Briar Cliff University Announces New Faculty and Staff Hires for the 2025-2026 Year

(Sioux City, Iowa - September 10, 2025) Briar Cliff University is pleased to welcome the new faculty, staff, and athletic hires to campus for the 2025-2026 academic year. The additions bring a wide range of expertise, experience, and energy to the Briar Cliff community.

New Faculty Hires

• Doug Marquardt - Assistant Professor Business Administration

• Courtney Kuenn - Assistant Professor in Health and Exercise Science

• Ted Bobak - Assistant Professor in Psychology

• McHale Davis - Assistant Professor in Psychology

• Farhad Akhbardeh - Assistant Professor in Computer Science

• Lauren Clark - Assistant Professor in Music

• Shannon Merk - Professor of Nursing, Department Chair

New Staff Members

• Alyssa Miessner - Advancement Officer

• Anthony Rossi - Alumni Officer

• Sean Ehlers - Housekeeper

• Cindy Bates - Housekeeper

• Mariam Luqman - Dual Enrollment Manager

• Dari Brandt - Maintenance Technician

New Athletic Coaches

• Joshua Culliver - Assistant Coach Baseball

• Grant Hopkins - Assistant Coach Women's Basketball

• Riley Miessner - Head Coach Cross Country, Track and Field

• Ernesto Hidalgo - Head Coach Women's Soccer

• Bernardo Torres - Assistant Men's Soccer Coach

The following staff and faculty received promotions:

• Andy Osborne - promoted to Assistant Director of Admissions

• Jeff White - promoted to Assistant Professor

• Amy Boland - promoted to Associate Professor

• Paul Santos - promoted to Associate Professor

• Rhea Greer - promoted to CRM Administrator

• Alejandra Orozco - transition to Career Services and HR Specialist