Rev. Dr. Kevin Kohnke is director of Human Services, Gerontology and Family Life programs at Concordia. Kohnke holds a Master of Divinity, a Master’s in human development and family studies from the University of Missouri, a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Denver Seminary in marriage and family counseling and doctorate of philosophy in human sciences with a specialization in gerontology from the University of Nebraska. He served as a parish pastor and in deaf ministry prior to joining the Concordia faculty full-time. In addition to teaching and program development, Kohnke is completing his licensing as a mental health counselor with a specialization in geriatric care.

Rev. Dr. Marvin Bergman is professor emeritus at Concordia University, Nebraska, and designed many of its current online human services degree courses. He earned his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, his educational doctorate from Columbia University with a specialization in religion and education, and his doctorate of philosophy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a specialization in educational gerontology. Bergman co-founded the Lutheran Institute on Aging and Family and has given hundreds of presentations locally and nationally.

Dr. Shirley Bergman is professor emerita of Aging and Family Studies and Director of the Lutheran Institute on Aging and Family, an institute she co-founded in 1988. She earned her master’s degree and doctorate of philosophy at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a specialist certificate in gerontology at University of Nebraska-Omaha. She created Concordia’s master's program in family science with a family ministry emphasis. Bergman also founded the Lutheran Education Center on Aging sponsored by the Nebraska District of the LCMS and Concordia College (1983-1988).

Dr. Nancy Elwell is a full-time associate professor of psychology at Concordia University, Nebraska. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s in educational psychology, and a doctorate in psychology. She has served Concordia in numerous capacities, including directing the Educational Administration graduate program, directing the student employment program, directing the department of lifelong learning, and instructor at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Dr. Renea Gernant is a full-time professor of communication and aging studies at Concordia. She chairs the School of Health and Human Science and is the program director of gerontology and human services. Gernant holds a master’s degree in communication studies and a doctorate of philosophy in communication and aging studies from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a specialist certificate in gerontology from University of Nebraska at Omaha. Gernant regularly researches and presents on older adult language comprehension and communication, spiritual care at the end-of-life, crisis mental health and animal-assisted therapy in crisis and aging services.  Gernant serves the State of Nebraska as a member of the Board of Nursing Home Administration.  In addition to her work, Gernant provides emotional and spiritual care through hospice and disaster services.

Dr. Jen Janousek is a full-time professor in the Health and Human Performance department. Janousek earned her doctorate in public health, specializing in community health education. She is a member of the Public Health Association of Nebraska (PHAN), the American Public Health Association (APHA), and the Nebraska Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NAHPERD). She is passionate about global health and has led students on health mission trips to Guatemala.

Amber Morrow has been a Concordia faculty member since 2008. She previously taught for ten years at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, where she also earned her master’s degree. She is currently working on her doctorate in psychology and gerontology. Her research area of expertise is obesity in later life.

Dr. Kristy Plander is a full-time professor in business administration and MBA associate program director. Plander earned her MBA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her doctoral degree in business administration with health care administration specialization from Northcentral University . Prior to coming to Concordia, Plander was the office manager for a dermatology practice and a family practice. She also served as director of marketing and communication at Concordia.

Sr. Frances Pytlik is a course designer and faculty member of Concordia, where she earned her  master’s degree in gerontology and aging studies. Her extensive educational experience includes ten years of school improvement and assessment and 40 years of teaching elementary grades in Nebraska, Kansas and New Mexico. Pytlik  serves on the board of directors for St. Joseph’s Villa, a long-term care facility in Nebraska.

Dr. Thaddeus Warren is an associate professor of education. He earned his doctorate at Capella University and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in elementary education at Concordia University, Nebraska. He has taught at Concordia Nebraska since the fall of 2005. Before joining CUNE, he served as Director of Christian Education program director and associate professor of education at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn. He has also served congregations and schools in Alabama, Nebraska and Colorado.

Dr. Janet S. Whitson is a full-time associate professor of biology and has taught at Concordia since 2003. Her extensive teaching background spans elementary school science, high school, and teaching neurosurgery at Baylor medical school. At Concordia, Dr. Whitson initiated a research program that gives undergraduates opportunities to learn techniques usually reserved for the graduate level. Dr. Whitson is a member of the National Science Teachers Association, the Society for Neuroscience, the Nebraska Academy of Sciences, and the International Society to Advance Alzheimer Research and Treatment. She received her doctorate from University of California at Irvine, and her post-doctoral training came at Baylor School of Medicine in Houston, Texas. 

Find out more about the faculty members who teach Concordia University, Nebraska’s online human services courses. Request more information today or call us at 877-497-5848 to speak to an advisor about human services training.