School of Health Sciences

Dean's Welcome

Welcome! The School of Health Sciences at Stephens College is home to exciting undergraduate and graduate programs focused on propelling our students into their futures. We know from long experience our graduates will make their mark on this world by making a difference in their communities.

The talented faculty and staff in our school are dedicated to the success of their students, are committed to providing the highest quality education, and are compassionate leaders in their disciplines. We seek to prepare students for fulfilling and thrilling careers in the basic sciences, the health sciences, psychology, equestrian studies, and as the next generation of health care professionals in our physician assistant, nursing, and counseling programs. Our talented team joins health sciences students on whatever journey they imagine for their lives. And the classroom is just the beginning.

We fulfill our mission and commitment to students through intensive, focused study that includes hands-on research, immersive and experiential opportunities, and the application of hard-won knowledge to real world problems:

• Want to join a tight-knit group of students in an innovative Nursing program that partners with Boone Hospital, includes state-of-the-art simulation, and has a 100% licensing pass rate?
• Prefer to pursue a career in scientific or biomedical research in the Life Sciences, or pursue advanced study in our Women in STEM Research program, WiSRsc, on your way to top-notch medical, veterinary, or graduate schools?
• Need to feed your passion for horses and pursue riding or an exciting career in the equine industry via personalized, one-on-one training with our Equestrian faculty and staff at our impressive stables? You’ll be industry-ready if you do.
• Are you driven to be a helping professional and assist others as they navigate their lives? If so, consider our graduate Counseling program and select from Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling.
• Or, is it the Psychology program where you need to start that journey, or one of the other hundreds of careers in the social sciences?
• Think it might be in your future to apply to our competitive Master of Physician Assistant program, where you’ll transform yourself into a clinician with compassion and a leader in your profession? Our 27-month program includes 14 months of clinical training in women’s health, pediatrics, general surgery, & internal, family, behavioral, and emergency medicine.

Whatever your educational mission and professional goals, we can assure you that Stephens’ students don’t sit on the sidelines: they learn, grow, and lead. I invite you to explore all that Stephens College and the School of Health Sciences have to offer and make the time to come visit us.

 

Michael Barger, Ph.D.
Dean, Women's College

 

About the Dean

 

Dr. Michael Barger

 

Before becoming Dean of the Women's College, which comprises the School of Integrative Studies and the School of Health Sciences at Stephens College, Dr. Michael Barger was Dean of the School of Health Sciences.  Dr. Michael Barger earned his B.S. in Biology and M.S. in Parasitology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He completed his Ph.D. at Wake Forest University on the spatial ecology of fish and parasite communities in Appalachian streams. He spent 18 years at Peru State College in Nebraska and one year at Westminster College before coming to Stephens. His research interests include all aspects of the biology of parasitic worms and their hosts. Along with undergraduate student colleagues, his lab has completed major projects such as biodiversity analytics in the Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas funded by the National Science Foundation, long-term ecology of creek chub parasites in Nebraska, and taxonomic resolution of acanthocephalan parasites of turtles throughout North America. His current projects include the role of competition in regulating parasite communities, the influence of parasitism on host behavior, and various efforts to elucidate the life cycles of helminth parasites. He enjoys backpacking, fishing, gardening, cooking, reading, writing, and just about anything that keeps him outside and busy.

 

Faculty & Staff

Undergraduate Programs

Biology, Health Science and Integrative Human Biology | Chemistry | Equestrian Studies | Nursing | Psychology | Women in STEM Research

 

Graduate Programs

Master of Counseling | Master of Physician Assistant Studies

 

Undergraduate Programs

 

Biology, Health Science and Integrative Human Biology

 

Dr. Mary Amanda Haskins

Associate Professor of Biology

Dr. Mary Amanda Haskins received her B.S. in paralegal studies and M.S. of health education from Mississippi University for Women, the first state-supported college for women in America. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi in health and kinesiology with a concentration in health behavior and promotion with an area of support in nutrition. Courses taught include Women's Health, Health Psychology, Nutrition, Health Behavior and Health Program Planning and Evaluation; she also oversees all internships and a professional development course for Life Sciences majors. Her research interests include osteoporosis knowledge, awareness and prevention as well as other preventative health perceptions and behaviors and health disparities.

 

Dr. Stephen Wilson

Assistant Professor of Biology

Dr. Stephen Wilson earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Kentucky and has undergraduate degrees in Microbiology and Chemistry from the University of Missouri. He has spent most of his career as a professional scientist working in industrial and governmental institutions and is overwhelmingly enthusiastic all things Science—especially teaching his disciplines to others!

