Dr. Matt Skillen, assistant provost and dean of faculty

McPherson College announces Dr. Matt Skillen will join the college as assistant provost and dean of faculty. In this position, Dr. Skillen will work closely with the provost and others on campus to align academic priorities with the college’s strategic plan, Community by Design 2.0.

“It is an honor to be named the assistant provost and dean of faculty at McPherson College,” Dr. Skillen said. “My family and I are excited to join the McPherson community, and I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues.”

Dr. Skillen has served in various roles at Elizabethtown College for the last 14 years. In his current role as the R.W. Schlosser Professor of English and the Dean of Faculty and Associate Provost for Student Learning, he has championed faculty development and continuous professional growth. He has also supported programs that advance student learning, like the first-year experience, second-year program, the Core general education program, and Momentum – Etown’s bridge experience for first-generation college students. He has dedicated himself to truly transformational educational experiences and improving conditions for teaching, learning, and ongoing professional growth throughout his career.

“Dr. Skillen brings to this role an enthusiasm for teaching and learning,” said Amanda Gutierrez, provost and executive vice president. “His creative and relational style will be a great asset to our campus community. I am excited to work with him and to welcome his family to McPherson.”

Previously at Elizabethtown College, Dr. Skillen served as a professor in the English department, director of the English education program, department chair for the English and communications departments, and director of the Etown College Teaching and Learning Design Studio. Before his employment at Etown, he served as a classroom teacher for Maize USD 266 in Maize, Kan., and as a graduate teaching assistant at Kansas State University.

He is married to Rebekah Skillen, a registered nurse and certified childbirth educator. They have two children.

Andrew Voth, new director of choral activities and assistant professor of music.

McPherson College announces Andrew Voth will join the faculty as the new director of choral activities and assistant professor of music. He previously taught middle school and high school choir in Goessel, Kan., and is currently completing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“I am excited to get back to Kansas and start making music with the students at McPherson College,” Voth said. “Music can be an incredibly important part of the college experience, and I am excited to help current and future Bulldogs create lasting memories and life-long musical skills. This is truly a dream come true for me.”

While completing his graduate studies, Voth has served as a teacher assistant for the choral department by leading the University Chorus and Masters Singers and as assistant conductor in the Chorale Lab Choir and Madrigal Singers. He also oversaw pre-service teachers in their practicum and student teaching experiences. His current research focuses on providing teachers with resources to create more accessible choral classrooms by integrating a cultural model of disability and culturally responsive teaching.

“We are eager to welcome Andrew to McPherson College,” said Amanda Gutierrez, provost. “Our students responded to his energy and expertise when he visited campus. He will be a great addition to the MC performing arts program.”

Voth earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Degree with education licensure from Bethel College in 2013 and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2020. His other professional experience includes serving as assistant conductor and soloist for the Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus, an ensemble of approximately 200 that performs two concerts each year to raise money for the Mennonite Central Committee. He was also choir director at Grace Hill Mennonite Church in Whitewater, Kan., and Lorraine Avenue Mennonite church in Wichita.

Cassandra Carmichael

Two McPherson College students received scholarships from The Kansas Independent College Foundation (KICF), celebrating the diverse and talented student community committed to excellence, virtue, and integrity. Cassandra Carmichael was awarded a First Generation Scholarship, and Heather Hudson was awarded a Future Leaders in Education Scholarship.

The Kansas Independent College Foundation received over 70 nominations for the annual merit-based scholarships. A volunteer panel of nine judges helped select the 21 winners, who represent seven of the KICF’s 21-member schools. Each nominee was asked to submit a detailed essay about their leadership training, future career goals, and why they chose an independent option for their higher education.

Heather Hudson

“We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve their goals, regardless of their background or circumstances,” said Matt Lindsey, KICF president. “Kansas will succeed when it supports all students, including adult learners, veterans, teachers, parents, and more. These scholarships are our contribution to that success.”

