Faculty Profiles

Professor, Sociology

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Associate Professor, Radiology

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Assistant Professor, Nursing

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Associate Professor, Music & Women's Studies. Director of Competitive Fellowships.

Dr. Allison Adrian specializes in ethnomusicology and musicology. She studied economics, music, and Spanish during her undergraduate years. Before pursuing a graduate degree, she worked as a technology consultant, an AmeriCorps volunteer, and a group leader for high school students studying abroad.She obtained her master’s degree at UCLA in ethnomusicology, focusing on Basque American vocal music. She moved to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities to pursue her doctoral research with Mirjana Lausevic (1966–2007). Her dissertation examined music in 20 different Lutheran congregations in the Twin Cities made up of recent immigrants and refugees from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

MSW Director of Field Work and Assistant Professor

Allison Scheel is the MSW Field Director in Social Work Department. She joined the St. Catherine University BSW Social Work Department in April 2019 as the BSW Director of Field Education. She has 25 years of experience in the social work sector engaging in community practice work as a program manager at Goodwill Easter Seals and Neighborhood House agencies. She worked in the research department at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs overseeing local and national studies.She currently teaches Junior and Senior BSW Field seminar courses. She is on the East Side Health and Well-Being Collaboration Committee which serves to create innovating culturally responsive programs.

Assistant Professor, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, OTA Online

Alyssa Farrell works at St. Catherine University as an Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.Alyssa has been a practicing OT since 2009. She graduated with a Master's of Science degree in Occupational Therapy in 2009 from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI. For the first 7 years of her career, she worked in various acute care hospital settings focusing her research on early mobilization in the ICU. She transitioned into an outpatient pediatric clinic in December 2015 until December 2019 before accepting a full time Assistant Professor position at St. Catherine University in December 2019.

Assistant Professor, Exercise Science and Nutrition, Nutrition Science, Dietetics

Ambria started teaching at St. Kate's in 2017. After working as a Clinical Dietitian for 4 years, she pursued her PhD and a career in academia. She is a Registered Dietitian passionate about nutrition assessment, diet quality, and obesity-related inflammation. Her current research is focused on carotenoids and markers of adiposity in population samples. Ambria is involved in many Interprofessional Education (IPE) opportunities as she hopes to promote the field of dietetics in these settings and finds high value in IPE collaboration for students.
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Assistant Professor, Nursing

Amy M. Bowers MSN, RN is an Assistant Professor of Nursing in the Baccalaureate Day Program at St. Catherine.  She obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a Master’s degree in Nursing Education from St. Catherine University.  Amy’s clinical background covers various areas of nursing including work in Medical Surgical, Emergency Department, Post-Partum, Newborn Nursery, Birthing and Lactation Education, Long term care, Pharmacy medication audits.  Her teaching interests include Education for Mothers and children concerning what it takes to thrive in their situation in life and care of medical and surgical adults with a focus on women.

Associate Professor of Art History

Amy K. Hamlin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art and Art History, where she teaches across the art history curriculum. Hamlin holds a PhD in art history from the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University, an MA in art history from Williams College, and a BA in art history from Vassar College. She is the author of essays on the work of Max Beckmann, Jasper Johns, William H. Johnson, and Kara Walker. In 2014, she cofounded with Karen J. Leader the project Art History That, which aims to curate, crowdsource, and collaborate on the future of art history. Between 2016 and 2019, she served as the inaugural Alberta Huber, CSJ, Endowed Chair in the Liberal Arts and Director of the Evaleen Neufeld Initiative in the Liberal Arts.

Associate Professor, Philosophy

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Associate Professor, Organizational Leadership

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Head of Archives and Special Collections / Associate Professor, Library

I became Head of Archives and Special Collections in 2019, my 25th year at St. Kate's. (Prior positions included Systems Librarian and Performing Arts Librarian.) The Archives and Special Collections department encompasses historical university records, manuscript collections, rare books, and several thousand physical objects. My research and creative activity reflect the archivist's interest in primary sources as well as my subject area of music. In the field of music, I am particularly interested in the history of musical instruments and in the traditional music of the Nordic countries, Ireland, Scotland, and Canada.

Adjunct Faculty, Master of Business Administration

Ana Hawkins received her MBA from the Carlson School of Management with Honors. She comes to St. Catherine University with over 15 years in business, both in consulting and in strategy and marketing, with specific experience in industrial and healthcare markets leading innovation projects and launching them to the market. She is particularly proud of bringing an innovating product in Healthcare to the market called 3M™ Cavilon™ Advanced Skin Protectant from early stages to launch. Ana enjoys the passion and energy the students bring to the class and their interest in learning.
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Associate Professor, Psychology

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Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy

Andrea, "Drea" is a graduated of the University of Minnesota Occupational Therapy Program. Upon completion of her degree she started her career at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital working in acute inpatient mental health. She did her second fieldwork experience there and fell in love with the patient population and the exciting, “never know what will happen in a day” atmosphere. She introduced new project and program ideas, but also advocated for her patients by helping to create policy for the use of technological devices on the units and was appointed to the Patient Care Council to improve patient rights, care, and be instrumental in addressing patients’ needs.

Assistant Professor, Biology

I am interested in how genes regulate the development of specific cell fates in the model system C. elegans. My current research focuses on how Hox genes and their TALE co-factors regulate neuronal identity of male-specific ventral cord neurons. With this research project, I collaborate with undergraduate student researchers and include aspects of the project in upper-level Biology courses that I teach.
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Professor, Psychology

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Assistant Professor, Nursing

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Assistant Professor, Public Health

Angela Ekwonye obtained her undergraduate degree in Biology and Education from University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, her master's degree in Microbiology and PhD in Health Sciences. She has taught at different levels of education and recently helped designed and developed the undergraduate Public Health program at Franklin Pierce University, New Hampshire. Her research interest focuses on understanding how spiritual and religious practices relate to mental health, personal, and academic success.
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Assistant Professor, Chemistry

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Associate Professor, Philosophy

Anne M. Maloney received her Ph.D. in Philosophy from Marquette University in 1988. She is currently an Associate Professor of Philosophy at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN. Her areas of specialization include Philosophy of Women, Ethics, Philosophy and Literature, Philosophy of Religion, and Existentialism. She has published articles in Crisis Magazine, Human Life Review, and The Journal of Prolife Feminism. Also, she has contributed chapters to two books dealing with abortion and social ethics: Living With Contradictions: Controversies in Feminist Social Ethics, edited by Alison Jaggar, and Catholicism and Abortion: A New Generation of Catholic Response.

Associate Professor, Education

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Assistant Professor, Psychology

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Associate Professor, MLIS Program

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Department Chair/Associate Professor, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design

Personal evaluation and reflection deepens my sense of consciousness towards the mission and vision of St. Catherine University and the realization that I have embodied this mission and vision. St. Catherine University has given me inspiration, the opportunity to work with wonderful people, and helped me grow and flourish as an individual, educator, researcher, and servant leader. This growth has enabled me to bring forth progressive influence on my students, colleagues, and community. It has brought me bliss, triumph, and an empowerment to continue the journey.Interests include research and teaching in sustainable fashion and apparel; textiles, sustainable design, circularity, product development and supply chain; sustainability education within fashion and apparel; adaptive apparel; technical design and quality management throughout the supply chain; fit.

Associate Professor, Psychology

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Assistant Professor, Nursing

While earning my undergraduate nursing degree at SDSU I received a scholarships to study abroad in Sweden and study world maternal and child issues. I also obtained a degree in Spanish while attending SDSU where I received another scholarship to study Spanish in Mexico. After graduating, I worked on a medical unit at Avera St. Luke’s, a rural hospital in Aberdeen, South Dakota. I was able to cross-train to pediatrics, surgical and outpatient units. I then accepted an RN position at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota on the bone marrow transplant unit.
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Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor, Nursing

Beth Cunniff is an assistant professor of nursing at St. Catherine University in the Baccalaureate Degree Program - College for Adults. She holds a BSN degree from Creighton University, an MSN-NP degree with a focus on Children with Special Healthcare Needs from the University of Minnesota, and an MSN-NE degree from St. Catherine University. Beth is currently a PhD student with a focus in Nursing Education at the University of Northern Colorado. Special areas of interest include curriculum design and evaluation & simulation.
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Assistant Professor, International Languages and Literature

I am originally from Lima, Peru, where I studied Literature. I graduated from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMS) with a dissertation about the Peruvian poet Blanca Varela. I continued with the study of poetry among Peruvian female poets from 1980's generation in a comparative research with Mexican female poets of the same generation. I graduated from El Colegio de Mexico (Colmex) with a dissertation about Coral Bracho and Rocío Silva Santisteban. I had the opportunity to add more female poets to the comparative study during a year at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).

Assistant Professor, Physical Therapist Assistant Program

As a practicing PT and Assistant Professor, I continue to be excited, challenged, and grateful to be in the PT profession. I spend my time as a faculty member in St. Catherine University's PTA program and the Acute Rehab Unit at M Heath Fairview. My primary practice/teaching areas are Neuro/Orthopedic rehab. I also have a passion for health and wellness for the general population, healthcare provider, and patients with chronic medical conditions.
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Assistant Professor, ASL & Interpreting Department

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Assistant Professor, Nursing

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Associate Professor, Nursing

Candice Bruhjell, PhD, RN, FCN is an Associate Professor at St. Catherine University in the MSNEL program. Dr. Bruhjell earned her MSN-Nurse Educator at Walden University and her PhD at Capella University. Candice has experience teaching in the Associate, Baccalaureate, and Graduate levels of nursing education. Her practical background is Cardiovascular Care. Dr. Bruhjell is passionate about teaching nursing students the importance of providing holistic care, including body, mind, and spirit as well as facilitating the learning of psychosocial and health care needs for those in acute care, assisted-living, and long-term care facilities.

Assistant Professor, Social Work

I am passionate about co-creating transformative learning experiences that engage us all in growing, leading, and healing. Inspired by the words of the late Senator Paul Wellstone who said, "We all do better when we all do better," I am called to work towards all people being seen, heard, and felt in the world.
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Department Co-Chair/Associate Professor, Art History, Studio Art

I am an artist that loves to teach. I teach all things two-dimensional here in the Art and Art History department at St. Kate's: drawing, painting and design.
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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.

Assistant Professor, Apparel, Merchandising & Design

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Associate Professor of Economics

Caroline Krafft is an economist specializing in development economics, primarily labor, education, health, and inequality in the Middle East and North Africa. She collaborates with St. Kate’s students, international non-governmental organizations, and a global network of scholars in her research. Current projects include work on early childhood development, labor market dynamics, life course transitions, human capital accumulation, and fertility. Caroline teaches courses in economics and statistics, and serves as the program director for the Women and International Development major. She is particularly interested in how economics can help societies understand and address social issues, and is writing a textbook on that topic.

Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Studies

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Assistant Professor, Radiation Therapy

As the Clinical Coordinator for the radiation therapy program, I am passionate about educating and mentoring students to become high quality radiation therapists. I take pride in what I do because I know that at the completion of our program, our students are well prepared for a rewarding career in radiation oncology.
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Associate Professor, Nursing

Catherine Graeve is an Associate Professor in the College for Adults. She has taught global health, community health, mental health, and holistic care of the older adult. Catherine also works as a Hospice Nurse. She has nursing experience in public health, oncology, bone marrow transplant and hospice. She is currently a mentor for the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE). She is on the policy committee for the Minnesota Cancer Alliance. Catherine has also worked as a community liaison for a research effort to better understand how environmental factors affect health beginning before birth.

Associate Professor, Education

Catherine M. Kelly, Associate Professor of Education at St. Catherine University, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in literacy methods and children's literature, content area literacy, research methods, and assessment in addition to supervising practicum and student teaching experiences. Her research interests focus on effective preparation of and induction for elementary teachers particularly for diverse school contexts. She holds current Minnesota teaching licenses in Elementary Education K-6, Reading K-12, and English as a Second Language K-12.
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Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy

Dr. Sullivan is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy. Her past and present teaching areas have included Kinesiology, Neuroscience, Research and Gerontology. Her primary areas of research, practice and advocacy are in gerontology, with a focus on safe mobility within the home and the community, and on promoting quality of life through continued participation in the arts and other valued occupations. Her recent projects have focused on statewide initiatives to improve older driver safety and transition to alternative community mobility options. She also has an ongoing partnership with Rebuilding Together Twin Cities to develop and implement assessments and interventions to improve safety within the home for low income homeowners.

Professor, English and Women's Studies

Cecilia Konchar Farr is Chair of English and International Languages, Carondelet Scholar, and Professor of English and Women's Studies in the Women's College at St. Kate's. Her research interests all circle around novels--their history, their (women) readers, and their social, educational, aesthetic, and political work. She will tell you that the most fun she has had as a professor was editing A Wizard of Their Age: Critical Essays from the Harry Potter Generation (SUNY 2015) with a team of student editors. She also enjoys talking about novels in Conversations with Books, a fifty-five year alumnae tradition begun by Professor Catherine Lupori.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

Chris Purfeerst has been a faculty member of the nursing program since January of 2008, and prior to that as an adjunct clinical instructor beginning in 2003. She has taught in several nursing fundamentals and clinical courses in the department, most recently in N3800 & N3810, and has practice expertise in adult medical-surgical nursing. She has ten years of experience working as a RN at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview hospital on an adult medicine unit (2002-2012). She has been recognized as a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) specializing in knowledge, skill, and excellence in practice (2012-2017).

Director of Clinical Education, Assistant Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Christina Anderson joined the DPT faculty in 2013 as Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education. She is a graduate of the Physical Therapy Program at St. Catherine University, receiving her Master of Physical Therapy degree in 2001 and returning to complete her transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2010. She holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College. Dr. Anderson is currently pursuing an EdD degree from Bethel University.Dr. Anderson practiced clinically for 12 years in the areas of acute care, home care, and geriatrics. She has worked closely with DPT students in various capacities including ICE Clinical Faculty, Clinical Instructor, Site Coordinator of Clinical Education, and now as the Director of Clinical Education.

Assistant Professor, OTA

Tina Kraft is Assistant Professor in the Online OTA Program. She has an Associates of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant and a Bachelors of Healthcare Administration from the University of Southern Indiana, and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from South University. Her primary course teaching covers introductions to the profession, professional skills and behaviors, treatment in psychosocial arenas and healthcare management. Her scholarship has focused on Collaborative Models of clinical learning and addressing spirituality in the profession.
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Assistant Professor, Mathematics

Specialist in Combinatorial Probability
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Assistant Professor, Theology

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Professor, Theology and Women's Studies

Carondelet Scholar
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Program Director, Professor

Dr. Cort Cieminski, PT, PhD, LAT is a professor and Program Director in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at St. Catherine University. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy in 1988. He received a Master of Science degree in Exercise and Sports Studies from Boise State University in 1992 and his PhD in Rehabilitation Science, with an emphasis in biomechanics, in 2007 from the University of Minnesota. He is also a Certified Athletic Trainer and is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, National Athletic Trainer’s Association, and the International Society of Biomechanics.

Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy

Craig Kage, PT, DPT is an assistant professor at St. Catherine University in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2008 (Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology) and 2011 (Doctor of Physical Therapy). He is currently a PhD candidate in the Rehabilitation Science program at the University of Minnesota with a research focus in cervical spine kinematics. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Society of Biomechanics. Dr. Kage's scholarship is in the area of spine biomechanics and he has presented his research at local and national conferences.

Associate Professor & Chair, Business Administration

Professor Roger currently serves as chair of the undergraduate business department and teaches primarily in accounting and business analytics. Professor Roger worked professionally in both accounting roles and systems analyst roles prior to starting his 30-year teaching career, completing the most recent 20 years at St. Kate's.
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Assistant Professor, Liberal Arts & Sciences

I have taught in the Liberal Arts and Science Department since 2000. I teach various biology courses (Anatomy and Physiology, Human Disease, and Microbiology), foundational courses (math, study skills, computer skills), and inter-professional courses (Core Integrated Learning, CIL). My area of research is in biology education, with a focus on equity and inclusion in STEM Education. My current project is on Critical Skills Integration (CSI-StKate's) with General Anatomy and Physiology.
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Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, RN to BSN Completion Section

I have held a faculty position at St. Kate's since 2011, first in the Associates Degree program and now in the fully online RN to BSN Completion Section. I'm originally from Illinois and obtained my BSN form the University of Illinois. My MSN is in Community Health and it is from the University of Virginia. My Family Nurse Practitioner certification is from Virginia as well. I have practiced as a NP in primary care settings and at Hennepin County Public Health Department. I've contributed to articles and poster presentations regarding refugee health and health screening. My current exploration is in mindfulness and moving meditation.

Professional Faculty, Spiritual Direction Coordinator

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Associate Professor of Nursing

Cynthia is faculty in the College for Adults Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN CFA), Masters of Science in Nursing Entry Level (MSNEL) and the Doctor of Nursing Program (DNP).  She is an Associate Professor at St. Catherine University and has been on the nursing faculty since fall 1999. She assisted in the development of a Unitary Human Caring Science BSN curriculum, which includes integrative and cultural healthcare curricular components. She is active in promoting healthy learning environments built upon safe interpersonal behaviors. She completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice at St. Catherine University.

Assistant Professor, Library

Cindy Graham is a health sciences librarian, working with students and faculty. In this capacity, she builds collections of books, journals, and electronic resources to meet the needs of health sciences programs. Cindy's research interests include health sciences collection management and conducting and teaching students to conduct systematic reviews. She has a BA in Architectural Studies, an MA in Library and Information Science, and most recently, an MA in Holistic Health Studies.
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Professor of Biology and Women's Studies; Director of Collaborative Undergraduate Research

Cindy Norton is an evolutionary biologist with broad interests in the intersections of ecology, evolution and behavior. She studies reproduction, growth, and development of the freshwater snail Planorbella (Helisoma) trivolvis as a model for understanding the life history, reproductive biology and behavior of hermaphrodites. Students actively collaborate in all aspects of the research – from conception of projects, data collection and analysis to presentation at both local and national conferences. Dr. Norton has been a faculty member at St. Kate’s since 1990, teaching courses in both Biology and Women’s Studies including: Foundations of Biology I, Evolutionary Biology, Animal Behavior, Biology of Women, and Foundations of Women’s Studies, as well the interdisciplinary collaboration Discovering the History of Evolutionary Thought: Darwin in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands during January.

Director, College for Adults BSN Program; Associate Professor of Nursing, BSN and DNP Programs

Michael Graham is Associate Professor of Nursing and Director of the prelicensure BSN program in the College for Adults. He teaches in the BSN and DNP programs. Dr. Graham holds a Master of Nursing degree from the University of Minnesota, a Post-Master's Adult PMH Nurse Practitioner Certificate from Rush University, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Duke University. He also holds master's and doctoral degrees in social work from Ohio State University. His specialty practice area is psychiatric nursing. Dr. Graham's scholarly interests are in translation science and the role of the DNP; quality improvement in health care and educational practice settings, including online higher education, and symptom science.

Assistant Professor, Liberal Arts and Sciences

I have taught Human Anatomy and Physiology, Human Disease, Human Ecology, Microbiology, Chemistry, College Study Skills, Transcultural Communication, and Dosage Calculations Math at St. Catherine University since 1997. I am a member of the Liberal Arts and Sciences department, an interdisciplinary department that designs and delivers the St. Catherine University core curriculum to the associate degree students.
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Assistant Professor, Sociology

Daniel Williams is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, and affiliate faculty in Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity and Women's Studies. Professor Williams' work examines constructions of race, ethnicity and nation from a comparative and intersectional perspective, with a focus on contemporary Germany/Europe and the U.S., as well as the African Diaspora. Specifically, he examines immigration policy, racial categorization, and media representations as key sites of the construction of difference. He teaches courses on immigration and citizenship (in both the US and Europe), race and ethnicity, cities and neighborhoods, as well as the department's research methods course.

Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy

Darla joined the OCTH department at St. Catherine University full time in August of 2016. In addition to clinical expertise in areas of hand therapy and industrial rehabilitation, Darla has spent the past few years exploring the effects a cancer diagnosis has on one’s ability to participate fully in life. She is an active member and educator at Gilda’s Club Twin Cities, helping those living with cancer-related issues like fatigue and cognitive changes return to the activities they want and need to do.
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Professor

Daron Janzen is a Professor and Carondelet Scholar in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. He received his Ph.D. in the area of Inorganic chemistry. He routinely teaches General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry laboratory courses, and Advanced Inorganic Chemistry. Professor Janzen’s research foci include coordination chemistry and organometallic chemistry, X-ray crystallography, green chemistry, materials chemistry, and laboratory curriculum development. All of his scholarship involves collaborative undergraduate research, with students at St. Kate’s as well as numerous faculty and students from other Primarily Undergraduate Institutions.

Associate Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Dr. David Chapman, PT, Ph.D. is an associate professor and Co-Chair of the IRB at St. Catherine University. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science and secondary education in 1980. He received a Master of Science degree in Physical Education/Adapted Physical Education with an emphasis in measurement from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1984. He completed his doctor of philosophy degree at Indiana University in Human Performance and Developmental Psychology in 1999 as well as his physical therapy degree in 2000.

Associate Professor, Library and Information Science

I came to St. Catherine University in 2004 from St. Olaf College where, as a member of the library faculty, I served in several different positions, including Co-College Librarian, Collection Development Librarian, and Catalog Librarian during my 15-year career there. I also had a Fulbright grant to travel to Greece in 1995 to help with the development of a research-level music library in Athens. Before I arrived at St. Olaf I had several short-term positions in many different libraries, including the University of Minnesota (where I cataloged Polish and Ukrainian archival material), the Minnesota Senate Index, and Minneapolis Public Library.

Associate Professor, Education

David Stricker joined the St. Catherine faculty in 2016 as the Director of Undergraduate and Graduate Teacher Licensure. He maintains an active research agenda that includes working with practicing and aspiring teachers in developing curricula that facilitates understanding of STEM concepts, with an emphasis on engineering education. He has experience teaching courses relative to teacher education at the undergraduate and graduate education such as Curriculum, Methods, and Assessment, Pre-clinical Field Experience, Student Teaching, Action Research, Integration Seminar, Foundations of Research, Adult Education, Quantitative Research Methods, and Applied Statistical Methods for Education.

Assistant Professor, Education

Dawn Quigley, Ph.D. is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe. Her scholarship uses Indigenous Research Methodology as she studies models of teacher education in how to include respectful Native American curriculum into P-12 classrooms. Dr. Quigley is also an author of children's books focused on contemporary Native American stories.
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Associate Professor, Liberal Arts & Sciences

Currently my work at St. Kates involves teaching of critical literacy skills (reading & writing) within the core course, The Reflective Woman/The Reflective Life. I teach these courses in a variety of formats: face-to-face, hybrid, and fully online. Additionally, with my background in Nursing, I work with students in Anatomy & Physiology to master the lecture and lab content.
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Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy

Deborah Madanayake is a 1986 graduate of the College of St. Scholastica with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Therapy. In 1996, she became a Geriatric Clinical Specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from William Mitchell College of Law in 2005. Deborah holds certifications as a lymphedema therapist and an exercise expert for aging adults. Most recently, she was accepted into the Doctor of Bioethics program at Loyola University. Professor Madanayake joined the DPT faculty in 2006. She teaches course content in geriatric physical therapy, ethics, legal issues, and practice management.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

I started my teaching career at The College of St. Catherine Minneapolis in the Associate Degree Nursing Program. Since then I have been in nursing education for 29 years and completed a DNP degree from the University of Minnesota in May, 2020. I am Board Certified as an Advanced Practice Adult/Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, AGCNS-BC. I am a new Assistant Profession in the Department of Nursing in the College for Adults. I am happy to be back and feel like I have come back home!
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Assistant Professor, Psychology

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Professor, Economics and Political Science

Deep Shikha, Ph.D. is Professor of Economics at St. Catherine University. Previously, she served as the associate dean for the School of Business and Leadership, Economics Department Chair, coordinator for the Center for Women, Economic Justice, and Public Policy. Her major fields of expertise are in financial economics, resource economics, gender economics, and quantitative business analysis. She has several workshop/presentations to her credit, and has authored/co-authored several articles. Recently, she has presented several workshops on the global financial climate. Dr. Shikha has almost 35 years experience, primarily in the area of education.

MBA Program Director, Assistant Professor, Business Administration

Diane Fittipaldi, MBA, EdD. joined St. Catherine University in 2015 and serves as the Director of the MBA Program and Assistant Professor. As a practitioner and an academic, Dr. Fittipaldi brings a rare blend of experience to our students giving them not only an understanding of theory but also the ways theory comes to life in practice. She completed my MBA from the University of Michigan in 1982 and spent 30 years in business, initially as a brand manager for General Mills and later as an advertising executive for two of the world's largest advertising agencies,BBDO and the McCann World group.

Associate Professor, Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Donna DeGracia is a physician assistant with a background in family practice and urgent care. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings including several community clinics serving immigrant and refugee and other under-served populations. Her undergraduate education was in art and international studies followed by time in the Peace Corps where she developed an interest in teaching and health care, especially global health.
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Assistant Professor, Nursing

I earned my Masters in Nursing Leadership at St. Catherine University. This pilot program was a collaborative venture between the Masters of Organizational Leadership (MAOL) and the Nurse Educator departments. I was interested in learning from both of these educational departments in order to challenge myself as a leader and educator. I strive to align my professional beliefs with my personal MAOL Leadership Credo. These are based on my five core beliefs: 1. Listen with an open mind 2. Be Curious 3. Speak from your own voice 4. Be patient with your journey. I strive to treat people with dignity and respect, develop cooperative relationships, follow through on promises and commitments, praise people for a job well done and actively listen to diverse points of view.

Assistant Professor, Sonography

My name is Tarik W Michael. I graduated from Kharkov Medical School in 1993 and worked as a Medical Doctor for more than 8 years and a Medical Director of a hospital for three years. I then pursued the field of Sonography at Argosy University and Adventist Medical University of Florida. I have worked as a lead Sonographer III at Edina Family Physicians and then in Allina Health for 13 years. My credentials are a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) in the field of General Abdomen & OB/GYN and also a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT). I am now serving as an Assistant Professor in the Sonography Department of St. Catherine University since fall 2017.

Instructor/Lab Coordinator, Radiography

Dreux Hempe has been with the Radiography Program at St. Kate's for 12 years.  His didactic courses focus on the digital technologies used in hospitals and clinics, introduces students to clinical experiences, and also prepares them for their final Registry Examination.  Dreux was an instrumental participant in writing two grants that enabled the University to obtain a PACS and new GE Radiography suite that are utilized within the lab.  In the labs, Dreux works with students to learn the basics of radiography and helps them hone their positioning and technical skills.
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Assistant Professor of Accounting

Edie Wasyliszyn teaches accounting in the College for Women and the College for Adults. She brings over 20 years of experience in business including management, public/ private/governmental/not for profit accounting. She has been teaching in higher education since 2011 and maintains an active CPA license in the State of Minnesota. She holds undergraduate degrees in accounting and social work and a graduate degree in business.
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Assistant Professor, Chemistry

Research interests·        Chemical education; student engagement in organic chemistry courses.·        Bioorganic chemistry, enantioselective catalysis, dynamic kinetic resolution, biocatalysis.·        Microwave-assisted enzymatic reactions.·        Polymer synthesis, enzymatic polymerization; hybrid organic-inorganic materials. Teaching experienceIn the last 17 years I have been a college faculty teaching various chemistry courses:Most often I taught Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry II, Elementary Organic Chemistry (BA/MD program), Survey of Organic Chemistry (agriculture program), as well as Bio-Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, and Advanced Theoretical Organic Chemistry.

Assistant Professor, Education; Director, National Center for STEM Elementary Education (NCSEE)

Elizabeth A. Ring-Whalen is an Assistant Professor of Education at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN and the director of the National Center for STEM in Elementary Education (NCSEE.) She holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction - STEM Education from the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on STEM education: what this looks like in PreK-12 classrooms and the exploration of teachers’ beliefs of integrated STEM as well as how these beliefs influence teachers’ practices and student achievement in the classroom. Alongside this research, she has worked to explore the attitudes and beliefs teachers hold about cultural diversity and teaching culturally diverse students.

Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor, Public Health

Dr. Elizabeth Allen holds a master’s degree in environmental health and a PhD in environmental epidemiology. In addition, she completed a post-doctoral fellowship focused on community engaged research methods to advance health equity and justice. Dr. Allen collaborates with students, international non-governmental organizations, and a global network of scholars in her research. Her work focuses on the impact of the environment on social, emotional, physical health.  Current projects include work on community health volunteer models, women’s empowerment in Peru, climate change, and social justice focused education.

Assistant Professor, Communication Studies

Elizabeth Otto, Assistant Professor, brings a pragmatic approach to teaching and applying communication skills. She earned her B.A. in English with a speech communication minor from Bradley University and an M.A. in communication studies from Northern Illinois University. Before becoming a college professor, Elizabeth worked as a part-time radio reporter, an advertising copywriter, a communication specialist for a multi-national corporation, and a freelance communication consultant. Her emphasis in the classroom is on how to use an enhanced understanding of communication to improve quality of life in the workplace and in personal contexts.

