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About Us

Welcome to the energy and excitement that is MidAmerica Nazarene University!

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President's Message

The MNU experience is transformational! We seek to encourage students’ academic growth and career preparation, while finding their calling, making life-long connections, and experiencing spiritual vitality. 

At MNU, we are guided by our goal to provide excellence, community, service, and transformational opportunities that will impact the world for Jesus Christ through our graduates. 

Mission, Vision & Values

As a Christian, evangelical university we believe Jesus Christ is Lord and the final authority for our faith and our lives. Thus every aspect of university activity, from instruction to student life to business practices, flow from this truth.

All students, whether traditional, professional and graduate, commuter or online, are encouraged to find spiritual growth and fulfillment at MNU. While MNU is one of 11 Nazarene institutions of higher education in North America, our community is diverse and represents 44 denominations and six different religions. Our courses, activities and services are designed to support a culture that promotes Christ-centered love to one another, our community and our world.

Our Mission

A transformative university that nurtures Christlike community, pursues academic excellence, and cultivates a passion to serve.

Our Vision

To impact the world for Jesus Christ through servant leaders recognized for their excellence, integrity, and spiritual vitality.

Core Values

As a university community we are committed to the following core values:

To affirm our commitment to the Church of the Nazarene, the ministry of the local church and our mission as a Christ-centered educational community in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition.

To deliver excellence in teaching and learning through a passion for lifelong learning, quality student services, innovation and a culture of continuous improvement.

To develop and implement a sustainability model for the stewardship of financial and physical resources to promote excellence in academic programs and services, support faculty and staff and provide contingencies to protect, promote and advance the ongoing viability of the university.

To nurture and work together to build a Christ-like community of faith and learning interdependent in function and guided by the Holy Spirit.

To be driven by our common purpose and collective action to inspire and develop servant leaders who will personally and professionally impact our world for Jesus Christ.

faculty with student in science lab on cover of strategic plan document

MNU Strategic Plan

As a university community we are committed to the following core values:

ILLUMINATE

MNU’s strategic plan results from input from the entire campus community. The goal? To involve, engage and inspire the community to dream, vision and ideate the strategies, goals, and initiatives that are the focus through 2030. Three themes emerged in the process.

INNOVATE

To elevate the core values that characterize the university’s mission and embody the qualities of a pioneer.

RISE

To advance the institutional story through financial stability and industry excellence.

Cabinet

Dr. David Spittal
Dr. David J. Spittal
President
Mr. Darrel Anderson
Mr. Darrel W. Anderson
Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Abby Hodges
Dr. Abby M. Hodges
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer
Mrs. Lisa Hood
Mrs. Lisa B. Hood
Vice President for Strategic Expansion
Dr. Jon North
Dr. Jon D. North
Senior Vice President for University Advancement
Mr. Daniel Rincones
Mr. Daniel S. Rincones
Vice President for Student Development

Board of Trustees

The professionals serving on MidAmerica Nazarene University’s  Board of Trustees are selected from the districts of the North Central Region of the Church of the Nazarene and at-large members. 

SEE OUR BOARD
Rev. Timothy W. Carter
Iowa District Superintendent
Rev. Darren E. Melton
Iowa District
Brenna M. Selden
Iowa District
Rev. Phillip A. Rhoades
Joplin District Superintendent
Rev. Kyle J. Rogers
Joplin District
Dr. Larry D. McIntire
Joplin District
Rev. R. Kendall Franklin
Kansas District Superintendent
Rev. Jay E. Bessmer
Kansas District
Peggy J. Hephner
Kansas District
Crystal K. Page
Kansas District
Rev. Kyle Poole
Kansas City District Superintendent
Dr. Clark Armstrong
Kansas City District
Chad B. Cook
Kansas City District
Dr. LeEtta J. Felter
Kansas City District
Dr. Branson C. Roberts, Jr.
Kansas City District
Dr. Michael G. Palmer
Missouri District Superintendent
Rev. Jason P. Hill
Missouri District
Philip D. Speicher
Missouri District
Rev. Dustin L. Ledford
Nebraska District Superintendent
Dr. Deanna L. Edwards
Nebraska District
Rev. Steven P. Hoffman
Prairie Lakes District Superintendent
Rev. Sokurt Suos
Prairie Lakes District
Alan D. Carlson
Prairie Lakes District
Dr. Daniel D. Rexroth
At-Large; Board Chair
Brent A. Barkman
At-Large
Dr. Wendy M. Belcher
At-Large
Timothy J. Buchanan.
At-Large
Ervin L. Cash
At-Large
Rev. Marcos Cisneros
At-Large
Dr. Merrill R. Conant
At-Large
John C. Dahl
At-Large
Rev. Kevin D. Donoho
At-Large
Andrew L. Speicher
At-Large
Rev. Frederick B. Toomey, Jr.
At-Large
Dr. George R. Williams
At-Large
Dr. N. Jeannie Williams
At-Large
Dr. David J. Spittal
MNU President

Foundation Board of Directors

The professionals serving on MidAmerica Nazarene University’s  Board of Trustees are selected from the districts of the North Central Region of the Church of the Nazarene and at-large members. 

