Our professors are distinguished scholars, active researchers, published writers, and faithful Christians who demonstrate what it means to be both Christ-followers and leaders in their academic fields. As mentors and role models, they play a huge role in the integration of faith and learning at Bethel.
Program Directors & Lead Faculty
Katie Bonawitz
Program Director | katie-bonawitz@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007
Dr. Bonawitz is a 2020 Fulbright Teaching Grant recipient to Tomsk, Russia. She researched disabilities amidst world religions for her doctoral work. Other research areas of interest include serving individuals with disabilities across the world, principles of Finnish Education, collaboration with general and special education, and transformational teacher preparation. Her special education teaching specialties include history, legal issues, mild-moderate disabilities, and cultural and ling. . . read more.
Jessica Daniels
Program Director | j-daniels@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Before becoming a faculty member, Jessica served as the Assistant Provost at a private west coast university. In this role she supported the deans, faculty, and students in the six colleges and schools at the University. She also has student development experience, managing community life, housing, student conduct, orientation, student programs, etc. as the Assistant Dean of Students. Jessica's research interests are under the broad umbrella of higher education as a platform for positive so. . . read more.
Neal Dutton
Department Chair and Associate Professor of Human Kinetics and Applied Health Science | dutnea@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1980
Athletic Training, Nutrition, and Wellbeing
Christy Hanson
Program Director | c-hanson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2012
Family Medicine; Orthopedics, specializing in spine care; Urgent Care
Leslie Helgerson
Program Director and Professor | sam-helgerson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002
Jennifer Koenig Nelson
Program Director | jen94387@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Clinical Supervision and Training; Trauma and Loss; Identity Development; Relationship Development; and Issues of Faith and Spirituality in the therapeutic process
Judith Landrum
Dean of Education, Christian Ministries, and Associate Programs and Program Director | j-landrum@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2004
Secondary Literacy: Writing instruction practices, K-12 Literature, and Reading in the Content Area
Jeanine Parolini
Program Director, Teaching Partner, Leadership Coach, Teaching Partner. Leadership Coach and Teaching Partner | j-parolini@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007
Dr. Parolini has developed thousands of leaders in hundreds of organizations throughout the world. Her passion is to invest in principled people, leaders and learning organizations. Jeanine coaches leaders, teams and organizations to be continuous learners, self-aware, trustworthy, responsible, collaborative, empowering and innovative. She speaks and writes on a variety of topics involving effective leadership, teams and organizational life.
Tracy Reimer
Program Director | t-reimer@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Tracy's research interests focus on effective school leadership practices specifically for marginalized and underrepresented populations. Topics include structural ideology, culturally responsive leadership, equitable leadership, and poverty responsive school leadership. Tracy focuses on the daily actions of school principals that build a culture of a professional learning community and hold high expectations and value added instruction for all students.. . . read more.
Lisa Silmser
Program Director and Adjunct Assistant Professor | l-silmser@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002
Lisa is grateful to have been called to the ministry of teaching. She keeps current on K-12 practices by remaining in the classroom and readily shares practical expertise and stories from her experiences in a variety of settings, including teaching special education students in an online school. She teaches in the MA in Teaching, MA in Special Education and M.A. in K-12 Education programs. She is program director for MA in K-12 Education. Areas of interest include Instructional Strategies, . . . read more.
Wendy Thompson
Program Director and Associate Professor in Nursing | wendy-thompson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1998
Dr. Thompson is the Program Director for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program that launched in spring, 2019. She is thrilled to be a part of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and has taught at Bethel University since 1998. Wendy has over 30 years of experience in public health nursing and healthcare administration. Her interests include nursing leadership, population-focused health care, community engagement, health equity, and healthcare finance. She also has experience in curriculu. . . read more.
Molly Wickam
Program Director | m-wickam@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005
Dr. Wickam is the program director for the Bethel Graduate School's MA Teaching and the Bethel College of Adult & Professional Studies' business programs.
Pamela Zimmerman
Program Director and Adjunct Instructor | pamela-zimmerman@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007
Social gerontology and aging policy.
Faculty
Dave Aune
Adjunct Instructor | daa93228@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014
Financial accounting, budgeting, construction project management, facility master planning; long-term strategic modeling with educational component for Governance groups; and staff coaching, team-building and career development
Jodi Baker
Adjunct Instructor | jodi-baker@bethel.edu
Aryn Baxter
Adjunct Faculty | arb64867@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020
Dr. Aryn Baxter works at the intersection of international higher education and international development. Her mission is to enhance the capacity and commitment of individuals, teams and institutions to create a more just, peaceful and sustainable world by informing and expanding access to transformative global learning opportunities
Laura BeMent-Jaroscak
Adjunct Instructor | lab73285@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013
Work Based Learning Technology Business Education
Becki Beckman
Student Teaching Supervisor, Adjunct Professor | becki-beckman@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Becki taught in Anoka-Hennepin for 12 years before joining Bethel University.
