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
Dean, College of Graduate Nursing
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
Assistant Professor
Donna Emanuele, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, CNS, FAANP
Director, DNP & ENP Programs | Associate Professor
Externship Coordinator and Endowed Chair, Quality and Safety | Assistant Professor
Gryan Garcia, PhD, PsyD, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Associate Professor
CGN Humanism Officer | Assistant Professor
Rodney (Rod) Hicks, PhD, RN, FAANP, FAORN, FNAP, FAAN
Associate Dean, Administration and Research | Professor
Director, FNP Program | Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor
Diana Lithgow, PhD, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Assistant Dean, APRN | Professor
Daniel Lucero, DNP, PMHNP-BC, RN
Assistant Professor
Assistant 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
Associate Professor, CGN | Clinical Associate Professor, CDM
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
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
Associate Professor