SEE OUR BOARD
Dr. David J. Spittal
Dr. Daniel D. Rexroth
Mr. Charles J. Nunamaker, Jr.
Dr. Jon D. North
Dr. Larry D. McIntire
Mr. Michael D. Major
Mrs. Christa C. Jenkins
Mr. Kevin P. Gilmore
Mr. Douglas L. Diehl
Mr. Keith B. Cox
Mr. Darrel W. Anderson

Economic Impact Report

Dr. David Spittal​

President

EdD; Educational Administration (Higher Education/Public Relations), Ball State University
MSE; Music, Ball State University
BS; Music & Art Education, Ball State University

Dr. David Spittal has been the president of MidAmerica Nazarene University since 2012. Under his leadership, the university is striving to reach the next level of God-honoring excellence.

Prior to coming to MNU, Dr. Spittal served as president of Southern Wesleyan University in Central, S.C., from 1994 to 2011. During his 17-year tenure, the university experienced historic growth and expanded to five campuses and learning centers. His work led SWU to strengthen and build relationships with the local and regional community.

An influential member of the local community, Dr. Spittal serves on various councils and boards including the Council of Advisors of the Olathe Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trustees for the Kansas Independent College Association and Kansas Independent College Fund. He is a member of the USA/Canada Council of Education of the Church of the Nazarene.

He and his wife Donna have two grown sons and six grandchildren.

Darrel Anderson

Vice President for Finance

Master of Accountancy, University of Missouri
BA in Business Administration, MidAmerica Nazarene University

Darrel Anderson brings a wealth of strategic finance, budget development and cash flow management to his role as MNU’s Vice President for Finance. Anderson has more than 30 years of public and private experience. He has held the CFO position at a variety of companies, including his position as the CFO for the State of Indiana’s Department of Revenue. Anderson’s interest in finance began at MNU, where he earned his undergraduate degree in business administration.

He and his wife reside in Olathe.

Dr. Abby Hodges

Vice President for Academic Affairs

PhD; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
MS; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
BS; Chemistry, Denison University

Dr. Hodges began her career in higher education at Azusa Pacific University as a chemistry professor from 2008 to 2014. She then moved to MNU where she taught and in 2018 was appointed Chair of the Department of Natural, Health, and Mathematical Sciences. From 2022-2023, before accepting the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hodges was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Hodges’ career research has focused on protein folding and protein engineering, and she has mentored over twenty students in these research projects. She has also furthered the MNU first-year experience program and chaired the General Education committee for five years. Dr. Hodges was recognized as the MNU Faculty of the Year in 2021.

Dr. Hodges lives in Olathe with her husband Ryan and two boys.

Lisa Hood

Vice President for Strategic Expansion

MLA; Psychology, Baker University, 2015

Lisa Hood has been with MNU since 2015, previously serving as School of Professional and Graduate Studies director of business partnerships and community relations.

As vice president, Hood provides leadership for the SPGS strategic growth initiatives and recruitment along with student services and support systems.

Her career prior to MNU includes positions at two other universities. She served at the Institute for Professional Development and Helix Education assigned to Baker University and worked as associate director of admissions at both Avila University and Baker University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Emporia State and a Master of Liberal Arts with a concentration in psychology from Baker University. In addition to her current responsibilities, Hood teaches sociology courses at MNU.

Hood and her husband, Joe, live in Olathe. They have two college-aged daughters.

Dr. Jon North

Vice President for Institutional Advancement

EdD; Ethical Leadership, Olivet Nazarene University
MBA; MidAmerica Nazarene University
BA in International Development, MidAmerica Nazarene University

Dr. Jon North serves as the Vice President for University Advancement for MidAmerica Nazarene University and as the Executive Director of the MNU Foundation. Prior to joining MNU, Dr. North had a 17-year career at Heart to Heart International, a globally recognized international humanitarian and disaster relief agency. Under Dr. North’s leadership, Heart to Heart expanded its relief work around the world and was named to Forbes magazine’s “America’s Top 200 Charities List.” As an active member of the Kansas City community, Dr. North serves on various non-profit and community boards.

A long-time supporter of the university, Dr. North is also an MNU alum. He and his wife Faith met while attending MNU. They have four children.

Daniel Rincones

Vice President for Student Development

MA, LPC, SATP MA; Counseling, 2015, MidAmerica Nazarene University
Post-graduate Certificate; Sexual Addictions Treatment Provider, 2017, MidAmerica Nazarene University
BA; Bible, Theology and Religion, 2009, MidAmerica Nazarene University

Daniel began his career in student development as a resident educator and assistant chaplain at MNU. He also served as youth pastor at Christ Community Church of the Nazarene in Olathe from 2008 to 2013.

Daniel served as director of residential life beginning in 2015 and transitioned to dean of students in 2020 before being named vice president in 2021. He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Counselor Education at MNU and serves local clients as a licensed professional counselor.

“I am thrilled about the opportunity to continue my work with MNU students,” Daniel says. “Our mission of creating a transformational experience in the lives of today’s students is more important than ever as they navigate young adulthood and societal issues while they earn their education.”

Rincones and his wife, Kylee, a licensed professional counselor employed by the Olathe School District, reside in Olathe.