Lisa Bekemeyer
Adjunct Instructor | ldb86486@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001
Bekemeyer is passionate about teaching language through CI (Comprehensible Input) and TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling). She bases her courses on these tenants and strives to help her learners gain a variety of strategies for teaching language through content.
Dr. John Bergeland
Adjunct Professor | jbergeland@isd12.org | Started at Bethel: 2005
Content Area Literacy, Disciplinary Literacy, Vocabulary Instruction, Teaching Reading, Middle School Education
Randy Bergen
Adjunct Faculty | r-bergen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013
Randy's primary job as associate provost is to help ensure the academic quality of all adult undergraduate, seminary, and graduate programs. Before becoming an academic administrator, he was a psychology professor with research interests in academic success and failure.
Jeffrey Berryhill
Adjunct Instructor | j-berryhill@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2010
Dr. Berryhill is an adjunct instructor at Bethel and typically teaches courses in psychopathology and ethics in the graduate counseling program. He is trained as a clinical psychologist and has practiced for over 25 years. He also has co-taught Bethel's history of psychology in Europe course.
Cheryl Bostrom
Adjunct Assistant Professor | c-bostrom@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1995
My areas of expertise include culturally valid assessment, English language learning, teacher education, international education, educational leadership, academic research and writing, and intercultural communication. In addition to teaching and advising at Bethel University, I am serving as the Director of Higher Education Program Development and Innovation at TeachBeyond.
Greg Bourland
Instructor | g-bourland@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006
Business Management, Talent Management, Senior Level Human Resources Leadership, Quality (Lean/Six Sigma/Baldrige), Mergers and Acquisitions.
Joni Burgin-Hartshorn
Adjunct Instructor | j-burgin-hartshorn@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008
Educational Leadership, Policy and Administration
Joe Burk
Adjunct Faculty | ijb83464@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
I have taught International Baccalaureate Middle Years Science and Diploma Program Biology for over 20 years and I have worked as the IB MYP Principal Examiner for Biology for over five years. I have also worked as a graduate level instructor for over five years and enjoy many aspects of adult education.
Jason Byers
Adjunct Faculty | jason.byers@allina.com | Started at Bethel: 2020
Lead Physician, Allina Coon Rapids Family Medicine Residency, St. John's/U of M
Dynna Castillo Portugal
Adjunct Professor | dec62886@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Educational Leadership
Meg Cavalier
Adjunct Faculty | cavmeg@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
I received a B.A. in Elementary and Science Middle School Education, M.A. in K-12 Education and Ed.D. in Education Administration from Bethel University. I currently serve as the Executive Director at St. Paul City School, a charter school district serving 550 PreK-12th grade students. My work in education has varied from teaching at the Minnesota Zoo to, an elementary Special Education teacher, 7-12 science teacher and secondary principal and a private school in Bloomington, MN. I have had. . . read more.
Alex Chan
Adjunct Instructor | alex-chan@bethel.edu
Kari Christensen
Adjunct Instructor | k-christensen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2012
Christensen's teaching specialty is the International Baccalaureate Programmes - the Diploma Programme, the Career-related Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Primary Years Programme.
Renee Clark
Adjunct Faculty | r-clark@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Renee currently practices midwifery full-time in a free standing birth center. For the past 10 years she has worked alongside women and children both stateside and abroad, living in Costa Rica for several years. She has experience in both hospital and out-of-hospital birth and believes that every woman deserves equitable access to high-quality, holistic care.
Vicki Clark
Adjunct Faculty | vic58924@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
A lifelong learner paying forward the encouragement I received from others.
Dawn Dahlgren-Roemmich
Clinical Director and Adjunct Faculty | dawn-roemmich@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Research interests include waterbirth vs conventional birth and the outcome differences
Jolyn Dahlvig
Adjunct Faculty | jed35737@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2018
My personal commitment/guiding statement: As a leader, teacher, family member, and friend living at my highest and best I am strong, courageous, spacious, and wise so that I can contribute to Shalom (inclusive community) so that others can freely live into their vision. I am a student affairs leader for Oregon Institute of Technology who works from the Portland-Metro campus, about 20 miles from S of Portland. My research areas of interest include student success and assessment, positive . . . read more.
Nikki Daniels
Associate Professor in Organizational Leadership | n-daniels@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1989
Self Analysis, Self Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Team Development
Ken Dean
Adjunct Assistant Professor | kmd78958@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2004
Biological Studies
Leona Derden
Adjunct Professor | ler43264@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014
I am married and have five wonderful children and four grandchildren. My educational background includes me completing my Doctor of Education degree this spring at Bethel University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from St. Thomas University and my Principal Licensure from St. Mary’s University. I started my career as a social worker working with abused and neglected children in Chicago, Illinois and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 1997, I relocated to Minnesota and was looking for a career . . . read more.