Director, Library and Archives

Emily Asch, MLIS joined St. Catherine University in 2008 as the Head of Technical Services. In 2014 she became the Director of Libraries and Archives. Her vision for the library is to be a space supporting and providing for interdisciplinary dialogue through our resources, physical space, virtual presence, services, and staff. Student success is the primary focus of our work in the library, through research support, providing resources and tools in person and online, as well as services and teaching. Emily has been in academic libraries for 22 years and has a strong collections and systems background, but has had the privilege of supporting all parts of an academic library and is passionate about students and faculty succeeding in all academic and scholarly endeavors.

Associate Professor, History & Classics

I've taught at St. Kate's since 2005, and I am the general editor of the Journal of Indo-European Studies. My complete cv is available here.I've been fortunate in finding that students engage well with my research and interests. My academic work is primarily concerned with the shared Indo-European inheritance in the Greek and Sanskrit epics, and my "Classical Mythology" course gives me many opportunities to talk about the classical narratives I've published on. I also teach Hindu mythology in my J-term course on history and Hindu myth in Nepal. The rest of my teaching focuses on the history and culture of the classical world in courses like "Ancient Greece," "Ancient Rome," and "Women in Greece and Rome" and a regular course on literature from the ancient world in translation.

Director- Nurse Educator Concentration and Associate Professor: Nursing

Professor Nowak is the Program Director for the Nurse Educator concentration and an Associate Professor in the Department of Nursing. She joined the St. Catherine University community in 2009 after completing a PhD at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. As an undergraduate alum of the baccalaureate nursing program, Professor Nowak fully embraces the St. Catherine mission and values. Her work at St. Catherine has largely focused on developing and implementing nursing curriculum to reflect the rapidly changing landscapes of healthcare and education. Professor Nowak is passionate about nurturing nurse educators to learn the art of integrating new and dynamic approaches to undergraduate nursing education while holding close the St. Catherine traditions of clinical and educational excellence, leadership, social justice, and community-based learning.

Assistant Professor, Interim Chair ASL and Interpreting Dept

Erica Alley, Ph.D., NIC-Advanced, holds her degree in ASL/English Interpreting Research and Pedagogy from Gallaudet University. Erica has published and presented on the topics of video relay service, video remote interpreting, and interpretations of job interviews with deaf job applicants. Erica serves as the Program Director for the Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies and Communication Equity (MAISCE).
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Associate Professor

Professor Agrimson uses high altitude weather balloons as a delivery method to send up payload boxes with varied instrumentation to study near space. St. Kate’s has had balloons reach altitudes of up to 35,000 meters (~115,000 feet) depending on the size of balloon used and payload mass. One of the current projects involving undergraduate researchers is the study of the thermal wake effect in the stratosphere beneath ascending balloons. Agrimson holds a BS (with a concentration in space physics) from Augsburg College, an MS from the University of Iowa and has completed advanced coursework toward a PhD in plasma physics.

Professor, French, English & Creative Writing, Women's Studies, Performance ARt

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Assistant Professor, Psychology

As a social psychologist, Gabrielle Filip-Crawford's work explores the ways in which wenavigate our social world. How do we decide who to sit next to on the bus, trust to watch ourchildren, or allow to borrow money? The ways in which we distinguish friend from foe oropportunity from threat shape how we perceive and act toward others. Gabrielle is especiallyinterested in how these processes play out in various groups, including lesbians and gay men andpeople with mental illness. Her work also explores the concealability and visibility of sexualorientation, and the implications of this for both person perception processes and LGBT physicaland mental health.

Assistant Professor, English

I was a high school English teacher for eight years before returning to school to pursue further studies. I completed my Ph.D. in American Literature at State University of New York at Buffalo after completing my dissertation on the works of Harriet Beecher Stowe. I have taught both writing and literature courses at St. Catherine University for the last twenty-one years and also publish Colleagues, the faculty staff newsletter, that features the writing of faculty/staff and students. I have served on various committees during my time at St. Kate's, mentored and advised students in different capacities and pioneered and implemented innovative course designs for my department.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

Gay M. Varecka, PhD., APRN, CNP is an Assistant Professor of Nursing in the DNP program. She obtained a B.S in Nursing from D'Youville College, an M.S in Nursing from the State University of New York, and a Ph.D in Higher Education Administration and Policy from the University of Minnesota. Gay also completed a post-doctoral certification as an Adult Nurse Practioner. She has more than 25 years of experience in both Family Practice and Internal Medicine managing the care of underserved patients with complex, chronic health problems from ages 16 to the elderly in Hennepin Health System. This is a safety net hospital with the mission of ‘transforming the health of our community with exceptional care without exception’.

Professor, Chemistry

Professor Gina Mancini-Samuelson earned her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Minnesota. She has been teaching at St. Catherine University since 1996 where her primary teaching responsibilities are the analytical chemistry courses and the general chemistry for health sciences course. In 2008 she was recognized for outstanding teaching through the Teaching Excellence Award sponsored by the Myser Family Foundation, a great honor as nomination for this award comes from St. Catherine University alumna. She has directed over 20 undergraduate research projects ranging from analytical chemistry and materials science to environmental science.

Assistant Professor, Capstone Coordinator

Assistant Professor, ASL and Interpreting

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Associate Professor, Department of Nursing

Grace Gao earned her DNP degree in Nursing Informatics and Integrative Health, and PhD in Nursing from University of Minnesota. In addition, Grace is a public health nurse and ANCC certified Informatics Nurse. Grace has worked in a variety of roles in both public and private sectors across extensive health care settings, including case manager in home care, care plan coordinator in long-term care, staff nurse in hospital, nurse educator in the academic setting, and clinical informatics specialist and consultant. Grace’s nursing experiences showcase expertise in public health, nursing informatics, and integrative health.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

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Associate Professor & DNP Programs Director, Nursing

Gwen is an Associate Professor and NP Programs Director at St. Catherine University. She holds a Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) degree from the University of Kentucky, where she was a member of the nation's inaugural DNP cohort. She also holds a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Kentucky, Master's in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Minnesota, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Virginia. She has had multiple clinical positions, and currently works as a family nurse practitioner at the Peoples' Center and Clinical Services in Minneapolis, MN.

Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor, Physics Department

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Adjunct Faculty

Founding Program Director, Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Studies Program

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Assistant Professor, English

Hella Cohen specializes in postcolonial literature and theory, Anglophone global writing, and Israel-Palestine studies. She teaches courses cross-listed with Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity, and Women's Studies. She studied English and Political Science as an undergraduate, and obtained her masters degree in English and American literature thereafter. As a doctoral student, her primary concentration was modern and contemporary literature of the Commonwealth and liberated British colonies, and her secondary concentration was eighteenth- and nineteenth-century British imperialist literature.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

Hilda Soko is an assistant professor of nursing at St. Catherine University in the Baccalaureate Degree Program - College for Adults. She holds an Associate of Nursing degree from St. Catherine University, BSN degree from Metrostate University, and an MSN-Nurse Educator degree from St. Catherine University. Hilda is currently a DNP student studying Transcultural Nursing Leadership at Augsburg University. Before coming to the US, Hilda was a Nurse/Midwife in her birth country Malawi. She has experience in mental health (geriatric psychiatry). Hilda also works as a Psych Nurse at Mercy hospital (Unity campus).

Professor, Physical Therapist Assistant

Faculty member at St. Catherine University since 1998, PTA program director since 2015. Currently also serving as president of the Minnesota Physical Therapy Association. Teaching/scholarship interests include regulatory issues, leadership, and geriatric physical therapy.
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Assistant Professor, English & International Languages

I began my position as Assistant Professor of English and Language Studies at St Kate in Fall 2019. My research focuses on sound change and language contact. How do the sound systems of languages vary and how do they change over time. What role does language contact (ex: bilingualism and multilingualism) play? Courses I will be teaching at St. Kate include Language in Society, World Englishes, Writing in the Digital Age, Linguistics, Language and Power, and College Writing. Previous courses I have taught (at the University of Pittsburgh) include Introduction to Linguistics, Phonetics/Phonology, Historical Linguistics, and Language Variation and Change.

Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy

Dr. Hugo Klaers, DPT, OCS is an assistant professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at St. Catherine University. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology in 2010. He received a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from St. Catherine University in 2014, and completed the Fairview Health Services Orthopedic Physical Therapy residency program in 2015. He became a board-certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy in 2016. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. Dr. Klaers has journal publications in the area of the athletic shoulder, has taught continuing education courses for local physical therapists and other allied health professionals, and has presented at the APTA's national annual conference.

Professor, Sociology

Born and raised in a rapidly changing China, Hui Wilcox received her Ph.D. in Sociology in 2004 from the University of Minnesota. Since then, she has been teaching at St. Catherine University and dancing/researching with Ananya Dance Theatre, a Twin Cities-based dance company based that has built a transnational women-of-color feminist contemporary dance aesthetics. Her research has been focused on sociology of dance especially in connection to immigrant identities, race/ethnicity, multiculturalism, and transnational feminism. She has also published research in critical food studies, feminist pedagogy/epistemology, and East African cultural studies.

Assitant Professor, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design

Jacqueline Parr is an Assistant Professor at St. Catherine University in the Apparel, Merchandising and Design program. In addition, she is completing her Ph.D at The University of Minnesota in Retail Merchandising and Consumer Studies. Prior to her current position, Jacqueline received her Masters in Merchandising from the University of North Texas and Bachelors in Fashion Merchandising from Texas Christian University. Her professional experience includes positions held at Neiman Marcus as an Assistant Buyer in Men’s Couture Clothing and as a vendor account manager for Wal-mart Accessories.

Assistant Professor, Masters of Physician Assistant Studies

Professor James Johanning, MPAS, PA-C is an assistant professor at St. Catherine University in the Physician Assistant Program, a graduate degree path in the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health. Johanning added St. Catherine University to his resume in May 2019 after celebrating his 20-year career anniversary as a Certified Physician Assistant. In addition to general medicine, his areas of expertise include all subspecialties of orthopedics and orthopedic surgery. Johanning's experience in general orthopedics, sports medicine, spine surgery and hand surgery -- highlights of his syllabi -- are also shared as part of his teaching and training experience at a variety of continuing medical education conferences.

Associate Professor

Dr. Wollack’s research spans several areas including green chemistry, non-natural enzyme substrates, click chemistry, and bioconjugation reactions. Since starting at St. Kate’s in 2010 he has involved over 25 students in these projects funded by the Research Corporation for Scientific Advancement, NSF, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. While at St. Kate’s he has co-authored five research articles and two editions of a test bank for the textbook Organic Chemistry: Principals and Mechanisms. In 2013 he facilitated St. Catherine becoming an inaugural signer of the national green chemistry commitment.

Professor, History

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Admin Assist/Onboarding Spec.

Associate Professor, Holistic Health Studies graduate program

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Assistant Professor, Holistic Health Studies

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Adjunct Faculty, Master of Business Administration

Janie Felder-Walker comes to St. Catherine University with over 20 years of experience in the disciplines of retail and consumer healthcare, international business, and human capital. Her range of experience also includes consulting, new business development, healthcare, pharmacy, health plan, P&L, financial and pricing work. Janie earned her MBA at St. Catherine University with a concentration in Healthcare and her undergraduate degree from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a BS in Human Resources/Capital Development. Janie is particularly proud of building private label products and insourcing pharmacy and medical services in healthcare as well as developing innovative healthcare products for her clients.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

I am a two-time graduate of St. Kate's and have been teaching in the RN to BSN section of the Department of Nursing since 2013. The focus of my teaching is community health nursing and nursing leadership.
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Anatomy Lab Director, Associate Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Jaynie Bjornaraa is a graduate of the UW–Madison where she received a BS in Physical Therapy in 1984. She received an Advanced MS from the UNC–Chapel Hill in 1992 as well as an MPH in Health Services Administration from San Diego State University in 1998. Jaynie also received her PhD in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Minnesota in 2008. She is board certified from the APTA as a Sports Clinical Specialist and is a Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist as well. Dr. Bjornaraa has more than 35 years of experience within Sports Medicine and Orthopedics settings.

Associate Professor, Biology

I have treated patients as a physical therapist for more than 25 years, primarily working in Minnesota but also in California and Missouri. I have extensive experience treating patients in a variety of settings including acute care (hospital), long term care, home care, and outpatient. I attended graduate school at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri where I received a Master of Health Science in Physical Therapy degree. After graduating in 1992, I accepted a full-time teaching position at St. Catherine University, where I helped develop the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) Program.

Associate Dean of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Sciences

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Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Studies

Jennifer is a clinical coordinator at the Physician Assistant Program at St. Catherine University. Her clinical background also includes a 16 year history of working at both Regions and Hudson Emergency Departments. in 2018, she switched her clinical practice to Metro OB-GYN. She enjoys having her clinical year PA students with her in the hospital.
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Associate Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Dr. Biggs is a graduate of the UW-Madison where she received a BS in Physical Therapy in 1997.  She received an MPH in Public Health Administration in 2002 and a PhD in Health Services Research in 2016, both from the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota.  She is also a Clinical Wound Specialist through the American Board of Wound Management and continues to practice clinically in this specialty area.  Dr. Biggs teaches course content in acute care, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and wound management.  She also coordinates service learning within the DPT curriculum.  Dr. Biggs’ research interests include service delivery models in physical therapy and community based participatory research.

Associate Professor, History, & Chair Department of History and International Studies

I am a Chinese historian with a research focus on the early modern period. I teach an introductory courses on East Asia, a series of three courses covering the entire scope of Chinese history from the Neolithic period to the present, an upper division course on women in Asia, and topics courses, such as Panda Diplomacy. My research, which explores famine policy and ideas about famine, focuses on the dynamic interaction between state institutions and rural society in Ming dynasty China (1368-1644). My work combines institutional and social history. The study of famine policy provides a way of exploring power relationships within local communities, how local elites interacted with the state apparatus, how interactions were affected during times of systemic stress, and how all of these relationships changed over time.

Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy

Jennifer Hutson is an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at St. Catherine University.  She teaches courses primarily in assistive technology and adult rehabilitation in both day and hybrid formats.  She facilitates problem based learning sessions and advises students on research based Master's projects, covering topics of twenty-four hour postural care, seating and positioning for wheeled mobility as well as nighttime positioning.   Since 2002, Jennifer's clinical practice has been at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in the area of assistive technology, primarily seating and positioning.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

Jessica Miehe's nursing career began in 2007 as a float pool nurse. From there, she worked in many clinical areas with an expertise in critical care. Jessica also has experience as a nurse consultant, school nurse, director of nursing of and developing a new assisted living facility. Jessica's nursing profession has taken her into education, where she has developed a passion for education and bringing health to the community. Her goal is to found a free-clinic to promote social justice and correct health disparities in her community.
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Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor, Physical Therapist Assistant Program

I have been with St. Catherine University since 2005. My clinical background is in outpatient orthopedics. In addition to teaching, I serve as the Director of Clinical Education for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. My areas of scholarship include intraprofessional teaming in physical therapy and leadership.
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Assistant Professor, Mathematics

Jessie Lenarz, PhD, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at St. Catherine University, teaches all undergraduate mathematics courses from liberal arts math up to senior capstone. Her research interests include combinatorics, history of mathematics, and assessment of mathematics learning. She is currently the moderator for St. Kate's chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, the mathematics honor society. Dr. Lenarz has served as an AP Calculus Reader since 2006, evaluating the free response portion of the AP Calculus exam.
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Assistant Professor of Nursing

Jill began her nursing career as a registered nurse on a cardiac care unit at Abbott Northwestern Hospital from 2006 to 2010. In addition to providing patient care, she participated in preceptorship and mentorship roles. In 2010, Jill transitioned to a clinical research role at Children's Minnesota where she developed skill in grant and proposal writing along with subject recruitment, screening, and data collection for several diabetes and endocrine research studies. In 2011, Jill graduated from St. Catherine University with her master's degree in nursing education. With her knowledge from her master's program, Jill became a pediatric diabetes educator at Children's Minnesota where she participated in curriculum development and program management.

Assistant Professor, Interprofessional Education

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Assistant Professor, Nursing

Jo Treat-Haug's professional clinical experience has focused on adult acute care in the medical-surgical setting. She has experience in the Oncology and Orthopedics specialties. She received her Masters of Science in Nursing Education in 2019. He is also certified as a Public Health Nurse. She has been teaching at St. Catherine University since September 2019. She teaches didactic content in 2900 Introduction to Professional Nursing Practice, 2910 Nursing Care of Individuals and Families, and 3281/3282 Pathophysiology, as well as lab in 3800/3810 Application of Nursing Practice and Lab/Simulation in 4010 Care of Complex Patients.

Professor, English

Associate Professor, Nursing

Jocelyn is an associate professor in the Department of Nursing. She has been a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) in hematology (bleeding disorders) for over 25 years, first at Boston Children’s Hospital then at the Children’s Hospital Minnesota (CHM). She was one of the first nurse practitioners at Boston Children’s Hospital and was on the forefront of the pediatric AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, caring for children with hemophilia and AIDS. Her research interest involves understanding quality of life in families raising a child with severe chronic illness. She coordinated National Public Radio's StoryCorps® Legacy at CHM, where she led a group of healthcare team members to interview families who are raising a child with hemophilia or sickle cell disease.

Professor, Chemistry

John Dwyer is Professor of Chemistry with a Ph.D. in the area of physical chemistry.  He regularly teaches courses in General Chemistry and Physical Chemistry and has taught topics courses in Polymer Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Statistical Mechanics, and Nanoscience and Nanomaterials.  His recent research interests are related to the synthesis and characterization of two dimensional materials for potential applications in areas such as electronic and photovoltaic devices, thermoelectric materials, catalysis, and battery electrode materials.
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Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy

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Professor, Biology

Dr. Pellegrini joined the Biology Department in 1994. He teaches Human Anatomy & Physiology and Biopsychology, and he coteaches interdisciplinary courses on anatomy, art, and the history of medicine. His current research examines endurance in pediatric cancer survivors. He is also one of the faculty mentors for the Mayo Innovation Scholars Program.
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Professor; IRB Co-Chair

Dr. John Schmitt received a Bachelor of Science from Central College in Pella, Iowa, followed by an M.S. in Organic Chemistry and a Graduate Certificate in Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa. After practicing outpatient orthopaedic physical therapy for 11 years, he returned to graduate school and was awarded a PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Minnesota in December, 2002. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and has been active in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy practice since 1986. He has a certification in manual therapy from the Institute of Physical Therapy in St. Augustine, FL.Dr. Schmitt joined the faculty at St. Catherine University in 2001.

Assistant Professor

Dr. Jonathan Duellman, PT, DPT, is a professor in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at St. Catherine University. He is a graduate of St. John’s University of Minnesota receiving his undergraduate degree in Psychology. He received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in Omaha, NE at Creighton University. Upon graduation, Dr. Duellman completed an orthopedic residency at Creighton University before returning to Minnesota for clinical practice. He received board-certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy in 2017. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association within the Orthopedic and Sports Sections.

Associate Professor, Exercise Sciences

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Assistant Professor, Nursing

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Associate Professor

Program Director & Associate Professor, Master of Library and Information Science Program

Joyce Yukawa is the Program Director and Associate Professor in the MLIS Program of St. Catherine University. She has taught introduction to LIS, reference and information services, research methods, internet fundamentals and design, information literacy instruction, social networking technologies, human information behavior, web usability/accessibility, and older adults and the web. Her teaching, research, presentations, and service draw upon interests in the blending of face-to-face and online interaction in librarianship and professional development, with a particular focus on social learning and service learning within communities of practice.

Assistant Professor

Professor, Occupational Therapy

Dr. Julie D. Bass, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Professor and past Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy and the Founding Director of the Public Health Program in the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health at St. Catherine University. Dr. Bass also served as the Director of Research and Associate Director of the Institute for the Study of Occupation and Health at the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. Dr. Bass is an established and well-published scholar who has been a frequent presenter at national and international conferences and an invited member on several AOTA task force committees.

Associate Professor, Public Health

My primary teaching areas are the community health worker (CHW) certificate and concentration courses, the health promotion and education concentration and the public health practicum course. My research interest is around the CHW role and scope of practice. I have also worked on a lice education program with elementary schools in a local school district. I have an active role in the Minnesota CHW Alliance and am co-chair of the Education Committee. I am also active in the CHW section of the American Public Health Association and is a member of the CHW Section Policy Committee and Education y Capacity Committee at the national level.

Assistant Professor, Business Administration

Julie Beckel Nelsen, '91, MBA, All But Dissertation toward Ph.D., is the primary sales-curriculum faculty for the Business to Business Sales and the Healthcare Sales majors. As an Assistant Professor in the Business Administration Department, Nelsen instructs courses in sales, marketing, global business, management, and the core curriculum. Within the School of Business at St. Catherine University, she also serves as an academic adviser. Her teaching priority is to create a strong connection between the classroom and the workplace. She does this by bringing the business world to her classroom through speakers, work-world examples, role plays and other hands-on learning opportunities.

Assistant Professor, English

Juliette Lapeyrouse-Cherry is an Assistant Professor of English in the Department of English and International Languages at St. Catherine University. Her research interests include rhetorics of extraction on the US Gulf Coast and pedagogy at the intersection of writing studies and the emergent environmental humanities. She teaches courses in digital composition, environmental literature, and in the interdisciplinary Core curriculum.
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Assistant Professor, ASL and Interpreting

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Assistant Professor, Nursing; Co-Program Director, DNP-NP Program

I teach in the Graduate Nursing Program for our DNP-Nurse Practitioner students and am serving as co-program director for the 2020-2021 academic year. It is a privilege to educate future leaders and clinicians and learn from my outstanding colleagues along the way. Nursing is an ever changing and expanding profession that plays a critical role in health care delivery. Our rich history and ability to continuously adapt, coupled with the drive to view our work as a service for others, makes nursing a terrific vocational pursuit. I am a pediatric nurse practitioner and prior to coming to St. Catherine University I worked for the St. Louis County Department of Health in Missouri doing primary care for the underserved population.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

I have been a member of the St Catherine University faculty since 2010. I have taught in the baccalaureate degree nursing program and now teach in the master's degree entry-level nursing concentration. The focus areas of my classroom and clinical teaching include pediatrics, family health, community/public health, and leadership. Prior to coming to St Kate's, I was a school nurse for St. Paul Public Schools and a staff nurse for a county health department children's clinic. I maintain a casual staff nurse position on the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, a clinical practice area I have enjoyed for over 25 years.

Professor, Occupational Therapy

Karen M Sames, OTD, MBA, OTR/L, FAOTA started teaching at St. Kate's in 1995. Karen primarily teaches content related to foundational knowledge of occupational science and occupational therapy, management of occupational therapy services, entrepreneurship, and political influences on occupational therapy practice. Karen takes an active role in advocating for the profession of occupational therapy through her leadership of the Government Affairs Committee of the Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association. She is active in the American Occupational Therapy Association, currently serving on the Board of Directors as Treasurer.

Associate Professor, Masters in Public Health in Global Health

Kari Hartwig’s public health and international development training have shaped her interests in gender analysis of health disparities, structural inequalities in health systems, organizational capacity and sustainability, and community-based participatory research. She has worked on a number of research and evaluation projects in eastern and southern Africa and southeast Asia in addition to urban communities in the United States. Current projects include a study of refugee women, resilience and gardening, a qualitative impact evaluation of a community based organization in Minnesota supporting low-income families and individuals emerging from homelessness, teaching cultural competency in a physician assistant curriculum, and assessing burnout among Minnesota physician assistants.

Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Studies

Kate Larson graduated from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 2009. She received her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Marquette University in 2013. She joined the St. Catherine University Physician Assistant Program as an Assistant Professor in 2019. Her areas of clinical experience include Women's Health, Family Medicine, and Urgent Care. She continues to practice Family Medicine in the South Metro, with a special interest in acute care.
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Assistant Professor, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

Katelyn Brady, OTD, OTR/L is an assistant professor in the occupational therapy department at St Catherine University since 2019. She serves as the academic fieldwork coordinator for the occupational therapy program in which she coordinates student clinical experiences with community partners. Katelyn has practiced in a variety of areas of occupational therapy, most recently in adult acute care and acute rehabilitation. Katelyn is passionate about best practice with student clinical education, inter professional education, and neurological rehabilitation, specifically cognition and upper extremity rehabilitation.

Assistant Professor, Interprofessional Education Department; Director, Women's Health Integrative Research (WHIR) Center; Co-Director, Katies for Aging Research and Equity (KARE) Program

Dr. Campbell has a PhD in Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics from Mayo Graduate School. Her research interests include regenerative medicine, modes of emotional support for mothers and families, and student persistence in MSTEM research fields. She is actively conducting collaborative research in the areas of (1) parental support for families of children with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, (2) the role of mentorship support for couples experiencing infertility, and (3) the impact of research education programs on MSTEM student persistence into graduate school. In her role as WHIR Center director, she is engaged in collaborative projects with local women founders of early-stage femtech companies.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

Katherine has worked as a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit RN at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital since 2008. In 2012, Katherine completed her Master's Degree in Nursing Education through St. Catherine University. She began teaching at St. Catherine University the following fall in 2013 in the Baccalaureate Degree Program for the College for Women. During her time at St. Catherine University she has primarily taught in Pathophysiology and Pediatric courses, in both the classroom and clinical settings.
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Associate Professor, Nursing

It is my honor and pleasure to work with the nursing students in various programs at St. Catherine University. My role involves teaching with the BSN, MSNL, Nurse Educator, and DNP students. As a healthcare educational leader with over 20 years of experience in higher education, I possess an expansive knowledge of course and program development and assessment, leadership with supervisory experience, internal and external partnership and alliance initiatives, diverse team building, fiscal responsibility with institutional and grant budgets, nursing and healthcare accreditation, and a diligent dedication to meeting the needs of students, faculty, administration, and stakeholders.

Associate Professor, Nursing

I have been teaching in the Department of Nursing since 1991, most recently in the Nurse Educator Concentration in the Master's Degree Program. I currently collaborate with nursing leadership, faculty, and staff in accreditation work and assist with writing reports.
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Tenured Professor, Occupational Therapy

I have extensive clinical experience in the area of physical rehabilitation, with particular expertise in multiple sclerosis and fatigue management. My interest in strategies that enable meaningful, productive living despite the functional consequences of chronic illness or disability is complemented by my research in life balance. I am the co-developer of a life balance model, a public health concept that considers activity patterns of everyday lifestyles and their relationship to physical health and psychological well-being. For my dissertation research, I validated a conceptual model and developed a measure of lifestyle called the Life Balance Inventory (LBI).

Assistant Professor

Professor, Carondelet Scholar, Biology

Kay Tweeten is a professor of biology at St. Catherine University. Her courses in molecular biology, cell biology, and immunology feature problem-based learning, case studies, and student-designed research projects. She has collaborated with numerous students in her research laboratory on cellular and molecular analysis of regeneration, degrowth, sexual reproduction, and ploidy levels in populations of the freshwater annelid, Lumbriculus. She involves students in experimental design, data collection and interpretation, and dissemination of results. The research environment provided allows students autonomy in their thinking and helps them explore their potentials as scientists.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

Katie Molitor currently works at St. Catherine University as an Assistant Professor of Nursing. She completed her MA at St. Catherine University in 2010 and has been working in nursing education (much of it in simulation education) since that time. She has recently earned a graduate certificate in Healthcare Simulation from Boise State University in June 2019. Katie's specialty areas of practice include teaching and care of childbearing families and simulation learning. Katie has facilitated simulation learning with multi-disciplinary teams in the acute care setting at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, and has spent her most recent practice working with nursing students in the University setting.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

My goal is to help motivated students to become RN's that I would trust to care for a loved one, and in the process, I hope to make learning as interesting and non-threatening as possible.
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Assistant Professor, OTA Online Program

Katie is a registered Occupational Therapist and full-time assistant professor for St. Catherine's University - OTA Online program. Katie has a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.Katie's clinical work experience includes acute care, subacute care, SNF care, outpatient orthopedic therapy services, and industrial rehabilitation. She is a certified lymphedema therapist. Katie also has experience in healthcare management and leadership and is extremely passionate about the profession of occupational therapy.

Assistant Professor, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, OTA Online

Katie Toon, MOT, OTR, CLT, STAR-C has been practicing occupational therapy since 2010. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science in 2008 and a Master of Occupational Therapy in 2009 from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas. Katie became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist in 2012. She then completed the oncology focused Survivorship Training and Rehab Program in 2013. She began teaching Occupational Therapy Assistant Students in 2015, and became a Program Director at Brown Mackie College in Dallas, Texas in 2016. She then joined St. Catherine University in 2018 as an Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Assistant Professor.

