Faculty

2025-2026 Full-time Faculty:

Cody L. Arenz (1999)
Professor of Biology
B.S., 1993, Oklahoma State University; Ph.D., 1998, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Pamela A. Arnold-Johnson (2007)
Associate Professor of Chemistry 
B.S., 1995, College of William and Mary; Ph.D., 2001, Cornell University.

Bailey Barnard (2022)
Assistant Professor of Art History
B.A., 2008, University of Nebraska at Omaha; M.A., 2011, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; M.A., 2016, Ph.D., 2017, Columbia University.

Lacey Batt-Peters (2022)
Assistant Professor of Health and Human Performance
B.A., 2010, University of Nebraska at Kearney; M.A., 2015, University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Zachary D. Baumann (2020)
Associate Professor of Political Science
B.S., 2005, Baker University; M.S. 2007, Ph.D., 2009, University of Mississippi.

Maria G. Becker (2019)
Associate Professor of Physics
B.S., 2010, M.S., 2013, Ph.D., 2016, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Peggy L. Behrens (2020)
Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., 1993, M.S.N., 2007, University of Nebraska Medical Center; Ph.D., 2019, Walden University.

Talea Bloch (2022)
Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre
B.A., 2007, Nebraska Wesleyan University; M.M., 2011, D.M.A., 2014, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Melisa M. Borchardt (2000)
Professor of Social Work
B.S., 1992, Nebraska Wesleyan University; M.S.W., 1997, University of Denver.

Kevin P. Bower (2005)
Professor of History
B.S., 1996, University of Evansville; M.A., 1999, Ph.D., 2003, University of Cincinnati.

Audrey Brydl-Andrews (2025)
Assistant Professor of Elementary Education
B.A., 2009, Doane University; M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, 2010, Doane University; M.Ed. Administration, 2016, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Ed.S., 2022, Doane University.

Kara A. Cavel (2010)
Associate Professor of Social Work
B.S.W., 1999, Creighton University; M.S.W., 2002, University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Gina Chambers (2013)
Assistant Professor of Health and Human Performance
B.S., 1997, Nebraska Wesleyan University; M.Ed., 2004, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Nathaniel Cunningham (2010)
Professor of Physics
B.S., 1999, University of Notre Dame; Ph.D., 2006, University of Colorado.

Rebecca Czaja-Stevens (2018)
Associate Professor of Social Work
B.S.,2002, University of Nebraska-Kearney; M.S.W., 2006, University of Nebraska-Omaha

Gregory DeGirolamo
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Ph.D., 2018, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Brent Echols (2026)
Visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands
.

Elizabeth Ennis (2022)
Assistant Professor of Theatre Costume Design
B.A., 2010, American University; M.F.A., 2018, Temple University.

Nathanael L. P. Fackler (1998)
Professor of Chemistry
B.A., 1990, Valparaiso University; Ph.D., 1995, Northwestern University.

Matt Flores (2020)
Associate Professor of Elementary Education
B.S., 2005, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; M.S., 2012, Bakers University; Ph.D., ABD, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Steven Foertsch (2025)
Assistant Professor of Sociology/Criminology
B.A., 2017, Assumption College; M.A., 2020/2022, The New School for Social Research; Ph.D., ABD, Baylor University.

Jo Ann M. Fuess (1990)
Professor of Spanish and German
B.A., 1983, University of Delaware; M.A., 1985, Purdue University; Ph.D., 1992, University of Nebraska Lincoln.

Gary Gerald (2009)
Professor of Biology
B.S., 2001, M.S., 2003, Middle Tennessee State University; Ph.D., 2008, Miami University.

Patricia A. Hawk (1997)
Professor of Communication
B.A., 1985, Chadron State College; M.A., 1995, Doane College Lincoln; Ph.D., 2007, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Rachel Hayes (2017)
Associate Professor of Psychology
B.A., 2002, Southern Methodist University; M.A., 2006, Ph.D., 2017, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Mary Hickman (2015)
Associate Professor of English
B.A., 2003, Boise State University; M.F.A., 2006, M.A., 2012, University of Iowa.

Jana J. Holzmeier (1999)
Professor of Music
B.M.E., 1985, Truman State University; M.M., 1988, Indiana University; D.M.A., 2003, University of Texas at Austin.

