First-Gen Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are dedicated to supporting our first-generation students, some of whom were first-generation college students themselves.

This page lists faculty and staff members who have identified themselves as first-generation students, but it is important to know that there are many more supporters on campus.

First-Generation Faculty and Staff at CSB/SJU

Joshua

Joshua Akkerman
Instructional Technology Specialist
Information Technology Services

  • BS in Mass Communications from Saint Cloud State University

Bob Alpers
Athletic Director/Golf Coach
SJU Athletics

  • BA in Political Science from Saint John's University
  • BS in Secondary Education from University of Minnesota
  • MA in Education from Saint Mary's University

Theresa Anderson
Academic Advisor
Academic Advising

  • BS in Psychology from Lewis and Clark College
  • MS in Counseling and Education from Indiana University

Kelly Berg

Associate Professor

Communication

  • BA, MA, and PhD in Communication from University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point

Michelle Buehrer
Catering Manager
Catering

  • BS in Physical Education from Saint Cloud State University
  • MA in Montessori Education from University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Rebecca

Rebecca Caballero
Theology Day Coordinator
School of Theology

  • BS in Psychology from Viterbo University
  • MS in Counseling Psychology from Saint Cloud State University 

Kathleen

Kathleen Cahalan
Professor
School of Theology

  • BA in Theology, Psychology, and Secondary Education from Mundelein College
  • MA and PhD in Theology from University of Chicago

William Cahoy
Associate Professor/Dean Emeritus
School of Theology

  • BA in Theology from Saint John's University
  • MAR in Theology from Yale Divinity School
  • PhD in Religious Studies from Yale University

Terence Check
Professor of Communication
Academic Affairs

  • BS in Communication Studies from Northwestern University
  • MA and PhD in Communication and Rhetoric from University of Pittsburgh

Clark

Clark Cotton
Assistant Professor
Biology

  • BA in Biology from Saint Olaf College
  • MSc and PhD in Zoology and Physiology from University of Wyoming

Michael Cummings
Senior Development Officer
Institutional Advancement

  • BA in Psychology from Saint John's University
  • MS in Education Counseling from University of Wisconson-River Falls

Matt Davis
Assistant Director
Admission

  • BA in Psychology from Saint John's University

Teri

Teri Deardorff
Area Coordinator for Upper Class Residence Halls
CSB Residential Life and Housing

  • BS in Biology from University of South Florida-Saint Petersburg
  • MS in Student Affairs and Higher Education from Indiana State University

Nathan

Nathan Dehne
Vice President for Admissions and Financial Aid
Admission

  • BS in Communications and English from Carroll University
  • MAC in Higher Education Counseling from Lakeland University

David

David Dies
Visiting Assistant Professor
Music

  • BA in Music from Bemidji State University
  • MMus in Music Composition from State University of New York-Potsdam
  • DMA in Music Composition from University of Wisconsin-Madison

Ian Dommer, OSB
Faculty Resident
Residential Life

  • BS in Theater from University of Wisconsin-Superior
  • MDiv in Theology from Saint John's School of Theology
  • MA in Education Administration from Saint Thomas University

Teri

Teri Durbin
Director of Admission Services
Admission

  • BA in Social Work from College of Saint Benedict

J. Andrew Edwards
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Theology

  • BA in Religious Studies and History from Virgina Wesleyan College
  • MDiv, ThM in Church History and Ethics from Union Presbyterian Seminary
  • MPhil in Theology, Imagination, and the Arts from University of Saint Andrews
  • PhD in Systematic Theology from University of Saint Michael's College

Lisa Engstrom
Assistant Professor
Chemistry

  • BA in Chemistry from College of Saint Benedict
  • PhD in Chemistry from University of California-Davis
  • Postdoc in Chemistry from University of Minnesota

Mary Fogle
Director of Prospect Management
Institutional Advancement

  • BS in Business Administration from Saint Cloud State University

Carol Gadd-Marshall
Assistant Director
Admission

  • BA in Psychology from University of California-Riverside
  • Secondary Education Certificate from California State University-Long Beach

Tanya

Tanya Gertz
Executive Director
Fine Arts Programming

  • BS in Psychology from Valparaiso University

Daniel K. Gullo
Joseph S. Micallef Curator of the Malta Study Center
Hill Museum and Manuscript Library

  • BA in History, Spanish, and Latin American and Iberian Studies from University of Wisconsin
  • MA in Medieval Studies from University of Toronto
  • MA in Theology from Saint John's School of Theology
  • PhD in History from University of Chicago