Associate Professor, Nursing

Katrice Ziefle, PhD, RN, is an Associate Professor of nursing at St. Catherine University. She completed her Masters of Nursing Education at Bethel University and her Doctorate of Nursing Education at Capella University. Dr. Ziefle’s research interests include generational theory and the impact of the environment on learning, specifically civility in nursing. Her teaching experience includes associate degree nursing, entry-level master’s degree nursing and doctor of nursing practice. Dr. Ziefle has a passion for teaching and learning strategies in nursing education and works to engage students at every level.

Assistant Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Kelli Nielsen joined the St Catherine University DPT faculty in 2017 as an assistant professor. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a bachelor of science in kinesiology. She completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the Mayo School of Health Sciences in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Nielsen completed a neurologic residency at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, WA and became an American Board of Physical Therapy Certified Neurological Clinical Specialist in 2013. Her research interests include acute care safety and postural control. Dr. Nielsen teaches course content in neurologic examination & intervention, pulmonary rehab, acute care and complex medical physical therapy.

Assistant Professor, Biology Department

I am passionate about teaching and connecting with my students and hope to incorporate research into their college experience. As a first-generation college graduate, I relate strongly to disadvantaged students and feel that I can effectively combine inclusiveness with high expectations in my teaching practices. My primary research interest is testis development in the field of reproductive biology. In humans, infertility affects twenty percent of all couples and half of cases result from male infertility. Furthermore, twenty-five percent of male infertility cases are determined to be idiopathic, or unexplained.

BSW Director of Field Education, Assistant Professor

I'm passionate about educating, coaching, and guiding students to become social workers who are ready and prepared to take on the world! As a practicing social worker, I understand the importance of preparation and experiences! I enjoy meeting with students and taking on their goals and interests. As a female Hmong social worker, I'm interested in cross-cultural best practices through critical and radical social work from an integrative micro and macro perspective.
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Associate Professor

My laboratory is interested in correlating structure-dynamics-function relationships in proteins utilizing an array of biochemical techniques and solution-state NMR spectroscopy. I have extensive expertise in the study of mutations of the cardiac membrane protein phospholamban (PLN), and the adipocyte lipid chaperone fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4). Students in my laboratory develop practical skills in recombinant protein expression, isolation, and characterization.
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Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor/Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

Kimkesia has practiced OT for over 19 years with experience in various settings. As the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the Pacific region at St. Kate, she brings to this role a passion to inspire and create an environment where professional growth can flourish. One of her proudest achievements while working as a clinician was being chosen to teach her colleagues a new treatment intervention program for stroke patients. Kimkesia says that this is when she believes the teaching bug bit her!Kimkesia believes one of the many wonderful things about St. Kate is its commitment to excellence and opportunity.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

Kjersti is an Assistant Professor of nursing at St. Catherine University in the Baccalaureate Degree Program - College for Adults. She earned her BSN and MS degrees from the University of Minnesota. Her practical background includes experience in orthopedic and cardiovascular care. Kjersti has an interest in the development of critical thinking in students and new nurses, specifically through the practices of curiosity and questioning. Additional areas of interest include caring science and holistic practice. Kjersti assisted in the development of a Unitary Human Caring Science BSN curriculum at St. Catherine University.

Director of Simulation, Henrietta Schmoll School of Health

Krista Anderson is a Certified Health Care Simulation Educator with over twelve years of experience developing, facilitating, and evaluating healthcare simulation-based methods/techniques. She has experience in leadership and has contributed to the application of simulation-based education modalities for education, assessment and systems integration of healthcare professionals, students, and teams.  Krista is the Director of Simulation for the St. Catherine University Henrietta Schmoll School of Health.  This program is dedicated on creating an IPE Simulation program that will involve 28 Nursing and Health Sciences programs.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

Krista Ollom-Klein MA, RN, CNE joined St. Catherine University in 2006 after completing both her Baccalaureate and Master's degrees at the University. She completed her Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) in 2012. She specializes in medical-surgical acute care settings (focusing on neurological, post surgical, and gastroenterology), high fidelity simulations (both at the junior and senior level), and educating in the skill's lab.
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Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy

Dr. Kristen Leigh Maisano, OTD, OTR/L, CPAM has been practicing occupational therapy since 2005. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Master of Science in occupational therapy in 2005 from Misericordia University, Dallas, Pennsylvania. She completed research in the area of home safety for seniors living in independent communities. This research was published in a peer-reviewed journal as well as shared through a professional presentation at a Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (POTA) annual conference. Kristen became certified to complete physical agent modalities in 2007, focusing on functional electrical stimulation and ultrasound.

Assistant Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Kristin Thomanschefsky joined the faculty in 2018 with over 30 years of clinical experience in the areas of neurologic and geriatric rehabilitation, acute care, and home care, specializing most recently in movement disorders. She is an ABPTS board-certified clinical specialist in both neurologic and geriatric physical therapy and is a certified exercise expert for aging adults. Kristin received her entry-level education in physical therapy from the College of St. Scholastica and later earned a transitional DPT degree from Regis University in Denver. She is currently working on a PhD in Educational Research.

Professor, Occupational Therapy

Kristine Haertl, Ph.D., ACE, OTR/L, FAOTA, has been with St. Catherine University since 1997. She loves teaching and outside of the department has taught additional courses in the psychology department and in the CORE. She too has served for a number of years on the CORE Lead committee.Within the department, Kristi teaches masters and doctoral courses related to foundations of occupational science, educational methods and practice, sensory-perceptual-cognitive processing, and introductory and advanced mental health practice.Kristi has been active in mental health research related to peer-supported mental health housing models and exploration of the nature and efficacy of services at a free standing psychiatric occupational therapy clinic.

Associate Professor, Mathematics

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Associate Professor, Economics

Kristine Lamm West completed her PhD in Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota in 2012. Her primary fields of interest are labor economics, program evaluation, and the economics of education. Recent research projects investigate topics ranging from unions and performance pay to the impact of vision services on student achievement. Her research has been published in The Journal of Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Economics of Education Review, and Education Finance & Policy.
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Associate Professor, Biology

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Associate Professor, Master of Library and Information Science Program

Dr. Konhe Yoon joined St Kate in the Fall of 2012 from the State University of New York at Oswego where she was a faculty in the Information Science Program for 10 years. Konhe’s research and teaching interests include human information interaction in the web-based information systems and digital environment, which encompasses cognitive, linguistic, communicative and shared information seeking and use behaviors. Her research examines user's information meaning represented in various interaction contexts, such as reference interviews or social tagging and folksonomy of users in representing information content on social media.

Assistant Professor, Exercise Sciences

Lana Prokop, Assistant Professor of the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, teaches the undergraduate courses of Kinesiology and Biomechanics and Motor Learning and Motor Control. Her interests include gait biomechanics and women's health. Lana is a Board Certified Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. Lana enjoys bringing her clinical background to the classroom to help students understand how theory translates to practice.
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Assistant Professor, Economics

Lacey Chu completed her Ph.D. in Economics at Texas Tech University in 2017. She joined St. Catherine University in Fall 2020 after working as an assistant professor of economics at Buena Vista University in Iowa. Her primary fields of interest are health economics and industrial organization, focusing on health, aging, care, and gender. Current research projects include cross-national comparison in prevalence and predictors of healthy aging, impacts of informal care on caregivers and recipients, and gender disparities in health and well-being. Her work has been published in journals such as Social Science & Medicine, Journal of Aging and Health, and Energy Economics.

Dean of Nursing - Henrietta Schmoll School of Health

Laura Fero, PhD, MSN, RN, joined St. Catherine University in June 2019. Prior to this, she most recently served as the dean of nursing and health sciences/director of nursing at Lees-McRae College in North Carolina.  A Wisconsin native, Fero is a 1993 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she earned her BSN.  She subsequently earned her MSN from the University of Phoenix and a PhD in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh in 2009. Dean Fero provides leadership across all nursing programs within the School of Health, setting a strategy for sustainable growth of the high-quality, outcome-driven standards for which St. Kate’s nursing programs are known, while maintaining a liberal arts core.

Admissions Co-Chair, Professor

Dr. Gilchrist is a Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and a Clinical Research Scientist at Children's Hospitals and Clinics. She holds a BA in Biology from Lawrence University, as well as a BS in Physical Therapy and a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Gilchrist has an active research program aimed at improving physical function in children and adolescents undergoing treatment for cancer. Her current focus is on investigating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in this population. She has received both institutional and national awards for her work in this area.

Program Director, Assistant Professor, Radiation Therapy

I worked as a radiation therapist in the Twin Cities area for eleven years and have been teaching since 2001.
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Assistant Professor, Social Work

I am greatly committed to supporting the wellbeing of marginalized children and families. I have a particular interest in evaluation research as a way of ensuring that programs and services are meeting the needs of highly vulnerable families; especially those involved with the child welfare system. I am invested in collaborative, mixed-method, community-based, interdisciplinary research that is built from the ground up. My teaching emphasizes the role of critical thinking and I am interested in pedagogy related to online and blended learning in order to strengthen student access to and engagement with course material.

Associate Professor, Department of Nursing

Laurie Sieve, DNP joined St. Catherine University Department of Nursing in 2012. Laurie taught in St. Catherine University's Dual Degree Nursing program from 2012-2017 and since 2017 has been teaching in the Masters of Science in Nursing Entry Level (MSNEL) program. Laurie's area of expertise is mental health, LGBTQI health, family health, community health, and nursing leadership.
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Program Director and Associate 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.

Professor, Interpreting

Laurie Swabey is Professor of Interpreting at St. Catherine University and Director of the CATIE Center where she is the principal investigator on two federally funded projects related to interpreter education. She holds a PhD from the University of Minnesota in Linguistics and her research interests include interpreting pedagogy and healthcare interpreting. Publications include co-edited volumes Advances in Interpreting Research (John Benjamins) and Educating Healthcare Interpreters (Gallaudet University Press). In addition to several book chapters, she has also published in a variety of journals including Interpreting: International Journal of Research and Practice, Translation and Interpreting Studies, Journal of Healthcare Quality, Journal of Interpreting, and International Journal of Interpreter Education.

Assistant Professor, Public Health

Dr. Munala's educational background is interdisciplinary in nature. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from The Ohio State University, a Master's in Social Work from the University of Chicago and a Doctorate in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her dissertation examined the factors affecting the quality of services provided to female survivors of sexual violence in Nairobi, Kenya. Her current research foci are in exploring and addressing violence against women in East Africa. This includes the development of policies and interventions for survivors of sexual violence , the elimination of harmful cultural practices against women and improving the quality of post-rape care services.

Professor, Nursing

Hi, I’m Linda Blazovich, a Professor of Nursing at St. Catherine University and the Coordinator of Simulation in the College for Women Nursing program. Over the years I have practiced nursing in acute care, mainly postop care and trauma. I taught nursing in the classroom, lab, and clinical, and now coordinate and teach in simulation. I was trained in simulation theory and techniques at the Mayo Simulation Center in Rochester, MN and have expertise in all aspects of simulation. I’ve done research, co-authored articles, and presented at many national and international conferences on simulation.

Dean, Henrietta Schmoll School of Health; Professor, Physical Therapy

Dutton joined St. Catherine University in 2008. During her tenure here, she has served in a variety of leadership roles, including department chair and program director for physical therapy, associate dean, and most currently as the dean of the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health.In 2018, Dutton received the Stanford Award from the Journal of Physical Therapy Education, which recognizes authors of a paper containing the most influential educational ideas. The article, co-authored with Debra Sellheim, PhD, explored how students experience and cope with the differences between their curriculum and clinical practice.

Assistant Professor, Social Work

Lisa Kiesel, MSW, PhD, LICSW earned a PhD in Social Work from the University of Minnesota in 2013, MSW with a focus on children, youth, and families from the University of Washington (Seattle) in 1996, and BS with double majors of Social Work and English from Augsburg College (Minneapolis) in 1993. She joined the faculty as an adjunct instructor in 2012, then as Assistant Professor in 2013, and was recently tenured and promoted to Associate Professor (2019). Kiesel teaches Theory/Practice of Social Work I, Methods of Social Work Research, Social Policy and Program Development, and the Applied Research Seminar.

Associate Professor, Nursing

Lisa Martin, Ph.D., RN/PHN, AHN-BC, FAAN, an enrolled member of the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, is an Associate Professor of Nursing with extensive experience teaching in graduate and undergraduate nursing programs.  She is an alumna of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Association of Schools of Public Health Minority Health doctoral fellowship and The University of Minnesota Medical School-Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health's Interdisciplinary Research doctoral fellowship program. She holds an A.A.S. from St. Catherine University, B.S. from Augsburg University, and a M.S. in Nursing Administration and Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Minnesota.

Associate Professor, Interprofessional Education

Lisa is a faculty member of the Interprofessional Education (IPE) at St. Catherine University. In addition to teaching courses, Lisa participates in the Interprofessional Education Clinical Scholars Program (IESCP).Lisa came to St. Catherine University to develop and direct a pioneering Orthoptic program and join the faculty for the Ophthalmic Technician program. She has practiced Orthoptics in a Pediatric Ophthalmology clinic since her certification in 1988 and has taught multiple continuing education courses for ATPO, JCAHPO, AAPOS, Vision Expo and SECO over the years.
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Interim Education Program Director, Associate Professor, Education

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Associate Professor, Nursing

Lori Winchell, DrPH, APRN-BC, CWP has been a provider of health and wellness services for over 38 years. She is a certified wellness practitioner through the National Wellness Institute and a licensed Advanced Family Practice Registered Nurse in Minnesota. Lori has extensive background and experience in education, public health, preventative care, health promotion, and disease prevention. She has provided direct patient care to diverse populations in a variety of healthcare settings.
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Associate Professor, English

Poet, Critic, Teacher
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Professor of Biology, Carondelet Scholar, Biology

I am a Professor in the Department of Biology at St. Catherine University and a Carondelet Scholar. I work in the areas of physiology and physical anthropology (PhD from UW-Madison), with a particular focus on the locomotor physiology and biomechanics of humans in contemporary as well as early human populations. I am co-PI on a $1.5 M R25 NIA grant called Katies for Aging Research and Equity (KARE), which will prepare diverse students for careers in longevity and aging research. I teach Human & Comparative Physiology, Biology of Longevity & Aging, Measuring Human Locomotion, Human Biology in an Intersectional World, and Sophomore and Senior Seminar.

Associate Professor, Communication Studies

Margret McCue-Enser teaches and researches gender and rhetoric. She studied Communication and German as an undergraduate.She obtained her master's degree at Colorado State University in Speech Communication, focusing on the rhetorical strategies of power feminists. She obtained her doctorate at the University of Iowa where she studied the contemporary gender and rhetoric. She taught as an instructor in the department of Communication Studies while completing her Ph.D. and soon after took a job at Saginaw Valley State University where she earned tenure and promotion to Associate Professor.

