Meet Our Faculty and Staff

Meet our Faculty & Staff

Students select St. John's College for their educational program to experience the individualized student interaction among students, faculty and staff. Highly qualified faculty and staff provide services to support student learning. Just as students are emphasized in the College, patient care is emphasized in the curriculum so that students may focus on their professional objectives while experiencing patient care in a variety of healthcare settings. Students, faculty and staff collaborate to honor the past while creating the future for nursing education and practice.

	Faculty
		Brenda Recchia Jeffers, PhD, RN, Chancellor, Professor Email: brenda.jeffers@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: 217-544-6464 extension: 45165 Office: 1S131 Ph.D. in Nursing, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO M.S. in Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Peoria Regional Campus, Peoria, IL B.S.N. , University of Illinois Chicago, Urbana Regional Campus, Urbana, IL A.D.N., Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield, IL Dr. Jeffers is leading the College through its most comprehensive strategic planning process to date which will engage both internal and external constituents to chart a bold future for the College that leverages its history of excellence in health care and nursing education based on the values and healing ministry of its founders, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis. Dr. Jeffers is working within the College and with collaborating partners to incorporate an integrated care curriculum and inter-professional learning experiences which will prepare graduates with the competencies needed in 21st century health care. Prior to joining St. John’s College, Dr. Jeffers served in a variety of positions in nursing education. She has been instrumental in leading major projects designed to expand nursing education capacity and nursing workforce competencies. Dr. Jeffers directed the development of the first central Illinois Ph.D. in nursing program, focus in aging; directed a John A. Hartford/American Association of Colleges of Nursing undergraduate Geriatric Nursing Project; and was instrumental in establishing the Joe Warner Teaching Nursing Home, a project designed to attract nurse graduates to long-term care. At the regional level, Dr. Jeffers has been involved in executing project activities for three Robert Wood Johnson Partners Investing in Nursing (PIN) grants. Her involvement in the current PIN initiative involves past PIN recipients for Central Illinois and the Quad Cities region. Dr. Jeffers was a founding member of Team Illinois, which worked to address the health care workforce shortages within the State of Illinois. She has participated at the national level as a delegate for the central Illinois region at the inaugural National Nursing Education Capacity Summit sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, AARP Center to Champion Nursing in America, U.S. Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services Health Services Resources and Administration. The work of this group continues in the State through the Illinois Healthcare Action Coalition / Team Illinois. At the national level, Dr. Jeffers has received several recognitions and appointments to national committees, including being named as a Hartford Institute of Geriatric Nursing Scholar, serving as chair of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Research Leadership Network, serving at the American Nurses Association Center for Ethics and Human Rights and serving on the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Ethics Workgroup to develop ethics materials for the practicing nurse. Dr. Jeffers is well known for her work in nursing education, workforce development and her scholarship regarding ethical aspects of nursing practice and research. She has several publications in the areas of education, health care and research ethics, and her work has been cited in over 40 publications in a variety of health care disciplines.
		Cindy C. Ackley, MSN, RN – Instructor BSN - Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing, Quincy, Illinois MSN - Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing Quincy, Illinois Email: cindy.ackley@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217) 544-6464, extension: 45447 Office: 2S204
		Mary Barnes, RN, MS, CCRN– Assistant Professor BSN - Delaware State College, Dover, Delaware MSN - University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois Email: mary.barnes@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217)-544-6464, extension: 45454 Office: 2S207 Specialigy Areas and Research interests: Critical Care/ICU; Cardiac Surgery ICU; Foley Catheter Usage Reduction; Dementia; Dementia Education for Hospital Staff; Care of Hospitalized Elderly.
		Angela Bentley, MS, RN– Adjunct Faculty Diploma - St. John's Hospital School of Nursing, Springfield, Illinois BS - Sangamon State University, Springfield, Illinois MS - University of Illinois at Chicago, Peoria, Illinois PhD Studies - Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC Email: angela.bentley@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217) 544-6464 Office: 1S124
		Linda Blakley, MSN, RN - Instructor Diploma - St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing, Springfield, Illinois BSN - McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois MSN - St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri Email: linda.blakley@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: 217-544-6464 extension: 45450 Office: Room 2S211 Linda Blakley received her Diploma in Nursing from St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing (Springfield, IL) in 1982, BSN from McKendree College (Lebanon, IL) in 2003, and then her MSN in Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist from St. Louis University (St. Louis, MO) 2009. She is currently an Instructor of Nursing at St. John’s College, a position she has held since January 2009. Linda was a Labor and Delivery staff and charge nurse for 17 years and then a Perinatal Outreach Educator for 8 years. In her role as an Outreach Educator she taught fetal monitoring courses (through AWHONN) as well as neonatal resuscitation provider courses (through AAP). She has taught courses in maternity and pediatrics, as well as introductory medical surgical nursing at St. John’s College. She is a member of AWHONN (Association of Women’s Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses), STTI (Sigma Theta Tau International), NACNS (National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists) and March of Dimes—conference planning committee 2000-2008. Her research interest is with maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.
