
Faculty and Administration
The College of Graduate Nursing is under the leadership of Dean Mary Lopez, PhD, RN. Other members of the College’s faculty and administration are listed here with their contact information. For additional background information on an individual, click on the name.
Faculty and Administration

Annette Benavides, MSN, RNC-OB
Assistant Professor

Edward (Eddie) Burns, Jr., MSN, RN, CNS, NPD-BC, PCCN, Caritas Coach
Student Success Counselor | Assistant Professor

Eugene (Alex) Brown, DNP, RN, FNP
Assistant Director, MSN-Entry Program | Assistant Professor

Khoa (Joey) Dang, DNP, APRN-CNP, FNP-C
Assistant Professor

Juanita Dubon, DNP, FNP-C
Assistant Professor

Donna Emanuele, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, CNS, FAANP
Director, DNP & ENP Programs | Associate Professor

Gryan Garcia, PhD, PsyD, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Interim Director, PMHNP Program | Associate Professor

Rodney (Rod) Hicks, PhD, RN, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN
Associate Dean, Administration and Research | Professor

Stephanie Lewis, DNP, RN, PHN, CPNP-PC, PMHS
Assistant Professor

Diana Lithgow, PhD, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Assistant Dean, APRN | Professor

Tarra Mandel, MSN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC
Assistant Professor

Michael Marinello, DNP, RN, FNP
Director, MSN-Entry Program | Assistant Professor

Patti McCluskey-Andre DNP, RN, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC, CCNS, FAANP
Associate Professor

Katharine Meares, MSN, RN, CEN, CPEN
Assistant Professor

Gwendelyn (Gwen) S. Orozco, PhD, MSN.Ed, RNC-OB
Assistant Director, MSN-Entry Program | Associate Professor

Lisa Ponsford, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, ENP-C
Assistant Director, FNP Program | Associate Professor

Mindy Potter, MSN
Assistant Professor

Patricia (Patti) Shakhshir, PhD, CNS, RN-BC
Associate Professor

Dawn Stone, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, COHN-S
Assistant Dean, Academic Affairs | Associate Professor

Wendi Swanson, DNP, RN, FNP-C, NC-BC, DipACLM
Associate Professor

Bethany Thrasher, DNP, BSBM, RN, PHN, CNE
Assistant Professor