Concordia welcomes new staff for graduate studies and interim dean

Concordia University, Nebraska welcomes Dr. Torri Lienemann as the new director of graduate studies in special education. 

“Torri’s extensive experience in special education will further enhance the excellent academics offered to our graduate and education students, helping them make an even greater impact in the lives of those they teach,” said Provost Jenny Mueller-Roebke. 

As director, Lienemann will coordinate the graduate special education curriculum in addition to teaching and advising students.

“This program remains in its infancy, and the potential to evolve and expand is tremendous,” Lienemann said. “It is my goal to grow the current program to serve the needs of educators desiring to enhance and enrich the lives of students with disabilities.”

Students can earn a Master of Education (M.Ed.) and special education endorsement. Opportunities exist for a K-6, 7-12 or K-12 endorsement. All courses are eight weeks long and are conducted online. 

Lienemann earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in special education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and taught special education at Culler Middle School and Roper Elementary School in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Norris High School in Firth, Nebraska. 

Lienemann also served as the Norris School District assistant special education director and district learning coordinator and continued her scholarly work at UNL by conducting and publishing research, recently publishing a textbook and submitting a manuscript on reading comprehension.

Dr. Robert G. Smallfoot takes on new responsibilities as Concordia's interim dean of graduate studies and adult education. Smallfoot has worked at Concordia four years in the graduate education programs as a program director and coordinator. 

“I felt I could help the institution and help my colleagues in the graduate program,” Smallfoot said. “I hope I can provide my fellow program directors the resources they need to accomplish the things on our plate.”

Smallfoot’s duties will be to evaluate the assessment program, oversee curriculum and grow the graduate school with more students, faculty and program options.

Smallfoot earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His education experience includes five years in middle school education and 37 years in higher education.

Before coming to Concordia, he served as president of both McCook Community College in McCook, Nebraska, and Kilian Community College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 

Smallfoot and his wife, Phyllis, live in Seward and have two grown children, Bob and Jill.

Concordia's graduate school offers 11 program options in the areas of business, education, public health, gerontology, human services and family life. The programs are designed to be flexible for working professionals to complete, with eight-week courses, online options and optional additional endorsements.

Concordia Nebraska welcomes Jonathon Moberly as the new Master of Business Administration program director.

“Jonathon’s visionary thinking, dedication to teaching and servant leadership make him an outstanding addition to our growing graduate program,” Provost Jenny Mueller-Roebke said.

Some of Moberly’s duties as Concordia’s MBA program director include directing the program curriculum, advising potential and current students on navigating through the program and overseeing faculty to deliver high-quality courses.

“I am looking forward not just to helping the young MBA program grow and reach its potential, but also to working with all the great people who are connected with the program,” Moberly said.

Moberly earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Eastern Illinois University before earning a Juris Doctor in employment and labor law from St. Louis University School of Law and an MBA from Lindenwood University.

Moberly has spent the past seven years teaching courses at the university level in all aspects of business and law at universities in the St. Louis, Missouri, area including Central Methodist University, Maryville University, Saint Louis University and Washington University School of Law.

Moberly has also spent the past six years coaching football, basketball and track at Lutheran High School and Immanuel Lutheran School, both in St. Charles, Missouri. Prior to teaching and coaching, Moberly spent five years representing professional football players and professional soccer players in marketing efforts and contract negotiations.

Moberly’s family includes his wife, Jennifer Fruend, an adjunct biology instructor at Concordia Nebraska, and their two daughters Adeline, age 5, and Eloisa, age 6 months.

The MBA program at Concordia Nebraska is designed to be flexible for working professionals to complete in 36 credit hours and offers 13 emphasis areas including aging studies, management, international business and marketing. Each student enrolled in the program also receives a free iPad and free textbooks.