Lomacast: A Point Loma Nazarene University Podcast

Dr. Sawyer is a Professor of Kinesiology and Biology in addition to serving as the Associate Dean of Operations in the College of Health Sciences. He graduated from PLNU with a B.A. in Athletic Training and became an ATC shortly after graduation. Over the years he spent time practicing as an athletic trainer for the San Diego Chargers, high schools, PLNU, and an arena football team in Fresno, CA. While Dr. Sawyer loved working as a...

Guimel Sibingo is an Angolan-Portuguese journalist and writer. Her academic and professional background spans a range of journalism disciplines, with a particular emphasis on radio and multimedia storytelling.

Sibingo’s work in radio journalism has earned her several prestigious awards, including an Edward R. Murrow award for her contribution to Mizzou at a Crossroads, a long-form audio documentary from NPR-member station KBIA that...

Dr. Amy Nantkes serves as Assistant Professor of Political Science and Director of the B.A. in Public Administration. She teaches courses on public policy, state and local government, race, ethnicity, and politics, and group and organizational behavior. Her research interests include immigration policy and social welfare policy and inequality, with an emphasis in efficacy-developing policies and sustainable reduction of poverty in ...

Dr. Kyte Kirby is a Professor of Writing and Environmental Studies and Assistant Dean for the School of Humanities, Arts, and Public Engagement. As a former research scientist turned writer, Kirby is firmly grounded in both science and literature, still working in both fields by facilitating collaborations between scientists, writers, and artists. She writes in all genres but has a soft spot for speculative fiction and the weird; K...

Dr. Kerry Fulcher was elected the 15th president of Point Loma Nazarene University on July 1, 2024. Prior to the election, Dr. Fulcher served as Provost and Chief Academic Officer at PLNU from 2010-2024. 

He began his PLNU career in 1994 as a faculty member in the Biology Department and served as Biology Chair from 2002 to 2008. He became Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 2008 and Provost and Chief Academic Officer in 201...

Dr. Ron Benefiel serves as the Director of the Center for Pastoral Leadership at PLNU. He was the eighth president of Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri and also served as the Dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry at Point Loma Nazarene University. While serving as a PLNU professor from 1996 to 2000, Benefiel co-founded and co-pastored Mid City Church of the Nazarene. From 1982 to 1996, Benefiel ...

JC Hurtado-Prater serves as Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs and Associate Professor of Leadership. He joined the Fermanian School of Business (FSB) as an adjunct professor in 2020 and was hired as a full-time associate professor of leadership in 2022. A veteran of the United States Army, he came to PLNU with more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit organizations and management consulting. Hurtado-Prater has provided traini...

Dr. Samuel Stoneburner is a computational chemist specializing in electronic structure theory, which means calculating the properties of atoms or molecules based on the quantum mechanical behavior of their electrons. Dr. Stoneburner selected this specialty in part because it is underrepresented in undergraduate settings, and teaching undergraduate chemistry has been his career goal since his coursework at Kalamazoo Valley Community...

Karah Lain received her MFA from Oregon College of Art and Craft, and has shown her collage and painting work throughout the country in such locations as the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago, Illinois, Third Room in Portland, Oregon, and Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She has also served as an artist in residence at Portland Garment Factory and In Cahoots Residency, and as a University Fellow at Arrowm...

Professor Jon Manning is a New Testament scholar who is particularly interested in Paul, Luke, Acts, and the history of the canon. In addition to teaching in the School of Theology & Christian Ministry, he directs the LEAP program at PLNU, which provides a select group of incoming first-year students with academic support and shared learning experiences as a foundation for future academic success. When he is not teaching classe...

Dr. Arnel Aguinaldo ("Dr. A") has taught at Point Loma Nazarene University since 2013 as an adjunct and part-time instructor but was promoted to a full-time professor of Kinesiology in 2018. He also serves as the Director of the Kinesiology Biomechanics Lab in the Rohr Science building. Dr. A was also an adjunct professor at San Diego State University in the Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences where, since 2005, he has ...

Professor Colleen Jensen Cook has been at PLNU since 2008. As a generalist social worker she brings a broad knowledge to the department as she teaches courses in social work and sociology as well as supervises student interns. Her professional background has primarily focused on macro social work with an emphasis on policy education/advocacy; however, she also has direct practice experience with children and families in day-treatme...

Dr. Matthieu Rouffet serves as Dean of the School of STEM, Professor, and is a medicinal chemist who was born and raised in France. After completing his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of Reims, he moved to San Diego to start a postdoctoral fellowship position at UCSD under the supervision of Professor Seth. M. Cohen. During that time, he worked on the development of inhibitors of biologically relevant targets.

...

After graduating from PLNU, Dr. Jeff Sullivan became a certified athletic trainer, then taught at San Jose State and Oregon State before returning to his alma mater, where he has taught since 2003. His expertise is in the pathology of the shoulder and cervical spine. Sullivan previously directed the Athletic Training Education Program for eight years at PLNU, guiding it through a 10-year accreditation cycle. He has also served as a...

Dr. Kerry Fulcher serves as the 15th President of Point Loma Nazarene University. Dr. Fulcher was a professor of biology at PLNU starting in 1994 and was biology chair from 2002 to 2008 before moving into administration. He served as Provost from 2010-2024.

Barry Meguiar was the President of Meguiar's, Inc., a California-based company of car care products founded in 1901. He is often recognized for Car Crazy, a television show that...

Dr. Kerry Fulcher serves as the 15th President of Point Loma Nazarene University. Dr. Fulcher was a professor of biology at PLNU starting in 1994 and was biology chair from 2002 to 2008 before moving into administration. He served as Provost from 2010-2024.

Barry Meguiar was the President of Meguiar's, Inc., a California-based company of car care products founded in 1901. He is often recognized for Car Crazy, a television show that...

Dr. Kristopher Koudelka joined PLNU in 2014 after having taught for several years in his home state of Wisconsin. His science interests lie at the molecular level. By giving students a firm foundation in how chemical structure gives a molecule function and reactivity, they have the basis to understand any biological system. Koudelka’s research centers on the chemical modification of plant and bacteria viruses for use as drug delive...

Jonathan is the Executive Director for the Center for Justice and Reconciliation at PLNU. He leads the strategic vision and operational direction, serving as a key liaison with the community on behalf of the university and CJR. He drives the program planning and execution alongside shaping the Center's strategy and impact.

CJR website: https://www.pointloma.edu/centers-institutes/center-justice-reconciliation

PLNU welcomes Jonath...

Professor Wadley is an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the B.A. in Child Development (Accelerated Undergraduate Degree). Wadley has been teaching at PLNU since 2016, and has worked in the field of family and child development for 15 years. She has directed family and children programming in community nonprofit organizations like City Tree Christian School in downtown San Diego. 

Any Links

https://www.pointloma.edu/fac...