Carmichael, an automotive restoration student from Raleigh, N.C., was among five other students receiving a First Generational Scholarship for $1,000, and Hudson, an elementary education major from Greenville, Texas, was one of two students receiving the Future Leaders in Education Scholarship for $750.

McPherson College recognizes its highest academic achievers in the fall 2022 Honor Roll and Honorable Mention. Students must be full-time and earn a grade point average of 3.55 or higher during the last term to qualify for the Honor Roll. Students earning a grade point average from 3.25 to 3.54 are named to the Honorable Mention Roll.

Students named to the McPherson College Honor Roll for fall 2022 include:

Mattis Ahlgrimm, Lichtenstein, Saxony, Germany
Natalia Ahrens, Lees Summit, MO
Kaylie Akiona, Kaaawa, HI
Wyatt Allen, Topeka, KS
Amanda Ambrosy, Haslet, TX
Carter Anglin, Louisburg, KS
Lindzie Archer, McPherson, KS
Sarah Asher, Kansas City, MO
Robert Aurner, Topeka, KS
Bailey Avila, Corinth, TX
Diezel Balko, Crawford, CO
Rebekah Ballast, Oskaloosa, KS
Leia Barnes, Hutchinson, KS
Darril Baty, Sharpsville, IN
Tori Beeson, Wichita, KS
Michael Beltran Rubio, Bogota, Cundinamarca, Colombia
Cheneal Benne, Courtland, KS
Jakob Betzing, Glienicke/Nordbahn, Bran, Germany
Caden Beurkens, Byron Center, MI
Caeley Billings, Gardner, KS
Mia Birkes, McPherson, KS
Alexander Blossom, Mooresville, NC
Maelynne Bonner, Tonganoxie, KS
Lucy Bowman, McPherson, KS
Isabella Bradley, McPherson, KS
Tate Brewer, McPherson, KS
Kaelan Brockway, Salina, KS
Maggie Brown, Wallace, KS
Maxwell Brucks, Columbia, MO
Edwin Buiter, Ireton, IA
Fabian Camacho, Liberal, KS
Anthony Campanelli, Kenilworth, NJ
Jacob Campbell-Roberson, Nyack, NY
James Canar, Longmont, CO
Kaci Chadwick, Cheyenne Wells, CO
Joe Chapman, Roeland Park, KS
Taehyun Choi, East Meadow, NY
Tate Clem, Wichita, KS
Brandon Clifford, Carlisle, PA
Cole Coggins, Kiowa, KS
Ander Compere, West Park, FL
Daniel Connell, High Peak, Derbyshire, England
Mason Cox, Boerne, TX
Susanne Cunningham, Chanute, KS
Moriah Delgado, Saginaw, TX
Martin Delgado Agudelo, Bogota, Capital District, Colombia
Katie Dix, McPherson, KS
Dyron Dixon, Leander, TX
Madison Dobson, McPherson, KS
Darcy Dodd, Umbarger, TX
Noah Durham, Winona, MS
Kurtis Ebling, Lindsborg, KS
Harley Ferralez, Hesston, KS
Nathanael Fetters, Whitewright, TX