Kathy Hansen

Kathy Hansen
Vice President of Institutional Advancement
Institutional Advancement

  • BA in English from Saint Olaf College

John

John Hasselberg
Professor
Global Business Leadership

  • BA in Fine Arts Administration from Gustavus Adolphus College
  • MBA in Business, Government, and Society from University of Minnesota
  • Juris Doctor in International Law from University of Minnesota

Sheila Hellerman
Program and Department Coordinator
Political Science, Global Business, Accounting and Finance, Sociology/Anthropology, and Peace Studies

  • BA in Political Science and Legal Studies from Hamline University
  • MBA in Business Administration from Minnesota School of Business

Robert Hesse
Associate Professor
Mathematics

  • BA in Mathematics from Saint John's University
  • MSc and PhD in Mathematics from University of Minnesota

Georgia Hogenson
Associate Professor
Nursing

  • BS in Nursing from College of Saint Benedict
  • PhD in Nursing from South Dakota State University

Eric

Eric Hollas
Deputy to the President
Institutional Advancement

  • BA in History from Princeton University
  • MDiv in Theology from Saint John's School of Theology
  • PhD in Medieval Studies from Yale University

Marleny

Marleny Huerta-Apanco
Assistant Director
Admission

  • BA in Psychology from College of Saint Benedict

Jeremy Iverson
Assistant Professor
Computer Science

  • BA in Computer Science from Saint John's University
  • MA and PhD in Computer Science from University of Minnesota

Henry

Henry Jakubowski
Professor
Chemistry

  • BS in Chemistry from State University of New York-Albany
  • PhD in Biochemistry from University of Iowa

amanda

Amanda Macht Jantzer
Assistant Professor
Psychology

  • BA in Psychology from College of Saint Benedict
  • MA and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Mary

Mary Jepperson
Professor
Accounting and Finance

  • BA in Accounting from College of Saint Benedict
  • MBA in Business from Saint Cloud State University

Terri Johnson
Department Chair and Associate Professor
Education

  • BA in Social Sciences and Secondary Education from College of Saint Benedict
  • MA and PhD in Curriculum and Instruction: Social Studies Education from University of Minnesota

Kaarin

Kaarin Johnston
Professor
Theater

  • BA in Theater, English, and History from Cornell College
  • MA in Theater from University of South Dakota
  • PhD in Theater/Speech from Southern Illinois University

Ken

Ken Jones
Professor
History

  • BA in History from University of California-Santa Crus
  • PhD in History from Cornell University

Valerie

Valerie Jones
Executive Director of Alumnae Relations
Institutional Advancement

  • BA in French and Philosophy from College of Saint Benedict
  • MA in Women's Studies from University of Northern Iowa

Bob Kachelski
Associate Professor
Psychology

  • BA in Psychology from University of Notre Dame
  • MS in Psychology from University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • PhD in Cognitive Psychology from University of Wisconsin-Madison

Pat Kennedy, OSB
Assistant Professor
Theology

  • BA in Art from Clarke College University
  • MA in Theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology
  • MA in Liturgical Studies from Saint John's School of Theology
  • DMin in Theology and the Arts from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities

Steve

Steve Kimble
Head Soccer Coach, Assistant Athletics Director
CSB Athletics

  • BA in Elementary Education from Saint John's University
  • MA in Educational Leadership from Southwest Minnesota State
  • MA in Sports Administration from Saint Cloud State University

Ryan

Ryan Klinkner
SJU Athletic Media Relations Director
Office of Marketing and Communication/SJU Athletics

  • BA in Psychology from Saint John's University
  • MA in Sports Management from Saint Cloud State University

Brian

Brian Larkin
Professor
History

  • BA in History from Saint John's University
  • MA and PhD in Latin American History from University of Texas-Austin

Masami

Masami Limpert
Adjunct Instructor
Languages and Cultures

  • BA in English and Intercultural Communication from Nazan University
  • MA in Teaching English as a Second Language from Saint Cloud State University

Jeanne

Jeanne Marie Lust
Associate Professor
Biology

  • BA in Biology from College of Saint Benedict
  • PhD in Zoology from University of Minnesota

Luke

Luke Mancuso
Associate Professor
English

  • BA in Liberal Studies from McNeese State University
  • MDiv in Theology from Saint John's School of Theology
  • MA in Monastic Studies from Saint John's University
  • PhD in English from University of Iowa

Rachel Marston
Assistant Professor
English

  • BA in English from University of Utah
  • MFA in Fiction Writing from University of Utah
  • PhD in Literature and Creative Writing from University of Utah

