Welcome to the energy and excitement that is MidAmerica Nazarene University!
The MNU experience is transformational! We seek to encourage students’ academic growth and career preparation, while finding their calling, making life-long connections, and experiencing spiritual vitality.
At MNU, we are guided by our goal to provide excellence, community, service, and transformational opportunities that will impact the world for Jesus Christ through our graduates.
As a Christian, evangelical university we believe Jesus Christ is Lord and the final authority for our faith and our lives. Thus every aspect of university activity, from instruction to student life to business practices, flow from this truth.
All students, whether traditional, professional and graduate, commuter or online, are encouraged to find spiritual growth and fulfillment at MNU. While MNU is one of 11 Nazarene institutions of higher education in North America, our community is diverse and represents 44 denominations and six different religions. Our courses, activities and services are designed to support a culture that promotes Christ-centered love to one another, our community and our world.
A transformative university that nurtures Christlike community, pursues academic excellence, and cultivates a passion to serve.
To impact the world for Jesus Christ through servant leaders recognized for their excellence, integrity, and spiritual vitality.
As a university community we are committed to the following core values:
To affirm our commitment to the Church of the Nazarene, the ministry of the local church and our mission as a Christ-centered educational community in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition.
To deliver excellence in teaching and learning through a passion for lifelong learning, quality student services, innovation and a culture of continuous improvement.
To develop and implement a sustainability model for the stewardship of financial and physical resources to promote excellence in academic programs and services, support faculty and staff and provide contingencies to protect, promote and advance the ongoing viability of the university.
To nurture and work together to build a Christ-like community of faith and learning interdependent in function and guided by the Holy Spirit.
To be driven by our common purpose and collective action to inspire and develop servant leaders who will personally and professionally impact our world for Jesus Christ.
As a university community we are committed to the following core values:
MNU’s strategic plan results from input from the entire campus community. The goal? To involve, engage and inspire the community to dream, vision and ideate the strategies, goals, and initiatives that are the focus through 2030. Three themes emerged in the process.
To elevate the core values that characterize the university’s mission and embody the qualities of a pioneer.
To advance the institutional story through financial stability and industry excellence.
The professionals serving on MidAmerica Nazarene University’s Board of Trustees are selected from the districts of the North Central Region of the Church of the Nazarene and at-large members.
The professionals serving on MidAmerica Nazarene University’s Board of Trustees are selected from the districts of the North Central Region of the Church of the Nazarene and at-large members.
2030 E. College Way
Olathe, KS 66062-1899
913-782-3750 or 800-800-8887
EdD; Ethical Leadership, Olivet Nazarene University
MBA; MidAmerica Nazarene University
BA in International Development, MidAmerica Nazarene University
Dr. Jon D. North was elected the sixth president of MidAmerica Nazarene University in 2025 and is the first alumnus of MNU to hold this position.
Before he was elected president, Dr. North served MNU as the senior vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the MNU Foundation. Over the past 15 years, his leadership has elevated the university’s landscape. Under his direction, the MNU Foundation’s assets quadrupled, laying a strong financial foundation for the future.
He also spent 17 years with Heart to Heart International, a global humanitarian aid organization based in the Kansas City metro. As an active member of the Kansas City community, Dr. North serves on various non-profit and community boards.
Dr. North and his wife, Faith, are both MNU graduates, as are their four adult children and two daughters-in-law. The Norths live in Olathe and are active members of Central Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas.
Master of Accountancy, University of Missouri
BA in Business Administration, MidAmerica Nazarene University
Darrel Anderson brings a wealth of strategic finance, budget development and cash flow management to his role as MNU’s Vice President for Finance. Anderson has more than 30 years of public and private experience. He has held the CFO position at a variety of companies, including his position as the CFO for the State of Indiana’s Department of Revenue. Anderson’s interest in finance began at MNU, where he earned his undergraduate degree in business administration.
He and his wife reside in Olathe.
PhD; Organic Chemistry, Yale University
MS; Organic Chemistry, Yale University
BS; Chemistry, Denison University
Dr. Hodges began her career in higher education at Azusa Pacific University as a chemistry professor from 2008 to 2014. She then moved to MNU where she taught and in 2018 was appointed Chair of the Department of Natural, Health, and Mathematical Sciences. From 2022-2023, before accepting the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hodges was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Dr. Hodges’ career research has focused on protein folding and protein engineering, and she has mentored over twenty students in these research projects. She has also furthered the MNU first-year experience program and chaired the General Education committee for five years. Dr. Hodges was recognized as the MNU Faculty of the Year in 2021.
Dr. Hodges lives in Olathe with her husband Ryan and two boys.
MLA; Psychology, Baker University, 2015
Lisa Hood has been with MNU since 2015, previously serving as School of Professional and Graduate Studies director of business partnerships and community relations.
As vice president, Hood provides leadership for the SPGS strategic growth initiatives and recruitment along with student services and support systems.
Her career prior to MNU includes positions at two other universities. She served at the Institute for Professional Development and Helix Education assigned to Baker University and worked as associate director of admissions at both Avila University and Baker University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Emporia State and a Master of Liberal Arts with a concentration in psychology from Baker University. In addition to her current responsibilities, Hood teaches sociology courses at MNU.
Hood and her husband, Joe, live in Olathe. They have two college-aged daughters.
BA; Physical & Health Education, MidAmerica Nazarene University.
Mr. G. Todd Garrett serves as the Vice President for University Advancement & Athletics. Mr. Garrett has served MidAmerica Nazarene University with distinction for nearly three decades, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to our Christian mission and remarkable success across multiple roles.
As a 1994 MNU graduate, Mr. Garrett began his professional journey as an educator in the Olathe Public Schools before returning to MNU as the Head Baseball Coach from 1998 to 2006. His career has progressed through increasing levels of responsibility, including Director of Athletic Development, Director of Development & Corporate Partnerships, and, most recently, Director of Athletics since January 2017.
Todd and his wife, Karen, are both MNU graduates, as are two adult children and their daughter-in-law. The Garretts live in Gardner, Kansas and attend Life Church of Overland Park, Kansas.
MA, LPC, SATP MA; Counseling, 2015, MidAmerica Nazarene University
Post-graduate Certificate; Sexual Addictions Treatment Provider, 2017, MidAmerica Nazarene University
BA; Bible, Theology and Religion, 2009, MidAmerica Nazarene University
Daniel began his career in student development as a resident educator and assistant chaplain at MNU. He also served as youth pastor at Christ Community Church of the Nazarene in Olathe from 2008 to 2013.
Daniel served as director of residential life beginning in 2015 and transitioned to dean of students in 2020 before being named vice president in 2021. He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Counselor Education at MNU and serves local clients as a licensed professional counselor.
“I am thrilled about the opportunity to continue my work with MNU students,” Daniel says. “Our mission of creating a transformational experience in the lives of today’s students is more important than ever as they navigate young adulthood and societal issues while they earn their education.”
Rincones and his wife, Kylee, a licensed professional counselor employed by the Olathe School District, reside in Olathe.