Inquire Now

Meet the Humanities Faculty

Kristen Mattson
Director, History and Political Sciences
Director, Humanities and Fine Arts
kmattson [at] berxwedan.net
Jeff Spencer, MFA
Associate Professor of Art

BA Painting, Printmaking, University of Nebraska, Omaha
MFA Printing, Drawing, University of Tennessee

jspencer [at] berxwedan.net
Sarah Klocke, MFA
Director, Theatre & Communications Programs
Associate Professor of Theatre & Communications

BA Speech, Arkansas Tech University
MFA Film, Theatre and Communication Arts, University of New Orleans
EdD(c) Educational Leadership, College of saint Mary

Areas of Expertise
Directing for the stage, scenic design, growth mindset and the fine and performing arts

Accomplishments and Published Articles
McAuley Teaching Excellence Award, 赌球平台推荐台 2022
Inspiring Excellence Award, 赌球平台推荐台 2023
KCACTG Citizen Artist Award, 2023

Involvement
Chair of Representation, Equity, and Diversity, Kenedy Center American College Theater Festival, Region 5

sklocke [at] berxwedan.net
Shannon McMahon, PhD
Director, English Program
Association Professor of English

BA French, Creighton University
MA Creative Writing, Creighton University
PhD American Literature, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Areas of Expertise
Women’s Literature; American, British, and World Literature; Creative Writing

Accomplishments and Published Articles
Short Stories in Brilliant Flash Fiction and Crack the Spine, The Chronicle of Higher Education

smcmahon [at] berxwedan.net
Molly Brost, PhD
Associate Professor of English

BS Journalism and English, University of Nebraska at Kearney
MA English, Colorado State University
PhD American Culture Studies, Bowling Green State University

Areas of Expertise
Women in Popular Culture

Accomplishments and Published Articles
“The Anti-Heroine on Contemporary Television: Transgressive Women,” Lexington Books 2021

Involvement
Partnership 4 Kids Book Buddy Program

mbrost [at] berxwedan.net
Jennifer Reed-Bouley, PhD
Director, Theology Program
Professor of Theology

BA Liberal Studies, University of Notre Dame
MA Theology, Loyola University
PhD Christian Ethics, Loyola University

Areas of Expertise
Catholic Social Thought

Accomplishments and Published Articles
Book, Bernard Prusak and Jennifer Reed-Bouley, eds. Catholic Higher Education and Catholic Social Thought (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2023)
Mary Ann Tietjen and Jennifer Reed-Bouley, “Experiences of Student Retention Professionals in Their Role at Private Universities,” under review.
Daniel R. Dilieo, Andrew G. Baruth, and Jennifer Reed-Bouley, “Catholic support for science-based city climate action plan for Omaha,” Nebraska Examiner, Aug. 26, 2023

Involvement
Catholic Theological Society of America member
College Theology Society member

jreed-bouley [at] berxwedan.net
Emily Kahm, PhD
Associate Professor of Theology

BA Theology and English, Rockhurst University
MTS Theological Studies, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
PhD Religious and Theological Studies, Iliff School of Theology and University of Denver

Areas of Expertise
Sexuality and Sex Education in Religious Spaces; Embodied Theologies; Disability Theology; Antiracism in Theology

Accomplishments and Published Articles
Wabash Workshop participant, Becoming a White Antiracist (2023)
“Exploring Body Practices as part of Antiracist Teaching.” Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc. $5,000 grant, Jan.-Dec. 2024
“Contemplative Learning for the Teaching Life and in Online/Hybrid Courses. Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc. $5,000 grant, Dec. 2023-Dec. 2024.
“What’s the Real Mistake? Exploring the Framework of Mistake and Sin in Adolescent Sexuality.” Chapter in Nobody’s Perfect: Adolescence, Mistakes, and Religious Education. Eds. Cynthia Cameron, Lakisha Lockhart & Emily Peck-McClain. Fortress Press, Fall 2024.

ekahm [at] berxwedan.net
Celeste Harvey, PhD
Associate Professor of Philosophy

BA Philosophy, Bethel University
MA History of Philosophy, Marquette University
PhD Philosophy, Marquette University

charvey [at] berxwedan.net