Conyers Online 2026-2027 Bios
| Daniel Ogunwale is a first-year Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student at Baylor University and a registered nurse with experience in mental health and case management. Throughout his nursing career, he has been committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care while advocating for individuals facing complex healthcare needs. His professional interests include psychiatric nursing, healthcare leadership, quality improvement, and reducing disparities in access to mental health services. Daniel believes that faith and nursing are deeply connected and views healthcare as a calling to serve others with compassion, integrity, and excellence. As a Christian, he strives to reflect Christ's love through servant leadership and ethical clinical practice. His long-term goal is to become a DNP-prepared nurse leader who improves patient outcomes, mentors future nurses, and contributes to healthcare systems that promote dignity, equity, and holistic care. Through the Conyers Scholars Program, he hopes to deepen the integration of his Christian faith with his leadership and professional development. |
| Jhinelle Thompson is a first-year Doctor of Education (EdD) student in Learning and Organizational Change Leadership at Baylor University. As a first-generation graduate student, her educational journey has been shaped by the conviction that education has the power to transform lives and expand opportunity. With more than a decade of leadership experience spanning higher education, K–12 education, workforce development, educational technology, and nonprofit organizations, she has led strategic initiatives focused on organizational effectiveness, program development, and educational equity. Her research explores how faith-informed servant leadership can strengthen organizational culture, improve decision-making, and advance sustainable change within educational institutions. Guided by her Christian faith, Jhinelle is committed to bridging the gap between institutional values and leadership practice by developing frameworks that integrate ethical leadership, accountability, and service. Through her work as a scholar-practitioner, she seeks to equip educational leaders to build organizations where people flourish and mission-driven leadership creates lasting impact for students, educators, and communities. |
| Tony D. Ede is a Doctor of Ministry student in the Church and Ministerial Leadership concentration at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. His academic interests include executive leadership, organizational development, communications, and the relationship between practical Lutheran theology and institutional leadership. Tony holds two undergraduate degrees in Communications, an MDiv, and an MBA. Tony has served as an ordained Lutheran pastor since 2006 in rural congregations in Minnesota, Iowa, and Texas. He currently serves as Director of Equipping Ministries for the North American Lutheran Church, where his work includes congregational renewal and organizational development. His doctoral research explores how theologically grounded leadership practices can strengthen organizational alignment and advance the mission of a growing church body. Originally from Iowa, Tony now lives in Justin, Texas, with his wife, LeAnn, and their three sons. Outside of work and study, he in a nationally certified Firefighter and EMT, volunteers at the local school, and is an avid sports fan. |
| Originally from North Carolina, Jalayna Nesbitt embraced change by moving to Dallas, Texas, where she began building both her nursing career and her future. Raised in a military family, she learned the values of discipline, resilience, and adaptability. As the youngest in her family, she developed an independent spirit while remaining deeply connected to the people she loves. Now a registered nurse, she is passionate about caring for others with compassion and excellence. She has served in specialties such as orthopedic med-surg and labor and delivery, and is currently in high-risk obstetrics and postpartum. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her friends, family, and her dog, Luna. Also, you can find her attending church and continually growing in her faith, education, and personal development. In her pursuit of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner, feeling called to make a meaningful impact in healthcare. She is especially passionate about serving underserved communities through education, advocacy, and a commitment to equitable care. |
| Linda Martin was born in Africa. She is a DNP-FNP student at Baylor University. She earned her BSN from the University of Texas and pursued an MSM-MBA at Purdue University before enrolling in Baylor’s RN-DNP program. She currently works part-time on a medical-surgical unit. Guided by her Christian faith, Linda views nursing as an opportunity to serve others with compassion, dignity, and respect while improving patients’ health and well-being. Outside of nursing, she enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, following current world events, and exploring new ideas and perspectives from Generation Z. |
| Ainsley Garner is a first year OTD student at Baylor University. Ainsley was drawn to Occupational Therapy because of its focus on meaningful patient-provider relationships and creating interventions that empower clients to return to activities that ascribe meaning to their lives. Her research interests include neurodivergence education in the church to ensure Gospel accessibility to all individuals, as well as low vision interventions in neuro populations. Originally desiring to pursue global missions, she feels strongly that God has called her to serve the American church and is passionate about discipleship and helping others know God for themselves through His Word. She currently resides in Muskogee, Oklahoma with her husband where they enjoy going on walks, drinking coffee, spending time with friends, and serving together in their church. |
| Megan Meek, BSN, RN, CHPN, is a Serious Illness and Supportive Care Transition Navigator at Midland Memorial Hospital, where she walks alongside patients and families facing life-limiting illness. With 25 years in healthcare — from rural healthcare to leading nursing teams through the COVID-19 pandemic — Megan brings both clinical depth and a steady, compassionate presence to her work in palliative care. She earned her BSN from the University of Texas at Arlington and holds a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (CHPN) credential. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in the Family Nurse Practitioner track at Baylor University. Megan lives in Midland, Texas, with her husband and their three children, ages 13, 15, and 20. She is an active member of Redeemer Midland, where she serves on the Connections Team and is deeply involved in her community group. Her faith has taken her on a mission trip to Southern India, and she has also served as a camp nurse at youth camp. Outside of work, Megan loves cooking for her family, welcoming her kids' friends into her home, and soaking in the laughter and snark of teenage life. |