MSW Program Director, Associate Professor

Mari Ann Graham, MSW, PhD, LISW, joined the St. Catherine University faculty fall 2019 as MSW Program Director and as tenured associate professor. She completed a PhD in Social Welfare from Case Western in 1999, her MSW from the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) in 1983 and her BSW also from UNO in 1979. She also served as MSW Program Director for 6 years and as Interim Chief Diversity Officer while on faculty of the joint program with the University of St. Thomas for 25 years. She taught MSW practice, policy and research courses as well as courses in the DSW Program she helped develop and launch, summer of 2014.

Associate Professor, Nursing

Maria Tice, PhD, RN, PHN, CNE is an Associate Professor at St. Catherine University in the MSNEL program. Dr. Tice earned her MSN in Nursing Education at St. Catherine University and her PhD in Nursing Education at the University of Northern Colorado. Dr. Tice has over 20 years of combined clinical practice in mental health, pediatrics, geriatrics, and as a licensed school nurse; and 7 years as a nurse educator and community/mental health clinical instructor. Dr. Tice’s research interests are in clinical education, developing foundational mental health nursing competencies for all nurses, and intentionality in nursing as a spiritual practice.

Assistant Professor, Economics and Political Science

Marina Gorzig is an applied microeconomist whose research focuses on social inequalities, particularly discrimination in the labor market. She has published her research in economics, data methodology, and public health journals.Marina received her PhD in Public Policy from Duke University. Prior to joining St. Catherine University, she worked on data infrastructure at the University of Minnesota. In this role, she created variables that make it easier for researchers to study diverse family types
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Adjunct Faculty, Master of Business Administration

Mark Grenfell, MBA joined the St. Catherine University's MBA faculty in 2015. He brings to the classroom his 5 years of work experience at General Motors as well as 35 years at 3M, from which he is now retired. He has experience as a technical inventor, program manager, project manager, global business manager, and global lab manager. He also has extensive experience with new product introduction, intellectual property (along with dozens of patents), program and team leadership, and brand marketing. Professor Grenfell is particularly proud of negotiating and implementing a brand licensing agreement for the use of Scotchgard™ on eyeglass lenses, for which the team won a 3M Global Marketing and Sales Professionalism Award.

Professor, Biology

In the realm of natural sciences, Martha Phillips is a plant ecologist and a wetland ecologist. Her work focuses on what long-term monitoring can tell us about the stability of wetland communities, along with an emphasis on invasive species (especially Reed Canary Grass. In the realm of teaching, effective science pedagogy is her primary scholarly interest. This has how she teaches in both class and lab. Most recently, Dr. Phillips has taken on the position of Director of the Core Curriculum.
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Professor

My public health experience ranges from local to international, community to academic. I spent several years working at a local health department in a very challenged community. My role included internal functions of grant writing and assessment and external functions of community board and intervention participation related to reducing the effects of racism and social inequities on health. I received my PhD in Epidemiology in 2007, with an emphasis in Social Epidemiology. I spent five years focused on research before joining St. Catherine University. VisionEquitable and true opportunity for all.

Professor, Business Administration

Dr. Mary U. Henderson currently teaches management, sales, and the Business Practicum courses within the School of Business at St. Catherine University. She is the Faculty Internship Advisor for Business Administration students.Her teaching priority is to bring together theory and application to prepare students for rewarding professional careers.Henderson has 18 years of industry experience in buying, marketing, and management. This includes experience as a vice president for a Fortune 500 corporation. Dr. Henderson's scholarship focuses on business ethics and Catholic Social Teaching, leadership, and career preparation.

Associate Professor, Nursing

I came to St. Kate's when it was The College of St. Catherine, now St. Catherine's University. I taught in the baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs. I served as course coordinator for the pathophysiology course and for the senior acute care clinical course. In both courses I did clinical supervision and didactic teaching. I was chair of the curriculum committee for many years seeing the program through a major curriculum revision. I served on the planning committee when St. Catherine became a member of the consortium with the departments of nursing at Gustavus Adolphus College and St. Olaf College. We adopted Betty Neuman's framework as the framework for our curriculum.

BSW Program Director and Assistant Professor

Dr. Mary Nienow earned her BSW from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1997, her MSW from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, in 2003, and her PhD in Social Work from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, in 2018. Dr. Nienow has nearly twenty years of experience in research, teaching, advocacy, program coordination, policy development and analysis and community organizing. Dr. Nienow was the co-founder of Grasstops, a nonprofit advocacy organization that assisted nonprofits and small community groups with their policy and advocacy goals. Her extensive practice experience also includes Policy Consultant for Hennepin County Medical Center, Field Director at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Executive Director at Child Care WORKS, and lead researcher on Health and Human Services for the Minnesota Senate DFL Caucus.

Assistant Director of Clinical Education, Associate Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

MarySue Ingman is Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Clinical Education in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at St Catherine University in Minneapolis, MN. Her physical therapy Bachelor's Degree as well as her Master of Science Degree are from the University of Minnesota. She received her Doctor of Science degree in Health Promotion and Wellness from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in 2011. She completed her Health and Wellness Coaching training from Wellcoaches in 2016. Her research interests include the role of physical therapists in health promotion within clinical practice.

Assistant Professor, MBA

Mary received her BA from St. Catherine University and considers it an honor to be back! After graduating from St. Kate's she continued her education receiving her MBA with focuses in Management and Quantitative Analysis, and later her Doctorate in Leadership. Mary has been teaching higher education on an adjunct basis since 1998, and her industry experience consists of 20 years of leadership in the fitness/wellness industry. Mary's hobbies include exercise, healthy cooking, and writing/blogging about wellness. She also enjoys traveling and takes at least two vacations every year, usually one involving somewhere warm during the winter months.

Associate Dean for Nursing

I am passionate about improving the technologies used by nurses and patients in both the clinical and educational contexts. My research focus in in the areas of Nursing Informatics, notably clinical decision support, UX/UI design and workflows. In terms of nursing education my focus is on instructional technology and educational analytics. My clinical "home base" is perianesthesia nursing and I serve as a reviewer and columnist for the Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing, serve on their Ed Board and publish in several perianesthesia texts.
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Assistant Professor, Nursing

My work as a nurse and educator is driven by a desire to create healthcare in which all individuals, families and communities are provided with equal and just care, not only while under the roof of a facility, but in the context of their environment, considering all social determinants of health and health disparities. 
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Assistant Professor, Program Director, Nutrition and Dietetics

As a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and with a PhD in Nutrition Sciences, I'm passionate about evidence-based nutrition practice and paving nutrition pathways. I'm most interested in the connection between our gut bacteria and our health outcomes, and modifiable dietary factors that can improve our long term health.
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Professor, Business Administration

I am a professor in the Business Administration Department. I currently teach a variety of courses in the department including, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, and Auditing. I also teach Strategic Leadership in our Masters of Arts in Organizational Leadership program. I teach in all formats - in the class, online and hybrid and enjoy all the formats and all classes!
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Associate Professor, Public Health

My research interests are in zoonotic diseases, infections that transfer from animal to human populations, and in the health of marginalized urban populations. My passion for these two topics stemmed from my time in Kenya and Chile during my MPH and PhD programs. Abroad, I am focused on the importance of free-roaming dogs in the transmission of infectious diseases, and the perceptions of the role of these animals in urban communities. In the Twin Cities, I am interested in better understanding the burden of disease in individuals experiencing homelessness. In the classroom, you will primarily find me teaching Biostatistics and Epidemiology.

Assistant Professor, Master of Physician Assistant Studies program

Geeta Deka is an Assistant Professor at St. Catherine University in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. She is a Physician and an educator with more than 18 years of experience in hospitals, clinics and educational institutions. She brings in a blend of career experience from India and US. Her clinical background is working as a General Practitioner and as a house surgeon in women’s health & internal medicine. Her research focus is global health and infectious disease and is currently  working on a project that is assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation among nurses in a tertiary hospital of Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland, a northeastern state in India.

Assistant Professor, Health Informatics

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Assistant Professor, Radiography

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Professor, Social Work

Michael Chovanec, PhD, MSW, LICSW, LMFT earned his Ph.D. in Social Work in 1995 from the University of Minnesota, MSW in 1978 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and BSW from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1976. He joined the faculty in 1996 and achieved full professor status July 1, 2017. Chovanec teaches Psychopathology & Human Behavior, Methods of Clinical Social Work, Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Field Practicum and Seminar, and has taught Clinical Practice with Groups. His passion is in examining the best ways of engaging involuntary clients in the change process, particularly men in domestic abuse treatment.

Associate Professor, Nursing

Michelle Koopman, DNP, RN, CNE, PHN joined St. Catherine University in 2015. Her varied nursing experience includes roles as nursing faculty, case manager, nursing supervisor, diabetic educator, and float pool bedside nurse. Working as a float pool nurse involved caring for multiple, diverse patient populations in acute care settings. Professor Koopman currently teaches in the College for Women Baccalaureate Degree Nursing program and serves as a student mentor in the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Her experiences as a nurse educator include course and level coordination, curriculum development, student mentoring and advising, and didactic, lab and simulation teaching.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

Michelle Palmborg joined the MSNEL faculty team in January 2019 after teaching as an adjunct faculty member in both the CfW and old ADN program since 2015. Michelle obtained her doctor of nursing practice degree (DNP) with a focus in transcultural and holistic nursing in May, 2019 from Augsburg University. Michelle’s dissertation was on the effects toxic stress has on inner-city youth’s health and education, as well as ways to positively cope. Her passion is in cultural humility, dismantling health disparities, and encouraging nurses to deemphasize their expert role in order to become citizen nurses.

Director of Clinical Education, Assistant Professor, Respiratory Care

Molly Quinn Jensen is a passionate educator, deeply dedicated to patient safety through patient advocacy, education and healthcare personnel training. Supporting undergraduate students in the Respiratory Care field to lead and influence. As Director of Clinical Education, Molly provides direct patient care training for students through general care and acute care settings as well as didactic classroom education.
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Mary T. Hill Director of Data Science; Assistant Professor, Mathematics

Monica is currently serving as the first Mary T. Hill Director of Data Science at St. Catherine University in addition to her role as an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics. She holds her master's degree in Applied Mathematics (emphasis in Statistics) from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, and is currently engaged in doctoral coursework in Leadership. Monica has been a faculty member at St. Kate's since 2008. She is responsible for the development and implementation of an Interdisciplinary Statistics minor (2015) and a Data Science major (2018) at St. Kate's. Her current work involves establishing a Data Science Institute for the community of St. Catherine University.

Assistant Professor, Art and Art History

I am ceramic artist and teach all the ceramics and sculpture classes in the Art and Art History Department.  I am interested in how the arts can build community and create opportunities to learn from one another, to look closely, reflect, and discover connections and new perspectives. I have worked with clay for most of my life, and love sharing my passion with students and others. My own work begins on a potter’s wheel, thrown objects (such as bowls and cylinders) are my starting point—They ground me in the tradition of functional wheel work. Through the process of throwing, altering and abstracting these familiar forms, I re-imagine and reinvent the shapes and the spaces they inhabit.

Associate Professor, Nursing

I began my teaching career at St. Catherine University in January 2013 when hired as adjunct in the Baccalaureate Day Program – College for Women.  I currently serve as the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Director with oversight for the post-master DNP and four dual degree + DNP options (Master of Health Informatics, Master of Holistic Studies, Master of Organizational Leadership, and Master of Business Administration).  In addition to my administrative duties, I teach at the graduate level, mentor DNP projects, and serve on St. Catherine University's IRB.  My research interests include public health nursing, DNP education, and the faculty role in developing students' scholarly writing.

Endowed Professor in the Sciences, Professor of Sociology, Director of Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity

Dr. Nancy A. Heitzeg is a Professor of Sociology , Director of the Critical Studies of Race/Ethnicity Program, and the current Endowed Chair in the Sciences.. Professor Heitzeg writes & presents widely on issues of race, class, gender, & social control with attention to the school to prison pipeline & the prison industrial complex.Professor Heitzeg is co- editor of an on-line series, Criminal InJustice, which is devoted to encouraging public education & action on issues of mass incarceration.
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Division Chair of the Arts and Humanities; Professor, English

Natalie K. Eschenbaum earned her B.A. in English (minor in Philosophy) from Tulane University (1997) and her Ph.D. in English from Emory University (2006). Her research focuses on sensation studies and affect theory (specifically the affect of disgust) in early modern English literature. She was Professor of English, Chair of English, and Chair of Faculty Senate at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, through 2020. She began at St. Catherine University as Professor of English and Division Chair of Arts and Humanities (Art/Art History, English/International Language & Literature, History/International Studies/Classics, Philosophy, Theology, Music, and Theatre) in 2020.

Assistant Professor, Education

Natasha Yates believes respecting and honoring the dignity of every child of any age is where a school climate needs to begin. She emphasizes that exploration and enjoyment of the natural world is critical to a well-rounded childhood and imperative for a sustainable future on Earth. She earned her MA in science education from Columbia University Teachers College and is presently working towards her EdD with a focus in environmental science education, at Hamline University.  She teaches general and STEM education courses at St. Kate’s. She holds a current Minnesota life science secondary teaching license & New York biology and general science license.

Assistant Professor, Economics and Political Science

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Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Studies

Nicole Lamb graduated from Marquette University MPAS program in 2009 has been primarily practicing in Emergency Medicine and Primary Care since. Currently Nicole works clinically at Regions Hospital Emergency department, a busy level I trauma center in St. Paul. Here, she previously participated in the education coordination and delivery to PA, NP and medical students and was voted Preceptor of the Year at Regions prior to coming to St. Kate's.Additionally, Nicole received her Master’s of Public Health from George Washington University in Washington, DC and divided her time working clinically in emergency medicine and developing and running the evaluation for a holistic program focused on veteran health, PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma.

Assistant Professor, Early Childhood and Montessori Programs

Olivia Christensen, PhD., specializes in Montessori and Early Childhood Education. Specifically, her scholarship explores the development and affects of a teacher identity and anti-bias and anti-racist teaching practices. Prior to working at St. Kate's, Olivia taught in early childhood Montessori classrooms and supported two start up school programs. She earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota in June, 2018.
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Associate Professor, Social Work, Mission Chair for the Liberal Arts

I am currently serving as the Endowed Mission Chair for the Liberal Arts. In this role, I am focused on promoting the liberal arts at St. Kates through professional development, community engagement, and student engagement. My teaching centers on the use of theory in generalist social work practice with an emphasis on social justice and empowerment. My research is on the experience of Hmong American immigrants and the acculturation process, especially Hmong Women. I am the editor of Staring Down the Tiger: Stories of Hmong American Women published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2020.

