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Dr. Todd A. Olson Dr. Todd A. Olson was named President of Mount Mercy University in 2021. In his first year, he has developed partnerships with local health care organizations and strengthened ties with local businesses and non-profits. Prior to Mount Mercy, Dr. Olson served as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Georgetown University and held a variety of roles at the University of Denver. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota-Morris, master’s in counseling psychology at the University of Kansas, and PhD in higher education from the University of Denver. Dr. Olson has written articles and book chapters on entrepreneurial leadership, student well-being, and working with controversial issues on a Catholic campus. |
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Sister Linda Bechen, RSM '74 Sister Linda Bechen was appointed Vice President for Mission & Ministry in 2018. She supervises the Office of Campus Ministry, collaborates with faculty and staff to foster the institution’s mission and identity, and works to infuse and integrate the vision of the founding Sisters of Mercy into all aspects of campus life and ministry. Prior to Mount Mercy, Bechen ministered as the parish life coordinator at St. Patrick in Anamosa, Iowa, and the North Linn Catholic Cluster (St. Stephen, Central City, Iowa; St. John, Coggon, Iowa; and St. Joseph, Prairieburg, Iowa). She has also ministered in several Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa parishes as a pastoral associate and educator. |
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Dr. Tom Castle Interim Provost Dr. Tom Castle oversees the university's faculty and academic operations. He has been with Mount Mercy since 1990, serving as Associate Provost, Dean of Adult Programs, Associate Professor, and Business Department Chair. He also spearheaded Mount Mercy’s SIFE/Enactus program and directed the implementation of our graduate and online programs. Dr. Castle served two terms as national chair of the Council for Accelerated Programs. He received his PhD, MBA, and BBA from the University of Iowa. |
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Todd Coleman Todd Coleman joined Mount Mercy in 2020. He leads the university’s undergraduate, graduate, and adult enrollment efforts and provides leadership and management for marketing and communications. Coleman’s 35-year higher education career includes leadership positions at Jacksonville University, Wartburg College, and the University of Missouri, among others. He earned his bachelor's degree from Indiana State University. |
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Anne Gillespie, MBA Anne Gillespie joined Mount Mercy in 2018 and oversees the fiscal integrity and strength of the institution and its business operations. With over 20 years of higher education experience, she was previously the Campus/Market President for Kaplan University’s Indianapolis campus and also held several leadership roles at the University of Phoenix. Gillespie received her MBA and BBA from the University of Iowa. |
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Brenda K. Haefner '96, CFRE Brenda Haefner joined Mount Mercy in 2015 and is responsible for all fundraising and alumni relations efforts, including the annual fund, major gifts, capital gifts, and grants. Haefner has a Certified Fund Raising Executive credential. |
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Dr. Nate Klein '07 Dr. Nate Klein leads Mount Mercy’s Student Services team—including residence life, student engagement, counseling, and health services—in addition to MMU athletics and career services. He also serves as an Assistant Professor of Business. Prior to Mount Mercy, Dr. Klein spent seven years with Aflac and has experience in various industries, including Best Buy, Junior Achievement, the Arc of East Central Iowa, and General Mills in Cedar Rapids. He received his EdD from Creighton University and MBA from Emory University. |