Faculty
Dr. Richard Barrett, 2016-
Associate Professor of Political Science
B.A., University of Chicago
J.D., Yale Law School
Ph.D., University of California - San Diego
Dr. Dawn Behan, 2008-
Professor of Education
Director of Graduate Programs in Education
B.A., University of Northern Iowa
M.A., Ph.D., University of Iowa
Dr. Ryan Bezy, 2010-
Professor of Biology
Department Chair
B.A., DePauw University
Ph.D., Indiana University - Bloomington
Dr. Michael Carlin, 2024-
Assistant Professor of Theology
B.A., Williams College
M.A., Fordham University
Ph.D., Catholic University of America
Dr. Thomas Castle, 1990-
Associate Professor of Business
Provost
B.B.A, M.B.A., Ph.D., University of Iowa
Dr. Lydia Christoffersen, 2020-
Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., Mount Mercy College
M.S.N., Mount Mercy University
D.N.P., Morningside University
Dr. Natasha Clark, 2022-
Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., Coe College
M.S.N., Frontier Nursing University
D.N.P., University of Iowa
Dr. Bryan Cross, 2013-
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Department Chair
Director of Honors Program
B.S., University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
M. Div., Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis
Ph.D., St. Louis University
Dr. Ann Davidshofer, 2020-
Associate Professor of Nursing
Department Chair
B.S.N., Upper Iowa University
M.S.N., Mount Mercy University
D.N.P., Morningside University
Dr. Christopher DeVault, 2009-
Professor of English
Department Chair
B.A, Wake Forest University
M.A., Georgetown University
Ph.D., University of Miami
Dr. Dennis Dew, 2009-
Professor of Psychology
B.S., John Carroll University
M.A., Ph.D., Loyola University-Chicago
Dr. April Dirks, 2008-
Professor of Social Work
Department Chair
B.A., M.S.W., Ph.D., University of Iowa
Dr. Sarah Fowler, 2023-
Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S., Iowa State University
B.S.N., Chamberlain University
M.S.N., Graceland University
D.N.P., Morningside University
Jack Frank, 2022-
Assistant Professor of Music
B.A., University of Iowa
M.A., University of Northern Iowa
Dr. Paula Ganzeveld, 2009-
Associate Professor of Education
B.S., Iowa State University
M.A., University of Northern Iowa
M.A., Ph.D., University of Iowa
Dr. Bryan Gatzke, 2020-
Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
B.S., University of Wisconsin-Parkside
M.S., University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Ph.D., Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
Sara Heisdorffer, 2021-
Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., Mount Mercy College
Dr. Catherine Homard, 2021-
Associate Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., College of St. Benedict
M.S.N., Drake University
Ph.D., Walden University
Joni Howland, 1995-
Associate Professor of Social Work
Director of the Social Work Program
B.A., Luther College
M.S.W., University of Iowa
Dr. Alesia Hruska, 2007-
Professor of Biology
B.A., Luther College
Ph.D., Iowa State University
Dr. Megan Jones, 2024-
Assistant Professor of Sociology
B.S., University of Missouri
M.S., Ph.D., Florida State University
Kelli Kai, 2025-
Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., M.S.N., Mount Mercy University
Sarah Kersevich, 2023-
Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.A., M.S.N., University of Iowa
Dr. Kristopher Keuseman, 2009-
Professor of Chemistry
B.A., St. Olaf College
Ph.D., University of North Dakota
Amanda Klinkenberg, 2019-
Assistant Professor of Education
B.A., M.A., University of Northern Iowa
Dr. David Klope, 2001-
Associate Professor of Communication
B.A., Biola University
M.S., San Diego State University
Graduate Work in Rhetorical Studies, University of Iowa
Ph.D., University of Utah
Dr. Rachel Knak, 2024-
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
B.A., Grinnell College
Ph.D., University of Arizona
