Campus News

Media Contact: Director of Communications, Rita Elliott, 815-226-3374

Rockford, Ill. – Six new full-time faculty members joined Rockford University for the 2016-2017 academic year.

Ronald Lee, Ph.D. is assistant professor and chair of the political science department. Dr. Lee has been an adjunct faculty member at Rockford University since 2003. His other teaching experience at the collegiate level comes from Kenyon College, Michigan State University, and Boston College. He has taught a variety of American history courses at Keith Country Day School in Rockford and has served as the head of the middle and upper schools as well. Dr. Lee earned his bachelor’s degree from University of Chicago, and his master’s and doctorate degrees from Boston College.

Joining the nursing department as assistant professor and chair of the department is Laura Monahan, DNP. She comes to Rockford University after serving as a member of the faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her teaching experience includes time spent at Elmhurst College and McHenry County College. Dr. Monahan is an Illinois Registered Nurse with a bachelor’s degree from Lewis University. She holds dual master’s degrees from Northwestern University and University of Illinois at Chicago. She received her doctorate degree from University of Illinois at Chicago.

Christopher McCullough, Ed.D. joins the University as associate professor, chair and unit head of education. He previously was an assistant professor at Saint Xavier University and an assistant dean for assessment at DePaul University. Dr. McCullough received his bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, his master’s degree from Marshall University and his doctorate degree from West Virginia University.

J. Andrew Newgren, Ph.D., has been named reference and instructional librarian. He previously was the director of theological engagement at Second Congregational First Presbyterian Church in Rockford. He also held various academic positions at Princeton Theological Seminary. He received his bachelor’s degree from Augustana College, his master’s from Rutgers and his doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Also joining the nursing department as a visiting assistant professor is Courtney Lewis. Lewis previously was an adjunct faculty member at Rockford University. Her professional background includes time as an emergency department nurse and an orthopedic nurse at SwedishAmerican Hospital in Rockford. She received her associate’s degree from Rock Valley College, and her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Olivet Nazarene University.

Colleen Kennedy was named visiting assistant professor in the department of anthropology and sociology. She previously was an adjunct faculty member at Rockford University and at Roosevelt University. She received her bachelor’s degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and her master’s degree at West Virginia University. She has also studied at William Rainey Harper College, Roosevelt University and Loyola University.