Contact Us: Placement Team

Placement Coordinator

The Placement Coordinator guides Endorsement Candidates through the Practicum Placement Approval Process.  This person works as primary contact for advanced practice Endorsement Candidates interested completing a field experience or practicum through the Graduate Program in Education.  Questions regarding the process or the status of a request should be directed to the Placement Coordinator.


Name:  Susan Trisler, Placement CoordinatorEmail:  trisler@morningside.eduPhone:  712-274-5196

Enrollment Review & Registration

The Recommending Official reviews Clinical Endorsement Candidates for program completion.  This review occurs as one of the final steps of approving Endorsement Candidates for enrollment in the appropriate field experience or practicum course.  


Name:  Joan Shaputis, Recommending OfficialEmail:  shaputis@morningside.eduPhone: 712-274-5477 

Advising & Program Coordinators

Advisors are assigned to each graduate education student upon application to the Graduate Program in Education.  Advisers help students in monitoring program progress and provide graduate education students with consultation opportunities through their time spent in attendance at the University.  Program Coordinators provide oversight of course requirements for endorsements offered by the Graduate Program in Education as approved by the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.   

All course scheduling questions should be directed to the advisers and all questions specific to course requirements should be directed to the Program Coordinators.



Name:  Cassie Alber, Adult Initial Licensure Program Coordinator & Advisor Email:  alberc@morningside.eduPhone:  712-274-5183

Name:  Dawn Jacobsen, Special Education Program Coordinator & AdvisorEmail:  jacobsend@morningside.eduPhone: 712-274-5451

Name:  Tracy Sursely, Initial Advising for Advance PracticeEmail:  surselyt@morningside.eduPhone:  712-274-5576

Name:  Cynthia Witt, General EducationEmail:  wittc@morningside.eduPhone:  712-274-5106

Name:  Rebecca Zettle, Project ConnectEmail:  zettler@morningside.edu Phone:  712-274-5275