Thomas A. Jackman (1991)
Professor of Business Administration
B.S., 1984, Nebraska Wesleyan University; M.B.A., 1986, DePaul University; Ph.D., 2011, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Karla K. Jensen (2000)
Professor of Communication
B.A., 1988, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; M.A., 1991, Ph.D., 1994, University of Kansas.

Toni Jensen (2014)
Associate Professor of Social Work
B.S.W., 2003, Dana College; M.S.W., M.P.A., 2007, University of Nebraska at Omaha; D.S.W., 2020, University of St. Thomas.

Amber Johnson
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Ph.D., University of Oklahoma

Kyle Johnson (2025)
Associate Professor of Biology
B.S., 2008, Concordia University; Ph.D., 2012, Michigan State University.

Ishrat Kamal-Ahmed (2026)
Assistant Professor of Health and Human Performance
.

Ryan Kathman (2017)
Associate Professor of Theatre
B.A., 2003, Nebraska Wesleyan University; M.F.A., 2010, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Phil Kaus (2025)
Assistant Professor of Business Administration
B.S., Chadron State College; M.S., University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Samantha Kaus (2025)
Instructor of Accounting
M.P.A., 2022, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Sarah A. Kelen (1999)
Professor of English
B.A., 1990, University of California-Berkeley; M.A., 1991, M.Phil., 1993, Ph.D., 1996, Columbia University.

Heba Khalil (2021)
Assistant Professor of Sociology/Criminology
B.A., 2010, The American University in Cairo; M.A., 2018, Ph.D. (ABD), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Viktor Khanzhyn (2017)
Associate Professor of Economics
B.F.A., 2004, M.F.A., 2005, Petro Mohyla Mykolayiv State University; M.A., 2007, Ph.D., 2012, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Chelsea Klinkebiel (2021)
Assistant Professor of Psychology
B.A., 2008, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; M.A., 2011, Ph.D., 2016, Texas Tech University.

Lenni Kmiec (2025)
Assistant Professor of Theatre/Acting
B.M., 1975, University of Iowa; M.A., 1977, University of Iowa; DMA, 2002, Central Pacific University-Honolulu, HI.

Megan Kobs (2025)
Assistant Professor of Athletic Training
M.S., 2017, South Dakota State University.

Bradlee LaMotte
Assistant Professor of Theatre-Scenic Design
M.F.A, 2024, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Rita M. Lester (1998)
Professor of Religion
B.A., 1989, Graceland College; M.T.S., 1991, Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary; Ph.D., 1997, Northwestern University and Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary.

Tamra Llewellyn (2013)
Professor of Health and Human Performance
B.S., 2006, Nebraska Wesleyan University; M.S., 2009, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Ph.D., 2013, University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Lisa A. Lockman (1990)
Professor of Art
B.A., 1985, Indiana University; M.F.A., 1988, Indiana State University.

Sarah Lyons
Head of Electronic Resources and Access Services
M.S.L.S., University of Kentucky.

Chelsi Marolf (2026)
Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology
.

Cynthia J. Marolf (1990)
Senior Associate Professor of Biology
B.S., 1986, M.S., 1988, Ed.D., 2020, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Tanya Martin (2016)
Assistant Professor of Education
B.S., 1994, M.S., 1999, 2003, Ed.D., 2011, University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Sandra K. Mathews (1996)
Professor of History
B.A., 1986, Nebraska Wesleyan University; M.A., 1988, Ph.D., 1998, University of New Mexico.

Ann Matthews (2021)
Assistant Professor of Social Work
B.S.W., 2002, Creighton University; M.S.W., 2004, University of Nebraska - Omaha; Ph.D. (ABD), University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Brent McKain (2020)
Associate Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science
B.A., 2011, Nebraska Wesleyan University; M.S., 2014, Ph.D., 2017, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Angela McKinney (1998)
Professor of Biology
B.A., 1989, Taylor University; M.S., 1991, Ph.D., 1996, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

Sara Jane Miles (2006)
Professor of French
B.A., 1993, University of Oregon; M.A., 1996, Ph.D., 2005, University of Virginia.

Austin Mohr (2013)
Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science
B.S., 2007, M.S., 2008, Southern Illinois University; Ph.D., 2013, University of South Carolina.

Catherine E. Nelson (1997)
Professor of Spanish
B.A., 1993, Texas Christian University; M.A., 1994, New York University in Spain; Ph.D., 2000, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Michael Nolan (2025)
Assistant Professor of Athletic Training
Ph.D., 2024, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.

Megan Pendley (2022)
Assistant Professor of Social Work
B.S.W., 2006, Dana College; M.S.W., 2013, University of New England; D.S.W., 2021, Walden University.

