Dr. Samantha Cussen joined Manchester University as an associate professor in 2022. She worked as a consultant for MU in 2019 while the nursing program was in its planning phase. A transplant from Los Angeles, Calif., Cussen moved to Indiana in 2013. She brought with her several years of experience nursing education in both the health care and academic settings. Her bedside experience as a registered nurse includes critical care, emergency care, vascular surgery, hospice and home care and HIV/AIDS care, and was a travel nurse for several years. She obtained her Master of Science in Nursing Education (MSN) from the University of Phoenix, her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Indiana State University, and most recently, earned an Educational Specialist Degree (EdS) from Liberty University.

Megan Conley MSN, RN, joined Manchester University July 31, 2023, as the Director of Health Services and campus nurse. She became an Instructor of Nursing after graduating with her Master of Science in 2024. Megan graduated from the University of Indianapolis in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After graduating, she spent two years working on a medical-surgical and orthopedic floor at Franciscan Health Mooresville in Mooresville, IN. Afterwards, she went on to work in the emergency department at Franciscan Health Indianapolis for three years. Megan then took the opportunity to travel to various hospitals in Indiana to include Terre Haute Regional in Terre Haute, IN and then Indiana University Health Bloomington in Bloomington, IN where she continued to work in the emergency department. In addition, she practiced at a free-standing emergency department in Indianapolis with Ascension St. Vincent. She is currently practicing in the emergency department at Lutheran Dupont in Ft. Wayne, IN. During her free time, Megan enjoys spending time with family and friends, boating, and taking her dachshund on adventures.

Dustin Diller, MSN, FNP-C, RN, joined Manchester University as an Assistant Professor of Nursing on July 31, 2023. Dustin holds a Bachelor and Master of Science degree in nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University. He has practiced as a nurse practitioner since 2012 in various realms. He has also taught nursing at both Indiana Wesleyan University and University of Saint Francis. His areas of interest include critical care, pediatrics and mental health nursing. He has a deep love for intercultural nursing and has led trips of students to India and South Africa. During his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, volleyball and working out, when not attending one of his 3 kids’ sporting events.

Adam Fischer began working in healthcare in 2001. He has worked in several areas of healthcare including experience in the roles of CNA, restorative aide, pharmacy technician, and nurse. As a nurse, his bedside experience has primarily been spent in emergency medicine. His experience in clinical education began in 2012 at a rural hospital in Indiana. In 2014 he transitioned from the bedside for a full-time position in clinical education. In 2015, Adam was one of the original 3 employees to open the simulation lab at Parkview Health. In 2018 Adam took over day to day operations of the Mirro Advanced Medical Simulation Lab. During his time in leadership, he utilized his master's degree in nursing education and simulation certification to lead the center to 2 accreditations for the center. In August of 2021, Adam joined Manchester University in the role of Simulation and Lab Coordinator for the nursing program. He is a SimGHOSTS MENTOR. Adam is currently an Assistant Professor of Nursing and the Simulation and Lab Coordinator.

Allison Keen BSN, RN, joined Manchester University on Aug. 14th, 2023 as a clinical instructor and lab assistant. Mrs. Keen graduated from Indiana University in 2019 with a bachelor of science degree in nursing. After graduating, she spent two and a half years working at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Wayne. Afterwards, she went on to work on a telemetry medical-surgical unit at Community Howard Regional Health in Kokomo, Indiana. She is currently practicing at Parkview Huntington Hospital on an inpatient unit that cares for both medical-surgical and progressive care patients. Mrs. Keen has been with Manchester University as an adjunct clinical nursing instructor since January 2023.

Prior to becoming a registered nurse, she gained experience as a pharmacy technician and a nurse apprentice. She is currently working on her master of science in nursing education (MSN) degree at Western Governor’s University. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and hiking; She and her husband have a goal to visit every national park in the United States. Her favorite park so far is Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah!

Austin Keen is an instructor of nursing and an integral part of the Manchester Nursing Program who specializes in teaching the Fundamentals of Nursing and preparing students for the field with hands-on clinical skills. Austin graduated from Indiana University in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in nursing, and went on to earn his Master of Science in Nursing in 2020. Prior to joining Manchester, he worked at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Wayne with the Lutheran Medical Group from 2018 to 2022. During his tenure, Austin gained invaluable experience in various client care applications, which helped him develop a deep understanding of the field.

Raised in Wabash, Ind., Austin is passionate about outdoor activities such as hunting and naturalism, and values spending quality time with loved ones.

Austin can be found in Room 111 of the Science Center on the North Manchester campus. His door is always open to students who seek guidance, feedback or simply a friendly chat.

Susan Rasmussen, MSN/Ed, RN, joined the Manchester University faculty as an associate professor in July 2023 and was named nursing program coordinator for the Department of Nursing. She earned her BSN from Cedarville University and her MSN in nursing education from the University of Phoenix. Mrs. Rasmussen has over 35 years of experience as a registered nurse, including more than 25 years of teaching in hospital and higher education. Having been a program director in her previous role, she comes to Manchester with a wealth of knowledge and experience in program design and assessment, accreditation, and curriculum development. Her areas of expertise in nursing include critical care nursing, medical-surgical nursing and community health. In her free time, Mrs. Rasmussen enjoys visiting national parks, hiking with her husband and watching baseball.

Danielle Short-Acosta, Ph.D. (c), MBA, RN, joined Manchester University as an Assistant Professor in May 2023. Professor Short-Acosta has completed all course requirements and passed her qualification examination for a Ph.D. in Nursing Science. To complete her Ph.D., Professor Short-Acosta is finishing her dissertation, with an anticipated completion date of June 2024. During her Ph.D. studies, she was selected as an NIH Fellow and recipient of the Center for Improving Quality of Life Among Chronic Illnesses awards. Additionally, Professor Acosta-Short received her Master’s in Business Administration, focusing on Health Care Administration. Her nursing experience includes caring for patients in the peri-operative care departments, catheterization lab, neurological-trauma unit, emergency services, and the medical/surgical care floor. Furthermore, Professor Short-Acosta has nursing experience as an RN clinical research coordinator, where she conducted investigational drug and device trials. Professor Short-Acosta and her wonderful husband have two amazing daughters. Her beautiful family and the adventures they share are the greatest joy of her life.

Allisandra Viera RN, CLS joined Manchester University in August 2023 as an adjunct faculty member. She accepted a full-time role in 2024. She is currently enrolled in her Masters of Nursing Education at Phoenix University. She obtained her BSN in Nursing from Carlow University in Pittsburgh PA in 2015. Originally from Erie PA, Allisandra started her career as a Medical ICU nurse in a hometown hospital. She later moved to Fort Wayne and worked in the Surgical Trauma Neuro ICU at Parkview Regional Medical Center as both a bedside nurse and Rapid Response nurse. She transitioned to working in Labor and Delivery at Parkview in 2022 and continues to work there as a bedside and maternal transport nurse. Professor Viera is a certified lactation consultant and passionate advocate for breastfeeding women.