Dr. Niessen serves as Vice Provost for Oral Health Affairs for Kansas City University and Founding Dean and Professor for the KCU College of Dental Medicine in Joplin, Missouri. Dr. Niessen is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Public Health and the American Board of Special Care Dentistry. She received her dental degree, her Masters in Public Health degree, and her Masters in Public Policy degree, all from Harvard University.