Greg was born and raised in the Chicago area and is, by birth, a Chicago sports fan. He graduated with a B.A. in Church and Family Life and a M.A. in Counseling from Lincoln Christian University. He began his full-time teaching ministry at Manhattan Christian College in 1997, moving into the VPAA position in 2016. While at MCC, Greg graduated with a M.S. in Family Studies and earned his Ph.D. in Family Studies from Kansas State University, also becoming a K-State fan during this time. His research area has primarily been adoption, with a specific focus on adoptive identity. He completed a residency as a chaplain at The University of Kansas Health System in 2013. He is a board certified clinical chaplain, board certified pastoral counselor, certified clinical pastoral education (CPE) supervisor, and certified family life educator.

Greg has served as a youth minister, campus minister, hospital chaplain, and counselor within church, parachurch, and health-care organizations. He and his wife also served as foster parents for many years. He has been invited to speak on several different topics (family, leadership, adoption, cultural issues, worldview, education, counseling, chaplaincy, youth issues, small groups, theory, methodology, conflict resolution, sexuality, critical race theory, etc.) for various churches, parachurches, educational institutions, professional, and community organizations.

Greg is married to Julie (Johns), has three children, Ali (Joe Braun, son-in-law), Adam, and Dre, and two grandchildren, Alani and Aaliyah.

Ph.D. Family Studies Kansas State University; M.S. Family Studies Kansas State University; M.A. Counseling Lincoln Christian University; B.A. Christian Education/Church and Family Life Lincoln Christian University

Favorite Scripture:

Phillippians 1:27

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?:

Speed so I could beat my son in a race, among other benefits.

The most important thing you want people to know about you?:

Although academic preparation and work history are usually the focus of these profiles, what is most important to me are faith, family, and future orientation.

Dr. Cupery has a heart for students and for the nations. He has spent time overseas as a missionary, mobilized people into missions while on staff in local churches in the U.S., and spent time overseas with students. Dave’s focus is preparing students to work in cross or multi-cultural environments.

Dr. Cupery has taken multiple trips overseas with students. These trips have included working with local churches in Poland, Greece and Spain along with partnering with the Greek Evangelical Alliance to do relief work with refugees. Through these trips, teams have been able to work with more than 50 nationalities.

Dr. Cupery has PhD in Leadership studies from Johnson University and more than 30 years of ministry experience

PhD in Leadership, Johnson University

Favorite Scripture:

Right now, the book of Ephesians

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?:

The ability to speak any language at any moment.

Favorite Vacation Place:

Ice Fishing