Now enrolling for Fall 2026 — master’s & dual-degree classes begin in August. Admissions · 828.225.3993 Clinic · 828.253.8669

Faculty & Staff

Practicing clinicians and scholars

Our faculty are practicing clinicians, physicians, pharmacists, and scholars who bring years of real clinical experience into the classroom — teaching beyond what any textbook can convey.

Leadership

Founded in 2003 — still led by its founders

Photo Headshot

Dr. M. Cissy Majebé

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President & Co-Founder · Financial Director

Dr. M. Cissy Majebé

O.M.D., L.Ac. · DOM (New Mexico)

Dr. Majebé co-founded Daoist Traditions in 2003 and has led the college as President ever since. A practitioner of Chinese medicine since 1985, she also founded and still directs Asheville’s Chinese Acupuncture & Herbology Clinic — home to the largest herbal dispensary in the Southeast. Her four decades in the treatment room shape the college’s core conviction: that this medicine is learned person-to-person, in practice, from teachers who practice it themselves.

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Rachel Nowakowski

~600 × 720

Vice President & Co-Founder

Rachel Nowakowski

MAOM, L.Ac. · Dipl. Ac. / Dipl. C.H. (NCBAHM)

Rachel Nowakowski co-founded the college with Dr. Majebé in 2003 and serves as Vice President. She oversees much of the student experience — including accommodations and student support — and has helped keep Daoist Traditions a small college by choice: rigorous, personal, and true to its lineage.

Academic Leadership

Deans & department chairs

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Christina Velderman DACM, L.Ac. Academic Dean — MAHM & Dual Degree
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Robert Vanderwall MAOM, DAOM Candidate Academic Dean — DAHM/DAc & CCHM
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Jennifer Jackson DACM, MAOM Dean of Students
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Lissa Juedemann DACM, MAOM, L.Ac., Dipl. OM Dean of Clinical Training · Herbal Chair
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Jessi Davis MAOM, L.Ac. Acupuncture & Foundations Chair
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Leanne Apfelbeck D.C., M.S. Biomedicine Department Chair

Faculty directory

Acupuncturists, physicians, pharmacists, bodyworkers, and scholars — the breadth of our faculty mirrors the breadth of the medicine.

Paul K. AlexanderMSTOM, L.Ac.
Leanne ApfelbeckD.C., M.S.
Simon BeckerM.Ac.
Marina BraineM.S., B.S.
Julie BurkeDACM, MAOM, L.Ac.
Evan BussanichM.Sc.OM, L.Ac.
Jenniffer ConteDACM, MAOM, L.Ac.
Nicholas ContePharmD, M.Ac., L.Ac.
Theo Yang CopleyDipl. Ac., L.Ac.
Jessi DavisMAOM, L.Ac.
Sharon DeMockerPh.D., B.S.
Michael DestriDACM, MAOM, L.Ac.
Emily FaderMLIS
Lori FendellM.Ac., L.Ac., PA, MPH
Diane GioiosoM.Ac., L.Ac.
Chelsea GomesLMBT, DONA
Brian HightowerDAHM, MAOM, L.Ac.
Frank IborraAP, Dipl. Ac. (NCBAHM)
Jennifer JacksonDACM, MAOM
Doris JohnsonPh.D., L.Ac., ACN, Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H.
Theresa JohnsonMAOM, L.Ac.
Lissa JuedemannDACM, MAOM, L.Ac., Dipl. OM
Christopher KazepisMAOM, L.Ac.
Autum KirganDACM, MAOM, L.Ac.
Randine LewisPh.D., L.Ac., FABORM
Lynn LewisPh.D.
Catherine LokD.O.
Mary Cissy MajebéO.M.D., L.Ac., DOM (New Mexico)
Parris MarksMAOM, L.Ac.
Jem MinorDAHM, MAOM, L.Ac.
Heidi MostD.Ac., M.Ac.
Marc MullinaxPh.D., M.A., B.A.
Cameron MullinsM.A., B.A.
Charles PannellDACM, MAOM, L.Ac.
Michael ParkerMAOM, L.Ac.
Tracy PeckM.Ac., L.Ac.
Evan RabinowitzD.Ac., M.Ac., Dipl. Ac. (NCBAHM)
Kathy RobinsonM.D.
Connie RossM.D.
Joe RothsteinDACM, Dipl. O.M. (NCBAHM)
Joanne SheaB.A., LMBT
Peter SheaDACM, M.S., L.Ac.
Dov ShonemanDACM, MTCM, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. (NCBAHM)
Robert VanderwallMAOM, DAOM Candidate
Christina VeldermanDACM, MAOM, L.Ac.
Rebecca WilliamsDACM, MAOM, L.Ac.
Ann WolmanMAOM, L.Ac.
Mindy GatesRN, MAOM, L.Ac.

Administrative staff

Chris GiglioB.S.Administrative Director / Registrar
Juliet DanielM.Ac.Admissions Director
Cameron MullinsM.A., B.A.Federal Financial Aid Director
Anthony SiglerB.F.A.Registrar Assistant
Emily FaderMLISLibrarian
Teresa ImfeldMLISLibrarian
Jennifer MooreB.A.Events & Facilities Manager
Jaime FrinakM.S., B.S.Executive Assistant to the President
Katie HanningB.S.Finance Manager
Pepper KelliherM.L.A.Executive Administrative Assistant
Kalyn LivernoisM.F.A., B.A.Administrative Assistant
Linda BarsiM.F.A., B.A.Administrative Assistant
Jan VidmarAdministrative Assistant
Theo Yang CopleyL.Ac., Dipl. Ac., B.A.Director of Community Engagement
Holly IngramClinic Administrative Assistant
Marie MichaudClinic Administrative Assistant

Board of directors

Ann FlynnChair
Bill ByrneVice Chair
Patricia BernardingBoard Member
Mary Cissy MajebéBoard Member
Rachel NowakowskiBoard Member
Susan Taylor RashBoard Member
Carol PennellBoard Member
John N. DavisMember Emeritus

Learn From Them

Meet the faculty in person

Visit campus, observe a class, and meet the faculty in person.