James E. Perry (1987)
Associate Professor of Professional Studies
B.A., 1979, J.D., 1982, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Kristin A. Pfabe (2000)
Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science
B.A., 1987, Concordia College; M.S., 1990, Ph.D., 1995, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Rachel M. Pokora (1996)
Professor of Communication
B.A., 1990, Michigan State University; M.A., 1993, Ph.D., 1996, Purdue University.

Adrianne Prokupek-Pickett (2010)
Professor of Biology
B.S., 2002, Nebraska Wesleyan University; Ph.D., 2008, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Erin Putney
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Ed.D., , Doane University.

Terry Ratzlaff (2022)
Assistant Professor of Digital Media/Photography
B.A., 2007, The Art Institute of Colorado; M.F.A., 2021, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Jonathan D. Redding (2017)
Associate Professor of Religion
B.A., 2009, Wingate University; M.Div., 2012, Wake Forest University School of Divinity; Ph.D., 2017, Vanderbilt University.

Jodi M. Ryter (2003)
Professor of Chemistry
B.S, 1990, Nebraska Wesleyan University; Ph.D., 1997, University of Colorado.

Justin J. Skirry (2006)
Professor of Philosophy
B.A., 1991, M.A., 1998, San Francisco State; Ph.D., 2003, Purdue University.

Nathaniel C. Smith (2019)
Associate Professor of Political Science
B.A., 2010, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; M.A., 2015, Kansas State University; M.A., 2017, Michigan State University.

John D. Spilker (2011)
Associate Professor of Music
B.A., 2004, Brigham Young University; M.M., 2006, Ph.D., 2010, Florida State University.

Scott Susong (2025)
Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre/Directing
B.A., 1995, University of Texas at El Paso; M.F.A., 2002, Towson University.

Christopher L. Swift (2001)
Professor of Business Administration
B.S., 1987, M.B.A., 1994, Ph.D., 2009, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Martha Tanner
Head of Research Services and Archives
Ph.D., Tulane University.

Kelsey Thiem (2023)
Assistant Professor of Psychology
B.A., 2011, Creighton University; Ph.D., 2016, University of Iowa.

David A. Treichel (1994)
Professor of Chemistry 
B.A., 1987, Carleton College; M.S., 1988, Ph.D., 1993, Northwestern University.

Tom Trenney (2020)
Assistant Professor of Music and Choir
M.M., , Eastman School of Music.

Kaitlin Weskamp (2021)
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry
B.S., 2014, Nebraska Wesleyan University; Ph.D., 2019, University of Michigan.

David F. Whitt (1991)
Professor of Communication
B.S., 1989, Wayne State College; M.A., 1991, Ph.D., 2002, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Lisa Atwood Wilkinson (2002)
Professor of Philosophy
B.A., 1987, M.A., 1994, M.A., 2000, Ph.D., 2002, University of South Florida.

Steven M. Wills (2010)
Professor of History
B.A., 1997, University of Puget Sound; M.A., 2004, Ph.D., 2010, Columbia University.

Samantha J. Wilson (2016)
Associate Professor of Health and Human Performance
B.A., 2011, Buena Vista University; M.S., 2013, North Dakota State University; Ed.D., 2019, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Meghan K. Winchell (2004)
Professor of History
B.A., 1994, State University of New York at Geneseo; M.A., 1998, Ph.D., 2003, University of Arizona.

Nicholas Wohlgemuth (2024)
Assistant Professor of Biology
Ph.D., , University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Susan Wortmann (2009)
Professor of Sociology
B.S., 1996, Wayne State College; M.A., 1999, Ph.D., 2003, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Evi Wusk (2025)
Assistant Professor of Secondary Education
B.S., 2006, Peru State College; M.S., 2008, Peru State College; Ed.D., 2011, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Eric Wyler (2025)
Assistant Professor of Music
M.M., 2021, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

James Yankech (2024)
Assistant Professor of Business Administration
Ph.D., 2015, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

( ) denotes year of original appointment

2026-27 Officers of the Faculty - Faculty Council

Toni Jensen
Faculty President

Steve Wills
Vice President for Faculty Affairs

Matthew Flores
Vice President for Undergraduate Curriculum

Tanya Martin
Vice President for Faculty Development

Samantha Wilson
Vice President for Graduate Curriculum and Standards

Rachel Hayes
Secretary-Archivist