Dr. Richard M. Bernard, an Edmond native, came to UCO in 2007 as Interim Dean and became Dean of JCGS in 2008. He earned degrees from the University of Oklahoma (BA, Political Science), Wake Forest University (MA, History) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Ph.D., History). His academic field is American urban history with an emphasis on the contemporary era. Tenured as a faculty member at three institutions, Dr. Bernard served as a Fulbright Lecturer in American Studies at the University of Canterbury (New Zealand), an academic vice president, and most recently as president at Eastern Oklahoma State College. He has published four books and a number of scholarly articles and made presentations in the U.S., China, New Zealand, Australia, Samoa, Tonga, Japan, and Jordan. Earlier in his career, he taught for the University of Maryland in Europe. At UCO, he oversees and coordinates graduate programs and enrollment efforts and works with international professional exchange programs.

Toni Beller
Office Manager
405.974.3494

Ms. Toni Beller serves as Office and Account Manager of the JCGS. She organizes and coordinates all office operations, JCGS conferences and events, the Graduate and Research Assistant Program, the On-Campus Faculty Research Grant Program and the Graduate Council. Ms. Beller coordinates the fiscal and budget management of the college and the US Department of Education grants which include the Ron McNair Scholars Program, Upward Bound and Student Support Services. She also serves as Hiring and Payroll Manager. Ms. Beller is the coordinator of the Oklahoma Research Day event hosted on the UCO campus each year.

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Suzie Johnston
Administrative Assistant,
Admissions Specialist
405.974.2523

Ms. Suzie Johnston, Administrative Assistant, greets visitors, answers questions and assists students, faculty and staff with their individual needs. She reviews and evaluates international graduate student admission applications, processes international student applications and monitors and counsels international graduate students regarding their degree progress. She processes grade changes, international student progress reports, the Graduate College retention report, processes all applications for Graduate Faculty membership, Outstanding Graduate Student and the E.C. Hall Graduate Student Award. Ms. Johnston serves as department timekeeper processing payroll for college staff, Graduate and Research Assistants and internal and external grant student employees. Ms. Johnston is actively involved in the Oklahoma Research Day event hosted on the UCO campus each year.

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Syretha Bragg
Graduate Program Specialist
405.974.2527

Ms. Syretha Bragg, Degree Certifications/Administrative Assistant, monitors each graduate student’s degree progress, conducts degree audits and awards all graduate degrees each semester as well as doing VA checks, prepares progress reports for International Students. She assists students, faculty and staff with graduation issues and assists graduate students in their admission and enrollment process. She is actively involved in the Oklahoma Research Day event hosted on the UCO campus each year.

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Terry Nolan
Administrative Assistant,
Graduate Admissions
405.974.3341

Ms. Terry Nolan manages the front reception area of the JCGS&R. She greets all visitors and assists each individual with their specific needs. She reviews and processes domestic applications for admission, evaluates transcripts, prepares all admission correspondence, reviews student documentation with Graduate Program Advisors, assists students with enrollment issues and maintains student records. Ms. Nolan is actively involved in the Oklahoma Research Day event hosted on the UCO campus each year.

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Phyllis Pennington
Publications/Web Specialist
405.974.2915

Ms. Phyllis Pennington, serves as publications and web specialist for the JCGS. Her duties include serving as the editor of the Newsletter, publisher of the annual Graduate Catalog, designer of all Graduate Admission documents and forms. Ms. Pennington publishes all the Oklahoma Research Day publications and maintains the Oklahoma Research Day website.

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