Caleb Feuerstake, Waterdown, Canada
Heidi Fischer, Aledo, TX
Elias Freed, Crested Butte, CO
Ryan Frerich, Lincoln, NE
Thomas Frick, Carefree, AZ
Hayden Fry, Cushing, OK
Koen Gakstatter, Stilwell, KS
Kaleb Gaona, Lubbock, TX
Naomi Campbell Gateka, Ouagadougou, Congo
Martin Gentes, Florence, MA
Mya Gildon, Mounds, OK
Johannes Glymour, Manhattan, KS
Kurt Golubski, Paola, KS
Conrad Gramckow, Ojai, CA
Graedon Green, McPherson, KS
Nathan Hall, Windsor, NY
Caden Hardgrave, McPherson, KS
Jake Hardin, Derby, KS
Zachary Hawley, Meade, KS
Addie Heitschmidt, Lindsborg, KS
Derika Helms, Inman, KS
Rachael Hendricks, McPherson, KS
Lola Hipp, Goodland, KS
Vanessa Hofer, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Australia
Kelly Hoffman, Wysox, PA
Alexander Holmes, Topeka, KS
Lauren Houston, Sugar Land, TX
Tabansi Howes, San Antonio, TX
Katelyn Huddle, McPherson, KS
Heather Hudson, Greenville, TX
Adam Hughes, Newman Lake, WA
Spencer Ice, Cameron, MO
Shelley Jobe, Hanford, CA
Kennedy Johnson, Colorado Springs, CO
Jordyn Johnson, Lakewood, CO
Laheerah Joseph, West Palm Beach, FL
Lasheicka Joseph, West Palm Beach, FL
Fabrice Kambale Wa Kahala, Florence, AL
Gracia Kasongo, Lubumbashi, Zaire
Andrew Kemp, Smyrna, GA
Kamal Kennedy, Arlington, TX
Brysen Kerby, Big Spring, TX
Summer Kirkman, Walnut, MS
Raegan Kleppe, Durant, OK
Sylvia Ko, McPherson, KS
Stephanie Ko, McPherson, KS
Jacob Koehn, Wichita, KS
Cooper Koestel, Hutchinson, KS
Christa Kondziola, North Newton, KS
Ty Kraemer, Mcpherson, KS
Dane Kudera, Baggs, WY
Cody Kuss, Bremerton, WA
Carlos Leandry Laureano, Byamon, Puerto Rico
Ryan Lee, Omaha, NE
Peyton Lindsey, Prairie Village, KS
Delani List, Shawnee Mission, KS
Brandon Lockett, Carrolton, TX
Gabrielle Lopez, Wichita, KS
Rhyan Lucas, Overland Park, KS
Lauren Machado, Elizabeth, CO
Alih Magana, Hutchinson, KS
Jimmy Mai, Gainesville, GA
Thomas Mancuso, Lititz, PA
Kael Markham, Topeka, KS
Gabrielle Martin, Norman, OK
Becky Masengu, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Christian Maxey, Damascus, OR
Kenya McCain, Plano, TX
Evan McGoldrick, Flower Mound, TX
Ellery McMurry, Greensburg, KS
Ally Miller, Havana, KS
Noah Miller, Chanhassen, MN
Maria Miranda, Great Bend, KS
Ezra Monroe, Melissa, TX
Ethan Montalvo, La Feria, TX
Jayla Moore, Forney, TX
Meghan Morris, Burleson, TX
Elijah Muehler, McPherson, KS
