New Faculty Introductions

Lynne Bahr

Where did you obtain your PHD?

I obtained my Ph.D. from Fordham University in New York City.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up outside of Wichita, Kansas.

Favorite book?

I have many favorite books! If I had to name one, I'd say Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte.

What made you decide to go into your field?

I got into New Testament Studies when I was a seminary student at Union Theological Seminary. I have an undergraduate degree in English and had been a magazine editor. When my industry was changing I decided I needed a change too. I wanted to have a career that was more personally fulfilling and of service to others and to some greater good. My training in textual studies and interest in theology, history, and issues of interpretation made biblical studies a natural fit.

Of what work or publication are you most proud?

I'm proud of how I have grown as a teacher over the past few years and of my dissertation, which was published as a book in the Library of New Testament Studies series by T & T Clark/Bloomsbury.

What will you work on this year?

This year I plan to continue to expand my teaching portfolio and skills, as well as write a few short articles for the Centre for the Critical Study of Apocalyptic and Millenarian Movements, a research group I am involved with. I would also like to start a new project on the concept of forgiveness in early Christianity.

I am looking forward to new students and colleagues, and I'm thrilled to join the faculty at Rockhurst.

Jennifer Davis

Where did you obtain your PHD?

I have not yet obtained my PHD. I received my Master's of Social Work from California State University, Los Angeles in 2013 and my Master's of Nursing Education at Western Governors University earlier this year in 2020.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Texas. I lived in California for six years before moving to Kansas to study nursing.

Favorite book?

It is difficult to pick a favorite book, but I would say the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.

What made you decide to go into your field?

I have always been eager to have a career where I felt I was contributing something positive to others. Nursing allows me to care for patients when they are most vulnerable. Nurses work as a team to provide patients with education, support, and care with the goal of maintaining and improving healthy lifestyles. In nursing school, I had an amazing clinical instructor who was an incredible teacher, and labor and delivery nurse. This not only led to my own career as a labor and delivery nurse, but also as a nursing educator.

Of what work or publication are you most proud?

While obtaining my Master's of Social Work degree I completed my thesis on the relationship between meditative practice and burnout among social work students.

What will you work on this year?

This year I will be teaching Health Assessment Theory and Lab as well as working with Community Health/Mental Health clinical students at hospice and palliative care placements. I am eager to get started and get more involved in campus life.

Madeline Malley

Where did you obtain your PHD?

I have not obtained a PHD at this time, however, it is a goal of mine to earn a Doctorate in Nursing Education. Recently, I earned a Master of Science in Nursing Education in 2020 from Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Olathe, KS.

Favorite book?

It is hard for me to pick a favorite book, but what I can tell you is that the next book I am looking forward to reading is "Made to Stick" by Chip and Dan Heath.

What made you decide to go into your field?

The reason that I decided to become an assistant professor is that I am passionate about nursing education and the difference that it can make in our world. My work experiences, education, training, and passion have been the driving force for me to pursue a career as an academic nurse educator. I wanted to take both of my interests in nursing and education and combine them into one job. Therefore, transitioning to the educator role has been a goal of mine and is an opportunity that I am incredibly grateful for. I have also learned that academic nurse educators play a vital role in adapting and developing the minds of future nurses. They get to empower and create confident, competent, and compassionate nurses and I know that I want to be an educator that strives to do this for students.

Of what work or publication are you most proud?

The work that I am most proud of is my Multi-Platform Classroom Response Systems Technology/Curriculum Proposal.

What will you work on this year?

My goal for the 2020-2021 academic year is to study for, sit for, and pass the Certified Nurse Educators exam.
The classes that I will be teaching this academic year are Introduction to Nursing Theory, Community and Mental Health Clinical, Women's and Children Clinical, and Foundations/Medical Surgical Skills Lab.