 

 

 

Dr. Samuel Roland

Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Physics

Dr. Samuel Roland earned his B.A. in physics and mathematics from Cornell University. He received his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of Michigan, where he investigated the origins of dark matter in the early universe, moments after the big bang. He also led the undergraduate physics labs at the University of Michigan, designing lessons and building equipment for hands-on learning. Before joining Stephens College, Dr. Roland worked as a data scientist, applying machine learning and artificial intelligence to fight online credit card fraud. 

 

Chemistry

 

Dr. Satish Jalisatgi

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Dr. Satish S. Jalisatgi earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India, where he investigated the chemical constituents and pharmacological activity of Indian medicinal plants.He received his B.S. in Chemistry and M.S. in Organic Chemistry also from the University of Mumbai. After completing his postdoctoral studies at University of California, Berkeley, and at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in organometallic chemistry, Dr. Jalisatgi spent several years at the University of Missouri as Assistant Professor of Research - Radiology and Assistant Director of the Institute of Nano and Molecular Medicine. There he managed various multidisciplinary projects focused on exploration of biomedical and material science applications of polyhedral boranes and carboranes. One of the prominent multidisciplinary projects involved coordinating research efforts from chemistry, cell biology, veterinary medicine, and nuclear physics to develop a new treatment modality for cancer, Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). Dr. Jalisatgi served as the president of the International Society of Neutron Capture Therapy from 2014 to 2016. He also served as a member of National Cancer Institute (NCI) BNCT study group. He has mentored several undergraduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and taught undergraduate chemistry courses. His work has resulted in over 50 journal articles, and he is a joint inventor on multiple patent applications. He is also a registered patent agent with the United States Patent Office (USPTO). His current research is focused on utilizing unique structural and electronic properties of icosahedral polyhedral boranes and carboranes coupled with computational molecular docking studies and nanotechnology approaches to develop small molecule therapeutics and nano-scale drug delivery platforms. These include highly tumor-selective therapeutics for BNCT; target-specific multifunctional drug delivery systems carrying diagnostic and therapeutic functions; and use of boranes and carboranes as pharmacophores.

 

Equestrian Studies

 

Sara Linde Patel

Associate Professor; Program Coordinator of Equestrian Studies

Sara Linde Patel graduated from Stephens College with her B.S. in Equine Business Management. She has earned her MBA with an emphasis in equine studies from Midway University. Patel has been riding and competing since 1986. In her youth, she successfully competed on various levels of the Greater Arkansas Hunter Jumper Association. Having worked in various aspects of the industry, her knowledge ranges from training and teaching hunter jumpers to breeding and stable management. A former veterinarian technician for small and large animal practice, Patel was active on the North Texas Hunter Jumper Circuit, where she was an assistant trainer at an “A” show facility in North Dallas.

Areas of Expertise: Hunter/Jumper training and instruction, Equine Management and First Aid, Stable Management, Equine Nutrition, Equine Anatomy, History and Theory of Horsemanship, Course Design, Methods of Teaching I-IV, Summer Riding Program Director.

Patel has been a faculty member since 2006 and is the recipient of the 2010 and 2021 Distinguished Teacher of the Year Awards and a recipient of the 2015 Stephens College Customer Service Award. She has coached and trained horses and students to local, regional, and national levels. USEF/USHJA Member

 

Shelby Baxley

Stable Operations Manager

Shelby Baxley, a dedicated equine professional, embarked on her journey in the world of horses at Stephens College, where she earned her Bachelor of Equine Science in 2015. Her commitment to the equine field led her to the University of Edinburgh, where she further honed her expertise, graduating with a Master of Equine Science in 2020.

Shelby's roots in western horse riding are deep, with a background in showing horses and competing at the AQHA level during her college years. Following her academic pursuits, she joined the Anheuser Busch Budweiser Clydesdales team in 2015, where she dedicated seven years to working with the team. Her role encompassed various facets, including reproduction, training, and traveling with the iconic Budweiser Clydesdale hitch.

Passionate about equine therapy, Shelby brings a wealth of experience in utilizing diverse modalities to enhance equine well-being. Her expertise extends to ultrasound, infrared technology, and pulse electromagnetic field equipment, showcasing a holistic approach to equine care.

With a profound belief in the welfare of horses, her passion and theology revolve around ensuring the well-being and happiness of horses, making her a compassionate force in the equine industry.

 

Nursing

 

Dr. Noreen M. Houck

Associate Professor and Founding Director of Nursing

Dr. Noreen Houck is a National League of Nursing certified nurse educator with a background in academic leadership, accreditation and curriculum development. She obtained her Ph.D. from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; her M.S. as a perinatal clinical nurse specialist from Syracuse University; and her B.S. in nursing from Villanova University. Her research interests include patient safety and the nurse’s work environment, including workplace violence and workplace flourishing. Prior to joining the Stephens College faculty, Houck was associate professor and chair of the department of nursing at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh.