		Gloria Brummer, MS, RN, CEN, CNE– Assistant Professor Diploma - St. John's Hospital School of Nursing, Springfield, Illinois BSN - University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, Illinois MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois DNP Studies - Rush University, Chicago, IL Email: gloria.brummer@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: 217-544-6464, extension: 45451 Office: 2S219
		Wendi Campbell RN, MSN- Instructor Diploma - St. John’s Hospital, School of Nursing, Springfield, Illinois BSN - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois MSN - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois Email: Wendi.Campbell@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: 217-544-6464 extension: 45447 Office: 1S124 Wendi Campbell is a graduate of St. John’s School of Nursing, with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She has clinical experience in the NICU and has worked for the past 8 years in two family practice settings; a rural clinic in Hillsboro and a large clinic in Springfield. She is a full time Nurse Practitioner with HSHS Medical Group working with the Hospitalists at St. Johns and directing the Anti-coagulation clinic at St. John's Health Center. She is a part-time clinical instructor at the College of Nursing.
		Mary Ellen Carlson, MS, RN, CNE– Assistant Professor Diploma - Swedish American Hospital, School of Nursing, Rockford, Illinois BSN - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois Email: mary.carlson@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: 217-525-5628 extension: 45436 Office: 2S224 Mary Ellen Carlson received her Diploma Degree from Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL, and her BSN and MS from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and is a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) through NLN. She is currently an assistant professor at St. John’s College in Springfield IL. Mary Ellen Carlson has 22 plus years teaching experience in undergraduate nursing education in the classroom, lab, and clinical setting. Her main focus of teaching is medical-surgical nursing. Her main clinical focus has been medical-surgical nursing, diabetes, nephrology; and recently psychiatric care and quality and safety. She is currently a member of the Academic Affairs Committee at St. John’s College, and also a member of Sigma Theta Tau. She has experience in student advisement programs and accreditation reports.
		Jill Chamberlain, MS, RN, CNE- Assistant Professor BSN - St. John’s College, Springfield, Illinois MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois EdD Studies - NOVA Southeastern University Florida, Fout Lauderdale-Davie, FL Email: jill.chamberlain@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: 217-525-5628 or 217-544-6464 extension: 45439 Office: 2S212 Jill Chamberlain received her BSN degree from St. John’s College, Dept. of Nursing and her MS from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville. She is currently an Assistant Professor of nursing at St. John’s College, Dept. of Nursing, where she has been a faculty member since 2004. Jill teaches in Introduction to Caring to Professional Nursing, Health Assessment Across the Adult Lifespan, Caring for Clients with Complex Health Demands, and Leadership/Management: Perspectives of Caring. She has clinical experience in acute care, emergency care and management. She received her Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) certification in 2008. She is an active member with Sigma Theta Tau Nu Pi chapter. Her nursing interests include geriatrics and her educational interests include curriculum development. She devotes her service to making young people aware of all the exciting possibilities of the nursing profession.
		Shannon Ryan Davis, MSN, RN- Instructor BSN - St. John’s College, Springfield, Illinois MSN - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois Email: shannon.davis@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: 217-544-6464, extension: 45435 Office: 2S208
		Jane Diers, EdD, RN, CNE- Academic Dean / Associate Professor Diploma - St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing, Springfield, Illinois BSN - Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois MS - University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois EdD - Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois Email: jane.diers@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: 217-544-6464, extension: 45448 Office: 2S218 Jane Diers earned her diploma of nursing from St. John’s School of Nursing, a BSN from Illinois Wesleyan University, a MS from University of Illinois at Chicago, and an EdD from Illinois State University. Jane’s doctoral degree is in Curriculum and Instruction and her studies focused on assessing and appraising the professional communication of nursing students. She has taught nursing at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels for over 18 years. Dr. Diers was among the first group to become a Certified Nurse Educator in 2005. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau and Phi Kappa Delta. Her research interests include communication, online education, and program evaluation.
