Staff and faculty notes
Each year, Newman faculty and staff members publish and present a variety of literary, scholarly and professional works. Here is a sample of recent activity and other achievements.
Mitch Arnold ’13 became the head wrestling coach in May 2025.
Kristi Barton Edwards, J.D., associate professor of criminal justice, was honored with the 2025 teaching excellence award.
Kimyatta Brent, DNAP, program director for the doctor of nurse anesthesia practice program, was an author of the article “Barriers to Effective Clinical Preceptorship in Advanced Practice Nursing,” which was published in the Journal of Professional Nursing in September 2024.
John Brungardt, Ph.D., assistant professor, medieval philosophy, published a book based on his article “Natural Philosophy: An Introduction” for the Encyclopedia of Catholic Theology in August 2025. He also presented the video “The Forgotten Philosophy Behind Modern Science” as part of the In Focus series with the Encyclopedia of Catholic Theology in July 2025.
Tim Cho, M.D., transitioned from director of the respiratory care program to the dean of the School of Healthcare Professions in June 2025.
David Cochran, Ph.D., dean of the school of business & technology, presented and facilitated panels on the topic of AI and the Future of Knowledge Work, both at Newman University’s Emerging Technology Conference in April 2025 and at the Barton Accounting Forum at Wichita State University in May 2025.
Candace Davis, MBA, M.S.Ed., advanced standing coordinator, was honored with the 2025 staff excellence award.
Brittany Henning became the head softball coach in June 2025.
Yelando Johnson ’05, Ed.D., LMSW, MBA, the director of newman’s master of social work program and an associate professor and division chair for social work, participated in the panel discussion “Allyship as a Leadership Skill: Supporting Underrepresented Colleagues” in October 2024 at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Kolton Landreth, admissions counselor, earned his Bachelor of Arts in international relations and global security with a minor in Middle Eastern studies from American Public University in June 2024. He was also a presenter for two workshops at the Great Plains Association for College Admission Counseling Summer Institute in July 2025.
Geoff Louvar, admissions digital marketing manager, co-presented “How to Get Linked In: Finding Your Why Through Networking at the Great Plains Association for College Admission Counseling Summer Institute in July 2025.
Mike MacNeill became the head volleyball coach in July 2025.
Mark Mannette, MFA, professor, director of theatre and chair of arts and humanities, produced and acted in the film “Sod & Stubble,” which premiered in March 2025 at the Orpheum Theatre in Wichita. The film is also available on Amazon Prime and was released to theaters in more than 15 states in April.
Brady Matthews became the head coach of the men’s and women’s tennis teams in August 2024.
Daniel Murphy, MBA, web technology specialist, was recognized with the Young Professionals in Technology, Education and Innovation Award from the Wichita Business Journal in March 2025.
Marguerite Regan, Ph.D., director of teaching and learning, co-presented “What Does Good Teaching Look Like: Peer Observations as Catalysts for a Culture of Continuous Teaching Improvement” in April 2025 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Jasmine Rodriguez, assistant director of admissions, graduated with her master’s degree in higher education administration leadership in December 2024 and gave birth to her daughter in March 2025. She also co-presented “How to Get Linked In: Finding Your Why Through Networking” at the Great Plains Association for College Admission Counseling Summer Institute in July 2025.
Paige Roubideaux ’22 became the head cheer and dance coach in June 2025.
Lance Spongberg became the head baseball coach in June 2025.
Hadassah Suffield ’24, administrative assistant, played the character of Polly Esther in the Old Cowtown Museum melodrama “Clothes Call, or: Caught in the Fabric of Your Lies” alongside her husband, John, who played the character Doc Martens in September 2025.
Geri Tyrell, DNP, transitioned from dean of the School of Healthcare Professions to associate vice president for Academic Affairs in June 2025.
Huachuan Een, Ed.D., associate professor of education, presented his paper, “In-service Teachers’ Perspectives on Using AI for Lesson Planning,” at the 36th International Conference of the Society for Information Education in March 2025. He also celebrated 10 years of teaching at Newman in August 2025.
Christine Werth, associate registrar, celebrated 30 years as a Newman University employee in June 2025.
Teresa Wilkerson, MBA, MAC, director of adult and professional studies, served as a judge at the Shocker New Venture Competition for student entrepreneurs on the Wichita State University campus in April 2025. She also led a two-day course seminar and presented the topic “Professional Communication” as part of Belhaven University’s international and digital residencies in Jackson, Mississippi, in June and July 2025.
Karen Wilson was promoted to assistant controller in July 2025.