College of Education & Human Services
The College of Education and Human Services at John Brown University consists of the undergraduate departments of Family and Human Services, Kinesiology, Nursing, Psychology, and Teacher Education, as well as the graduate departments of Counseling, Education, and Higher Education.
Undergraduate Education & Human Services Programs
Graduate Education & Human Services Programs
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Faculty and Leadership
































Melissa Hall
Department Head, Family and Human Services
Associate Professor of Family and Human Services
In addition to teaching, Dr. Hall is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She is passionate about foster care and adoption, advocacy, and empowering her students to reach their full potential. Dr. Hall is a member of the American Counseling Association, The National Council on Family Relations, The Christian Association of Psychological Studies, and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.
Dr. Hall, her husband, and their two boys live in Fayetteville, AR. They love being involved in New Heights Church and Potters House Ministries.

Carey Lampton
Professor of Counseling
Dr. Carey Lampton is a Licensed Psychologist. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Arkansas and his masters and Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Texas Tech University. He is a member of the National Register for Health Service Psychologists and the American Psychotherapy Association. In addition to teaching, Dr. Lampton maintains a private counseling practice specializing in men’s issues, couples’ counseling, and the evaluation of learning disorders. Dr. Lampton has been married to Stacey for 30 years. They have three sons and two daughters and reside in Siloam Springs.

Janet Gardner
Mrs. Janet Gardner began her nursing career 21 years ago as a pediatric nurse in a children’s hospital in Utah. Her acute care nursing years were primarily spent in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and nursery areas caring for mothers and their babies. She began teaching Community Health about 6 years ago and this led her to discover a love for educating new nurses. She completed her Master’s Degree in Nursing Education at the University of Arkansas 20 years after receiving her BSN, showing it is never too late to pursue your dreams. She joined the faculty of John Brown University in May of 2017. Her passion is to encourage nursing students to find a way to connect to their patients in all interactions. If it is a baby in the NICU or a homeless person at the shelter, she believes we have the privilege of being the hands and feet of God through our calling as nurses. She strives to show this in all she does in the classroom and clinical settings. She is honored to be able to openly express the connection between nursing and our relationship with the Lord as a professor at JBU.
Mrs. Gardner has been married to her husband Kent for 17 years and has 3 children: Max, Zachary and Samantha. In between transporting her boys to and from the golf course and her daughter to Girl Scouts and choir, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen and spending time outdoors in Northwest Arkansas.


Connie Matchell
Department Head, Teacher Education
Professor of Teacher Education
Dr. Connie Matchell started her career with JBU as the Head of the Graduate Education program in 2015. Graduating from JBU in 1977, Dr. Matchell has always maintained strong ties with the university. She draws from 30 years of public school experience as a high school teacher, middle school principal, and district curriculum director to provide a rich foundation for her Graduate Teacher Education classes.
Dr. Matchell's accomplishments include serving as an Arkansas Department of Education Praxis III Assessor, an Arkansas Department of Education Scholastic Audit Team Member, an AdvanceEd team member, a Math Crusade Trainer, NEWMAST participant, Teacher of the Year, and the Arkansas Middle School Association Principal that Makes a Difference.

Michelle Satterlee
A believer in good coffee and good people, Michelle Satterlee has become a fan of JBU and Siloam Springs. Dr. Satterlee is a Licensed Psychologist. She joined the JBU community after years abroad and in the Northwest, and while she may miss the coast and international train travel, she does not miss commuter traffic. Dr. Satterlee is constantly impressed by her students and clients, and she has a passion to see their God-given potential thrive. When Dr. Satterlee is not in a classroom, a coffee shop, or with clients, you may find her at the local hardware store, planning the next (probably-more-than) weekend project.

Robyn Daugherty
Athletic Director
Instructor of Kinesiology
Mrs. Robyn Daugherty served JBU as the Women's Volleyball Coach beginning in 1989, and joined the JBU faculty in 1999. She currently serves as the JBU Director of Athletics and Instructor of Kinesiology. Mrs. Daugherty instructs activity sections or independent study when needed. She enjoys working with the students at JBU – getting to know them and encouraging them to “stay active” and to get involved. She also enjoys traveling, the outdoors, and being with family.

