Meet the team that makes it all happen.
The Prindle Institute is powered by a dedicated full-time staff of six scholars, teachers, and professionals—each bringing deep expertise and genuine curiosity to the work of ethics education. Based at the Institute, the staff of the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE) expands our reach as the world’s largest professional ethics organization. Together with more than 35 Hillman Interns and an interdisciplinary Advisory Committee, we create programs, resources, and experiences that make ethical reflection accessible and alive. Whether in the classroom, across campus, or out in the wider world, our team helps people think critically, engage meaningfully, and explore what it means to live well—together.
Jeffrey Dunn, Ph.D.
Phyllis W. Nicholas Director
Jeff has led the Prindle Institute as Director since 2022, guiding its strategic vision and academic programming to advance its educational mission. A member of DePauw’s Philosophy Department since 2010, he teaches courses on the philosophical and ethical aspects of science, technology, and social systems, including evolutionary theory, artificial intelligence, and game theory. His research explores the intersections of epistemology and ethics, with a focus on consequentialist approaches to moral reasoning. Jeff is also deeply engaged in ethics pedagogy, working to integrate ethics across K–12 and university curricula. His recent projects include a National Endowment for the Humanities grant to develop a curriculum that bridges business education and the humanities. Jeff holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
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Alex Richardson, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Content Strategy and Engagement
Alex directs the Institute’s digital strategy, encompassing all our educational platforms, services, and experiences, as well as leading national engagement initiatives and partnerships. These include our Educator Resource Hub, The Prindle Post newsmagazine, the renowned Teaching Children Philosophy resource collection, and the popular Examining Ethics podcast. He also teaches courses in the Department of Philosophy at DePauw, serves on the Board of Directors of the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics, and as Chair of the American Philosophical Association’s Committee on Pre-College Philosophy. His philosophical interests are varied, but as of late, center on issues in democratic civic education and the development of moral and intellectual virtues. Alex holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
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Jamie Herman, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Educational and Professional Initiatives
Jamie directs the Institute’s educational and professional initiatives, leading programs that foster ethical engagement across K–12, higher education, and professional contexts. A skilled dialogue facilitator, she has extensive experience supporting civil discourse on college campuses and developing Philosophy for Children programming for schools. Her research in the philosophy of education examines how values shape institutions and how tensions between those values can contribute to injustice in educational practice. She is particularly interested in how ethical reflection can help institutions better align their practices with their missions. Jamie earned her Ph.D. in Philosophy of Education from The Ohio State University.
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Kristen Fuhs Wells, M.B.A.
Executive Director, Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE)
Kristen directs the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE)—the world’s largest professional ethics organization, which is headquartered at the Prindle Institute. Previously, she spent more than 12 years as Vice President of Indiana Humanities. Kristen earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Communications and an M.B.A. in Marketing, both from Butler University. She is active in the Greencastle community, serving as a board member of the Greencastle Civic League and Friends of the Park of Putnam County, and is a co-founder of the Putnam County Mural Project.
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E. Tucker Sechrest, Ph.D.
Editorial Scholar
Tucker curates and manages The Prindle Post, the Institute’s online ethics-in-the-news magazine, where he has served as Editor in Chief since 2019. His work focuses on bringing philosophical reflection to public conversations about current events, making complex ethical issues accessible to a broad audience. In addition to his editorial work, Tucker teaches philosophy courses at DePauw. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Binghamton University.
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David Holiday, Ph.D.
Nancy Schaenen Visiting Scholar in Ethics
David teaches courses in moral philosophy, applied ethics, and human rights at DePauw University and contributes to the Institute’s programming through support for public events, visiting speakers, and conferences. His research focuses on moral psychology and the ethics of harm, repair, and community, with particular attention to transitional justice. Before joining the Prindle Institute, David directed the Center for Ethical Leadership at Washington & Jefferson College and the Jackson Family Center for Ethics and Values at Coastal Carolina University. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Chicago, an M.Sc. in Philosophy from the University of Edinburgh, and a B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy from Oxford University.
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Brian Cox
Manager, Accounts and Events
Brian manages the Institute’s accounts and oversees the planning and execution of events on both the main DePauw campus and at the Prindle Institute in the DePauw Nature Park. He works to ensure that all Institute programs and gatherings are innovative, seamless, and welcoming experiences for participants and guests. A fixture in the Greencastle community, Brian has served as Executive Director of the Greencastle Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Greencastle School Board. His longstanding commitment to local engagement and collaboration helps strengthen the Institute’s connection to the community it calls home.
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Advisory Committee
The Prindle Institute’s Advisory Committee brings together faculty and staff from across DePauw University who share a deep interest in ethics and public life. Representing a wide range of disciplines, committee members contribute their expertise, creativity, and commitment to open dialogue. They help shape the Institute’s strategic direction, strengthen connections across campus, and ensure that our programs remain relevant, innovative, and responsive to the needs of the communities we serve. Their thoughtful guidance helps us make ethics education accessible, engaging, and impactful for audiences of all kinds.
Departmental Members
Town Oh, Economics
Amity Reading, English
Jen Everett, Philosophy
Victoria Peters, University Libraries
Janet Voglia, Biology
Justin Glessner, Religious Studies
Amy Sojot, Education Studies
At-Large Members
Eliza Brown, Music
Ryan Rudderham, Economics
Michael Roberts, Psychology
Ex-Officio Members
Erik Wielenberg, Blair Anderson Endowed Professor, Philosophy
Bridget Gourley, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Val Rudolph, Director, Hartman Center for Civic Engagement
Jeffrey Dunn, Phyllis Nicholas Director, Prindle Institute for Ethics
Alex Richardson, Associate Director, Prindle Institute for Ethics
Jamie Herman, Associate Director, Prindle Institute for Ethics