Professor, English

Professor, Music

Director of Choirs, Department ChairPatricia Connors, Director of Choral Activities and Chair of the Department of Music at St. Kate's, conducts the Women's Choir, Femme Vocale, and the St. Catherine Choral Society, as well as providing music direction for the annual musical. She has studied with conducting masters Don V Moses, Julius Herford and Helmuth Rilling. Dr. Connors has served as guest conductor/clinician for choral festivals including the Indiana All State Women's Choir, the Minnesota Community College Honor Choir, Star of the North Chamber Choir Festival, the Drake Choir Festival and the Marquette Chorus Festival.

Associate Professor, Nursing

Patricia has worked in a variety of staff nurse and leadership positions in nursing ranging from a nurse manager of a progressive cardiovascular unit to the director of education, practice and research at a large acute care organization. Currently, she is working as the Director of Interprofessional Practice, Education, and Research at St. Catherine University. Her scholarship focus is in gerontology and interprofessional teamwork, education, and practice. Patricia teaches a variety of interprofessional courses and experiences. Patricia is one of the co-founders and coordinators of the Interprofessional Evidence-based practice Clinical Scholar Program, a partnership with practice sites within the Twin Cities.

Assistant Professor, English

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Assistant Professor, Respiratory Care Program

Patricia Shilts, BS, RRT has been dedicating herself to the field of Respiratory Therapy since 1984. She brings a vast and diverse background ranging from neonatal and pediatric care to geriatric care, pulmonary rehab, and research.  She was a co-owner of a respiratory therapy staffing agency and a Telehealth company, and brings innovative thinking and vast clinical knowledge to her classroom. Patricia’s extensive experience in the respiratory care field make her a valuable part of the Respiratory Care program team.
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Assistant Professor, Liberal Arts & Sciences

My name is Paul Buttenhoff and I'm an Assistant Professor in the Liberal Arts and Sciences Department. I received my B.S. in Zoology from the University of Wyoming in 1992 and my Master's degree in Zoology Auburn University in 1996. My research background is in herpetology (the study of amphibians and reptiles). I started here at the University in 1998 as an adjunct instructor and have held the rank of assistant professor since 1999. My primary teaching responsibilities include teaching biology courses.
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Assistant Professor, Theology

Paul has lived in Minnesota his whole life, graduating from St John's in Collegeville twice, and Luther Seminary for his terminal degree. He enjoys teaching, photographing sunsets, and relaxing with family and friends in the ebb and flow of Minnesota's seasons. Paul's work interests include Buddhist Christian dialogue, which form the heart of his Master's thesis and doctoral dissertation. He is also captivated by the philosophy of organism and the organic theology taht flows from it. His first book, The End of Divine Truthiness: Love, Power, and God, works to deconstruct a number of theological idols that diminish divine love, by constructing a Buddhist-Christian-Taoist doctrine of power that empowers the vast flourishing of the God who is love.

Associate Professor, Biology

I am a freshwater ecologist, with expertise and interests that span phycology (algae), invertebrate biology, taxonomy, biodiversity, and conservation biology. My research centers on the ecology of aquatic ecosystems (lakes, rivers, streams, wetwalls), especially benthic (bottom) communities and algal assemblages. I focus my research on trying to understand what shapes and controls the structure and function of biotic communities and ecosystems, and on using ecology to find better ways to monitor, protect and predict changes in aquatic ecosystems. Visit my lab website: http://drpcfurey.com/
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Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy

Dr. Rabaey is an Associate Professor in the OT Graduate Department at St. Catherine University. Her clinical background includes over 27 years experience working with children with disabilities and their families in early intervention, school, clinic, and community settings. She specializes in feeding and eating difficulties in children with a variety of diagnoses in both the US and in low and middle income countries. She serves on the medical advisory board and as a feeding technical expert for SPOON Foundation (www.spoonfoundation.org) and has traveled internationally to conduct training with caregivers of children with disabilities living without families.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

Rachael is a nurse educator who infuses her clinical and teaching practices with caring ethics. Her clinical background focused on maternal- child health, predominately in labor & delivery and postpartum; she also has experience in NICU, pediatrics, and sexual health. She has taught med-surg clinicals for multiple years with a focus on health disparities and therapeutic communication. She is passionate about the impact nursing has on individual and population health and loves to help students get connected to what is meaningful in nursing.
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Associate Professor, History

My research is in Modern British history, with a particular emphasis on children and education in the British Empire. I am particularly interested in how children understood and interpreted what it meant to be British. I am also engaged in a new research project focused much closer to home, entitled "Welcoming the Dear Neighbor?: A History of Housing Inequality in Ramsey County." This project focuses on understanding the historical context of racial covenants and housing segregation in Ramsey County, Minnesota. My teaching focuses on Modern European history, with a particular emphasis on women's history, the Modern Middle East, and World History.

Associate Professor, Communication Studies

Communication Studies, Electronic Media Studies, Applied Science in Communication Studies (Pre-OT)
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Assistant Professor, Biology Department

Rahul Roy is a plant molecular biologist with a research program focusing on the mechanisms of nectar production in flowering plants and plant root movement. Current projects focus on the analysis of colorful nectar, roles of hormones and membrane transporters in nectar production and the wavy movement of plant roots in response to touch and gravity. He uses a combination of genetic, biochemical, cellular and molecular techniques to dissect pathways that are involved in the above mentioned phenomena. Rahul has previously worked on projects funded by NASA, NSF and the USDA. Students in the Roy lab will learn to think critically, ask foundational scientific questions, formulate hypothesis, design experiments, analyze data and disseminate results.

Associate Professor, Nursing

Rebeca is an Associate Professor of Nursing with St. Catherine University in Saint Paul, MN. She is an alumnus of the University of Minnesota, Case Western Reserve University, and Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing. Rebeca teaches in both the nurse practitioner and master's entry level prelicensure programs. She has extensive clinical experience as a nurse-midwife, and has educated and precepted several generations of nurse-midwives throughout the course of a four decade clinical career. As part of a multidisciplinary team, Rebeca served at-risk populations at Seton Catholic Charities Clinic until the closing of the clinic in 2016.

Assistant Professor

Associate Professor, Exercise Sciences

Dr. Rebecca Busanich is an Associate Professor of Exercise and Sport Studies at St. Catherine University. She holds a Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Psychology from the University of Iowa (’11), a Master's degree from the University of Oregon (’05), and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan (’03).  Dr. Busanich’s research explores the social and cultural narratives around physical activity, eating and the body and translates her findings to promote healthy/positive eating and physical activity experiences, along with exercise adherence, for underrepresented populations. In exploring these ideas, Dr. Busanich draws upon social constructionist and critical feminist theoretical perspectives and narrative methodologies to further explore the ways in which gender and sociocultural positions impact health behaviors and the meaning-making process underlying these behaviors.

Professor, Interprofessional Education

Renée (DeVries) Broughten is a professor in the Department of Interprofessional Education. She earned her Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree from Northwestern College of Chiropractic and, after four years of clinical practice, returned to pursue a residency in Diagnostic Imaging. She earned her PhD in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development from the University of Minnesota. Her research explored the impact of trust on the success of collaborations in health care. She is interested in evidence-based clinical practice as she feels that creates a solid foundation for providers from diverse disciplines to engage in interprofessional practice.

Associate Professor, Nursing

Renee Colsch has a passion and specialty in the area of neuroscience nursing. Her professional experience includes acute care nursing in the intensive care unit, emergency room, and the United States Air Force deployment in Balad Iraq, 2007. She teaches courses in undergraduate and graduate pathophysiology, leadership and serves as a DNP student mentor. She views the teacher as the facilitator of learning. Her teaching focuses on cultural awareness and sensitivity, holistic nursing, bringing technology into the classroom and practice, evidence-based practice, research, learning, and retention.

Respiratory Care Program Director, Associate Professor

Renee’s career began in the healthcare field as a staff Respiratory Therapist.  After she became a respiratory therapist, she was employed by a large hospital system in Fargo, North Dakota as a clinician/outreach educator, and as a member of the flight team for The Children’s Hospital.  In her last year with the hospital system, she was employed as a Market Strategist for the administrative team.   While in Fargo, she also finished her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in healthcare administration. When Renee relocated to Denver, she was employed as a clinical liaison for a Long-term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH), worked in hospital and homecare administration, and was respiratory therapy program director for a private school.

Assistant Professor, Business Administration and MBA

Dr. Connor has a BA with honors from Princeton University, an MHA from Duke University, and a Ph.D. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the faculty at St. Catherine University, Dr. Connor has been the co-founder of a community health center, an associate director of a teaching hospital, a tenured professor at the University of Minnesota, and the founder and CEO of medical device and wearable technology companies. Dr. Connor has published in Academic Medicine, Health Affairs, Health Care Management Review, Hospital & Health Services Administration, Inquiry, International Journal of the Economics of Business, Journal of Health Economics, Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management, Managed Care, Medical Care Review, Topics in Health Care Financing, and even Cosmo Magazine.

Associate Professor, Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS)

I have been teaching in the associate degree programs since 1992. I have taught courses in the social sciences, as well as interdisciplinary mission courses. I am particularly interested in connecting critical skill outcomes to disciplinary and interdisciplinary learning.
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Assistant Professor

Sally Adams works at St. Catherine University in the School of Business as an assistant accounting professor. She is an enthusiastic educator with over 20 years of teaching experience at the secondary and post-secondary level. She earned both a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Risk Management and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin -Madison.  Her professional experience includes working as a CPA in both public accounting at Price Waterhouse and litigation support consulting.  She considers financial literacy a vital life skill. She currently sits on the Board for the Minnesota Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy and recently testified before the Minnesota Senate Education Committee regarding Financial Literacy Standards at the high school level.

Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Assistant Online Program

Sandy has 31 years of experience as a school-based occupational therapist in the Appleton Area School District in the state of Wisconsin. She also worked 4 years in both the mental health and adult rehab settings. Sandy has has 3 years of experience as an adjunct instructor in occupational therapy at the associate and master degree levels before becoming a full-time faculty at St. Catherine University. Sandy has been an assistant professor in the OTA online program since 2016.
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Assistant Professor, Nursing

Sara teaches nursing in the College for Women program and the Entry-Level Master's program at St. Catherine University. She works with students in the classroom, lab, and simulation settings. Sara also takes students into the acute care clinical setting on medical, surgical, and maternity units of the metro area hospitals.Sara has been a registered nurse for more than 20 years and is still in practice at the bedside. Sara's expertise is in maternity nursing care. Sara is also a lactation consultant, and an instructor for the neonatal resuscitation program (NRP).
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Associate Professor, Nursing

Sarah has taught at St. Catherine University since October of 2006. Sarah is currently nursing faculty teaching primarily in the MSN - Entry Level Program (MSNEL). She specializes in simulation and is the MSNEL Simulation Coordinator. Previous work at St. Kates includes Interim Program Director of the MSNEL Program, Collaborative Practice Site Coordinator between the HSSH and the MDVA, Coordinator and then director of the Associate Degree Nursing Program. Sarah's clinical practice began at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) on the Cardiac and Renal Unit and then the Newborn Intensive Care Unit.

Assistant Professor, Montessori

Sarah Hassebroek specializes in Elementary Montessori Education. Before joining St Kate's, she was a classroom teacher for 10 years and taught in the Midwest and in Costa Rica. She was a Literacy Specialist and an Instructional Coach for four additional years. Sarah studied Anthropology and Spanish in her bachelor's program and obtained a MAED at St Kate's in 2006. Sarah studied Educational Policy and Leadership Studies with an emphasis on Equity in Education and Online Learning at the University of Iowa, where she obtained her Education Specialist degree.Sarah continues to support the ongoing professional growth for Elementary and Montessori teachers.

Associate Professor

Sarah Park Dahlen is an Associate Professor of Library and Information Science at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. She teaches courses on children’s and young adult materials, children's and young adult library services, storytelling, social justice, and library and information science. Currently, she is examining representations of transracially adopted Koreans in children's literature and the information behaviors of transnationally adopted Koreans. She co-edited a children's and young adult multicultural literature textbook with Dr. Jamie Naidoo titled Diversity in Youth Literature: Opening Doors Through Reading (ALA Editions, 2012).

Associate Professor, Business Administration

I have been teaching in the Department of Business Administration at St. Catherine University since 2001. I currently teach a variety of courses in the department including Leadership and influence, Principles of Management, Principles of Marketing, Buyer Behavior and Market Research, Strategic Marketing, Global Business, and Strategic Management. I also co-developed and led a study abroad course called Sustainability through a Business Lens: Exploring People, Planet, and Profits in Chile and a topics course called #MeToo: Sexual Harrassment in the Workplace. I grew up in the St. Paul Midway area, just a few miles away from St. Kate's. I received a Bachelor of Arts in Management from Hamline University and later earned an MBA in Management from the University of St. Thomas. I completed my Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development at the University of Minnesota.

Radiography Program Director

Certified and MN Licensed, Athletic Trainer
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Associate Dean, Henrietta Schmoll School of Health

Dr. Fitzpatrick came to St. Kate's in the Summer of 2020. Prior to that, he was a faculty member at Marian University (WI) where he led the Exercise and Sport Science program and was the Chair of the Allied Health Department. He began his career at John F. Kennedy University as a faculty member in Sport Psychology. Dr. Fitzpatrick has an ongoing research line in graduate student preparation and early career experiences in the field of Sport and Performance Psychology. Additionally, he has presented nationally on assessment issues in higher education and is an active member within the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education (AALHE).

Professor, Women's Studies

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Associate Professor & Program Director, Organizational Leadership

Sharon Radd is Associate Professor in the MA-Organizational Leadership program at St.Catherine University. She is also an Equity Fellow with the Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, and the Founder and Lead Consultant of Sankalpa Consulting based out of Minneapolis. With 20+ years of experience in public education as a school administrator, professional development facilitator, and school social worker, Radd holds a BA in Liberal Arts from UW-River Falls, a BS in Social Work and an MS in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State Mankato, and an Ed.