Kathleen Paulsen
Head, Women's Soccer Coach
Instructor of Kinesiology
Kathleen Paulsen is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a B.A. in Biology, a M.S. in Kinesiology, and is currently working on her Ph.D. in Health, Sport and Exercise Science. Along with being a teacher and student, she is the women’s soccer coach at John Brown University. Her research seeks to use technologies such as GPS and heart rate monitors to regulate fatigue, prevent injuries, and help drive training conditions for optimal performance. As a teacher, she hopes to help students see that a holistic approach to health and wellness will help prepare them for a lifetime of usefulness. When not in the classroom, on the field, or in the lab, she enjoys coffee, board games, a game of pick-up basketball, and being outdoors.


Ellen Odell
Director of Nursing Program
Associate Professor of Nursing Education
Dr. Ellen Odell received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Case Western Reserve in 2008; she received her MSN from George Mason University in 1992. She holds an Arkansas license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and has over 30 years of experience in nursing, with the past 20 years primarily in nursing education. Dr. Odell has previous experience as a program director, as well as both undergraduate and graduate teaching. She began working with John Brown University (JBU) in 2013 as a consultant for their proposed BSN program and began full time as program director in 2014.
Because of her dedication and drive, JBU has a state-of the-art fully accredited nursing program. She is highly esteemed by her students as Jacqueline Craddock ’18 says,
“Dr. Odell’s dedication to this program and her students is unsurpassed. Her vast knowledge, approachable attitude, and personal faith radiates from her life both in the classroom and personally. Her office door is always open and I have personally seen her burn the “midnight oil” on several occasions. Yet, no matter the time of day, she is always available. She goes above and beyond what most can only dream of doing.”
Dr. Odell often opens her home to students to relax poolside or attend a Super Bowl party featuring some of her delectable cupcake creations. She has been married to her husband, Dan, for 34 years, and they have three grown daughters.

Geoffrey Reddick
Assistant Professor of Family and Human Services
Dr. Geoff Reddick counts it a privilege to work with students as they pursue their callings and passions in the helping professions. His primary desires are to help students develop empathy towards others, become more authentic and vulnerable with themselves, and grow in confidence and boldness in their own abilities.
Dr. Reddick is a Licensed Marital & Family Therapist, an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and a Clinical Fellow in AAMFT. He received his B.A. in Psychology & Classical Studies from the University of Arkansas, an M.S. in Marriage & Family Therapy from John Brown University, and a Ph.D. in Family Therapy from Saint Louis University. His primary clinical interest is working with couples and families, especially in intensive settings. He previously worked for Focus on the Family’s Marriage Institute, providing intensive marital therapy and leading marital enrichment retreats with his wife, Lindsey. He and Lindsey have two daughters, Mollie Jo & Murphy.

Deana Reinhardt
Assistant Professor of Nursing Education
Mrs. Deana Reinhardt began her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant in a local Emergency Department (ED) in Northwest Arkansas in 1995. While working full-time in the ED, she attended Northwest Arkansas Community College where she graduated with her Associate Degree in Nursing. She has had various roles as an RN in the ED and hospital setting for over 20 years. In 2017, she earned her M.S. in Nursing through Regis University’s RN to MSN program and soon began teaching at John Brown University.
In the position of Clinical Educator, Mrs. Reinhardt realized how much she enjoyed teaching others and wanted to expand her teaching role. She taught various American Heart Association and Emergency Nurses Association courses hospital wide that directly relate to emergency medicine and trauma care. Her desire is to create a learning environment that supports and encourages the various learning styles of students. She believes she has been called by God to teach in an academic setting that supports the growth and equipping of nursing students. Romans 12: 6-7 says, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching.”

Brenton Benware
Head, Men's Soccer Coach
Instructor of Kinesiology
Mr. Benware enjoys his time in the classroom and works to create an active learning environment. He appreciates the opportunity to teach healthy living principles to JBU students.
In addition to the classroom, Mr. Benware also serves as the head coach for the men's soccer team and is the director of intramurals. He enjoys skiing, playing most sports, and any opportunity for adventure.

