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In 1966 the North Central Church of the Nazarene Board of Trustees was called to found MidAmerica Nazarene University—then MidAmerica Nazarene College. The Church of the Nazarene continues to provide leadership and direction through financial support and student recruitment.

MAX MidAmerica Xtreme #MNUMAX

Max Speaker Bio

Jana Burnham

Jana is the USA/Canada Event Coordinator. Prior to joining the NYI team, she was a youth pastor in Colorado. She is an ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene and a graduate of MidAmerica Nazarene University. Jana is married to Jason, and they have two beautiful daughters, Mackenzie and Madelyn. She enjoys reading, baking, Dr. Pepper and playing games with her family.

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2024 MAX Highlights

North Central Field PK Retreat

February 14-16, 2025

Cost: $75

This event is for 7th-12th grade Pastor’s Kids to experience a weekend of fun, food and fellowship with PK’s from seven different states!

Please complete the registration form and send $75 by February 5, 2025 to: Lisa Downs, MidAmerica Nazarene University, 2030 E. College Way, Olathe, KS 66062.

Check in for this event begins at 7pm on Friday February 14 at Holiday Inn Express and Suites Olathe South, and ends Sunday, February 16 at 1pm in the Hight Student Lounge of Cunningham Center at MNU.

Any questions, call Lisa at 913.971.3434 or email at ldowns@mnu.edu.

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Dr. Abby Hodges

Vice President for Academic Affairs

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.

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences partnership program:

Students spend 3 years at MNU and 4 years at KCU
Requirement for Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is waived
Students graduate with a degree from both institutions (B.S. from MNU and D.O. from KCU)
The Program is available at both Kansas City and Joplin campuses

To qualify for entry into the program at MNU students must:

Enter the program at MNU at the beginning of the freshman year through the application process
Have a minimum ACT score of 28
Participate in community service
Have a dedication to the field of osteopathic medicine
Meet regularly with the MNU pre-professional committee

To qualify for program completion at KCU students must:

Complete all General Education requirements at MNU
Complete a minimum of 99 hours of course work at MNU
Maintain an overall GPA of 3.25
Maintain a science coursework GPA of 3.5
Participate in KCU-Com’s weeklong Summer Learning Enhancement Program
Complete the following course with a grade of “C” or higher at MNU:
- Biological Sciences 12 hours
- Chemistry 13 hours
- Biochemistry 3 hours
- Physics 8 hours
- English Composition 6 hours

Other restrictions and qualifications may apply.

For additional information, contact Rion Taylor at rgtaylor@mnu.ed

Youth Events​