Assistant Professor

Sharyn DeZelar, PhD, MSW, LICSW, joins the St. Catherine University faculty in fall 2019 as a full-time Assistant Professor.  Dr. DeZelar earned a PhD in Social Work in 2018 from the University of MN (Twin Cities) along with a certificate in Disability Policy and Services. She earned her MSW in 2006 from St. Catherine University/University of St. Thomas School of Social Work, and her BSW from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1998.  Dr. DeZelar’s research focus is largely related to disabilities, and its intersection with family support, parenting, poverty and child welfare.  She has significant practice experience in housing services, disabilities and mental health.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

My background is in emergency nursing and critical care. My current focus is on research and evidence based practice. I am currently working on my doctoral degree. My project is in conjunction with Abbott Northwestern Hospital to reduce surgical site infections in bariatric c-section patients. I have many unpublished research projects as well as those published with links found below.
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Associate Professor, Master of Library and Information Science Program

Sheri Ross came to St. Kate's from Florida State University, where in 2008 she completed her dissertation titled The scholarly use of journals offered through the Health Internetwork Access to Research Initiative (HINARI) and Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture (AGORA) programs as suggested by the journal-citing patterns of scholars in the least-developed nations. She earned her MLIS in 2001 from the University of North Texas and then served as Social Sciences Librarian and Electronic Resource Librarian at the State University of New York, Purchase Library.
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Professional Faculty, Nursing

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Associate Professor, Education

As an online teacher, learner, and citizen I work to enhance the circulation of potentially liberating learning. Through intentionally designed social networks I facilitate connections between innovative, beautiful, or content-rich resources and the people who can use those to facilitate the greater good. Via a wide repertoire of digital tools, I seek pathways to bridge gaps in learning at the individual and institutional level. I enjoy collaborating with other justice-oriented faculty and staff at St.Kate's to facilitate improved opportunities for all people.
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Assistant Professor of Nursing, Director of the RN-BSN Degree Completion Program Nursing

I spent the first part of my nursing career working in acute care assuming both clinical and administrative roles. I have always been drawn to education and helping people reach their greatest potential: patients, families, nurses, and now nursing students. I find the transformation rewarding. I obtained my Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from Augsburg University as well as my Master of Arts in Nursing with a focus on Transformational Leadership. I earned my Post-Masters in Nursing Education from Walden University with a focus on online education. Previous research has focused on the role of the charge nurse as a leader, and ethical leadership practices.

Associate Professor, Library and Information Science

Sook Lim is an Associate Professor in Master of Library and Information Science Program at St. Catherine University. She holds a doctorate in library and information studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research centers on human information behavior concerning user-generated content such as Wikipedia. She has published articles in Information Processing and Management, Information Research, Journal of Association for Information Science and Technology, Journal of Academic Librarianship, Library & Information Science Research & First Monday.
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Associate Professor, Nursing Department

Stacey joined the nursing faculty at St. Kate's in August of 2019. She has worked in a variety of settings during her nursing career, including acute care (GI surgical, neuro -trauma, collaborative practice), home care, hospice, as a family nurse practitioner and most recently as a school nurse. Nursing interests include: health care literacy and navigation, adolescent health, school-based health centers to increase primary care access, the role of the school nurse as a front-line provider in community health, diabetes care, preventive and maintenance care for the elderly, and the impact of emotional intelligence on teaching effectiveness and nursing student success.

Assistant Professor, Social Work

Stacy M. Husebo, Assistant Professor, MSW, LICSW, earned her MSW from St. Catherine University/University of St. Thomas in 2002 and her BA in English/Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 1989. Husebo joined the joint Social Work program in 2007 as a Clinical Faculty/Instructor, and primarily teaches foundation and clinical field seminars, History and Philosophy of Social Work (MSW), Social Policy (BSW), and MSW clinical electives. She is deeply committed to student-centered learning, as well as, committed to social work practice and field education with a focus on reflective practice, critical questioning, social justice, and the flourishing of human and social well-being.

OTA Program Director

Educational Journey-Dr. Adams has four degrees in occupational therapy, first as a COTA in 1994, then she earned a BS in OT in 2000. After being in practice for several years, Dr. Adams returned to school to earn a post-professional MHS OT degree in 2009 and a Doctor of Health Science degree in OT (DHSc) in 2017. Stephanie believes that being a life-long learner helps to keep abreast of best practices for this ever-changing health care profession.  Employment Path-Stephanie worked in a variety of setting including hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health with geriatric clients and infants.

Director Graduate Occupational Therapy Programs, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy

Stephanie de Sam Lazaro is Director of the Graduate Occupational Therapy (Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Occupational Therapy) Programs. She primarily teaches courses on occupational therapy's role and process with children, adolescents, and their families. In addition, she teaches courses in human occupation, doctoral orientation, master's projects, and capstone projects. Her scholarship focus is on equitable practices for children, adolescents, and their families with a particular focus on primary care settings and the relationship of oral health to participation in daily activities.

Adjunct Faculty, Master of Business Administration

Suanne Barthol comes to St. Catherine University with over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry to include proper casualty, life, and annuities. She has held personal production as well as various leadership roles. She is focused on using technology for process improvements and digitizing the customer services process. Dr. Barthol is particularly proud of working collaboratively across multiple departments to create process improvements that not only make the individual employee work more enjoyable, but also provided an efficiency win for the company. She has completed an RFP process for a divisional initiative that expanded and resulted in a corporate wide initiative and participated in a pilot agile team that resulted in multiple team adoptions across the company.

Associate Professor, Nursing

Susan Hageness, DNP, RN, CNE, AHN-BC is an advocate for integrating holistic-focused care and integrative therapies into nursing and interdisciplinary healthcare practice. She currently teaches in the doctorate and baccalaureate degree nursing programs, as well as in the Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies program. Susan is a Board Certified Advanced Holistic Nurse (AHN-BC), a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), a Healing Touch Practitioner (HTP), and a Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner (CCAP).
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Assistant Professor, Nursing

I have been at St Catherine University for over 30 years, teaching at various levels in the nursing program. My primary teaching responsibilities have included both didactic and clinical teaching. Most of my clinical experience is in adult medical-surgical nursing, but also have extensive experience in telephone triage. My education includes University of Wisconsin - Madison where I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) and St Catherine University where I earned a Master's Degree in Nursing, with a focus in Nursing Education. Please feel free to contact me at smmartinson@stkate.edu
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Program Director, Assistant Professor, Sonography

Susan Trelstad is the program director for the Sonography department. She primarily teaches courses on anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the abdomen, as well as scanning labs dedicated to teaching students successful scanning techniques. In addition, she teaches a presonography course on communication in healthcare. Susan is a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) and is certified in Abdomen and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Also, she holds a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership.
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Baccalaureate Program Director, College for Women/ Associate Professor of Nursing

Dr. Suzanne Lehman, DNP, RN, PHN is an Associate Professor and Director of the Baccalaureate Nursing Program in the College for Women Nursing Program at St. Catherine University.  Dr. Lehman has provided healthcare leadership and service in a variety of community, education, and practice settings over her career. She is an appointed member of the Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center Community Advisory Council and co-founder of the Nursing Diversity Collaborative, a nursing education/practice partnership to increase registered nurse and nursing faculty workforce diversity at St. Catherine University and Minnesota Children’s Hospitals and Clinics.

Associate Professor, Education

I began my teaching career Maine in 1990, teaching 5th and 6th grades.  I moved to Boston, MA, where I taught 7th grade language arts while earning my Master's degree in Literacy, Language, and Cultural  Studies at Boston University.  From Massachusetts, I moved back to Maine where I taught 5th grade, before leaving the classroom to earn my EdD in Literacy Education from the University of Maine in 2003.  After earning my  doctorate, I was hired as an assistant professor at Elmira College where  I taught for three years before moving to Minnesota and joining the  Education department at St. Catherine University in 2006.

Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy

Professor Trotman is a licensed OTA with a passion for mentorship and professional growth! Over the years, she has honed her skills at cultural competence, diversity/bias recognition, and conflict resolution. She's been an OTA educator for 9+ years, and has a clinical background centered on patient care, management/HR duties/Quality Assurance & Control. She has a track record of being an essential part of the university’s management team and instrumental in providing effective solutions that produce immediate impact and contribute to student long-term success.Here's a little about her.

Assistant Professor, English

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Program Director, MSNEL

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Assistant Professor

Professional Faculty, Physician Assistant Studies

Tara is a clinical coordinator in the Physician Assistant Program at St. Catherine University. Her background includes 17 years of medical practice experience with an emphasis in reconstructive plastic surgery.
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Assistant Professor

Teresa is an assistant professor in the Department of Nursing and a certified family nurse practitioner. She owns a private practice in Geriatrics with two NP partners. She is passionate about the care of seniors and has a special interest in geriatric cognitive disorders. She also works for a hospice agency in the Twin Cities and has experience in mental health and corrections. Teresa is a proponent of meditation and mindfulness in healthcare and education and is a certified meditation instructor. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two teenaged sons, and two Great Danes.
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Associate Professor, Chair, Theater Department

Teresa is a master teacher who specializes in helping others tell their stories with impact. Whether in the classroom, the rehearsal hall, or the boardroom, Teresa facilitates the realization of effective communication. Teresa's professorial focus is performance classes, including Directing, Voice, Media Communication, and Acting. She serves as Artistic Director for the Department of Theater, either producing or directing all mainstage shows. To date, she has directed over 25 productions at St. Kate's. Teresa is a sought-after Executive Communication Coach, whose clients include Target, Cargill, the Minnesota Vikings, Deluxe Corporation, Polaris, United Health, General Mills, Marshall Field's, and WellSpan Health.

Assistant Professor, Montessori Program Director

Education: Online Montessori (AM2), Education: for Licensed Educators, Education: Montessori Credential, Education, Early Childhood Education Montessori, Early Childhood Education
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Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor, Student & Fieldwork Manager

Terri Grundy, works at St. Catherine Univeristy as the Student Fieldwork Manager in the online OTA program. Terri was hired by St Kate’s as an adjunct professor in 2017and taught a number of courses and labs before being hired as FT faculty in 2020. Terri has over 20 years of experience in school systems as both a clinician and a special education administrator overseeing a number of related service programs and providers including AT, OT, PT, APE, and MT and serving as an advocate for universal design.Terri has presented on AT related topics at both local and state AT and OT Association workshops, guest lectured at universities, and has spoken nationally at the Technology for Reading and Learning Disabilities and the Urban Collaborative conferences.

Professor, Art and Art History, Studio Art

Todd Deutsch earned his MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. His photographs have been exhibited nationally and internationally. His work has appeared in Real Simple (US), New Scientist (UK), Nido (Germany), Vision Magazine(China) and others, and is included in private and public collections including the Walker Art Center, the Museum of Contemporary Photography, and the Portland Art Museum. A monograph of his work titled Gamers was published in 2008 by FP Editions, Brescia, Italy. Selections also appeared in Gamescenes: Art in the Age of Videogames, Johan & Levi, Milan.

Professor, Nursing

I have been a member of the St Catherine University faculty since January 2000. Since that time, I have taught in the Associate Degree Nursing Program, the Master's degree nurse education option and the Master's degree prelicensure nursing option. My clinical practice areas of teaching include fundamentals of nursing, medical-surgical nursing, geriatrics and pharmacology. I have also taught evaluation and measurement content in the nurse educator concentration.Prior to coming to St Kate's, I was a public health nurse in an urban community, practiced as a staff nurse in acute medical-surgical nursing with a focus on adult and pediatric rehabilitation nursing and neuro-surgical nursing.

Assistant Professor, Nursing

Vane Gichana has been an assistant professor at St. Catherine in the School of Nursing since 2019. Previously, she was a professor at Rasmussen College in the School of Nursing since 2015. Currently she teaches Holistic Care of Adults and Foundations of Nursing Holistic Care. She specializes in theory, lab, clinical, and simulation. She serves in the admissions Committee. She received her Master's in Health Care Leadership and Management from Bethel University in 2014. Vane Currently lives in Minnesota and enjoys travelling, reading and meeting new friends.
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Assistant Professor, Nursing

Nursing, Nursing: RN-BSN Degree CompletionCo-Chair on CoFei (committee on faculty equity inclusion) in the Nursing DepartmentI have been working at St. Kates since 2013, in the Associate Degree Nursing Program, the College for Adults, and the College for Women. I currently work full time in the RN to BS program fully online. My husband was active duty Army for 21 years (retired in 2013) so I have worked in a variety of areas of Nursing all over the US prior to finding my home at St. Kates including; Med/Surg in Texas and Kansas, Pediatric Rehab in Kentucky, OB in Kansas, Telephone Triage in California, College Health in Colorado, Community Health, Urgent Care, and PACU in MN.

Associate Professor, Nursing

Vicki Ericson, DNP, ANP-BC, FNP-BC is an Associate Professor of Nursing in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. She obtained a BA and MA degree in nursing from St Catherine University as well as a post baccalaureate certificate as an adult nurse practitioner. She obtained a postmaster’s certificate as a family nurse practitioner from George Washington University and a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree from the University of Minnesota. She has a strong clinical background as an emergency department nurse practitioner for 22 years. Her teaching interests are on experiential learning and simulation.

Nursing -Professor

Dr. Schug teaches concepts such as nursing as a profession, healthy aging, and leadership/management in a baccalaureate nursing program. She has a strong interest in curriculum design, program assessment and evaluation. Her current research has been in the areas of interprofessional education and simulation in nursing education.
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Associate Professor, Theology

Theology (undergraduate), Theology (MAT)
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Adjunct Faculty, Master of Business Administration

William Eisele has taught undergraduate and graduate business students for over 20 years, in both face-to-face and online learning as well as to traditional and adult learners at St. Catherine University. He also has a 40 year career in financial management, first in the commercial banking industry and then in state government administration. William is particularly proud of having been involved in expanding Medicaid coverage to women and children while working as a division budget director in Missouri State government. As a teaching he enjoys seeing students find ways to improve their performance in their current positions - plus seeing ways they are enhancing their future opportunities - by using finance and accounting tools they study and master.

Graduate Theology Program Coordinator\Professor, Theology,

Theology, Theology (MAT), Theology: Pastoral Ministry Certificate, Theology: Spiritual Direction Certificate, Nursing: Entry-Level
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Assistant Professor, Education

Yasemin Gunpinar earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Department of Elementary Mathematics Education in Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey. The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) sponsored her while pursuing her master’s degree. From 2006 to 2008, she taught mathematics in both private and public schools in Turkey. She co-wrote a publication titled “. Supporting Lesson Book Including Subject Teaching for All Courses in Elementary 6th Grades ”. She enjoyed teaching mathematics as much as she enjoyed studying. This feeling influenced her desire to focus on mathematics education as her future career goal.

Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy

Yvette has 25+ years of clinical experience in the areas of Neurorehabilitation, Orthopedics and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation and 10+ years in academia. She spent 23 years as an US Army OT serving in various capacities from clinical to administration to academia. Her most notable positions included: Chair, US Army Occupational Therapy Specialty program and Program Director, US Army Baylor Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy program. In these positions she learned as much from the student as they learned from her and student mentoring became a natural part of her everyday. As a result of her previous experience, she taught occupational therapy at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.