Trey Murphy, Wagga Wagga, Australia
Cash Nab, Fleming, CO
Arthur Nardy, Eauze, Midi-Pyrenees, France
Marcus Nardy, Eauze, Midi-Pyrenees, France
Graham Noblett, Fairport, NY
Kamryn Nolan, Mulvane, KS
Tyler Norris, Arvada, CO
Veronica Orlans, McPherson, KS
Hunter Ormond, West Palm Beach, FL
Kayla Ortiz, Brownsville, TX
Ashlee Oster, Wichita, KS
Haven Ousley, Camden, MS
Melia Palmejar, San Antonio, TX
Daniel Paul, Bakersfield, CA
James Pawlak, Palatine, IL
Emily Peterson, Canton, KS
Aidan Pham, Frisco, TX
Abriana Phipps, Humble, TX
Sierra Portenier, Phillipsburg, KS
Jeremy Porter, Seneca Falls, NY
Brianna Powers, Adel, IA
Kennan Puckett, Mesquite, TX
Robert Ramberg, Topeka, KS
Kyle Ramey, McPherson, KS
Laurenz Ries, Oglesby, Germany
Gregorio Rivera, McPherson, KS
Amari Robb, Folsom, CA
Luis Rodriguez Jr., The Colony, TX
Devin Roff, Comstock, WI
Frank Romanaggi, Portland, OR
Daniel Rowlett, Gustine, CA
Claudia Russe, Frsco, TX
Briana Ruth, McPherson, KS
Camila Sanchez, Bradenton, FL
Gustavo Sanchez, Hidalgo, TX
Alexia Sandoval, Rocky Ford, CO
Philip Schieffelin, Limon, CO
Robert Schonberner, Omaha, NE
Alexander Schoneweis, Lincoln, NE
Logan Scott, Caulfield, MO
Emily Segura, North Las Vegas, NV
Madison Servaes, McPherson, KS
Teegan Shepard, Perkins, OK
Austin Siegal, Panama City, FL
Eliseo Silva, Sterling, KS
Lauren Skinner, Fate, TX
Brooklyn Skinner, Jenks, OK
Hannah Smalley, Hutchinson, KS
Meghan Smith, Lindsborg, KS
Riley Sojka, Wichita, KS
Taylor Starr, Ness City, KS
Joseph Stefanese, Rockaway, NJ
Mason Stephens, Forney, TX
Cambre Strange, McPherson, KS
Colby Swift, Sedgwick, KS
Blake Swingle, Kalispell, MT
Tristan Szabo, Sparks, NV
Khanhvy Ta, Wichita, KS
Jonathan Tatum, Ore City, TX
Thomas Tencer, Humble, TX
Reagan Thai, Las Vegas, NV
Grant Thimmesch, Inman, KS
Kelcie Turner, Park City, KS
Mackenzie Unruh, Hesston, KS
Grace van Asselt, McPherson, KS
Isaiah Vazquez, Montebello, CA
Dalton Vogts, Moundridge, KS
Courtney Ward, Venus, TX
Joshua Warner, Milan, MI
Antonio Watson, Oklahoma City, OK
Kassidy Weaver, Katy, TX
Benjamin Weekly, Bishop’s Stortford, England
John Wells II, Newton, KS
Kinzye Whitehead, Fort Scott, KS
Matthew Whitney, McPherson, KS
Kylie Willis, Huffman, TX
Luca Winterton, Thunderidge, United Kingdom
Alexis Wolfe, Alma, NE
Amber Wood, Arlington, TX
Cameron Wright, Denison, TX
Val Zarkh, Hawthorn Wds, IL

