University Council

University Council is a broad representation of academic and administrative leaders on campus and it functions as both an information exchange and sounding board for broad strategic initiatives.

Marc B. Hahn, DO, President and Chief Executive Officer

Joe Massman, MBA, CPA, Executive Vice President, Operations

Edward R. O'Connor, PhD, Executive Vice-President of Academic, Research and Student Affairs, Provost, and Chief Academic Officer

Carlton Abner, MS, Associate Provost for Campus Health and Wellness

Esperanza Anaya, PhD, Assistant Program Director of Health Service Psychology

Doug Bittel, MSc, PhD, Professor of Biosciences

Ellen Cespedes, Senior Executive Assistant to the President

W. Josh Cox, DO, FACOFP, Executive Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine

Jennifer Dennis, MS, PhD, Chair of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences

Gautam Desai, DO, FACOFP, Chair and Professor of Primary Care 

Kenneth Durgans, EdD, MA, MS, Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion

Sarah Getch, PhD, Program Director/Associate Professor of Health Service Psychology

Kathleen Gould, Vice President, Finance

Ken Heiles, DO, Campus Dean, College of Osteopathic Medicine - Joplin

Jim Herrington, MBA, CPP, DRI, Director of Campus Operations

Robert Hillard, MD,  Chair of Pathology & Anatomical Sciences - Joplin

Jamie Hirshey, Director of Human Resources

Jennifer Ingraham, MS, Vice President of Philanthropy & Alumni Relations

Jessie James, JD, Director of Legal Affairs and Risk Management

G. Michael Johnston, DO, Associate Provost for Faculty and Student Success/Professor of Internal Medicine

Kelley Joy, DO,  Chair of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine - Joplin 

Linda Niessen, Dean, College of Dental Medicine and Vice Provost for Oral Health Affairs

John Paulson, DO, Chair and Associate Professor of Primary Care - Joplin

Tim Saxe, Director of Strategic Initiatives

Larry Segars, PharmD, DrPH, BCPS, FACE, FCCP, RPh, Associate Professor of Basic Sciences

Bret Silvis, Creative Director, Staff Senate President

Jeff Staudinger, PhD, Chair of Basic Sciences/Professor of Pharmacology - Joplin 

Kristine Stevens, EdD, Vice Provost for Student & Enrollment Services

Shawn Thayer, Chief Information Officer

Kevin Treffer, DO, FACOFP,  Chair of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine - Kansas City

Robert White, PhD, Dean, College of Biosciences/Professor of Biochemistry 

Bruce Williams, DO, Associate Dean of Clinical Education/Associate Professor of Primary Care

Brooke Yoder, Director of Strategic Relations and Operations

Asma Zaidi, PhD, Vice Chair of Basic Sciences/Professor of Biochemistry - Kansas City