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Aug. 26, 2019
Northwest Missouri State University welcomed nearly 60 new full-time faculty and staff members Aug. 16 as employees gathered for opening meetings to begin the 2019-20 academic year.
The new employees, who are those hired at Northwest since January, are introduced below.
| Korey Adwell joined Northwest in May as a groundskeeper. | |
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Dr. Esam Ali is a post-doctoral research associate of physics in the Department of Natural Sciences. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from Elmarj University in Libya and earned a master’s degree in physics from Benghazi University in Libya. He received his Ph.D. from Missouri University of Science and Technology in theoretical atomic physics. His research interests focus on theoretical and computational atomic and molecular physics with collisions of charged particles, nanophysics, computer simulations and using MPI parallel programming. |
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| Rachel Anderson joined Wellness Services as the violence prevention and Green Dot coordinator. She has a master’s degree in health promotion and wellness management from Missouri State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Northern Iowa. She is a certified health education specialist. | |
| Dr. Amy Barton is an assistant professor of psychology in the School of Health Science and Wellness. She earned her Ph.D. and master’s degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia and her bachelor’s degree from University of West Florida, all in psychology. She has professional experience as a social worker for a skilled nursing facility in southern Missouri. | |
| Dr. Michelle Bateman is a visiting instructor in the School of Health Science and Wellness. Previously, she taught at Oklahoma State University in the School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation. She also has worked as a recreational therapist in an inpatient behavioral health hospital and serves the American Therapeutic Recreation Association by coordinating all online learning opportunities. She has a Ph.D. in health, leisure and human performance from Oklahoma State; a master’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in wellness management with an emphasis on exercise science; and a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Christian University in sports wellness and recreation management. | |
| Dr. Robert Bergland is an associate professor of Communication and Mass Media. Previously, has was a professor of journalism at Missouri Western State University. He has a Ph.D. in English and rhetoric and composition as well as a master’s degree in English and rhetoric from Purdue University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in writing from Millikin University in Illinois. | |
| Adam Bochart is an instructor of mass media in the School of Communication and Mass Media. He has a bachelor’s degree in broadcast production with a video emphasis and a master’s degree in instructional technology, both from Northwest. He also has experience working with Sporting Kansas City and the Iowa Cubs. | |
| Dr. Karen Britt is an assistant professor of art history in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts. Previously, she taught at Western Carolina University and University of Louisville. She has a Ph.D. in art history from Indiana University-Bloomington, a master’s in classical and near eastern art and archaeology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a bachelor’s in classics from the University of Cincinnati. | |
| Dr. Kelsey Bruno is an assistant professor in the School of Agricultural Sciences and comes to Northwest from Oklahoma State University, where she was an instructor of livestock behavior. She has a Ph.D. in animal science from Oklahoma State as well as a master’s degree in animal science from the University of Kentucky. She has bachelor’s degrees in animal science and wildlife management and conservation from Delaware Valley University. | |
| Dr. Hua Bai is an assistant professor in the School of Agricultural Sciences. Previously she was a teaching assistant for crop physiology and grain crops in the Division of Plant Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has a Ph.D. in agronomy and crop science and a master’s degree in biological engineering from the University of Arkansas as well as a bachelor’s degree in biological engineering from Kunming University of Science and Technology in China. | |
| Dr. Lea Briggs joined Northwest in March as director of library services and operations. Previously, she worked as the administrative and operations coordinator in the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. She has an Ed.D. in education administration from the University of South Dakota, a master’s degree in library science from Emporia State University and a bachelor’s in accounting from Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. | |
| Matt Cannella is an assistant athletic trainer. He comes from Newberry College in South Carolina, where he was an associate athletic trainer and worked with the men’s basketball, tennis, golf and football programs. He earned his bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Kean University in New Jersey and a master's degree in athletic training while serving as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at West Virginia University. He also had two stints in the NFL as a student intern for the New York Giants and as a seasonal assistant athletic trainer with the Detroit Lions. | |
| Robert Carlson began work in February as a custodian in Facility Services. He earned an associate degree at Iowa Western Community College and previously was employed by Hy-Vee. | |
| Kaley Coulter joined Northwest in January as accounts receivable supervisor. Previously she was manager of the Maryville Community Center. She a bachelor’s degree from Northwest in business management and marketing. | |
| Jordan Eggman began work in June as a beef production technician in the School of Agricultural Sciences. | |
| Brenee’ka Farmer began work in May as a custodian in Facility Services. She previously was employed with Dairy Queen. | |
| Brooke Florea returned to Northwest as office manager in the Office of the President. Previously, she was an executive secretary for the vice president of finance at Northwest. She has an associate degree in accounting and information technology from AIB College of Business in Des Moines, Iowa. | |
| Faith Fliflet joined Northwest in January as an officer with the University Police Department. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Northwest and graduated earlier this year from the Law Enforcement Training Institute at the University of Missouri-Columbia. | |
