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Learn, Play And Stay

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Joseph Kim

Summer at MNU

Most probably don’t consider how much the MNU campus buzzes with activity over the summer months. With the last day of class and Commencement in the first week of May, most residential students move home for the summer. However, the staff and certain faculty members keep busy with summer or online courses, conferences, camps, training, and facility rental. Here’s a taste of what’s happening.

  • Training the academic year 2022-2023 resident assistants
  • ServeTeam training and deployment
  • Lodging for Interns from AmeriCorps, Work & Witness teams, church groups
  • Summer athletic camps and theatre/digital communication
  • The Call – teens learning about ministry service
  • Conferences
  • Regional Children’s Bible Quiz
  • One Year Adventure Novel group
  • Mark Woods Rock Orchestra Camp
  • Community facility rentals

While these activities occur, staff prepare campus facilities and complete projects in anticipation of the fall semester.  For the most part, a quieter pace allows for rejuvenation to continue the mission of transforming lives through Christian higher education.

Apr
9
Early College Open House
MNU Campus
8:30 am

12:00 pm
Apr
10
Presidents Honors 2026
Cook Center
6:30 pm

9:30 pm
Apr
11
MNU Percussion Ensemble | Percussion Show 2026
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
7:30 pm

9:00 pm
Apr
16
MAX Improv 4/16
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
9:00 pm

10:30 pm

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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.