Connie Matz
Prospect Researcher
Institutional Advancement

  • BS in Mass Communications from Saint Cloud State University

Maureen McCarter
Instructor
Languages and Cultures

  • BA in French from College of Saint Benedict
  • MA in French from Middlebury College

Rene

Rene McGraw
Associate Professor
Philosophy

  • BA in Philosophy from Saint John's University
  • MA in Philosophy from Duquesne University
  • PhD in Philosophy from University of Paris

Jennifer Meagher
Director of Elementary and Secondary Education Student Teaching
Education

  • BA in English from Gustavus Adolphus College
  • MS in Education- Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Cloud State University
  • EdSp in Educational Administration from Saint Cloud State University
  • EdD in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary's University

Brittany

Brittany Merritt
Visiting Assistant Professor
History

  • BA in History from University of Central Florida
  • MA and PhD in History from University of South Florida

Lisa

Lisa Miller
Alumnae Relations Associate
Institutional Advancement

  • BS in Business Education from Mankato State University
  • MEd in Higher Education (Student Affairs) from Texas Tech University

Kira

Kira Munoz
Area Coordinator for First Year Residence Halls
CSB Residential Life and Housing

  • BA in Psychology from Alverno College
  • MS in College Counseling and Student Development from Saint Cloud State University

Brad

Brad Neary
Senior Development Officer, Institutional Advancement
Director, The Saint John's Bible Heritage Program

  • BA in Psychology from Saint John's University
  • MA in Human Resources from University of Minnesota

Nelson

M. Sheila Nelson
Associate Professor and Chair
Sociology

  • BA in Elementary Education and English from Marian College of Fond du Lac
  • MSW in Social Work from Saint Louis University
  • PhD in Sociology from Loyola University

Miranda Novak
Assistant Director of Instructional Technology
Information Technology Services

  • BA in Anthropology and History from Saint Cloud State University

Tory

Tory Oelfke
Assistant Registrar
Registrar's Office

  • BA in Mathematics from Saint John's University
  • MEd in Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel from Kent State University

Kathy Ohman

Kathleen Ohman
Professor
Nursing

  • BS in Nursing from College of Saint Benedict
  • MS in Special Studies: Health Care Education from Saint Cloud State University
  • MS in Nursing from University of Minnesota
  • EdD in Educational Administration from University of Minnesota

Peter

Peter Ohmann
Assistant Professor
Computer Science

  • BA in Computer Science from Saint John's University
  • PhD in Computer Science from University of Wisconsin-Madison

Ken Osborne
Controller
Business Office

  • BS in Accounting from Saint Cloud State University

Ron Pagnucco
Associate Professor
Peace Studies

  • BA in Religious Studies and Anthropology from Catholic University
  • MA in Anthropology from Catholic University
  • PhD in Sociology from Catholic University

Alicia

Alicia Peters
Art Pedagogy Instructor
Education

  • BA in Art from College of Saint Benedict
  • BS in K-12 Education from Saint Cloud State University
  • MA in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary's University

Alicia A. Peterson
Professor
Chemistry

  • BA in Chemistry from College of Saint Benedict
  • PhD in Chemistry from University of Minnesota

Alicia

Cindy Peterson
Instructor
FYS

  • BS in Zoology from Arizona State University
  • MA in English from Saint Cloud State University

Robert Piechota
Director
Financial Aid

  • BA in Geography from University of Northern Colorado

Donelle

Donelle Poling
Associate Director, Youth in Theology and Ministry
School of Theology

  • BA in Theology and Psychology from College of Saint Benedict
  • MA in Pastoral Ministry from Saint John's School of Theology

Annette

Annette Raigoza
Assistant Professor
Chemistry

  • BS in Chemistry from University of Texas-Permian Basin
  • MS and PhD in Chemistry from University of Notre Dame

Kyle

Kyle Rauch
Assistant Director of Environmental Education
Outdoor University

  • BA in Geography from Bloomsburg University
  • MA in Environmental Education from Hamline University

Matt

Matt Reichert
Instructor
FYS

  • BA in History from Saint John's University
  • MEd in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Notre Dame
  • MA in Educational Administration and Leadership from University of Notre Dame

Theresa

Theresa Reichert
Nursing Instructor
Nursing

  • BS in Nursing from College of Saint Benedict
  • MA in Nursing Education from College of Saint Catherine

LuAnn Reif
Professor
Nursing

  • BS in Nursing from University of Minnesota
  • MPH in Public Health Nursing from University of Minnesota
  • PhD in Nursing from University of Minnesota