| Dr. John Greathouse is an associate professor in the School of Agricultural Sciences. Previously, he was a chair, university farm superintendent and associate professor in the Department of Agriculture at Fort Hays State University. He has a Ph.D. in animal sciences from Colorado State University as well as master’s and bachelor’s degrees in animal science from Kansas State University. | |
| Dr. Giselle Greenidge is an assistant professor of sociology in the School of Health Science and Wellness. Her previous professional experience includes work as a teaching fellow at the University of North Texas and a legislative fellow in the Office of Congressman John Lewis. She also was an instructor at Anglican High School in Grenada. She has a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of North Texas. | |
| Jim Gulbranson joined Northwest in June as coordinator of Greek Life. Previously, he was an educational leadership consultant for Lambda Chi Alpha International Fraternity Inc. He has a master’s degree in college student personnel administration from the University of Central Missouri, where he was a graduate assistant for housing and fraternity and sorority life and advisor to the Interfraternity Council. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science and history at the University of South Dakota. | |
| Chase Hall is the associate director of outdoor services for campus recreation, where his primary responsibility is the coordination of experiences at Northwest’s Mozingo Outdoor Education and Recreation Area. He has bachelor’s degrees in zoology and conservation biology from Tennessee Technological University. He has worked as a Tennessee State Park ranger and a site manager for Girl Scouts in Kansas, Missouri, Montana and Wyoming. | |
| Whitney Hanson is a project assistant for curriculum and instruction at the Northwest Regional Professional Development Center. She spent the last seven years teaching elementary education in Oregon and Arizona. She received a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Eastern Washington University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western Governors University. | |
| Jessica Henry joined Northwest in May as the executive secretary to the vice president of finance and administration. She recently completed her bachelor’s degree at Northwest in psychology. | |
| Jana Hanson joined the Office of University Advancement in February as a senior major gift officer. Her professional experience includes 13 years in sales and the real estate industry. She has a bachelor’s degree from Northwest in communication. | |
| Dr. Adrienne Isakovic is an assistant professor of management in the Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business. Previously, she was a faculty member at Rasmussen College, Northeastern University and Capella University. She has a Ph.D. and master’s degree in organization and management from Capella University as well as a master’s degree in education from Florida State University and a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from University of South Florida. | |
| Ben Jermain joined Northwest in May as a buyer in the purchasing department. He graduated from Northwest in May with a bachelor’s degree in business economics. | |
| Troy Katen joined Northwest in June as deputy athletic director for external operations. Previously, he was associate athletic director at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas. His previous experience also includes coaching multiple sports and marketing work at Wentworth Military Academy and College in Lexington, Missouri; Peru State College in Nebraska; Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri; Hastings College in Nebraska; and Dakota Wesleyan University in South Dakota. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Kansas Wesleyan University and received his master's degree in teaching from Hastings. | |
| Joel Kosch joined the Office of University Advancement in March as a gift officer. Previously, he was a fundraising consultant for K-12 schools in northwest Missouri. He has a bachelor’s degree in middle level education with an emphasis in mathematics and business from the University of Nebraska-Kearney and he is pursuing his master’s degree in higher education at the University of Missouri- Kansas City. | |
| Katey Mason is an admission representative for the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. | |
| Emily Mattson is an office manager in the School of Education. She graduated from Northwest in May with her bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and was a student employee with the Northwest Regional Professional Development Center throughout my college career. | |
| Dr. Jason McCain is an assistant professor of psychology in the School of Health Science and Wellness. He has a Ph.D. in educational psychology, a master’s degree in psychology and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, all from Texas A&M University-Commerce. | |
| Jordan Mehl is coordinator of sport clubs and competitive sports. Previously, he was director of campus recreation at Northern State University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management at Wayne State College and is completing is master’s degree at Northwest. | |
| Rebecca Meneely returned to Northwest in January as a research librarian at the B.D. Owens Library. Most recently, she was a circulation supervisor in the library at North Idaho College, and she worked at the University of Idaho before that. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Northwest. | |
| Brittany Metezier is a transcript specialist in the registrar’s office. She has a bachelor’s degree in animal science (pre-vet) from Northwest. | |
| Ryan Milke is assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions in the Department of Athletics. He served as marketing manager at Lehigh University last year and was athletic marketing assistant at the University of Northern Iowa from 2016 to 2018. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sports administration from Northern Iowa. | |
| Tristan Mistretta is an admissions representative for the southern portion of Kansas City and central Missouri. He received his bachelor’s degree in criminology with an emphasis on adult systems in May at Northwest and is pursuing a Master of Divinity at Calvary University. | |
| Mathew Muston began work in March as a complex director for Tower Suites and The Station. He worked previously as a hall director and was interim director of residence life and student conduct at Hocking College in Ohio. He has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota. | |
