Dr. Nicholas Emmel, educator and author, holds a doctorate from the University of Mary (Bismarck, ND). An educator for nearly two decades serving at the high school and graduate levels, he currently serves as a theology teacher at St. Mary’s Central High School in Bismarck, ND, and as an adjunct professor of Education and Catholic Studies at the University of Mary.
In 2016, Dr. Emmel completed his Master of Arts in Religious Education and Catechesis. The topic of his research was How Can Newman’s Idea of a University Assist Curriculum Integration within the Catholic High School? Through detailed documentary research, Dr. Emmel reviewed St. John Henry Newman’s philosophy of education, magisterial expectations for Catholic educators, and proposed a Newman influenced approach to modern Catholic education which highlighted Catholic academic integration.
In 2022, Dr. Emmel successfully defended his doctoral dissertation: Newman’s Idea of a Liberal Education and the Perceptions of High School Administrators Transitioning to Catholic Liberal Education. This qualitative study explored the perceptions of seven administrators (across five states) at schools transitioning toward an integrated approach to Catholic liberal education inspired by the educational philosophy and practices of St. John Henry Newman. Dr. Emmel has also written articles for Saints and Scholars: A Journal of Irish Studies.
Dr. Emmel has mentored and taught many Catholic educators across the country through several cross-listed, graduate-level education courses including:
1. EDU/CTH 613 Principles of Catholic Education Applied Today.
2. EDU/CTH 643 Teaching in a Catholic School. Dr. Emmel created this course and taught
it to priest chaplains across the country. He also assisted in the design of the High School
Chaplains Certificate at the University of Mary.
3. EDU/CTH 534 The History of Western Education.
Dr. Emmel is a beloved teacher at St. Mary’s Central High School. Having earned an
undergraduate degree in music, he also understands teacher needs in non-traditional classroom settings. His firm commitment to Catholic education and Catechesis is detailed by numerous presentations he has offered across the country.
Dr. Emmel’s administrative experience includes several years of pilgrimage leadership. In 2011, he founded the annul Shanley High School March for Life Pilgrimage, and in 2013, he created the Bismarck Diocese Catholic High Schools March for Life Pilgrimage. Dr. Emmel has now led over 2000 pilgrims to Washington D.C. from both the Fargo and Bismarck dioceses. In addition, Dr. Emmel has nearly 10 years of experience as the director of the Cor Christi
Institute at the University of Mary. At Cor Christi he leads several adult teachers and chaperones, as well as approximately 70-80 high school students for two separate residential weeks of catechetical formation each summer. As director, Dr. Emmel is in charge of all administrative needs for the students and staff during the institute.
Education:
BM (Bachelor of Music) Concordia College, Moorhead, MN.
MA (Religious Education and Catechesis) Maryvale Institute, Birmingham, England.
Ed.D. (Educational Leadership) The University of Mary, Bismarck, ND.
Area of Teaching Specialization: Newman Scholarship, Catechetics, Catholic Studies, and Educational Leadership.
Course Level: Graduate
Course(s)Taught: FAAM 560 – Ecclesial Accounting and Asset Management