		Cheryl Huffman, MS, RN– Assistant Professor Diploma - Lakeview Hospital School of Nursing, Danville, Illinois BSN - Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana MS - Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana Email: cheryl.huffman@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: 217-544-6464, extension: 45456 Office: 2S227
		Linda Mabus, MA, MS, RN- Assistant Professor BSN - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois MA - University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, Illinois MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois Email: linda.mabus@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217)-544-6464, extension: 45445 Office: 2S206
		Michelle McCarthy, DNP, RN, CPHQ- Instructor Diploma - St. John's Hospital, School of Nursing, Springfield, Illinois BSN - University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, Illinois MS - University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois DNP- Rush University, Chicago, Illinois Email: michelle.mccarthy@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217)-544-6464, extension: 45375 Office: 2M42, St. John's Hospital Michelle McCarthy earned a diploma in nursing from St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1977, a BSN from Sangamon State University in 1982, a MS in Nursing from University of Illinois at Chicago, Peoria Regional Campus, in 1990 and is a DNP candidate at Rush University College of Nursing, expected graduation in June of 2012. Michelle is a Certified Professional in Health Care Quality and served as the Division Director for Quality Resource Management at St. John’s Hospital for 14 years. She is currently an Instructor at St. John’s College and also serves as the hospital’s Nursing Coordinator for Innovation and Technology. Her scholarly interests include Evidence Based Practice, Nursing Leadership, and Patient Safety.
		Mary Micklus, MSN, RN- Instructor Diploma - Springfield Memorial Hospital, School of Nursing,Springfield, Illinois BSN - University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, Illinois MSN - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois Email: mary.micklus@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217)-544-5628 Office:1S124
		Kelley Obringer, MSN, RN- Instructor BSN - Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois MSN - Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois PhD Studies - Illinois State University, Normal, IL Email: kelley.obringer@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217)-544-6464, extension: 45438 Office: 2S214 Kelley Obringer is a graduate of Millikin University bachelor’s and master’s programs. Her experience includes a clinical residency during her master’s program and part-time adjunct teaching experience, including student tutoring at Richland Community College. Her teaching experience includes medical-surgical nursing. Kelley’s research interests include transcultural nursing, end-of-life care, family needs and experiences, and critical thinking/clinical reasoning.
		Marilyn Robins, DNPc, RN- Adjunct Faculty BSN - University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, Illinois MSN/APN - University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois DNP(c)- University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois Email: marilyn.robins@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217)-544-6464, extension: 47878 Office: 2S215 Marilyn Robins received her Registered Nurse Diploma in 1975 from Memorial Medical Center, followed by completion of her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Illinois, Springfield. Her Master’s of Science in Nursing and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner education were completed at the University of Illinois, Chicago. She is currently Board Certified as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Also, she is completing a Doctoral in Nursing Practice at the University of Illinois, Chicago. As a new adjunct faculty at St. John’s College, she is teaching medical surgical clinical part time. For over 30 years, Marilyn has worked in Intensive Care Units, Emergency Departments and Transport Teams in Springfield, Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, and San Diego, California. Also, she has been, and is currently employed as a Board Certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in Emergency and Prompt Care settings at St. John’s Hospital and Springfield Clinic. She has been a Board Certified Emergency Nurse, as well as a Trauma Nurse Specialist. She maintains certification in ACLS and PALS. Her memberships include the American College of Nurse Practitioners, Emergency Nurses Association, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and Sigma Theta Tau International. New in the faculty role, but not new to the profession, Marilyn looks forward to this new endeavor.
		Yvonne Schmudde, MS, RN- Assistant Professor Diploma - Methodist Medical Center of Illinois, School of Nursing, Peoria, Illinois BSN - Mennonite College of Nursing, Normal, Illinois MS - University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois Email: yvonne.schmudde@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217)-544-6464, extension: 45452 Office: 2S226 Yvonne Schmudde received her BSN from Mennonite College of Nursing and her MS from the University of Illinois-Chicago. She is currently an Instructor of Nursing at St. John’s College in Springfield, Illinois, a position she has held since 2000. Yvonne has twelve years of experience in undergraduate nursing education in the classroom and clinical setting. She has taught courses in Pathophysiology/Pharmacology, Adult Medical-Surgical nursing for junior level nursing students and Complex Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing and Critical Care Nursing for senior level nursing students. She has been a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses for 27 years and is CCRN certified. She is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau and the National League for Nursing and is CNE certified. She has 25 years of clinical nursing experience in medical and surgical intensive care, cardiovascular intensive care and cardiac cath lab.
		Nancy Semenza, PhD, RN- Adjunct Faculty BSN - University of Illinois, Springfield, Illinois MSN - University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois PhD - Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri Email: nancy.semenza@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217) 544-6464, extension 45443 Office: 1S105
		Judy Shackleford, PhD, RN- Associate Professor BSN - Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois MS - University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois PhD - University of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri Email: judy.shackelford@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217)-544-6464, extension: 45444 Office: 1S139 Dr. Judy Shackelford is an associate professor at St. John’s College, Department of Nursing and Director of St. John’s College, Department of Continuing Education. She has been an educator for 23 years. She obtained her BSN from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 1983, her MS in Adult Health Nursing from University of Illinois at Champaign in 1988 and her PhD in Nursing from the University of Missouri at St. Louis in 2007. Dr. Shackelford is a medical/surgical “generalist” with a research focus in adult asthma self-management education to improve health care outcomes. She is passionate about nursing and research with a career goal to expand nursing research utilization to improve health care practice and outcomes for the health care consumer. She serves on the College’s Research and Evaluation Committee and is a representative for St. John’s Hospital, Center for Learning and Innovation. Dr. Shackelford considers it an honor to work for an institution where Christian values are foundational to its mission, and a blessing to serve in a profession where God’s healing presence can reside freely.
