentation.

influences: Gordon Parks, Paul Robeson, Frank Lloyd Wright, E. Simms Campbell, Marshall McLuhan, Al Reis, Howard Luck Gossage, Daniel Burnham

Dr. J. Anthony Snorgrass is a recognized and awarded professional in the fields of advertising, management, administration, and brand development. He is also a credentialed photographer and mixed-media artist. He received his Ph.D. from Walden University's School of Public Policy and Administration focusing on emergent media communications in public policy environments and non-profit management. He also holds two Master's degrees from the Ohio State University and a B.A. from the University of Kansas. He is certified as an Economic Development Specialist (EDS) by the National Development Council and has national certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Snorgrass specializes in new media, augmented reality applications, accessibility, universal design strategies, brand cultivation, and diversity marketing.

As an educator, Snorgrass describes his teaching style as intellectually demanding, introspective and visionary. He expects students to develop an appreciation and understanding of both the art and science of advertising, media, technology and communication mediums then to become confident in this knowledge and it's applications in the real world. He teaches with a "bottom-line" orientation and a genuine sensitivity for the holistic nurturing of his students. His teaching philosophy is geared to prepare students not just to react to the world, but prepare them to change the environment and society in which they exist through forces of their own.

Snorgrass is a change driven, rule-bending creative thinker, deeply invested in using digital technology and the design process to elevate community engagement, institutional innovation and participatory problem solving.

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/janthonysnorgrass

www.jasa-media360.com

http://advertologist.blogspot.com

http://zzzzroots.blogspot.com

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B.A., University of Kansas
M.S., Avila University
Ph.D., Capella University

Dr. Staves is a licensed professional counselor, specializing in psychological trauma, compassion fatigue, attachment in children and adults, family systems, child abuse and prevention and ethics. Her interests include child development, specifically emotional and brain development, psychopathology, social issues impacting children and society and restorative justice. Dr. Staves is active in our community as an advocate to prevent child abuse and neglect and also to support restorative justice in our community.  She currently serves on the board of the Missouri Children's Trust fund, where she is a former board chair. She has worked in residential treatment, psychiatric hospital, and private practice; and has also mentored adults reentering society post incarceration. Dr. Staves currently teaches undergraduate and graduate classes and facilitates workshops in her areas of expertise, including compassion fatigue and child sexual abuse prevention.

Linda Strelluf has been engaged in the study and practice of oral and written communication for more than twenty-five years. Following this passion, she received a BA in Speech from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and earned a Master's degree in both Film and Literature from Baker University. 

Before coming to Avila, she was employed as a company agent for Starlight Theatre, worked on promotions for a national theatre chain, taught classes in communication, English, and theatre, lectured on how to overcome audience anxiety and conducted seminars on how to access creativity. In 1986, Strelluf founded a small company and in 1998, affiliated with Country Sampler Group. 

Currently, she is an assistant professor at Avila University in Kansas City. She teaches a variety of classes including communication fundamentals, public relations, corporate communication, film studies, American pop culture, mass media and society and promotional writing. She works with “real world" clients to give students the opportunity to practice the high standard that professionals expect in the workplace. Her students have worked with the WW I. national museum, the Kansas City Toy and Miniature Museum, and a variety of retail and health related organizations, winning numerous local, regional national, and international awards for their work. Strelluf is also the faculty adviser for the campus chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC/AU). 

Linda Strelluf was elected by the national membership to the Association for Women in Communication (AWC) Board of Directors. Strelluf served a three year term on the board and was board liaison to 36 student chapters at universities.across the United States. She was also Chairman of AWC's Clarion Award Committee and has been a judge for the past Ten years. Strelluf is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and the adviser to Avila University's IABC student chapter. She is a past member of the St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf Advisory Board, and served as Secretary/Treasurer on the executive committee. 

Specialties: Strelluf specializes in using current popular culture trends, which enhance public relations messages. 

By using interactive communication methods, she facilitates student enthusiasm that results in academic and personal growth of students.

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Started at Avila

2019

Courses Taught

Human Anatomy and Physiology, Anatomy and Physiology Lab, General Biology

Research Interests

I study the developmental origins of health and disease, examining how various maternal exposures such as diabetes and obesity affect offspring health. I am also interested in discipline-based education research and maintain a membership in the Society for the Study of Reproduction.

Hobbies

I enjoy writing, reading, science communication, traveling, long walks, and time spent with family and friends. I love music, and sing Christmas carols all year round. Keep up with me @taltontweets.

Shaun Teamer is a multimedia freelance artist currently residing in Kansas City, MO. He is a 2008 graduate of NSCDS and received his BFA in Animation and Design from The Kansas City Art Institute in 2012. Shaun has since managed web content for the Kansas City Public Library System and worked with numerous companies and individual's on creative content development and marketing campaigns including Sprint; Scholastic; NFL; Reading with Roman, a state-wide reading initiative funded by Roman Harper of the New Orleans Saints; and animated character development for the children's book, Chocolate Me, authored by television/screen actor Taye Diggs, to name a few. Shaun's work in the digital medium reflects within a wide range of illustration, animation, graphic design, video, sound and music, writing, and overall storytelling. Teamer currently teaches Video Editing and Animation as a professor at Avila University, Kansas City MO.

