- Four Avila University Students Inducted Into AED Honor Society
On April 6th, 2022, Emilia Filby: Professional Health Science (Pre-Med/Pre-Pharm), Alexis Bates: Kinesiology, Michael Pinzino: Kinesiology, and Samantha Smith Professional Health Science (Pre-Occupational Therapy), were inducted into Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED). Alpha Epsilon Delta serves as an honor society and a service organization. Membership is based on each student’s scholastic achievement. By joining AED, students...
- New Nursing/Social Work Collaboration Invites Students Into Real-Life Simulations
“Social Workers and nurses work closely in any medical setting and we felt it would be useful for them to better understand each other’s roles when it came to caring for patients. We also saw this as an opportunity to apply knowledge and increase team-building skills,” said Avila Assistant Professor and Director of Field Education,...
- Avila Graduate Students Earn Awards at Great Plains Students Psychology Convention
Two Avila University psychology graduate students, Eleanor Dick and Lindsay Wing won awards at the 2022 Great Plains Students Psychology Convention held on March 15 & 16 in Emporia, Kansas. This convention brings psychology students together to exchange ideas, discuss relevant topics, and gain experience presenting their research. Avila Professor of Psychology Jordan Wagge, Ph.D.,...
- Q&A: Marie Payne MSOD ’18
Marie Payne, MSOD ‘18 is Director of Talent Management and Innovation and leads a team of Organizational Development Practitioners at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. She is a certified Change Management Practitioner and holds two leadership coaching certifications from UC Berkeley and the Kansas Leadership Center, as well as an ACC credential from the...
- Caring for “The Dear Neighbor” on Campus
The sense of community is one of the first things you feel when stepping foot on Avila’s campus. The Avila Care Team (ACT) is one of the support layers that provide that sense of community at Avila. Made up of Avila faculty and staff, ACT is dedicated to ensuring the campus community’s needs are met...
- Q&A: Sharon Purnell, MSOD ’08
Sharon Purnell is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Streamland Media. Previously, she worked as an HR executive for companies like Verde Associates, Riddell, and UL Corporation. Purnell earned her Master of Science in Organizational Development from Avila in 2008. Would you please share your career journey? “When I was in the MSOD program, what...
- Q&A: Brandi Riggs, MSOD ’06
Brandi Riggs, MSOD ‘06 is a Vice President of Human Resources at McCownGordon Construction. She has worked as an HR professional and executive at UGA Finance and Spencer Reed. Recently, she was awarded the 2021 LEAD Award by the Missouri SHRM Chapter. Riggs earned her MSOD from Avila University in 2006 and is a member...
- Which Colleges are Worth the Cost? How to Navigate the Lists and Rankings for KC-Area Schools
By Maria Benevento, The Kansas City Beacon, March 2, 2022 Do a quick Google search of “college value” and you’ll immediately find several lists and rankings claiming to tell you which colleges are best worth your investment. But why do the lists differ and what does that mean to you? There’s no set formula for figuring...
- Q&A: Monica Curls, MSOD ’15
Monica Curls, MSOD ‘15 is the Manager of Government Compliance for Terracon, an engineering company based out of Olathe, Kansas. Before joining Terracon, Curls worked for Black & Veatch and also served as Director of the Kansas City Branch Office of the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office. Curls earned her MSOD from Avila in 2015....
- Q&A: Ashley Rowland MA.Ed, ’21
After a nine-year career in the field of criminology, Ashley Rowland felt a push toward a new direction. “I needed a program that would allow me to continue to meet my obligations to my family while still being able to pursue my new dream,” said Avila alumna Ashley Rowland, Master of Arts in Education ‘21....