Faculty Profiles
Our faculty are active researchers, writers and speakers; many of them internationally known for their contributions toward the advancement of their fields of study. But, most of all, they're passionate, caring teachers.
Carol Geisler, PhD, RN
Associate Professor, Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies
I have been teaching and serving as the Research Coordinator in the Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies since 2004 and have guided over 250 graduate students in completing a Master's thesis of their own choosing. Personally, I have been interested in the interconnections between mind, body, and spirit since I was a young child. My life journey has taken me on an interesting and ever-evolving path where I have studied nursing, counseling, psychology, spirituality, energy healing, plants as medicine, soul purpose, ritual, death & dying, meditation, collaboration, and research as part of my own lifelong integrative health journey.
Janet Dahlem, MA
Associate Professor, Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies
Janet Dahlem, associate professor, educator-activist, came to SCU in 1990 serving as program director for 18 years. My teaching/scholarship/service reflects the intersection of holistic health, social justice, transformative learning, community-engagement, feminism/gender justice, and environmental & food justice/injustice. It was an honor to lead the creative team that developed the Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies in 2004. I was thrilled to be awarded the 2017 Sister Anne Joachim Moore Lectureship. Personally, I am grateful to use holistic therapies and integrative healing as the center of my health care for most of my adult life.
Janet Marinelli, MS
Assistant Professor, Holistic Health Studies
I am grateful to teach in the Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies Program and have been doing so since its creation. A highlight of my teaching career has been to lead the early collaborative development of curriculum that formed the foundation for Holistic Health Studies at St. Kate’s. I have many interests, as our students do, including: spirituality, energy healing, the arts and healing, women and myth, and Jungian psychology. The overarching theme for my teaching is transformative process, and it is a joy for me to work with students as we explore at the edge of knowing.
Laurie Anderson Sathe, Ed.D.
Program Director and Professor, Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies
Teaching: I teach courses that introduce students to a holistic perspective of health and healing, specifically global and cultural studies that expose students to the interconnections of people across the globe and their approaches to healing. Also, courses that assist students in finding their authentic voices for leadership, connection and social change.
Research: I am interested in the ways that education can bring about positive change in health and healing. In particular, a holistic transformative pedagogy that integrates the mind, body and spirit in the learning process. I am intrigued by the richness and discoveries available through narrative and listening theories and their application to teaching, healing and connection.