Professors Who Live What They Teach: Cheri Kovalenko, Dr. Kevin Cole & Dr. Mike Grevlos
USF prides itself on providing students with a vibrant liberal arts education through courses and programs that demand wider engagement with the world. The school’s well-credentialed faculty are passionate educators who often choose to advance their knowledge and experience beyond the classroom, whether it’s through research, hands-on service or work within their chosen fields.
Modeling a Commitment to Care
Professors like Dr. Cheri Kovalenko not only offer significant contributions to higher education, but also model rich, meaningful lives and a desire to serve others. The professor of nursing recalls the moment her path shifted into education.
“It was 2009, and my position at Avera Health was being eliminated just as USF was launching its nursing program. Family members encouraged me to apply, but I wasn’t sure it was the right direction,” she says. “I left it in God’s hands and was offered the role as USF’s first full-time nursing faculty member. It is the perfect place for me.”
Sixteen years later, Kovalenko continues to shape the next generation of nurses at USF with a blend of clinical expertise and compassionate leadership. She’s led two mission trips to Haiti and recently supported Dr. Lynde Thelen in implementing the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) into USF’s nursing curriculum—a standardized tool that enhances clinical competency and gives students more hands-on experience.
“Education is full of small victories,” she says. “I’m blessed to witness them every day.”
Kovalenko still practices one weekend a month in the pediatric unit at Avera and fills in at Falls Community Health. Staying active in clinical settings allows her to serve patients and remain current in the field. Her students benefit directly from that dual role.
“I bring clinical examples into the classroom, making the material more relevant and applicable. Students respect that I maintain my license and continue practicing—they know I’m teaching skills they’ll actually use in the real world,” she explains.
Helping Students Discover Their Next Chapter
A professor of English since 1999, Dr. Kevin Cole has spent nearly three decades inviting students to see the miracles in everyday moments. He arrived in Sioux Falls after completing his Ph.D. at Baylor University.
“Being from deep South Texas, I had to look up Sioux Falls on a map,” he recalls. “After accepting the position, I never thought I would be here for 27 years.”
Dr. Cole’s career is marked by creativity and service. He’s worked with the Higher Learning Commission for 16 years, evaluating and accrediting colleges across the country. In 2015, he received a CIC Fellowship to study American slave narratives at Yale. And in 2020, his play Loving Arms was brought to life on the USF stage, thanks to a cast of talented student actors and director Joe Obermueller.
“Seeing my play come to the stage was a highlight,” Cole says. “But I also love walking into a classroom of English majors who, in their love of language, literature and writing, remind me why I spent four grueling years earning a Ph.D.”
Dr. Cole goes beyond his role as an English professor to elevate his craft and the program. In 2016, he published a book of poetry, Late Summer Plums, a lyrical observation of nature and its quiet revelations. After Loving Arms, he helped develop a playwriting course that teaches students the mechanics and structure of theatrical storytelling.
“Some of their original plays have gone on to win awards in local competitions,” he notes.
His work with the Higher Learning Commission also keeps him attuned to national trends in higher education.
“It allows me to contribute beyond USF and stay informed about innovations at the university level,” he says.
Teaching Beyond Textbooks
In the psychology department, Dr. Mike Grevlos blends academic rigor with a passion for performance and faith.
“I value USF’s Christian mission and the opportunity to help students reflect on their faith in the classroom,” he says. “I’m inspired by students who approach learning with humility, eagerness and a desire to grow.”
Dr. Grevlos has been a professor of psychology at USF for 20 years, designing curriculum that challenges students to explore the psychological roots of behavior while considering spiritual implications.
“I’m grateful to work alongside colleagues who are deeply invested in our students,” he says. “And I appreciate the freedom to create courses that stretch both the mind and the heart.”
Beyond campus, Dr. Grevlos serves as a mental coach for high school, collegiate and professional athletes. His 2019 book, The Motivation Game: A Course on the Psychology of Golf Improvement, blends performance psychology with practical insight. He and his wife, Lisa, also co-own a local golf course, staying connected to both the sport and the community.
“My consulting experience allows me to bring real-world insight into the classroom,” Dr. Grevlos explains. “I use examples from the athletes I serve to show how psychological concepts unfold in real time. It helps students deepen their understanding of human behavior, motivation and performance.”
Together, these three professors represent the soul of USF’s mission: to educate students not only for careers, but for lives of meaning and service. You’ll find dedicated educators like them in every department across campus—and out in the world, making a difference in our communities every day.