Students named to the McPherson College Honorable Mention for fall 2022 include:

Nathan Addis, Hutchinson, KS
Niraj Adhikari, Austin, TX
Nicholas Amos, Simpsonville, SC
Daniela Arellanes, Lewisville, TX
Alexis Baylor, Plano, TX
Adam Benalcazar, Phoenix, MD
Samantha Bennett, North Richland Hills, TX
Kevine Bondo, McPherson, KS
Samuel Box, Macclesfield, England
Felix Bravo, Hanford, CA
Owen Braxmeyer, Manhattan, KS
Zachary Bredfield, Heppner, OR
Raegin Bromenshenkel, Phoenix, AZ
Oscar Brouwer, Groningen, Netherlands
Nathan Brown, Concordia, KS
Christian Brown, Melissa, TX
Tristen Brown, Conroe, TX
Caden Bush, Watkinsville, GA
Jesse Cammisano, Pleasant Hill, MO
Tanner Campbell, Moore, OK
Hayden Casey, Sapulpa, OK
Cory Chairs, Memphis, TN
Katherine Corrigan, Phoenix, AZ
Aaron Cyrus, Carrollton, TX
Brayton Dewell, Fowler, KS
Wendy Diaz, McPherson, KS
Zachary Dittert, Newton, KS
Jaxon Douthit, Shawnee, OK
Jonathan Edmunds, Fresno, CA
Hudson Edwards, Andale, KS
Mackenzie Egan, Vandreuil Dorion, QC, Canada
Joseph Ellison, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Aaron Elvin-Temple, Lindsborg, KS
Dayjsha Fanning, Bel Aire, KS
Jasper Fedders, Sioux Center, IA
Baxter Ferguson, Houston, TX
Alexandra Foley, Lakewood, CO
Hayden Foster, Little Elm, TX
Cameron Fouts, Eddy, TX
Lauren Fuksa, Andover, KS
Summer Garcia, Ontario, CA
Sarah Georgiou, Hesston, KS
Zachary Gerber, Los Gatos, CA
Amanda Goering, Hutchinson, KS
Samuel Grim, Johnstown, CO
Kiara Hawkins, Robstown, TX
Emma Heglin, Syracuse, KS
Bailey Hulce, Baldwin City, KS
Noah Huls, Aurora, NE
Zoe Jerke, Great Bend, KS
Kadee Johnson, Groveton, TX
Brandt Johnson, Peyton, CO
DeAngelo Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK
Eli Jordan, Claremore, OK
Aidan Klaas, Somerset, WI
Kane Kolar, West, TX
Andrew Laird, Charlotte, NC
Alyssa Lambert, Wichita, KS
Aumario Landrum, Wichita, KS
Toby Leffew, American Fork, UT
Madison Logan, Driftwood, TX
Tyler Loy, Topeka, KS
Phebe Lyne, Barnard, KS
Campbell Lyons, Whitby, ON, Canada
Mark MacDougall, Manhattan, KS
Blake Maddock, Oakdale, CA
Tyler Marcum, Missouri Valley, IA
Lucas McAlister, Noblesville, IN
Killian McDonald, Topeka, KS
Celeste McMillen, Kittanning, PA
NhlakaniphoMethula, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Drake Miller, Rupert, ID
ChristopherMiller, West Milton, OH
Meghan Monroe, McPherson, KS
Katelyn Moore, Douglass, KS
Breanna Morck, Mount Hope, KS
Matisyn Moses, Scott City, KS
Peniel Mpoyi, Lubumbashi, Congo
Simon Mulumba Mukadi, Kinshasa, Congo
Michel Mwengwe, Lubumbashi, Congo
Tyler Natkin, Warrington, PA
Jeremiah Naylor, Heber, CA
Fabio Nickel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Alexandrea Pak, Pulyallup, WA
Carissa Peters, Frisco, TX
Jacquiline Pfautz, Andover, MN
Arriyonn Phillips, Matteson, IL
Carly Pomrenke, Brighton, CO
Alvin Poole, Houston, TX
Samuel Povod, Erie, PA
David Rees, Gisborne VIC, Australia
Parker Roberts, Carbondale, KS
Ryan Robertson, Ordway, CO
Gillian Rodgers, Justin, TX
Olivia Rodriguez, McPherson, KS
Curtis Rose, Midwest City, OK
Nathan Ruble, Memphis, TN
Draven Ruiz, Carmel, NY
Aidan Salazar, Laredo, TX
Natalia Salto, Cimarron, KS
Brandi Satterfield, Bellevue, NE
Andrew Schaefer, Sag Harbor, NY
Robert Schmidt, Litchfield Park, AZ
Dustin Schnacker, Tulare, CA
Jose Serrano, Stockton, CA
Gerod Shaffer, Topeka, KS
Zachary Sill, Platte City, MO
Hannah Simmons, Stafford, KS
Ernest Skehan, Waynesboro, PA
Darren Slatter, Hallettsville, TX
Ross Smith, Panama City, FL
Liam Spaw, Golden, CO
Emma Speer, Cedar Vale, KS
Rebecca Steffen, Vinton, IA
Oliver Stout, Sandusky, OH
Gabriel Stratta, Bryan, TX
Philip Swank, Pomona, KS
Katelynn Swindall, Tulsa, OK
Ryan Tate, Denton, TX
Eludie Tsasa Nsunda, Kinshasa-Ngaliema, Congo
Alexander Van Patten, Phillipsburg, KS
Jewelissa VanMeter, McPherson, KS
Hannah Wagner, San Antonio, TX
Lacy Weaver, Midlothian, TX
Ethan Weinhoffer, Hesston, KS
Nicholas Wilson, Hutchinson, KS
Camden Wiseman, Overland Park, KS
Megan Wright, Woodbridge, CA
Collin Young, Garland, TX

McPherson College student Emma Speer was among the inaugural class of the NextGen Under 30 recognized at an awards ceremony in Topeka on Dec. 2. NextGen Under 30 is a recognition program developed by the Kansas legislature that celebrates the talent cultivated in Kansas to keep young professionals in the state.

