Frontier Nursing University’s leaders are dedicated to the University’s mission of educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to deliver quality health care to underserved and rural populations. These leaders work tirelessly to create and sustain a culture of caring and inclusivity.
President’s Cabinet
FNU’s President’s Cabinet is composed of the senior university administrators who report directly to the President. The President’s Cabinet provides advice and counsel to the President, leveraging its collective knowledge and expertise to advance the University’s mission. They work closely together with the President, Board of Directors, and University leadership to provide advice, develop and implement university-wide initiatives and policies, and oversee operation of the university.
Membership includes the President, Dean of Nursing, Dean of Student Success, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Advancement Officer, and Chief Information and Digital Officer. In an effort to expand perspectives within the Cabinet, FNU has added two volunteer members, one faculty and one staff member, to serve for a one-year term.
President
Brooke A. Flinders, DNP, RN, APRN-CNM, FACNM
Bio
Dean of Nursing
Kristin B. Ashford, PhD, WHNP-BC, FAAN
Bio
Dean of Student Success
Paula Alexander-Delpech, PhD, PMHNP-BC, APRN
Bio
Chief Operations Officer
Shelley Aldridge
Bio
Chief Financial Officer
Kylie Waters, CPA, MBA
Bio
Chief Advancement Officer
Bobbi Silver
Bio
Chief Information and Digital Officer
Marc Blevins, MS, CISA, AAIA
Bio
Regional Clinical Faculty
Jeffrey Dobbins, DNP, APRN, PHMNP-BC
Bio
Facilities and Security Manager
David Fritz, BS
Bio
Academic Leaders
Department Chair for the Department of Midwifery
Eileen J. B. Thrower, Ph.D., APRN, CNM, CNE, FACNM
Interim Department Chair of Women’s Health
Laura Manns-James, PhD, CNM, WHNP-BC, CNE, FACNM
Department Chair for the Department of Family Nursing
Audra Cave DNP, FNP-BC
Department Chair for the Department of Psychiatric-Mental Health
Kevin Scalf, DNP, PMHNP-BC, CNEcl
Director, Doctor of Nursing Practice
Khara Jefferson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Rachel Risner, PhD, DNP, APRN, C-FNP, CNE
Faculty
Learn more about FNU’s 150+ doctorally prepared Certified Nurse-Midwife and Certified Nurse Practitioner faculty here.
Board of Directors
FNU’s Board of Directors is comprised of individuals who are invested in the success and growth of FNU. Learn more about our Board of Directors here.
Exceptional People Make an Exceptional University
FNU President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders was named a recipient of Insight Into Academia magazine’s 2026 Trailblazer in Higher Education Award in 2026. This national honor recognizes senior leaders whose bold, strategic innovations have advanced institutional excellence, strengthened community and connectedness, and created meaningful, measurable impact for students, employees, and the broader academic system. Read the full story here.
FNU is recognized as a Great College to Work For in 2025 for the fifth year in a row. The Great Colleges to Work For program is one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country. FNU is a great place to work because of the outstanding people who are fully committed to our students and our mission.(Edit)