 

 

Janet Chance-Hetzler

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Dr. Janet Chance-Hetzler, DNP, MSN, RN, APRN-BC, ACNS-BC, AOCNS, CNE, holds an Associate Degree in Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing Education, a post-master’s certificate in Adult Health & Gerontology-Clinical Nurse Specialist track and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. She was selected by her graduating institution, University of Missouri-Columbia, for inclusion in Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges. Dr. Chance-Hetzler has several publications. Her manuscript “Prospective Lymphedema Surveillance in a Clinic Setting” was published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine; for this research she was also awarded the Lymphology Association of North America Research Award at the 25th World Congress of Lymphology held in San Francisco in September 2015. Her manuscript, “The Relationship Between Personal and Structural Barriers to Mammography,” was selected for presentation at the Midwest Research Nurse Society Conference in Milwaukee in March 2016. She co-authored the January 2016 lead article on the financial/economic issues of lymphedema in the National Lymphedema Network’s journal, LymphLink. In addition, she co-authored a chapter in B. B. Lee & S. G. Rockson’s (Ed) medical textbook "Lymphedema: A Concise Compendium of Theory and Practice," which was published in 2018. 

Dr. Chance-Hetzler is board certified as an Advanced Practice Nurse, an Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, an Advanced Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, and certified by the National League of Nursing (NLN) as a Nurse Educator. Dr. Chance-Hetzler is active in many professional organizations, such as Oncology Nursing Society, Advanced Practitioner Society for Hematology and Oncology, and National League of Nursing. She is also a current member of Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society and a board member of the Missouri League of Nursing (MLN). She is also the chairperson for the MLN Scholarship Committee and the MLN Northern Unit Chairperson.

Dr. Chance-Hetzler has 11 years of teaching experience and 30-plus years of nursing experience working in various areas of clinical practice, including Medical-Surgical and Critical Care, but has practiced predominantly in Oncology/Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation and Oncology Clinical Research. Dr. Chance-Hetzler currently continues to practice part-time as an Advanced Practice Nurse in hematology/oncology. 

Dr. Chance-Hetzler lives in Columbia with her husband; she has one daughter, who holds a doctorate in sociology and is a professor of sociology, and one granddaughter.

 

Dr. Cathy Koetting

Associate Professor

Dr. Koetting earned her Ph.D. in Nursing from Dusquesne University in 2021 and her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Case Western Reserve in 2010. She is dually certified as both a Family and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and has been in practice since 2006. Dr. Koetting has been teaching in academia since 2003 and has taught in both undergraduate and graduate nursing curriculums. Her research focuses on health outcomes in people with intellectual disabilities; particularly those who experience adverse life events and chronic illness. She has received grant funding for her research regarding the education of nursing students in Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), and her research has been published in several peer-reviewed nursing journals. Dr. Koetting is a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Forensic Nursing along with active membership in the International Association of Forensic Nurses, St. Louis Nurses in Advanced Practice, and the International Society of Nurses in Genomics.

 

Dr. Heidi Monroe

Assistant Professor/Simulation Coordinator

Dr. Heidi Monroe began her nursing career January 2006 in the Medical/Neurological Intensive Care Unit at the University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics. She later moved to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit and worked as an agency nurse at Boone Hospital, Rusk Rehab and St. Mary’s in the PACU, step down unit and various intensive care units. Dr. Monroe has a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, Master's of Science in Public Health Nursing and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Advanced Practice Nursing, Adult Gero Clinical Nurse Specialist with a minor in Nursing Education. Dr. Monroe has taught in Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), traditional and accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs, as well as in RN-BSN programs, since January 2011. She has also served as a BSN Program Coordinator. Dr. Monroe has served on medical missions to Honduras and is involved in the National Student Nurses Association and is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Missouri Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, and the National League of Nursing. Dr. Monroe was the 2022 National Weingarten Leader of Leaders Award recipient -- presented by the National Student Nurses Association to one outstanding dean, faculty advisor, or state consultant who demonstrates distinguished support and service to nursing students. Dr. Monroe has been married to her high school sweetheart Joshua, an Army Psychological Operations combat veteran, since 2004. They have three daughters Arowyn, Avalynn and Amira.  

 

Psychology

 

Dr. Eric Marx

Associate Professor and Psychology Program Chair

Dr. Eric Marx completed a B.A. in philosophy at Ouachita Baptist University and an M.T.S. in religion and culture at Harvard Divinity School before obtaining his Ph.D. in psychology from Georgetown University. His principal academic and research interests are in the study of moral and social development, including the roots of prejudice and discrimination, and in the psychology of the arts and artistic creativity. Among the courses Marx teaches are Social Psychology, Biological Psychology, Music and Psychology, and Global Ethics.