Speer was selected from the sports and outdoors nomination category. She is a senior from Cedar Vale, Kan., and plans to graduate in May with a degree in sociology, then pursue a master’s degree in social work. She is also a member of the Bulldog shotgun sports team.

“Receiving this award shows that people are aware of your passions and achievements,” Speer said. “This award isn’t just a symbol of one’s achievements, but a symbol of the dedication and passion they have to create new opportunities in Kansas and influence future generations.”

In addition to the awards ceremony, Governor Laura Kelly and Lieutenant Governor David Toland hosted the winners at a Day at the Capitol in October.

“The NextGen Under 30 experience has been amazing,” Speer said. “It allowed me to learn about the careers and passions of other young individuals around the state. Listening to successful Kansas residents and their inspiring stories was very eye-opening.”

The NextGen Under 30 program encourages the next generation of innovative, creative, and inspiring individuals who push the boundaries in various categories or endeavors. Award winners were selected based on their participation and contribution to their communities. A panel of business and civic leaders served as judges.

“Recognizing exceptional individuals in Kansas is essential to the success of our state and the future of our economy,” said Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce Toland.

McPherson College announces the recipients of the 2022-23 Teaching Awards. The college presents the awards yearly at the annual Honors Convocation to one tenured and one non-tenured faculty member. This year’s recipients are Dr. Kim Stanley and Dr. Amanda Yamaski.

A committee of three students and last year’s teaching award recipients reviewed nominations in each category from students and faculty colleagues to select this year’s honorees. Thanks to the foresight and generosity of Thelma Kightlinger, the college enjoys the benefits of an endowed faculty development fund, which provides a modest honorarium for these awards.

The committee selected Dr. Kim Stanley, professor and chair of modern languages, for the tenured award. Dr. Stanley was recognized for her commitment to the college’s mission of scholarship, participation, and service in all that she does. She was nominated for her skill as an educator and for supporting students and the institution. Dr. Stanley is a respected leader on campus and is known for her thoughtful, creative, and balanced approach to projects. She has served as department chair, program reviewer, accreditation committee member, and Horizon Fund Award team.

“Her work in and out of the classroom is guided by a clear set of principles that every student should develop the capacity to read and understand the stories of others, even when, or maybe especially when, those stories differ from their own,” said Amanda Gutierrez, provost, in recognizing Dr. Stanley.

Dr. Yamasaki, assistant professor of biology, was selected for the non-tenured award. She was nominated for her enthusiasm in the classroom and the high priority she places on both students’ academic development and personal well-being. In the classroom, Dr. Yamasaki is known for teaching challenging subject matter, finding creative methods to engage students, and helping them connect to the content in meaningful and lasting ways. She extends her support beyond the classroom to offer encouragement whether it’s study strategies or advice on life. One comment from her nomination said, “no matter how rough the rest of my week has been, I always leave class invigorated!”

The teacher education program at McPherson College received national accreditation from the Council for Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP) as well as state accreditation from the Kansas State Board of Education after program reviews earlier this year.

CAEP is a professional accreditor focused on accrediting teacher education programs at colleges and universities in the United States. It sets the national standards in teacher education and granted McPherson College full accreditation through 2028. The state accreditation status is valid through June 30, 2029

“Receiving full accreditation from CAEP and KSDE validates the quality of our program,” said Shane Kirchner, professor and chair of the teacher education program. “This process helps ensure that the future teachers we prepare are ready for the challenges they will encounter in the classroom.”

Dr. Kirchner, along with Dr. Vicki Schmidt and Professor April Counts, M.A.Ed., M.A., comprise the teacher education program.

The program at McPherson College offers licensure in 16 areas. The college also offers an accelerated program to incoming freshmen that leads to a bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s in curriculum and instruction degrees with licensure in K-6 and endorsement of either ESOL or special education completed in as little as four years.

Learn more about the teacher education program at www.mcpherson.edu/teacher-education.