meet the staff

Shelly Francka, Huntington University, a Christian college

Shelly Francka
Director of Professional Programs

Shelly Francka holds a Master in Business Administration degree from Southwest Baptist University, a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and an Associate in Science degree in practical nursing. She is currently working on her doctorate in business administration.

sfrancka@huntington.edu

Dr. Stephen Holtrop, Huntington University, a Christian college

Dr. Stephen Holtrop
Dean of Graduate and Professional Programs
Professor of Education

Dr. Holtrop teaches curriculum design and technology courses in the Master of Education program. His administrative duties include overseeing the graduate and adult studies programs on campus and directing the Master of Education graduate program.

sholtrop@huntington.edu

Deb Burton, Huntington University, a Christian college

Deb Burton
Program Coordinator for Professional Programs

Deb Burton has been with Huntington University since 2002. Burton’s areas of responsibility include faculty and student support, textbooks and curriculum, and office and program management.

dburton@huntington.edu

Julie Goetz, Huntington University, a Christian college

Julie Goetz
Associate Director of Online Programs

Julie Goetz started work with the online programs in 2008. For the programs, Goetz oversees and manages all distance learning courses as well as develops policy and strategic planning for the advancement of the online programs. She also manages and reviews course content, evaluates the programs, and trains faculty. Her other responsibilities include collecting and reporting administrative data and developing the learning management systems used by the online courses.

jgoetz@huntington.edu

Tonya Horvath, Huntington University, a Christian college

Tonya Horvath
Admissions Counselor for Professional Programs

Tonya Horvath has served as the admissions counselor for Huntington University’s professional studies program since 2010.

thorvath@huntington.edu

Brenda Knipp, Huntington University, a Christian college

Brenda Knipp
Online Advisor/Advisor

Brenda Knipp is the Online Advisor. The 1974 HU graduate majored in French and English and received her Master of Education degree from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in 1976.

bknipp@huntington.edu

Nina Newton, Huntington University, a Christian college

Nina Newton
Curriculum Assistant for Professional Programs

Prior to her employment as the Curriculum Assistant for Professional Programs at Huntington University, Nina worked as a freelance writer and editor for an online Christian women’s magazine, Ruby for Women.

nnewton@huntington.edu

Amber Prather, Huntington University, a Christian college

Amber Prather
Online Course Designer

As the Online Course Designer, Amber Prather is primarily responsible for mounting and managing coursework on the Moodle site for Huntington University’s professional studies program and ensuring high-quality experiences for online students.

aprather@huntington.edu

Kristi Welker, Huntington University, a Christian college

Kristi Welker
Online Admissions Counselor

As the primary contact for online prospective students, Kristi is responsible for recruitment, interacting with prospective students, and assisting them through the application process.

kwelker@huntington.edu

Heather Barkley, Huntington University, a Chrstian collegge

Heather Barkley
Associate Director of Marketing for Graduate and Professional Programs

Heather Barkley, APR, provides marketing services to the professional degree program at Huntington University as well as the graduate programs.

hbarkley@huntington.edu

Bethany Cabiya, Huntington University, a Christian college

Bethany Cabiya
Columbia City Site Coordinator and Advisor

Bethany Cabiya joined the professional studies program staff in 2012. She holds an associate's degree in office administration from Ivy Tech Community College and is pursuing a bachelor's degree at HU.

bcabiya@huntington.edu

Dr. Ann McPherron, Huntington University, a Christian college

Dr. Ann McPherren
Senior Vice President for Strategy & Graduate/Adult Programs
Professor of Business

McPherren returned to her alma mater to join the business department faculty in 1981. She has also assisted the university in various academic and administrative endeavors serving as assistant to the Academic Dean, department and Division head, and currently as Senior Vice President for Strategy & Graduate/Adult Programs.

amcpherren@huntington.edu