 

 

 

Dr. Crina Mansat

Assistant Professor

Dr. Crina Mansat obtained her B.A. in law from Babes-Bolyai University in Romania, her M.A. in experimental psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma, and her Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Texas A&M University. She has taught courses such as Cognitive Psychology, Statistics, Research Methods, Judgment and Decision Making, Abnormal and Biological Psychology. Her research interests focus on the cognitive processes underlying human judgment, decision-making and learning, and their interplay with factors such as personality, working memory capacity and intelligence.

 

 

 

Graduate Programs

 

Master of Education in Counseling

 

Core Faculty

Dr. Dan Kissinger

Associate Professor and Director of Counseling

Dr. Dan Kissinger serves as associate professor and director of counseling for the Stephens College Counseling program. Prior to Stephens College, he held tenured faculty positions at the University of Arkansas and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he also served as chair of the Counseling department. A licensed professional counselor and board approved supervisor in Missouri, his clinical experiences include working with adult and adolescent populations in community mental health, college counseling center, and private practice settings. His research interests include wellness, clinical supervision, and student-athlete wellbeing. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, M.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, M.Ed. in Counseling and Guidance from Clemson University, and Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of South Carolina.

Dr. Sarah Irvin

Assistant Professor of Counseling

Dr. Sarah D. Irvin received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Holy Cross in New Orleans. She received her M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Delta State University and her B.A. in Educational Psychology from Mississippi State University. Dr. Irvin is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in working with clients coping with severe mental illnesses. She is also the Program Chair of the Law and Ethics in Counseling Conference held annually in New Orleans. Dr. Irvin enjoys presenting at state and national level conferences on topics such as forgiveness, self-care, and counselor supervision. Her research interests include counselor wellness and self-care and counselor supervision.

 

Dr. Andrea Fifield

Associate Professor of Counseling

Dr. Andrea Fifield received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Auburn University in Alabama. She completed her MA in Counseling and her BA in English from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. Dr. Fifield began her professional career as a school counselor and Director of Guidance in rural Northeast Missouri. She has been a Counselor Educator for 15 years, with previous faculty engagements in Georgia and Illinois. Her research interests include rural counseling needs and challenges and the impact of comprehensive school counseling programs on student achievement, attendance, and behavior. She has presented at state and national counseling conferences, and she particularly enjoys including students in these endeavors and mentoring them through their first professional presentation experiences. Dr. Fifield is married and has twin 6-year-old sons who are named after Star Trek characters. Aside from her family and her career, her passions include books, music, movies, and enjoying nature.

 

Dr. Kendra Shoge

Assistant Professor of Counseling

Dr. Kendra Shoge received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Arkansas, and her M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Missouri State University. Dr. Shoge is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in play therapy and has worked in community agencies and in private practice. Her academic interests include child-centered play, expressive arts, multi-cultural issues in counseling, racial microaggressions, and teaching and supervision. She has presented at state, regional, and national conferences on each of these topics.

 

 

 

Adjunct Faculty

Carolyn Roof

Adjunct Instructor

Carolyn Roof, M.Ed. has been a counselor educator at Stephens College since 2009. She has taught School Counseling Practicum/Internship, Foundations of School Counseling and Behavior Strategies/Classroom Management. She has also served as an adviser for school counseling graduate students. She is a former Coordinator of Elementary School Counseling for Columbia Public Schools as well as a former school counselor at Mill Creek Elementary School in Columbia. She continues to work part-time as an elementary school counselor. She started her career as an Elementary Learning Disabilities Teacher before becoming a school counselor. Roof completed her graduate and undergraduate degree at Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State).

Roof has served as president of the Missouri School Counselor Association Governing Board as well as other positions. She has also served as Midwest region vice president of the American School Counselor Association Governing Board. She continues to work as a consultant and facilitator for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education School Counselor Section. Roof has been recognized as Missouri School Counselor Association Outstanding Counseling Director/Coordinator of the year and American School Counselor Association Elementary Counselor of the Year.

Roof enjoys working for Stephens College and loves educating and training future school counselors.

 

Dr. Bob Reitz

Adjunct Instructor

Dr. Reitz received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas and is licensed as a psychologist in the State of Missouri.  For the past 30 years Dr. Reitz has administered large mental health programs, including previously directing mental health services in the Missouri and Kansas Departments of Corrections.  For the past 20 years Dr. Reitz has managed inpatient psychiatric hospitals for the Missouri Department of Mental Health and currently serves as the Deputy Director for Psychiatric Facilities in the Missouri Division of Behavioral Health where he oversees the six state-operated psychiatric hospitals.  He is a member of the Missouri Hospital Association’s Behavioral Health Network and previously served on their board.  His previous teaching experience at Stephens has included research methods, group counseling, and forensic psychology.

 

Master of Physician Assistant Studies

PA Faculty & Staff >