New faculty and staff have started working at Southwestern College.

New faculty include:

Gary Mannebach, assistant professor of accounting.  He has a master of accounting from  The University of Kansas; bachelor of science in business administration, and accounting from  Kansas State University; and an associate of arts degree in accounting from Cowley County Community College. He was most recently employed as VP of Finance at a nationally recognized senior living marketing agency and consulting firm.

Jennifer Jin, assistant professor of biology.  She earned her PhD in Neuroscience from the  University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; bachelor of arts degree in biology from  Reed College. Most recently Jin served as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California San Diego and previous postdoctoral research at Freie University, Berlin, Germany.

Tia Bunch, assistant professor of nursing. She earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Grand Canyon University and her associate of applied science degree in nursing from Butler County Community College.  Bunch is currently working toward master of science degree in nursing. Most recently she served as the Cowley County Community College Nursing Program Coordinator.

Melanie Burnett, assistant professor of nursing. She earned her master of science degree in nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington; bachelor of science degree in nursing from Southwestern College; and her associates degree in nursing from Butler Community College. Most recently Burnett served as Clinical Educator/Professional Development Coordinator for William Newton Hospital. She also served as adjunct faculty for the Butler Community College nursing program.

Jared Pennington, professor of physician associate studies. He earned his PhD in Public Health, Health Policy and Management; master of health sciences degree in physician assistant; and his bachelor of science degree in physician assistant at Drexel University. Currently, Pennington is working toward Juris Doctorate at Northwestern California University School of Law. His most recent experience as associate dean of health sciences and full professor with tenure at Baldwin Wallace University. He is also currently working as a PA at Akron Children’s Hospital.

Monica Fisher, assistant professor of physician associate studies.  She earned her master of science degree in human resource development from Pittsburg State University; bachelor of science degree in physician assistant studies from Wichita State University; and a bachelor of science degree in biology education from Pittsburg State University. She recently served as a physician assistant for Ascension Via Christy Weight Management Program, a clinical research associate for Thermo Fisher Scientific, and has held various PA positions in NW Kansas.

New staff members at Southwestern include:

• Kathleen Biong Percegona, head men’s and women’s tennis coach
• Josh Burt, head women’s basketball coach
• Conner Cheney, admissions representative and assistant football coach
• Cheri Kindt-Gonzalez, office manager for institutional advancement
• Adam Lange, director of choral activity and voice, and interim band director
• Nate Lee, performing arts recruiter and theatre technician
• Carly Redding, campus minister
• Kelly Rowe, Southwestern College Learning Center lead teacher
• Drew Smith, assistant football coach
• Jennifer Witte, administrative assistant, physician associate studies