Faculty
Faculty and Staff
Dr. Wendi Middleton, CHES
MPH Program Director, Assistant Professor, PhD, CHES
Dr. Middleton received her Ph.D. in Health Education from Southern Illinois University and her Masters of Science in Biology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Before joining the faculty at NSU, she was a faculty member at Southern Illinois University Carbondale where she also served as the Graduate Program Director for the Public Health program. Her areas of research interest include environmental health and epidemiological issues, especially those pertaining to tick-borne diseases; global health; chronic illnesses, such as obesity and asthma; and modifiable behaviors including lack of physical activity and tobacco use/abuse. In addition to conducting research, Dr. Middleton enjoys teaching a variety of courses including Introduction to Public Health, Social and Health Behavior Theories, Applied Research Methods, Essentials for Public Health Leadership, Current Issues in Public Health, Global Health, Epidemiology, and Environmental and Occupational Health.
Fun Fact: Dr. Middleton’s first job was as an ice cream cake decorator at Dairy Queen.
Dr. Praxidia Taruwinga (DrPH,MS)
Adjunct, Public Health, Assistant Professor
Dr. Taruwinga, a seasoned public health professional with extensive experience across diverse roles, including serving as a Health Educator with the Oklahoma State Health Department and as a dedeicated advocate for public health in Southern Africa. Recently, she conducted four months of fieldwork in a rural Zimbabwean village, focusing on an HIV/AIDS awareness program that engaged local communities. Beyond her research and education efforts, Dr. Taruwinga is actively involved in initiatives to donate medical supplies to uderserved regions, including Ghana and Zimbabwe, reflecting her commitment to advancing global health equity. Her primary research interests encompass community-based participatory research, gender-based violence, mental health, and global sexual and reproductive health. She is particularly focused on family planning and HIV prevention, aiming to address pressing health disparities through evidence-based interventions and advocacy.
Dr. Megan Monteith
adjunct, public health
Dr. Monteith received her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Oklahoma, her Master of Public Health from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and her Doctor of Public Health from Walden University. Dr. Monteith has worked in public health and education for 17 years. She worked for the Oklahoma State Department of Health for several years, primarily in emergency response and health education. Her current area of focus is on rural health disparities and community health.
Dr. Ebony McKinley
adjunct, public health
Dr. McKinley has been an online instructor since 2007. She currently teaches public health courses and has been an infectious disease epidemiologist at the local state and federal levels of public health for over 27 years.
Jamie Weatherman, MPH, MHA, CHES
adjunct, public health
Jamie Weatherman holds both a Master of Public Health and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Oklahoma State University and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. Jamie's career began as a Health Educator and Communications Specialist at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, where she developed impactful health education programs. Outside of her professional life, Jamie is a mother, animal lover, and aspiring Doctoral candidate in Healthcare Administration, dedicated to creating an engaging and supportive learning environment for her students.