Nicole Reuter
Access Services Manager
Alcuin and Clemens Libraries

  • BS in Nutrition from University of Minnesota

Susan Riley
Assistant Professor
Common Curriculum

  • BA in Political Science and History from University of Minnesota
  • MA and PhD in Political Science from University of California-Berkeley

Cathy

Cathy Robak
Instructional Technology Specialist
Information Technology Services

  • AA in Business from Saint Cloud Area Vocational Technical College
  • MA in Theology and Pastoral Ministry from Saint John's School of Theology

Peggy

Peggy Roske
Archivist
Libraries and Archives

  • BA in English and Humanities from College of Saint Benedict
  • MALS in Library Science from University of Wisconsin-Madison

Joy

Joy Ruis
Assistant Director
Center for Global Education

  • BS in History from University of Wisconsin-River Falls
  • MA in Leadership in Student Affairs from University of Saint Thomas

Elaine Rutherford
Professor
Art

  • BFA in Drawing and Painting from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design
  • MFA in Drawing and Painting from New Mexico State University

Pedro

Pedro dos Santos
Associate Professor
Political Science

  • BA in Political Science and International Business from Baker University
  • MA and PhD in Political Science from University of Kansas

Stephen Saupe
Professor
Biology

  • BS in Biology from Lynchburg College
  • PhD in Botany from University of Illinois

Megan

Megan Sawatzky
Athletic Facilities Coordinator and Men's Basketball Operations
SJU Athletics

  • BBA in Sport Management and International Business from Loyola University

Alex

Alex Schleper
Director of International Admission
Admission

  • BS in Management from Saint John's University
  • MS in Counseling Psychology from Saint Cloud State University

Jason

Jason Schlude
Associate Professor of Classics
Languages and Cultures

  • BA in Classics, Religious Studies, and Geology from Macalester College
  • MA and PhD in Ancient History and Mediterranean Archaeology from University of California-Berkeley

Andrea

Andrea Shaker
Professor
Art

  • BA in Government/International Relations from Georgetown University
  • MFA in in Photography from University of Illnois at Urbana-Champaign

Malik Stewart
Development Officer
Institutional Advancement

  • BA in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Dakota Wesleyan University 
  • MA in Counseling and Psychology in Education from University of South Dakota

Ben Stommes
Budget Analyst
Business Office/Academic Affairs

  • BA in Mathematics and Economics from Saint John's University

Joe

Joe Storlien
Assistant Professor
Environmental Studies

  • BS in Environmental Studies from Saint Cloud State University
  • MS in Environmental and Technological Studies from Saint Cloud State University
  • PhD in Soil Science from Texas A&M University

John Taylor
Senior Associate
Institutional Advancement

  • BA in English from Saint John's University

Linda

Linda Tennison
Professor
Psychology

  • BA in Psychology from Western Washington University
  • PhD in Psychology from Washington State University

Syed Al-Helal Uddin
Visiting Assistant Professor
Economics

  • BSS and MSS in Economics from University of Dhaka
  • MA and PhD in Economics from Florida International University

Maggie Utsch
Director of Annual Giving
Institutional Advancement

  • BA in Liberal Studies from College of Saint Benedict

Diane Van Beck
Senior Accountant
Business Office

  • BA in Accounting from College of Saint Benedict

Steven Welch
Associate Professor
Accounting and Finance

  • BS in Business Administration and Finance from California State University-East Bay
  • MBA in Business Administration, Finance, and Business Economics from California State University-East Bay
  • MS and PhD in Financial Economics from University of New Orleans

Richard

Richard M. Wielkiewicz
Professor
Psychology

  • BA in Psychology from University of Hawai'i
  • MA and PhD in Experimental Psychology from University of Hawai'i

David

David Wuolu
Collection Development Librarian
Library

  • BA in Mathematics and German from Saint John's University
  • MA in Library and Information Studies from University of Wisconsin-Madison

Mae

Mae Yang
Resident Director for Lottie Hall
CSB Residential Life

  • BA in Environmental Biology and Zoology from Saint Mary's University

Chris Young
Director
Upward Bound

  • BA in Psychology from College of Saint Benedict
  • MS in School Counseling from Saint Cloud State University

Kari-Shane Davis Zimmerman
Associate Professor
Theology

  • BA in Religious Studies from College of the Holy Cross
  • MTS in Theological Ethics from Duke Divinity School
  • PhD in Theological Ethics from Marquette University