Brian Herndon
Associate Professor of Teacher Education
Dr. Brian Herndon has been in education for over 20 years. He has served as a classroom teacher in Kindergarten, 1st grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade. He has also served as an elementary principal, elementary assistant principal, and the director of an early childhood special education preschool, where he served as a Local Education Authority (LEA) for hundreds of special education IEP meetings. As a classroom teacher, he developed a special interest in the teaching of reading and language arts and has studied extensively in these areas. Dr. Herndon’s experience in education is complimented by the fact that he is the father of four children, one of whom has Down syndrome. So, education is not just a professional calling for him, it is a personal calling as well.


Bonnie Phillips
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Dr. Bonnie Phillips is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor and Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Arkansas. She is a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist and Supervisor, and has two trauma related specialized trainings EMDR and is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.
She received her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 1995 and her PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2004.
Dr. Phillips has practiced individual, couple, family, and group therapy in a variety of settings including outpatient, residential treatment, and intensive outpatient working with adolescents and adults. Most recently she has been teaching and working in private practice in Little Rock where she specializes in trauma, addiction, and couples counseling.
Dr. Phillips writes and speaks on a variety of topics. She recently co-authored the revision of the book, Betrayal Bond with Dr. Patrick Carnes.
She and her husband W.E. have one son who is currently a sophomore in college.

Melissa Michael
Mrs. Melissa Michael has a passion for making mathematics understandable and enjoyable. Outside of the classroom, she loves to serve the community and participate in short-term missions.

Sheryl Hill
Associate Professor of Nursing Education
Dr. Sheryl Hill began working at JBU in the summer of 2016 after previous teaching experiences at Oklahoma Wesleyan University and Missouri Southern State University. Dr. Hill received her BSN from Boise State University and both her M.S. and DNP from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Hill worked as a tribal public health nurse for most of her nursing career and focused her graduate studies on Public Health Nursing. She was recognized by the University of Minnesota School Of Nursing as a distinguished alumnus for her work to improve health care access for Cherokee people and for encouraging scholarly nursing in the tribal nursing community.
Dr. Hill loves spending time with her family on Grand Lake in Northeast Oklahoma, where she lives with her husband Ron. She volunteers her time at the Christian Medical Clinic in Grove, Oklahoma. Dr. Hill is a life-long member and children’s Sunday School teacher at Carter Baptist Church. She has one daughter, Morgan, who will complete a Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Oklahoma in May 2019.

Kevin Simpson
Department Head of Psychology
Professor of Psychology
Prior to arriving in Northwest Arkansas, Dr. Kevin Simpson taught for 12 years in Portland, Oregon and briefly, in the wilds of rural Utah immediately after completing graduate school in counseling psychology at the University of Denver. His background and training in psychotherapy also required a full year clinical internship at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He holds memberships in the American Psychological Association, the Psi Chi Honor Society in Psychology, and Division 2 of the APA, the Teaching of Psychology.
Dr. Simpson considers it a privilege to teach courses in Social, Personality, and Abnormal Psychology; Counseling Theory; the Psychology and History of the Holocaust; Sport and Exercise Psychology; and the Integration of Faith and Psychology. His most recent publications have been on the teaching the psychology of genocide, genius and creativity, and the use of classic and modern propaganda in the teaching of social psychology. He also writes for outdoor magazines on the application of visualization and imagery principles in sport psychology to hunting and shooting pursuits.
Dr. Simpson has been a research fellow twice at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum (2009, 2010) and a fellow in the 2011 Summer Institute on the Holocaust and Jewish Civilization at Northwestern University (Illinois). His other professional interest areas include college student development, HIV/AIDS outreach, and international education. Dr. Simpson’s academic work has also taken him to Scotland, Germany, Mexico, Poland and Austria. For the Fall 2011 semester, he taught on the genocidal legacy of National Socialism as part of a study abroad program in Vienna, Austria.
Dr. Simpson has been recognized for his teaching by student groups, receiving ‘favorite faculty’ awards at his previous two universities. And for several summers, Dr Simpson served as a guest faculty in a summer college preparatory program at Yale University where he taught a seminar entitled “Beautiful Minds”: Psychology revealed through exceptional lives. This seminar was also offered as part of a faculty-in-residence experience in a study abroad program in London, England in 2007.
During the summer of 2012, he presented at the 8th International Conference on Holocaust Education at the International School for Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem Memorial and Museum in Jerusalem, Israel. His lecture, “Creating the Jewish Enemy: Psychology Explains Nazi Propaganda and Perpetration”, advanced a long-held desire for his students to recognize their own vulnerability to being passive, indifferent bystanders to discrimination and, in worst of times, genocide.
In 2016, Dr. Simpson finished his first book, an examination of soccer during the Holocaust, titled Soccer under the Swastika (Rowman & Littlefield). Relying on long-forgotten memoirs and testimonies, his book reveals the surprisingly powerful role soccer played during World War II. From the earliest days of the Nazi dictatorship, captives played soccer behind the walls and fences of the Nazi terror state. To these prisoners, the ‘beautiful game’ was a glimmer of joy amid unrelenting hunger and torture, a show of resistance against the most heinous regime the world had ever seen.
But his true passions in life include his Texan wife, Stefanie, their two children Grace and Eli, playing soccer, upland bird hunting, and reveling in the ongoing successes of Manchester United football club.