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Bruce Voegele, MA, BSN, RN, has taught at Avila University since 2005. He currently teaches Healthcare Informatics and Development of the Professional Nurse II in the fall semester and Psychosocial Nursing Concepts and Practicum 1 in the spring semester.

Bruce has worked as a registered nurse in a variety of roles and settings over the past 37 years. He began as a staff nurse at a local medical center on a mental health unit with adolescents, adults and geriatric patients. He also assisted the development of urgent care clinics – beginning the first cardiac rehab program in a shopping mall in the United States. Additionally he has worked as a director of nursing at a free-standing psychiatric facility and as an assistant director of nursing at a local nursing home.

Bruce also worked as a performance improvement/staff development specialist at a local hospital for fourteen years with duties that included performance improvement activities; orienting and providing ongoing education to new employees, as well as working with nursing instructors and nursing students.

Bruce has volunteered as a nurse at numerous health screenings including National Depression Days, Alcohol Screening days and National Anxiety Screening days. He participated for many years as a volunteer for a mini-triathlon held annually at Shawnee Mission Park.

He enjoys the outdoors and has walked many miles with his dogs believing that routine exercise benefits both the two legged and four legged animals.

Bruce received a BSN from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska and an MA from Webster University in Kansas City, Missouri.

B.S., Northern Kentucky University
Ph.D., Miami University (Oxford, OH)

Dr. Wagge teaches courses in cognition, research methods, cultural psychology, drugs and behavior, and general psychology in the undergraduate and graduate programs. Her research interests include visual perception, psychophysical methods, and pedagogy. She runs the Cognition Laboratory and is excited about working with students in a research setting. Dr. Wagge's current research involves examining environmental contributions to shifts in belief as well as the effects of current states and motivations on eating behaviors and choices.

Michele L. Watley is a communications and political strategist with substantive experience representing issues and candidates from a vast range of political ideologies across the US and at all levels of government. She is the founder and owner of The Griot Group LLC, a strategic communications and political advocacy consulting practice. She is also the founder of Shirley's Kitchen Cabinet, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization located in the Midwest dedicated to amplifying the voices and power of Black women through education and advocacy, so they can be effective advocates for the issues that matter to them and the communities they serve.

In 2010, Dr. Watson earned her PhD from Bowling Green State University in American Culture Studies with a primary focus in early American history and a secondary specialization in Latin American history. She also earned graduate certificates in both Women’s Studies and Ethnic Studies.  She possesses an MA from Bowling Green State University in American Culture Studies and a BA from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a double major in Ancient Studies and American Studies.

Dr. Watson is currently completing her first book, (tentatively titled) Conquering Cannibals: Gender and Empire in North America, 1492-1763, which will be published by New York University Press in 2014. Her research focuses on the development and maintenance of European imperial power in North America. She examines the ways in which the discourse of cannibalism shaped European views on Indigenous Americans and thus impacted the progress of empire. More generally, Dr. Watson’s research interests include: early American history, imperialism and colonialism, Atlantic studies, the history of sexuality, women’s history, and the history of race and ethnicity. 

Prior to her position at Avila, Dr. Watson was a Visiting Assistant Professor of History and Gender & Women’s Studies at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. At Avila, Dr. Watson teaches a range of courses focused on American history, Latin American history, cultural studies, as well as Gender and Women’s Studies.

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Angel Yanez, RN, MSN began teaching at Avila in fall of 2014.  She teaches in Patient Care Skills, Health Assessment and Simulations, and has been an instructor in both the community college and university settings. She has taught in LPN and RN programs, and loves teaching. She is a lifelong Kansas Citian, and loves the Royals and the Chiefs.

Angel has been an RN for 30+ years, most of that time working clinically in the Hospice setting.  She has also worked in Home Health, Critical Care and as a Nurse Consultant, holding a variety of positions from staff nurse to Nurse Educator to Director and for a time as an Administrator. 

She and her husband have been married for 31 years and have 4 children and 3 grandchildren (so far). She loves spending time with family, traveling, reading and crafting.  Educationally Angel is very interested in the topic of Simulation in Health Care Education. Angel is a member of Sigma Theta Tau.

Valerie received her M.A. in art history from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a B.A. in art history from the University of Kansas. She has taught art history for over 11 years and began teaching at Avila 2 years ago. She worked at The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art for over 10 years in the Asian, American, and European departments. She served as the Assistant Curator of European Painting and Sculpture for 5 years. She has also written art reviews for the Kansas City Star, worked as a free-lance curator and at a private gallery in the Crossroads district.  Her academic interests include the Swiss German 20^th c. artist Paul Klee and American art of the 1960s and 70s.