Math Center Tutors
Andy Johnson
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): Pre-Engineering
Hometown: Saint Cloud
Fun fact: I’m on the wrestling team
Describe a time you struggled in math: Starting Calculus 1 I had a lot of trouble figuring out what a derivative was and how to use them.
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: Meeting new friends.
Cait Wallace
Major(s): Mathematics and English
Minor(s): None
Hometown: Canton, CT
Experience tutoring: Math Center tutor for 1 year; Writing Center tutor 10th-12th grades
Fun fact: I can do a peacock call impression.
Describe a time you struggled in math: In Calculus one I struggled with integrals.
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: I loved dressing up and attending the holiday dinner at Gorecki.
Cameron Hahnfeldt
Major(s): Computer Science and Mathematics
Minor(s): None
Hometown: Eagan, MN
Experience Tutoring: This will be my third year tutoring and TAing for the math department.
Fun fact: I love to hike and be outdoors! I go a lot with my family or friends.
Describe a time you struggled in math: In high school I struggled a lot in my calculus class, there were lots of things that I just couldn’t comprehend. Luckily my teacher noticed and reached out and worked with me to come up with different ways to think about the things I wasn’t understanding.
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: Playing intramural softball with my friends is one of my favorite things I have done here!
Cate Duffey
Major(s): Math and Psychology
Minor(s): None
Hometown: Minnetrista, MN
Experience tutoring:I was a course assistant for Math Explorations the last two semesters.
Fun fact: I’ve been swimming in the Tyrrhenian Sea!
Describe a time you struggled in math: Last semester, my math class was focused on proofs, so it was a lot of writing. It was different than any other math class I had taken before, so I had to go to office hours most days to get help.
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience:Any time I’m spending time in the Math Center and chatting with the professors!
Claire Hippen
Major(s): Mathematics and Computer Science
Hometown: Rogers, MN
Experience tutoring: I was a Calc 1 TA for three semesters, Probability and Stats CA for one semester, and also worked in the math center.
Fun fact: I dive and run track for CSB.
Describe a time you struggled in math: I struggled with math classes my first year during the block schedule. Working through so many concepts in a short amount of time was difficult. I made sure to talk with other students and the professors to keep up and get help when needed.
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: I love doing anything outdoors on the beautiful CSB/SJU campuses. Going for walks, biking, hammocking, ice skating, and sledding.
Colby Kern
Major(s): Mathematics
Minor(s): Global Business
Hometown: Delano, MN
Experience tutoring: I’ve been tutoring math for about 6 years
Fun fact: I am a part of the SJU Swim and Dive team!
Describe a time you struggled in math: I could not learn trigonometry for the longest time. Once it clicked with me, it quickly became my favorite.
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience:I love going swimming in Lake Sag
Cole Stencel
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): None
Hometown: Mapleton, Minnesota
Experience tutoring: Assisting high school students with course work through National Honors Society.
Fun fact: I grew up on a goat farm (:
Describe a time you struggled in math: Learning to write out proofs in high school pre-calculus.
Emily Mundt
Major(s): History
Minor(s): Hispanic Studies/ Data Analytics
Hometown: Eden Prairie, MN
Experience tutoring: 2 years in the MC!
Fun fact: I love going on walks. Even in familiar places, there always seems to be a new trail waiting to be explored!
Describe a time you struggled in math: I used to really struggle with my confidence in math, especially proofs in Geometry. It wasn’t until I was in 9th grade that I became more confident doing math! My 9th grade math teacher taught the class to ask for an “easier question” instead of saying “I don’t know.” We did know the answer, we just might need a little more guidance to get there.
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: Going to my first Johnnie Basketball game last winter. The atmosphere was fun being in the student section and cheering for the Johnnies!
Ethan Engh
Major(s): Math and Theology
Minor(s): Data Analytics
Hometown: White Bear Lake, MN
Experience tutoring: Four years total as a math tutor (started in high school)
Fun fact: I have slept outside on a picnic table overnight with no pillow, sleeping bag, or sleeping pad, as well as two occasions where I slept outside when temperatures dropped below zero degrees.
Describe a time you struggled in math:I mostly work with applied mathematics, so when I did research this summer with group theory (which is the furthest away from applied mathematics I’ve gone so far), it took me multiple weeks of reading and learning to get a grip on what I needed to know. I learned to focus on the information I’mactively working with and be willing to accept help from others when something is well beyond my current understanding.
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience:Walking through the Arboretum at SJU in waist deep snow while neglecting to follow any defined trails.
Ellie Stonecipher
Major(s): Physics and Math
Minor(s): None
Hometown: Buffalo
Experience tutoring: Math and science tutor in high school for two years
Fun fact: I like reading historical books.
Describe a time you struggled in math: I had a hard time learning math through distance learning
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: Going to a summer orchestra camp at St. Ben’s
Evan Truman
Major(s): Math and Physics
Minor(s): Computer Science
Hometown: Delano, MN
Experience tutoring: I have a younger brother
Fun fact: I am extremely competitive
Describe a time you struggled in math: integrating inverse trig functions in calculus II
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: Hiking around the lake to see the old chapel
Aaron Strunk
Name: Aaron Strunk
Major(s): Computer Science
Minor(s): Asian Studies
Hometown: Lino Lakes
Experience tutoring: I have assisted many of my fellow students in Calculus understanding the course material.
