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Biography

Dr. Rappleyea graduated Summa Cum Laude with Departmental Honors in Nursing with her BSN from Mennonite College of Nursing, Illinois State University, in 2010.  In 2018, she graduated with her MSN – Nursing Education from Saint Francis Medical Center, with distinction, and completed an independent study at MD Anderson Cancer Center, TX. In 2026, she graduated with her PhD in Nursing at Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing. 

Prior to joining the faculty at Illinois Wesleyan University in 2026, Dr. Rappleyea taught at Mennonite College of Nursing at ISU in Normal for 7 years, with a focus on student success, medical-surgical nursing (didactic and clinical), and simulation. She has experience as a course leader and has served on college-wide curriculum committees.  As a registered professional nurse, she has worked as a nurse on the Adult Acute Oncology unit at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, and as an RN Lung Cancer Navigator with OSF Cancer Services. Dr. Rappleyea continues to serve her community as a part-time licensed massage therapist working with clients with chronic pain and serves in an advisory capacity for a local program that assists female victims of abuse and sexual trafficking. 

Dr. Rappleyea holds national certifications in Oncology, Nursing Education, and Healthcare Simulation and is dual licensed as an RN and massage therapist. Her research experience includes qualitative case study methods, virtual immersive data analysis, RN navigator advanced care planning, trauma-informed care, nursing education, simulation, and gun violence. Dr. Rappleyea has presented both nationally and internationally and has received multiple awards related to research, teaching excellence, student success, and patient care experience. 

Her philosophy of pedagogy is rooted in partnership and mentorship. She values her students and patients as co-creators of knowledge and is passionate about person-centered care in her clinical practice and approach to education. 

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