Tim Dinger
Executive Director, JBU Community Counseling Clinics
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Dr. Dinger serves as the Executive Director of the JBU Community Counseling Centers. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a specialization in supervision. Clinically a generalist, he enjoys working with adults, couples and adolescents.
His research and clinical interests are in counselor development, group process, how developmental issues influence adult functioning and the relationship of lifestyle and mental health.
Dr. Dinger is married to Pam. They have four adult children and two grandchildren.

Judy Winslett
Dr. Judy Winslett is licensed in both Arkansas and Oklahoma as a teacher, school counselor, building administrator, and district administrator. She received her bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State University, master’s degree from John Brown University, and specialist and doctorate degrees from Harding University. Dr. Winslett began teaching for JBU as an adjunct in 2013 and joined the university as a full-time faculty member in 2017.
Dr. Winslett has worked in both Oklahoma and Arkansas public school systems for 23 years teaching vocational business classes, serving as high school counselor, assistant high school principal, and high school principal. At the district level, Dr. Winslett served as federal programs coordinator and assistant superintendent. She has also served on regional and state level committees working to provide enhanced opportunities for secondary students as they prepare for life after high school.

J. Richard Ellis
Dean, College of Education and Human Services
Professor of Higher Education
Before becoming the dean of the College of Education and Human Services, Dr. Ellis served John Brown University in a number of administrative capacities, at times overseeing multiple roles simultaneously. In 1993 he initiated JBU’s bachelor’s degree completion program for adult learners, a program he directed for seventeen years. For 15 years beginning in 2004 Dr. Ellis was the dean of the Graduate School. In 2010 he was appointed as the Project Manager for the University’s five-year two-million-dollar Title III grant that was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to put the degree completion program online. In addition to his administrative duties, Dr. Ellis directs and teaches in the Master of Arts program in higher education.
Dr. Ellis’s service to the higher education community extends beyond John Brown University. He was co-editor of the Fall 2012 issue of New Directions for Higher Education. As a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission, he participates in accreditation visits to other college campuses regularly and served as a member of the Commission's Accreditation Review Council. He served on the Leadership Council of Christian Adult Higher Education Association (CAHEA), including two years as CAHEA president, and on the original Steering Committee for the CCCU Center for Research in Adult Learning. Prior to coming to JBU he held faculty and administrative positions at colleges in Michigan and Virginia.
A Chicago native, Dean Ellis spent his early years growing up in the Chicago area, Mexico City and Detroit. His graduate education includes a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Michigan and a Master of Divinity degree from the Talbot Theological Seminary of Biola University. His work in higher education has allowed him to travel internationally, including China, Hong Kong, Guatemala, the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Czech Republic. He and his wife Carol enjoy serving as a host family for JBU WISP students from Mexico as they have done for a number of years.


Charles Romig
Professor of Counseling
Dr. Chuck Romig joined the faculty at John Brown University in 2008 after serving as a faculty member at Wichita State University for 23 years. He earned his bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Illinois, his masters in counseling from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and his PhD in marriage and family therapy from Purdue University. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Arkansas, a Registered Play Therapist, and has been a clinical member and Approved Supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy since the early 1980s. His current interests relate to early childhood mental health issues and use of play therapy with preschool age children. Recently he has made presentations at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, the American Association for Christian Counseling, and the Arkansas Association for Play Therapy. |

