Michelle Prejean, PhD, RD, is a registered dietitian and chair of the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science program for Kaplan University. Prior to coming to Kaplan University, Dr. Prejean worked as a contract registered dietitian in clinical, community, and food service settings. Dr. Prejean also has years of online teaching experience, and was one of the first doctoral students to complete her dissertation research utilizing the Internet.
Anita Gust
Anita Gust is an adjunct faculty member at the Kaplan University School of Health Sciences . She holds a master’s degree in exercise science from the University of North Dakota and is currently working on her doctorate in human development, with a specialization in wellness, at North Dakota State University.
Ms. Gust has an extensive teaching background in the areas of health, fitness, and sports medicine. In her current role, she enjoys interacting with her Kaplan University students from across the country and watching them grow. She loves to share her passion for learning with her students.
Earon Davis, JD, MPH, LCMT
Earon Davis is an adjunct professor with Kaplan University’s School of Health Sciences. He teaches Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program. Mr. Davis is also pioneering “Didgeridoo for Health” classes in the Chicago area. In addition to having a background in environmental health law, public health, and writing, Earon is currently an integrative bodyworker and licensed massage therapist at a major hospital system in the Chicago suburbs.
Mary Oleksowicz, LAc
Mary Oleksowicz, Lac, is an adjunct professor with Kaplan University’s School of Health Sciences. She has been practicing herbal healing methods since 1994. She graduated from Mercy College with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and obtained her Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 2004. She has practiced Chinese Medicine at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, and Sound Shore Medical Center in New Rochelle, NY, as well as in private practice. A well-known local speaker, Ms. Oleksowicz has taught classes on various aspects of anatomy, acupuncture, herbs, and living in harmony. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her two children.
Kristin Henningsen, MS, CH, RYT
Kristin Henningsen is an adjunct professor with Kaplan University’s School of Health Sciences and teaches courses such as Vitamins, Herbs, and Nutritional Supplements and Contemporary Diet and Nutrition. Ms. Henningsen has deep roots in the fields of ethnobotany and herbal medicine. After receiving both her Bachelor of Science in Botany and Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology, Ms. Henningsen went on to complete her Master of Science in Biology at Northern Arizona University where she studied the medicinal plants of the area, focusing on their traditional uses by the 13 Native American tribes in the region. She has also worked as a research assistant with the nonprofit organization the Arizona Ethnobotanical Research Association, completing a field guide to the native plants of Arizona amongst other projects.
Ms. Henningsen has extended this work into the field of complementary and alternative medicine. She is a certified and practicing consulting herbalist, and is the proprietor of an herbal health and healing company. She has been researching, using, and teaching about medicinal plants for more than 10 years. Ms. Henningsen is also a certified yoga instructor and utilizes yoga therapy as an alternative healing technique.
Mark Maule, MS, SPN, CFT, YFT
Mark Maule is a professor with Kaplan University's School of Health Sciences where he teaches Creating Wellness: Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Healing. Mr. Maule received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and his Master of Science in Psychology/Sport Psychology at Capella University. He has spent many years working in treatment centers, both residential and day, and as a fitness/wellness director for children ages 6 to 17.
Mr. Maule is a Specialist in Performance Nutrition (SPN), a Certified Fitness Trainer (CFT), and a certified Youth Fitness Trainer (YFT). In addition to teaching, he is writing a children's book and working on opening a wood burning business with his wife.
Nola Peacock, DSc
Nola Peacock is a professor with Kaplan University’s School of Health Sciences where she teaches classes such as Current Trends in Exercise and Fitness and Health and Wellness Programming—Design and Administration. Dr. Peacock received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Utah in 1991. She completed her Master of Science in Physical Therapy at Chapman University in 1993. In 2002 she received her Doctor of Science degree in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from Rocky Mountain University. Dr. Peacock has published research in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy and authored a chapter in a forthcoming physical therapy textbook. She currently works as a Physical therapist and wellness specialist at St. John’s Medical Center and lives with her husband and two children in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Ruthy Watson, PhD, MSPH
Ruthy Watson is an adjunct professor with Kaplan University’s School of Health Sciences. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Chatham University and both her Master of Science in Public Health, and her Doctorate in Public Health and Community Health Promotion from Walden University. In addition, Dr. Watson is president and founder of Ruthy Watson’s Innovative Wellness Consulting, Inc., a health and wellness promotion organization that specializes in community programs and activities to encourage healthy living and disease prevention in South Florida. Dr. Watson has taught in traditional classroom settings and online courses in wellness education with Broward College in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
William Burgos, MS, CSCS, CPT
William Burgos has been a professor with Kaplan University’s School of Health Sciences since December 2007. Mr. Burgos has a Master of Science in Exercise Science from Austin Peay State University where he also obtained his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science. In addition, he has his certification as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), as well as his certification as a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
Mr. Burgos currently works with the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball club as a certified strength and conditioning coach. In this position, he helps coordinate and maintain strength, flexibility, nutrition, and conditioning programs in order to enhance the quality and longevity of life and to optimize performance. In addition to working with professional athletes, Mr. Burgos has had the opportunity to be a member of a corporate wellness steering committee where he helps contribute to the corporate wellness program.