Fun fact: I recently started watching chill, laid-back anime and would be happy to chat with anyone about it if they want to.
Describe a time you struggled in math: There have quite a few times I’ve gotten confused at massive word problems, but my process is always the same: Draw the problem so you don’t have to do it in your head, try going through it slowly, and if it still doesn’t click get a second opinion from an answer manual, notes sheet, or another person. You’re never alone.
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: While I haven’t had many yet (I’m a freshman), New Student Day was an amazing experience and I got to meet two of the students in my computer science class there.
Grant McElroy
Major(s): Mathematics
Minor(s): Economics
Hometown: Orono Minnesota
Experience tutoring: 4 years
Fun fact: I just studied abroad in Austria
Describe a time you struggled in math: I struggled in math in my freshman year of college while in Calculus II
Describe a favorite CSB/SJU experience: My favorite moment at CSBSJU is hanging out with friends
Grady Shierts
Major(s): Applied Physics
Minor(s): Mathematics
Hometown: Vadnais Heights, Minnesota
Experience tutoring: First Year!
Fun fact: After high school, I enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard
Describe a time you struggled in math: I struggled in math in high school trying to learn online during Covid. I did not feel comfortable enough with my knowledge of Calc 1 so I took it again here at CSBSJU to make sure I understood it.
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: My favorite CSBSJU experience is when I got to go on a spring break trip with my Rugby team to Georgia.
Jack Olsen
Major(s): Mathematics
Minor(s): Computer Science
Hometown: Lakeville, MN
Experience tutoring: I have been a tutor or course assistant for the Math Department for the past 2 years.
Fun fact: Played junior hockey for two years in Bismarck, North Dakota after high school
Describe a time you struggled in math:Taking Calc 2 in the block schedule was very difficult at first but it helped me learn to manage my time.
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: Ice fishing on Lake Sag
Lily Thomas
Major(s): Mathematics
Minor(s): Data Analytics
Hometown: Bemidji
Experience tutoring: None
Fun fact: I worked at a hot dog stand during high school.
Describe a time you struggled in math: Having to memorize the unit circle.
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: Meeting my roommate.
Paige Simanski
Major(s): Math
Minor(s): None
Hometown: Maplewood, MN
Experience tutoring: I was a TA in high school
Fun fact: I had to attend two high schools my senior year because my calc class got cut from my original school
Describe a time you struggled in math: I struggled a lot with my first semester of calc 1
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: I’m an incoming freshman so I don’t have any yet, but I’m hoping to make some!
Per Johnson
Major(s): Physics & Math
Minor(s): None
Hometown: Duluth, MN
Experience tutoring: National Honor Society for two years
Fun fact: I have been to every single state park in Minnesota
Describe a time you struggled in math: In Calculus two I struggled with summations.
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: I really enjoyed doing chapel walk with friends.
Quinn Scheider
Major(s): Mathematics
Minor(s): Data Analytics
Hometown: Woodbury, MN
Experience tutoring: This is my first time tutoring so looking forward to learning new skills and helping students learn about topics that may seem confusing to them.
Fun fact: I play on the SJU Club Volleyball Team.
Describe a time you struggled in math: A time I struggled in math was during Calc 2 when we were learning about differential equations. I struggled relating differential equations to a real-world phenomenon which was one of our learning goals for the semester.
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: One of my favorite experiences at CSB/SJU was when some friends and I went walking around the Arboretum at SJU and we ended up getting lost and took an extra hour trying to find our way back to campus.
Sophie Hazen
Major(s): Elementary Education
Minor(s): Middle-Level Mathematics Endorsement
Hometown: Buffalo, Minnesota
Experience tutoring: 2 years; mathematics focus.
Fun fact: I have a cat named Xiaohu （小虎！）
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: I studied abroad in Finland this past summer! I learned so much on this trip, and I also got to see so much of the country. Finland is incredibly underrated.
Jacob Becker
Major(s): Mathematics and Computer Science
Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska
Fun fact: During my free time I like to go for long bike rides.
Describe a time you struggled in math: A time I struggled in math was during my senior year of high school when we were learning about Euclidian distance. I had to meet with my teacher outside of class multiple times to fully understand how to fully solve a problem on my own.
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: One of the best experiences so far for me has been being part of the track and field team.
Mayra Martinez
Major(s): Math
Minor(s): Japanese
Hometown: Houston,TX
Experience tutoring: I’ve tutored in the math center before. In the summer, I worked as a clinician in a school that helped students ages 3-22 read, write and comprehend material.
Fun fact: I studied abroad in Japan
Describe a time you struggled in math: During my time in college, Upper level math courses have left me feeling confused and it took me a long time to understand the ideas and concepts.
Describe a favorite CSB/SJU experience: Studying in Japan by far has been my favorite experience.
Arabella Fuzak
Major(s): Mathematics
Minor(s): Data Analytics and Hispanic Studies
Hometown: Sartell, MN
Experience tutoring: I have some experience tutoring since I used to help middle school students and high school students with their math homework!
Fun fact: I’m an only child!
Describe a time you struggled in math: The time I struggled the most with math was taking Algebra 2 and Trigonometry online during the pandemic. It was hard to understand the concepts on a computer screen and hard to get help when I needed it!
Describe a favorite CSB+SJU experience: My favorite CSB/SJU experiences are going to the football games! They are so much fun and a great way experience campus life!