Nicholas Cornett
Dr. Cornett is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Arkansas. He is also a Registered Play Therapist. Family therapy and play therapy are his primary professional interests. In addition to teaching, Dr. Cornett counsels clients in a private practice setting. He primarily works with children and their families. Dr. Cornett is a member of the American Counseling Association, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Association for Play Therapy. He and his wife, Kim, and their three children live in Siloam Springs and are members of Redeemer Presbyterian Church

Todd Bowden
Head, Department of Kinesiology
Associate Professor of Kinesiology
Associate Professor of Kinesiology, Todd Bowden, joined the John Brown University faculty in 1995. Mr. Bowden's courses include Athletic Training Techniques, Injury Evaluation and Rehabilitation, Therapeutic Exercise & Modalities, Biomechanics, and Exercise Physiology.
Mr. Bowden creates a comfortable classroom experience with his relaxed teaching style. He tries to give students as much practical application of the material as possible by utilizing much of his class time for labs.
The Christian atmosphere that he has found while teaching at JBU is what makes the experience the most enjoyable.
Mr. Bowden is the head athletic trainer for the Golden Eagle athletic program and also enjoys following the business world such as the stock market and banking.

Richard Froman
Professor of Psychology
Department Head, Online Undergraduate Psychology
Dr. Rick Froman graduated with his B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento. He continued at CSU to gain a master's degree in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling. He received his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Wyoming. Dr. Froman specializes in the areas of experimental psychology, the psychology of humor, and the use of technology in teaching including online teaching. His current interests include encouraging undergraduate research through publishing an online student research journal. He is also known for his use of technology in the classroom, which is a continuation of his work as a former Teagle Fellow in Technology in Teaching.
Dr. Froman's courses include Research Seminar, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, Theories of Learning, Psychological Testing, Cognitive Psychology, and Research Methods. Among his favorite classes to teach are Research Methods, Research Seminar, and Statistics, taught both in a computer lab and online so that students can use the computers interactively to learn statistical concepts.
Dr. Froman enjoys mentoring students by working with them to develop research projects that are presented at undergraduate conferences. Each year, he accompanies JBU psychology students to conferences where they give oral presentations of their research projects.

Von Eshnaur
Walton Lifetime Health Complex, Facilities Coordinator
Assistant Women's Basketball Coach
Instructor of Kinesiology

Chris Hull
Department Head, Graduate Counseling
Associate Professor of Counseling
Dr. Hull is a Licensed Professional Counselor CO, National Certified Counselor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor. He received his MA in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary FL and completed his PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision at Regent University VA. Dr. Hull has counseled in a variety of professional clinical settings including private practice, medical outpatient, church-based, and addictions recovery treatment. Dr. Hull is a past board member of the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling ASERVIC and currently serves as the Board Chair for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs CACREP. Dr. Hull writes and presents on topics related to addiction, spiritual and religious values in counseling, clinical supervision, and counselor development. He and his wife Carolyn and their three children Taylor, Chace, and Madeline live in Springdale AR and are members of Christ Community Church in Fayetteville AR.

Curtis Cunningham
Dr. Curtis Cunningham holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with emphasis in Early Childhood from Southwest Baptist University, a Masters in Education with emphasis in Gifted Education from Drury University and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Gifted Education from the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville. At JBU, he is responsible for teaching classes related to classroom management, curriculum design, differentiated instruction and human development for students in the undergraduate and graduate programs.
Prior to coming to JBU, Dr. Cunningham worked for fourteen years in private and public schools. He has experience teaching Kindergarten, third and fourth grade in the regular classroom and teaching second and fifth grades in a program for gifted and talented students. He supported early-career teachers for six years as an instructional specialist before coming to JBU. He is excited to bring his expertise in curriculum design and differentiated instruction to JBU as we prepare the next generation of educators.

Kimberly Murie
Dr. Kimberly Murie joined the Department of Teacher Education at John Brown in 2015. Dr. Murie earned a Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Arkansas. After teaching science in two large public high schools for over ten years and serving as a department chair for eight years, God opened the door for Dr. Murie to resume the role of student herself. She returned to school to fulfill a lifelong dream of being an educator of teachers. Dr. Murie graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2015, earning a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Science Education.
Working in a public school setting for many years has given Dr. Murie a passion into the importance of having Christian educators engaged in public education. It is a great honor and privilege to be able to instruct and encourage future educators on how they can be the hands and feet of Christ to a student, a classroom, and a community.