| Araceli A. Hernandez is a Family Nurse Practitioner, university professor, and nursing education leader based in Corpus Christi, Texas. She brings more than 20 years of experience with CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, a faith-based healthcare organization, where she developed a strong commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. Araceli serves as a Family Nurse Practitioner program director and clinical coordinator at Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi, supporting the preparation and professional development of future nurse practitioners. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Baylor University. Araceli completed a Post-Master’s Certificate at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi in 2022 and holds a Texas Nurse Practitioner license. Her professional interests include primary and preventive care, health education, improving access to care, and serving underserved communities. Guided by her Christian faith, she seeks to lead with humility, integrity, and a spirit of service in her clinical, academic, and leadership roles. |
| Melerick Mitchell is a second-year doctoral student in Baylor University’s Ed.D. in Learning and Organizational Change program. With a rich background in executive coaching, global team building, and robust expertise in engineering and systems analysis, Melerick founded Drive Influence in 2009 to empower global executives and organizations seeking to elevate performance and business acumen. Committed to community service, Melerick Mitchell has dedicated his time and expertise to serving as a Co-Lead of the Careers Ministry and as a past interim Lead for the Prison Ministry at his church. He has also served on various nonprofit boards across Dallas, Seattle, Tucson, and Las Vegas. This commitment to the community is a testament to his values and character. Melerick holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology from Louisiana Tech University and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. |
| Ashli Turner is a first-year doctoral student at Baylor University, pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Learning and Organizational Change. Through Baylor's program, she aims to develop actionable, informed solutions that foster equity in marginalized communities while driving organizational and policy changes on a broader scale. Her research interests center on the structural relationships between education, social equity, and public safety. Specifically, Ashli's current research goals are to investigate the complex intersections of social stratification and urban education to understand how these socioeconomic factors influence crime patterns and community dynamics. Ashli brings a robust academic and professional background to her doctoral studies. She holds a Master of Science in Homeland Security with a concentration in Law and Policy from the University of Kansas School of Law, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration with a minor in Law Enforcement from Missouri Southern State University. Additionally, she holds a professional certification in Management and is a first generation collegiate graduate. |
| Jennifer Huegel is an AGACNP-BC and FNP-BC (Acute care and Family Practice) with a focus in Emergency medicine. She also has an extensive 13-year nursing tenure in the field of nephrology. She is actively pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, with a graduation date of December 2026. As a practicing provider in the emergency department, she is currently pursuing her POCUS certification to improve her utilization of ultrasound and improving intubation skills through a residency for her DNP. She is a member of the Texas Nurse Practitioners, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Society of Hospital Medicine, and the Association Gold Key International Honour Society. Jennifer has a passion for public health, education, and prevention of chronic disease, promoting health outcomes for those with hypertension and diabetes. This passion has resulted in her participation in various medical missions, travelling to the Dominican Republic and remote Amazon River villages in Peru. As of May 2026 she participated in a trip to Guatemala with Baylor Missions. Jennifer is completing her Certified Nurse Educator course and hopes to pursue academia within nursing. She has an ardent desire to mentor individuals new to the nursing profession. |
| Lupe Torrez, RN, BSN, is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student in the Family Nurse Practitioner track at Baylor University. With a diverse nursing background in hospice and home health, she has dedicated her career to providing compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals and families across the lifespan. Her current pediatric and urgent care clinical rotations continue to strengthen her commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based primary care. Guided by her Christian faith, Lupe strives to serve others with compassion, integrity, and humility in every aspect of her work. As a single mother raising her teenage daughter while caring for her elderly parents, she understands the importance of resilience, perseverance, and servant leadership. Lupe’s long-term goal is to become a Family Nurse Practitioner who improves access to quality healthcare, promotes disease prevention and wellness, and positively impacts the health of underserved communities through compassionate, holistic care. |
| Gabe Gittens is a second-year doctoral student in Baylor University’s online Ed.D. in Learning and Organizational Change program. He holds a B.S. in Business Management and an M.B.A. from Coastal Carolina University, as well as an M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Wheaton College. An ordained reverend, Gabe serves as Assistant Pastor and Youth Pastor at CBC Ministries, his home church in Philadelphia, and as Executive Director of its multifaceted learning center. He is passionate about creating spaces where young people can speak openly, grow in faith, and experience God for themselves. Gabe has also participated in international mission work through his church, Baylor University, and One More Child. He is a NASM Certified personal trainer and a four-time international gold medalist with the Intercontinental Tang Soo Do Organization. Gabe believes in combining faith, fitness, scholarship, and service to strengthen local communities. |
| Deb Fagan is the founder and CEO of Eureka Moments, Inc., where she partners with educators and schools to transform research-based ideas into engaging classroom practice. With more than 30 years of experience as a mathematics teacher, instructional coach, dean of students, department chair, and professional-development leader, Deb is passionate about collaborating with educators to create classrooms where students think deeply, embrace productive struggle, and see themselves as capable mathematicians. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Learning and Organizational Change at Baylor University. |
| Dawnette Conswader Bowen, MSN, MPA, RN, is a Doctor of Nursing Practice–Family Nurse Practitioner student at Baylor University with a passion for preventive healthcare, patient education, and community wellness. Her nursing experience spans direct patient care, clinical education, leadership, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. As a health and wellness coach, she empowers individuals to set realistic goals and adopt sustainable behaviors that improve their health and quality of life. Her commitment to service extends into the community, where she has participated in initiatives that provide health screenings, education, and preventive services to underserved populations. She is particularly passionate about reducing the burden of chronic diseases through early identification, education, and lifestyle interventions. Her professional goal is to practice as a family nurse practitioner while developing sustainable programs that expand access to preventive care. Guided by her Christian faith, she seeks to integrate compassionate service, clinical excellence, leadership, and advocacy to help build healthier communities. |