Jennifer Kramer, 2019-
Assistant Professor of Education
B.A., University of Northern Iowa
M.A., Mount Mercy University
Dr. Chad Loes, 2001-
Professor of Criminal Justice
Department Chair and Director of Student Outcomes Research
B.A., Mount Mercy College
M.A., Western Illinois University
Ph.D., University of Iowa
Dr. Rebecca Louison, 2022-
Assistant Professor of Psychology
B.S., M.A., Ph.D., Mount Mercy University
Dr. Douglas McPhee, 2021-
Assistant Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy
Director of Graduate Programs in Marriage and Family Therapy
B.S., M.S., Utah State University
Ph.D., Texas Teach University
Christa Nelson, 2020-
Assistant Professor of Business
B.L.A., University of Missouri - Kansas City
M.B.A., Jones International University
Dr. Joseph Nguyen, 2010-
Professor of Chemistry
B.S., Creighton University
M.S., Indiana State University
Ph.D., University of Kansas
Kelli O'Neil, 2023-
Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
B.A., Central College
M.A., University of Iowa
Dr. Joy Ochs, 2001-
Professor of English
B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.A., Ph.D., University of Michigan
Dr. Edy Parsons, 2005-
Professor of History
B.S., M.A., Ph.D., Iowa State University
Cathy Penn, 1988-
Associate Professor of Nursing
B.S., Mount Mercy College
M.A., University of Iowa
Dr. Jennifer Rasmussen, 2007-
Professor of Education
Department Chair
B.A., University of Northern Iowa
M.A.T., Nova Southeastern University
Ph.D., University of Northern Iowa
Dr. Jodee Reed, 2014-
Associate Professor of Nursing
Director of Mercy Leadership Program
B.S.N., Mount Mercy University
M.S.N., Allen College
Ed.D., Clarkson College
Dr. Lacey Ritter, 2021-
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Department Chair
B.A., University of Northern Iowa
M.A., Minnesota State University - Mankato
M.S., Ph.D., Florida State University
Anthony Rose, 2024-
Assistant Professor of Business
B.S., Mount Mercy University
M.B.A., University of Iowa
Dr. Josue Santiago Vera, 2021-
Assistant Professor of Biology
B.S., University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
M.S., University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez
Ph.D., University of Puerto Rico-Piedras
CarrieAnn Scroggins, 2021-
Assistant Professor of Business
B.B.A., M.S.L., Mount Mercy University
Dr. Ritu Shandilya, 2023-
Associate Professor of Computer &
Data Science
B.S., Khalsa College
M.C.A., Shobhit Institute of Engineering &
Technology
M.Tech., Shobhit University
Ph.D., Iowa State University
Heide Sletteland, 2022-
Assistant Professor of Education
B.A., Luther College
M.A. Ed., Graceland University
Dr. Kaylee Small, 2020-
Assistant Professor of Nursing
M.S.N., Walden University
D.N.P., Morningside University
Lisa Smith, 2009-
Assistant Professor of Education
B.A., Dana College
M.A., University of Northern Iowa
Ny-Oka Sokol, 2024-
Assistant Professor of Business
B.B.A., Mount Mercy University
M.B.A., University of Iowa
Dr. Heather Sowada, 2017-
Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy
B.A., M.A., Mount Mercy University
Ph.D., University of Iowa
Rogan Stoops, 2022-
Assistant Professor of Business
Director of Graduate Programs in Business
B.S., M.B.A., Mount Mercy University
Dr. Robert Todd, 2015-
Professor of Mathematics
B.S., M.S., Ph.D., University of Iowa
Dr. Anna Waterman, 2012-
Professor of Biology
B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of Iowa
Dr. Andrew Whitters, 2024-
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Director of Graduate Programs in Nursing
B.S.N, Mount Mercy University
F.N.P., D.N.P., University of Iowa
Madison Woods, 2023-
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Department Chair
B.S.N., Mount Mercy University
M.S.N., Allen College
Dr. Alivia Zubrod, 2025-
Assistant Professor of Psychology
B.S., Mount Mercy University
M.A., University of Northern Iowa
Ph.D., University of Montana