Jennifer Koslo, MS, RD, CSSD, CPT
Jennifer Koslo is a full-time faculty member with Kaplan University’s School of Health Sciences and teaches courses such as Vitamins, Herbs, and Nutritional Supplements and Contemporary Diet and Nutrition. Ms. Koslo is a Registered Dietitian (RD) and one of the few Certified Specialists in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) in the country. In addition to teaching online, Ms. Koslo teaches wellness and weight loss classes in the local community, and is a sports nutrition consultant on a private consultation basis.
Ms. Koslo received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Juniata College, and earned a dual Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Exercise Science from Colorado State University. She received a Registered Dietitian certification from the American Dietetic Association and Colorado State University, and is currently working on her doctorate degree in education with an emphasis in instructional design for online learning.
In addition to serving in the US Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, West Africa, for 2-1/2 years, Ms. Koslo also worked as a cardiac rehabilitation dietitian and at the Arizona Department of Health Services as the chronic disease nutritionist. She is also an American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer.
Nancy Silva, ND
Dr. Nancy Silva is a licensed naturopathic physician in California. She has more than 20 years of health care experience in diverse areas such as emergency medicine, primary care, and naturopathic medicine. She holds a Baccalaureate in Biology from the University of California and a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University.
Dr. Kirsti A. Dyer is a physician; health educator; professor; grief, loss and bereavement expert; life challenges expert; author; and former NICU parent. She has achieved Fellow in Thanatology (Death, Dying and Bereavement) standing with the Association of Death Education and Counseling. Dr. Dyer is also a Certified Wellness Specialist.
Dr. Dyer is the domain designer for the Journey of Hearts™ website, created in 1997 as the first and only physician-based website devoted to educating people about the normal grief response. She has presented scientific papers about her experiences with Journey of Hearts and the Medical Internet at several U.S. conferences and international conferences in London, England, Heidelberg, Germany, and Canada.
Since having her second daughter she has shifted her focus from practicing clinical medicine to teaching and being a health educator. She has been teaching nutrition for 5 years and grief and loss for 3 years. An avid writer, Dr. Dyer has articles published in numerous medical journals, conference proceedings, and online sites.
Gayle Walter, MPH
Gayle Walter is an adjunct professor at Kaplan University and teaches courses such as Contemporary Diet and Nutrition and Research Methods for Health Sciences. In addition, she also works for the University of Dubuque in the Department of Natural and Applied Sciences and Physical Education. Ms. Walter received her Master of Public Health from Walden University in 2007 and is currently enrolled in the doctoral program in public health with an emphasis on community health promotion and education. She currently resides in Dubuque, Iowa, with her family.
Rebecca Cohen, RN, MS, Ed.D., MPA, HNB/BC
Rebecca Cohen is an adjunct professor with Kaplan University’s School of Health Sciences and teaches the course Models for Health and Wellness. She has a background in the fields of complementary and alternative medicine, education, and health care quality improvement and leadership. Dr. Cohen is trained in Quantum Touch, Reiki Level II, and the biofeedback, stress reduction technique of HeartMath.
Dr. Cohen has worked in acute care and long term care, and served as a consultant to mental health agencies, attorneys, and the National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute. She also worked as a Long Term Care Surveyor in the Illinois Department of Public Health and was a professor in a school of nursing. Dr. Cohen’s primary focus is preventive health, and she has developed health education programs for special target groups, corporations, elementary schools, and the community. She has published more than 30 articles and chapters in nursing text books, and currently works as the editor of the American Holistic Nurses Association newsletter and owns a private wellness coaching practice.
Dr. Hector R. Morales-Negron
Dr. Morales-Negron is an adjunct professor in the School of Health Sciences at Kaplan University, where he teaches Scientific Foundations of Fitness and Wellness and Critical Issues in Stress Management and Prevention. He completed his undergraduate in education with a major in kinesiology at the University of Puerto Rico in 1990. In 1997, he attended the University of Georgia and obtained his Masters of Education in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. He graduated from Florida State University in 2008 with a PhD in Educational Psychology, majoring in exercise and sport psychology.
Throughout his career, Dr. Morales-Negron has obtained several fitness certifications, including American Counsel for Exercise (ACE) group fitness instructor, ACSM fitness leader, CPR Lifeguard and First Aid, U.S. Army Master Fitness Trainer, and U.S. Army certified combatives instructor.
The opinions expressed on this website are those of the author(s) and are not attributable to Kaplan University. Information on this website should not be relied upon in the care of patients. This website is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services. If you need medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, please see a physician. Kaplan University cannot be held responsible for any injury or damage to persons or property from any use of methods, products instructions, or ideas contained in this website.
Kaplan Higher Education Corporation is a division of Kaplan, Inc., a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company.
Dr. Michelle Prejean 
Anita Gust 
Earon Davis, JD, MPH, LCMT 
Mark Maule, MS, SPN, CFT, YFT
Nola Peacock, DSc
Ruthy Watson, PhD, MSPH
William Burgos, MS, CSCS, CPT
Nancy Silva, ND
Kirsti A. Dyer, MD, MS, FT, CWS
Gayle Walter, MPH
