Wichita, KS—Friends University is pleased to welcome new faculty on campus.
Schaneé A. Anderson
Schaneé A. Anderson is a Special Appointment Assistant Professor of Zoo Science. Anderson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science at the University of Nebraska and a Masters in Elementary Education and Curriculum Instruction at Kansas State University. Anderson serves as a member for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the National Association for Interpretation, and the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education; and has been recognized for more than a dozen committees and awards.
Lydia Bechtel, Ph.D.
Dr. Lydia Bechtel is a new Associate Professor of Voice. Dr. Bechtel received a Bachelor of Music (Vocal Performance) at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK; a Master of Music (Vocal Performance) at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO; a Master of Music (Musicology) and a Doctor of Musical Arts (Vocal Performance) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory in Kansas City, MO. Dr. Bechtel has professional performances in 20 locations, attended 11 conferences and research presentations, published in four journals, and has professional affiliations in the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the National Opera Association, the College Music Society, the National Association of Music Education, and the American Musicological Society.
Joice P. Henry
Joice Henry is a Special Appointment Instructor of Music Theatre. Henry earned her Bachelor of Arts Dance in Performance at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Since moving to Wichita, Henry has performed and worked closely with the Crown Uptown, Wichita Children’s Theatre & Dance Center, USD259, Crown Arts Collaborative, Wichita State University, Ballet Wichita, Arts Partners, Butler Community College, Metropolitan Ballet, and more.
Lori A. Kanitz, Ph.D.
Dr. Lori A. Kanitz is the new Director of the Center for Mission-Focused Teaching & Learning and a Professor of English. Dr. Kanitz received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at the University of Oklahoma; her Master of Literature and Theology at Durham University in England; and her Doctorate in Literature Theology at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Dr. Kanitz has had dozens of publications, presentations, and conferences throughout her career.
Rebecca Lynn, Ph.D.
Dr. Rebecca Lynn is a new Assistant Professor of Mathematics. Dr. Lynn received a Bachelor of Secondary Education in Mathematics, a Bachelor of Music Education in Vocal Music and a minor in Computer Science at Northern State University; A MDiv in Biblical Languages at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; her Master’s in Mathematics and her Doctorate in Mathematics at Colorado State University. She is a member in the American Mathematics Society (AMS), Mathematical Association of America (MAA), Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM), National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Dr Lynn’s doctoral and postdoctoral research has been in the fields of Commutative Algebra and Cohomology Theory and has two publications in the field.
Jana McCloud
Jana McCloud is a new Assistant Professor of Psychology. McCloud received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Sociology and Women’s Studies at Wichita State University; her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at Friends University in Wichita, KS; and is pursuing her Doctorate of Marriage and Family Therapy at Northcentral University in San Diego, CA. Throughout her extensive work in the field, McCloud administered dozens of academic and professional presentations, online seminars and E-learning modules, guest lectures and community outreach involvement.
Steven Monsen
Steven Monsen is the new Instructor of Graphic Arts. Monsen received a Bachelor of Science in Instructional Design at Walden University and a Master of Arts in Human-Centered Design at Liberty University. He has a Certificate in Design Thinking through the Interaction Design Foundation.
Eric Parks
Eric Parks is a Special Appointment Assistant Professor of Family Therapy. Parks received a Bachelor of General Studies with emphasis in Psychology, Health Service Information and Policy, and Computer Science from Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a Master of Science in Family Therapy from Friends University. Parks is licensed and affiliated with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Clinical Fellow, is a Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist and is a Clinical Supervisor Prepare-Enrich Facilitator.
Alyssa Young
Alyssa Young is a Special Appointment Assistant Professor of Marriage & Family Therapy and the Assistant Clinical Director (KC). Young earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Sociology at the University of Kansas, and a Masters in Family Therapy at Friends University. Young is pursuing a Doctorate in Couple and Family Therapy at Antioch University, New England. Young has over 230 hours of specialized clinical training across four institutions and several scholarly presentations throughout her career.
Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Friends University offers 60+ undergraduate degree options along with adult online, graduate and doctoral degrees. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, visit our site at https://www.friends.edu/