Nickel brings a diverse background in marketing, communications, education, and technology operations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a master’s degree in Marketing and has built her career on creating meaningful connections, developing strategic communications, and helping organizations tell compelling stories that strengthen their communities.

Prior to joining Missouri Valley College, Nickel worked with Heartland Business Systems, where she coordinated complex projects, streamlined operational processes, and collaborated across departments to support organizational growth and client success. She also operated a marketing and communications consulting business, helping organizations develop strategic marketing initiatives, execute digital campaigns, refresh their brands, and leverage data-driven insights to increase visibility and audience engagement. 

Before transitioning into the technology sector, she spent three years as a Marketing teacher and DECA advisor at Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia, Missouri. During her tenure, she guided students to success at district, state, and national competitions while fostering hands-on learning experiences in marketing, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

“Kassie brings an outstanding combination of marketing expertise, leadership, and educational experience,” said President Joe Parisi. “She understands the power of authentic storytelling and strategic communication, and I’m confident she will play an important role in elevating Missouri Valley College’s brand while sharing the remarkable stories of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni.”

As Director of Marketing and Communications, Nickel will lead the College’s branding, public relations, digital communications, social media strategy, and institutional storytelling efforts. Working collaboratively with campus leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners, she will help strengthen the College’s visibility, support enrollment and advancement initiatives, and celebrate the achievements of the Viking community.

“I am honored to join Missouri Valley College and become part of an institution with such a rich history and strong commitment to student success,” said Nickel. “Throughout my career, I have been passionate about helping organizations share their stories in authentic and engaging ways. I look forward to highlighting the incredible experiences, accomplishments, and opportunities that make Missouri Valley College such a special place while helping advance its mission and vision for the future.”

Nickel resides in central Missouri with her three children and enjoys supporting their activities, including archery, football, baseball, and dance. She looks forward to becoming an active member of the Marshall community and contributing to the continued growth and success of Missouri Valley College.

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Missouri Valley College Welcomes Kelly Magnuson as Vice President of Business and Finance

Missouri Valley College is pleased to announce that Kelly Magnuson has joined the College as its new Vice President of Business and Finance, following a national executive search conducted by Hyatt-Fennell that attracted a strong and competitive pool of candidates. She succeeds the retiring Richard Gozia.

A seasoned higher education leader, Magnuson brings experience in financial operations, budget development and oversight, and long-range planning. Her background includes building data-informed financial models, strengthening management reporting, and developing key performance indicators to support institutional decision-making. She is known for her sound fiscal judgment and ability to align financial operations with institutional priorities. In addition to her business operations acumen, she has major experience in advancement and enrollment operations. 

“Kelly’s depth of experience and strategic insight make her an outstanding fit for Valley,” said President Joe Parisi. “She understands how to align financial stewardship with institutional growth, which is critical to supporting student success and ensuring long-term stability.”

Mgnuson joins Missouri Valley College from Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minnesota, where she served for more than 20 years in progressively senior leadership roles. Most recently, she held the position of Vice President for Enrollment and Advancement. She also served as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Ridgewater College Foundation, working closely with institutional leadership on financial planning, governance, compliance, and resource development.

Her career reflects increasing responsibility and collaboration across advancement, enrollment, and executive leadership. Her work includes managing complex financial resources, maintaining disciplined budget oversight, and addressing the financial and strategic challenges facing higher education today.

“I’m humbled to be given this opportunity,” Magnuson said. “During my visit, there was a sense of warmth and welcome that immediately put me at ease. People were open, kind, and genuinely excited about the direction of the college. I could easily picture myself living and working here.”

Magnuson also cited the energy she experienced both on campus and throughout the Marshall community as key factors in her decision. She has already purchased a home in Marshall and will begin her new role in early April.

During the search process, senior consultant Jann Weitzel, Ph.D., highlighted Magnuson’s attention to detail, steady and diligent work ethic, and strong professional judgment. She noted Magnuson’s keen understanding of higher education and her proactive approach to communication—ensuring that emerging issues and potential risks are identified and addressed early.

Magnuson’s appointment positions Missouri Valley College to strengthen its financial future in an evolving higher education landscape, reinforcing a strong commitment to ensuring resources are strategically aligned to support the student experience and advance the institution’s mission.

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Alumni Director Elizabeth Cline

Missouri Valley College is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Cline has assumed the role of director of alumni relations.

Cline has worked as a marketing and communication specialist at MVC since early 2022. In that role, she managed the college’s social media platforms, and will bring her expertise in that area to the alumni office.

Cline will work with the alumni advisory board and other MVC staff to engage with alumni around the globe.

I am thrilled to welcome Elizabeth as the new MVC Alumni Relations Director,’ said Eric Sappington, vice president of institutional advancement. “I have witnessed her talents while she worked on the marketing team and look forward to working with her to bring new and exciting alumni events and activities to Missouri Valley.”

Cline earned her degree in organizational communication and Spanish from Northwest Missouri State University.

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Main, 33, starts his new position July 5. He will work closely with MVC leadership to advance strategic priorities, respond to opportunities for enrollment growth, identify and support projects, and build relationships with stakeholders.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to work with a place that has a great growth trajectory and focuses on putting students first,” Main said. “There are some very high standards and expectations, and I’m hitting the ground running.”

Main has experience in enrollment growth and project work from his time as emerging sports coordinator at Central Methodist University, where he built eight strong programs. He also served as admissions representative there, and head men’s and women’s golf coach.

Originally from Prestwick, Scotland, Main also has expertise in federal financial aid scholarship management. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Lindenwood University, and his master’s degree in education from Central Methodist University.

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Missouri Valley College has welcomed a new admissions counselor whose talents will bring her into the classroom as well. Reese Fraley will recruit students in the admissions office, but will also teach dance at MVC.

Fraley, of Sedalia, holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, where she majored in modern dance performance. Her styles include modern technique and ballet,  jazz, pom and hip hop on an NFL cheer training team. She said she plans to focus on the foundation of dance technique, while allowing students to explore their own creativity as artists.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to work at Missouri Valley,” Fraley said. “I was inspired by Dr. (Joe) Parisi’s vision to grow both fine arts and the college.”

Fraley, who was married in March, grew up in Sedalia, where she teaches dance at Studio A Conservatory. She and her husband, Seth, have two Australian Shepherds.

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“We are excited to welcome Tano, who is a veteran in higher education information technology management and a PhD candidate in cybersecurity leadership,” said Dr. Humphrey. 

Mateu started his new position March 13. He brings experience and expertise as a senior network security administrator and infrastructure manager. He also helped develop the academic proposal to launch a cybersecurity program at Central Methodist University, and he taught in the program.

“We’re thrilled to have Tano join us,” said Dr. Joe Parisi, Missouri Valley College president-elect. “He will help us protect our network and our information and will develop and implement solutions to streamline our systems and processes as we leverage emerging technologies.”

Mateu most recently worked at MidwayUSA in Columbia as a server administrator while achieving numerous cybersecurity certifications and pursuing his doctorate. At MidwayUSA he managed third party vendors and consultants from across the world.

He built his first computer when he was 14 years old, and Mateu has over 30 years experience as an information technology leader. It was a journey that started in Veracruz, Mexico and took him to GE Capital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and then Moberly. Soon after, he started working in higher education and landed at Missouri Valley College.

“I am honored to be at Missouri Valley College,”  Mateu said. “I was welcomed right away–by everyone. I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that are around the corner.

Mateu and his wife, Angie, have two children, Luci, 15, and Leo, 5. They live in New Franklin.

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