SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Six new, full-time faculty members joined Evangel University for the 2012-2013 academic year, including Dr. Susan Langston, one of the founders of the International Baccalaureate program in the Springfield Public School system.
Dr. Susan Langston
Assistant Professor of Education and Director of Clinical Experiences
Langston taught with Springfield Public Schools for 21 years in third, fifth and sixth grades. After completing her second masters in administration, she served as International Baccalaureate Middle Years program coordinator with the Springfield school district. Langston was responsible for the initial authorization of the program at Pipkin Middle School and Central High School. She also oversaw selection and training of teachers to implement the MYP and ensured the program met criteria for excellence contained in the IB Standards and Practices. Langston served as summer school assistant principal for Central High School and summer school principal for Pipkin Middle School. She earned a B.A. in elementary education from Drury University; an M.S. in elementary education from Drury University; an M.S. in educational administration from Missouri State University; and an Ed.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis from University of Missouri – Columbia.
Christine Arnzen
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Arnzen has served as an adjunct professor at Evangel since 1997. From 2002-2012, she served as the director of clinical services and lead therapist for the National Institute of Marriage. She also was a member of the Community Crisis Team of the Ozarks and served as board member for Teen Challenge of the Ozarks. She is a licensed, professional counselor with the State of Missouri. Arnzen earned a B.S. in psychology and business management from Evangel University, 1985, and an M.A. in clinical psychology from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, 1988. She is currently enrolled in the counselor education and supervision Ph.D. program at Regent University.
Joel Griffin
Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies
Before coming to Evangel, Griffin served as a professor at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas; Missouri State University Missouri Fine Arts Academy; and Messenger College in Joplin, Mo. In demand as a performer, educator and adjudicator, Griffin is the founding member of the Dallas Asia Pacific Connection, which performs in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex and throughout Southeast Asia. He earned a B.A. in saxophone performance from Missouri Southern State University and an M.M. in theory/composition from Missouri State University. Griffin is currently working on a doctorate from the University of North Texas.
Tremaine Jackson
Football Defensive Line Coach, Defensive Coordinator and Travel Coordinator
Jackson coached at Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas) from 2008 to 2012, serving as tight ends coach in 2008 and defensive line coach from 2009-2012. In 2010, the team became the first in the school’s history to be SWAC champions. Jackson was a defensive line coach for Texas A&M University, Kingsville Texas, from 2006 to 2007 and a defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for Trinity Valley Community College, Athens, Texas, in 2007. Jackson earned a B.A. in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Houston-Downtown.
Dr. Debbie Johnson
Professor of Psychology
Johnson served as an associate/assistant professor of psychology at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla., for 11 years. Before coming to Evangel, she served as a professor of psychology and counseling at Central Bible College for eight years. She is an ordained minister with the AG and has experience in youth and pastoral counseling in several churches. Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Evangel University; a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Bradley University, Peoria, Ill.; and a Ph.D. in psychology and human services from Capella University, Minneapolis, Minn.
Dr. Duane Praschan
Assistant Professor of Business and Leadership and Coordinator of the Masters of Organizational Leadership Program
Praschan has worked part-time at Evangel since 2007. He served as a corporate executive for 27 years at Philips Healthcare and has 30 years of pastoral experience. Praschan earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from Cleveland State University, 1976; an M. A. with emphasis on Christian education from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, 1978; an M. Div. with emphasis on administration from Ashland Theological Seminary, 1993; and a D. Min. with emphasis on leadership development from Fuller Theological Seminary, 2001.