Rhonda Lake-McKercher

First Year Academic Advisor

Phone Number: 402.826.8612
Department: Academic Affairs Office
Office: PC136
Email: [email protected]
Primary Campus: Crete
Credentials: BA, BFA

Rhonda Lake has been a general advising coach for thirteen years. Previously, she was the fine arts recruiter and visit coordinator for Doane. As an advisor, she enjoys guiding students to discover their talents as they grow in confidence and gain the skills that will support their career path. Rhonda loves to stay involved in committees, student organizations and other first-year programming efforts such as Tiger Takeoff at Doane. Watching students graduate as life-long learners and servant leaders is the ultimate reward. 

Before joining the staff at Doane, Rhonda was a union film and theatre professional for ten years in New York City. After NYC, she and her husband Rob McKercher moved to Nebraska where he earned an M.F.A in Theatre at UNL and Rhonda toured as a Nebraska artist-in-residence. Together they directed at the Lincoln Community Playhouse for nine years. Their combined theatre arts experiences such as theLORT Fulton Theatre and other venues included acting; casting; commercials; children’s educational theatre; directing; fund development; marketing; production; scenic art, touring management and teaching.    

Outside of work, you can find Rhonda and husband Rob McKercher, who is the Professor of Theatre at Doane, with their two sons Ian and Alexander Mckercher playing board games and enjoying life. Rhonda loves traveling, reading, cooking, crafting, painting furniture, designing, skiing, sewing, gardening and is a certified yoga instructor. Rhonda is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach and is currently working on her certificate in mindfulness and emotional resilience training. 

Other past and present affiliations/positions: LEADERSHIP LINCOLN Alumni Cohort 16; Rotary Club of Lincoln #14; NAC - Nebraska Arts Council; BRAC - Blue River Arts Council; YWCA Lincoln; Belvoir Terrace Fine Arts Camp in Lenox Massachusetts; Iowa Teaching Certificate. 

Rhonda is a member of NACADA - National Academic Advising Association. 

Preferred Name: Rhonda

Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers

CliftonStrengths ®

• Connectedness
• Learner
• Intellection
• Harmony
• Input