		Jennie Van Schyndel, MSN, RN- Assistant Professor ADN - Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield, Illinois BSN - University of Illinois at Urbana, Urbana, Illinois MSN - University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri PhD (c) - Inidana University, Indianapolis, IN Email: jennie.vanschyndel@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217)-544-6464, extension: 45455 Office: 2S211 Jennie Van Schyndel received her BSN from the University of Illinois and MSN from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Nursing at St. John’s College in Springfield, Illinois, a position she has held since 1993. She is also a doctoral student at the Indiana University. Jennie Van Schyndel has twenty years experience in undergraduate nursing education in the classroom, clinical and lab setting. She has experience in curriculum development, in writing NLN and NCA accreditation reports, student advisement program development. She has taught courses in community health nursing, nursing research, leadership, obstetrics, pediatrics, and nursing fundamentals. She has been a member of the Illinois Public Health Association nursing section task for evidence based public health nursing. She has clinical nursing experience in community health, and geriatric psychiatric nursing. She has managed technology programs at St. John’s College for faculty and students. Her current doctoral research focus is with online teaching strategies.
		Julie A. Varns, MSN, RN – Instructor Diploma - St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing, Springfield, Illinois BSN - Sangamon State University, Springfield, Illinois MSN - University of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri PhD Studies - University of Missouri - St. Louis, St. Louis, MO Email: Julie.Varns@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217) 544-6464, extension: 47878 Office: 2S215
	Support Services
		Beth Beasley, MA, RN- Student Development Officer ADN - Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield, Illinois BS - Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois MA - University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, Illinois Email: beth.beasley@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217)-544-6464, extension: 45468 Office: 1S115 Beth M. Beasley MA, RN is currently the Student Development Officer at St. John’s College, Department of Nursing, Springfield, Illinois. She began her career in Education in 1982. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Education from Illinois State University; Master of Arts in Marketing and Communications from the University of Illinois at Springfield, (formerly Sangamon State University) and an Associate Degree in Nursing from Lincoln Land Community College. She joined St. John’s College in 1989 after working as a nurse in a critical cardiac care unit. Her responsibilities at St. John’s College are to strive to uphold the mission of the student development office which is to anticipate, plan for, and respond to the needs of a diverse and changing student body by providing services and programs that promote physical and emotional well-being and foster intellectual and personal growth.
		Mary Brown, BA - Financial Aid & Compliance Officer BA - Blackburn College, Carlinville, Illinois Email: mary.brown@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217)-544-6464, extension: 44705 Office: 1S136 Mary Brown has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration and leadership from Blackburn College. She is a member of the Illinois Association for Student Financial Aid Administrator (ILASFAA) and currently serves on their Executive Board as the Vice President for Health Profession Schools.
		Anne Klingborg, MA - Admissions Officer/Registrar Email: Anne.Klingborg@StJohnsCollegeSpringfield.edu Phone: (217) 544-6464 extension: 45440 Office: 1S139 Anne Klingborg has a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. She has 8 years in higher education as an Academic Advisor, Classroom Coordinator, Scheduler, and Veteran’s Affairs representative, from St. Ambrose University. During the last five years, Anne worked for the Department of the Army as a budget analyst, working for Joint Munitions Command, in Rock Island, Illinois. The Joint Munitions Command serves as the worldwide headquarters for ammunition. Anne is a member of the Quad-City Women’s Outdoor Club. The women’s club enjoys spending time exploring new adventures/sports in the outdoors. Anne is also a volunteer member of Dress for Success, a Non-profit organization that provides interview suits, confidence boosts, and career development to low-income women in over 75 cities worldwide.
	Support Staff
		Fumika Brudnak- Dept. of Continuing Education Clerk Email: fumika.brudnak@st-johns.org Phone: (217) 544-6464 extension: 45442 Office: 1S131
		Dorothy Dorner - Department Secretary Email: dorothy.dorner@stjohnscollegespringfield.edu Phone: (217)-544-6464, extension: 45165 Office: 1S131
		Deanna Fowler - Department Secretary Email: deanna.Fowler@StJohnsCollegeSpringfield.edu Phone: (217)-544-6464, extension: 45166 Office: 1S121
		Jeannette Forgas-College Clerk Email: Jeannette.Forgas@StJohnsCollegeSpringfield.edu Phone: (217)-544-6464, extension: 45168 Office: 1S121
		Faculty Committee Assignments
		College Assembly