| Tyler Nehring became business operations coordinator for the Department of Athletics in April. He comes to Northwest from U.S. Venture Inc. in Appleton, Wisconsin, where he served one year as an accounting analyst in enterprise risk and internal audit. Prior to that, he was a postgraduate intern at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and management information systems and a master’s degree in education leadership with an emphasis on sports management, both from Winona State University. | |
| Kevin Noyes is an officer with the University Police Department. Previously, he was a correctional officer in Adair County, Missouri. He has an associate degree from North Central Missouri College and is a graduate of the Law Enforcement Training Center at Moberly Area Community College. | |
| Nancy Ozanne joined Northwest in March as operations coordinator in Facility Services. Previously, she worked at Hy-Vee and Aramark for more than 20 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. | |
| Tucker Peve is director of football equipment operations. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and sport management and a master’s degree in applied health science, both from Northwest. While assisting the Bearcat football program as a Northwest student, he completed internships with the Baltimore Ravens and USA Football, and he works with the Kansas City Chiefs’ equipment department. He also worked on the equipment staff for the 2017 and 2018 NFL Pro Bowls. | |
| Miranda Pollock is an assistant professor of graphic design in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts. She previously taught at Buena Vista University, the University of Minnesota-Duluth and Peru State College. She has a master’s degree in art with a graphic design emphasis and a bachelor’s in pre-graduate studio art with a photography emphasis, both from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She is pursuing her Ph.D. in psychology with an emphasis in aesthetics through Northcentral University. | |
| Sierra Rains is an academic advisor and success coach for the Department of Natural Sciences. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Northwest and is pursuing a Master of Business Administration in general management at the University. Previously, she worked as a graduate assistant for the Student Success Center. | |
| Zachary Ragan joined Northwest in June as a graduate records specialist in the Graduate Office. He worked previously at Bank Midwest in Maryville. He has a bachelor’s degree from Northwest in business management. | |
| Brenda Rourke is an assistant professor of communication and mass media. Previously, she was a graduate teaching assistant and adjunct faculty member at the University of Connecticut. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in communication at the University of Connecticut, where she also earned her master’s degree in communication and new communication technology. She received her bachelor’s degree from Rhode Island College in communication. | |
| Michael Ruberto is a term lecturer of art in graphic design in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts. He taught previously at Allen Community College, Front Range Community College and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. He has a master’s degree in graphic design from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from SUNY Fredonia. He has expertise in advanced graphic design, typography, introduction to design and digital photography. | |
| Jason Satchell is an assistant professor of finance in the Booth School of Business. He formerly was employed with Waddell and Reed Financial Inc. He has a master’s degree in finance from Creighton University and a Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University. | |
| Dr. Cynthia Schairer-Kessler is an assistant professor in the School of Education. Previously, she worked as a director of children and family ministries at Peoria First United Methodist Church and a university supervisor at the University of Illinois-Springfield. She has an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction from Illinois State University, a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with an emphasis on English education from the University of Illinois. | |
| Jackie Sher is an assistant athletic trainer. Most recently, she was a graduate employee athletic trainer at the University of Oregon, where she worked with the football, track and field and club sports programs. She also interned with the National Football League’s New York Giants. She has a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master’s degree in human physiology from Oregon. | |
| Amber Stroud joined Northwest in March as a custodian in Facility Services. Previously, she was employed by Walmart. | |
| Drake Summers began work in May as student involvement coordinator in the Office of Student Involvement. He completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology and human services at Northwest in May. As an undergraduate student he was an executive board member for Student Activities Council and a Student Senate cabinet member. | |
| Dr. Sara Taylor is an assistant professor in the School of Education. Her professional experience includes work as an associate in graduate student researcher and teaching at an alternative academy and college prep charter. She has a Ph.D in education from the University of California-Riverside. | |
| Charles Tewell Jr. began work at Northwest in May as a custodian in Facility Services. Previously, he was employed at Kawasaki. | |
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Barbara Weybrew began work in May as a custodian in Facility Services. She previously was employed at the Maryville Treatment Center and has an associate degree from North Central Missouri College. |
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| Monica Zeigel is the Hope 4 All Coordinator, working through Wellness Services and specializing in promoting mental well-being. Previously, she operated a prison-based substance abuse treatment program for the Missouri Department of Corrections. She has also worked as a probation and parole officer. She received her bachelor’s degree from Northwest and her master’s in public administration from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. | |
| Yu (Gary) Zhao is a software and system specialist at the Learning and Teaching Center. His previous employment includes work as a statistics data analyst, software developer and MIS analyst. He earned a master’s degree in computer science and information system at Northwest, as well as a master's degree in business administration at Nanjing University and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Southeast University in Nanjing, China. |