William Derden
Adjunct Professor | wid88763@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
Adjunct Professor Specializing in Special Education Due Process and Law Graduate of Bethel Educational Doctorate Program.
Jamie Dolieslager
Associate Professor of Human Kinetics and Applied Health Sciences, Athletic Trainer | doljam@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000
Associate Professor Dolieslager teaches in the Human Kinetics and Applied Health Sciences department.
Anthony Dorn
Adjunct Instructor | agd26756@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Data and decision making, managerial finance, and managerial economics.
Steven Droll
Associate Professor | std57766@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
I have been married for over 30+ years (to the same woman) and have 2 wonderful sons and a daughter-in-law. While I am not a military offspring, it feels like it at times given the number of places I lived: Argentina, Colombia, Connecticut, Georgia, Germany, Honduras, Minnesota, Missouri, South Carolina and Texas. Additionally, I have traveled extensively through Central/South America, Europe and Israel. These travels and living experiences have shaped me into the person I am today, whic. . . read more.
Gregory Ekbom
Adjunct faculty | g-ekbom@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2012
Surgical oncology, with emphasis on diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, general and vascular surgery, and GI endoscopy.
Nathan Elliott
Teaching Partner | nathan-elliott@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013
Nathan Elliott has served as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and educational consultant. He began teaching at Bethel University in 2013, and has since developed several new courses, including the ENVoY Classroom Management Strategies certificate program. He also enjoys advising students as they develop their thesis projects.
Kacia Engel
Adjunct Professor | kle57947@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020
Strong passion for emergency medicine and acute care issue. Interested in wellness for healthcare providers; given all the stressors faced.
Amy Evans
Associate Professor | ale42385@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2018
Dr. Evans completed her undergraduate degree at Northwestern College, in St. Paul, Minnesota. She then completed a master's degree in counseling at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has worked in a variety different counseling settings, including private practice, college counseling center, and inpatient substance use disorder treatment. She has teaching experience with counselors-in-training both online . . . read more.
Karin Farrington
Adjunct Professor, Student Teacher Supervisor and Thesis Advisor | kkf98786@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013
Current professional role as a K-5 elementary art classroom teacher with over 10 years of professional classroom teaching experience in K-12 Special Education EBD, SLD, and ASD in federal settings I,II,III,IV. University instruction includes: Expertise in the area of: edTPA training/instruction, SPED student teaching supervision, SPED 608 instruction, SPED751 instruction, SPED Graduate Thesis advising, and Visual Arts Graduate Thesis advising.
Paul Floyd
Adjunct Associate Professor | paul-floyd@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005
Capstone/Business plan development, strategic planning and leadership ethics
Amy Fox
Adjunct Faculty - Student Teaching Supervisor | beiamy@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
Secondary Science, Trauma Informed Instruction, Education Equity, Environmental Education
Joel Frederickson
Adjunct Faculty | frejoe@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1996
Frederickson's research interests include the psychological impact of apologies and how students change over four years from participating in college. This includes changes in cognition, beliefs, and spirituality.
Karen Gabriel
Adjunct Instructor | karen-gabriel@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020
Karen has 40 years of experience in the field of education. More than 30 of those years have been in special education. Karen recently retired from Anoka-Hennepin District 11 after being a special education lead teacher for 20 years at a middle school. As department leader, Karen provided leadership and support to staff, parents and students regarding special education. She coached/mentored special education teachers and collaborated with general education teachers to successfully provi. . . read more.
Becky Gerdes
Faculty Member | beg92364@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Becky Gerdes' experiences include serving as an administrator and educator at the elementary, middle school, and high school settings. Through these roles, she has developed and strengthened skills in supervision of staff, leadership in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating instructional programs, and implementing policies. Furthermore, in previous administrative roles, she has had experience serving in schools that have been designated as needing to make an improvement by th. . . read more.
Kelly Gibas
Adjunct Professor | kelly-gibas@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
Professor Gibas' research includes the exploration of functional integrative treatments for metabolic pathologies, insulin resistance, diabetes and neurodegeneration, with a focus on the role of the CNS to modulate systemic fuel flux/nutrient partitioning under deranged insulin signaling.
Cynthia Goetz
Director of Clinical Education | c-goetz@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014
Family Medicine, Urgent Care, Bariatric Medicine and obesity issues/management, Retail Medicine, Professional practice issues of physician assistants.
Herb Grant
Adjunct Professor | h-grant@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2012
Dr. Grant's clinical and research interests focus on couples therapy, mental health for underserved populations and clinical supervision.
Alexis Greeves
Adjunct Professor | alexis@hopeandhealingmn.com | Started at Bethel: 2010
Play therapy with deaf and hard of hearing children
Cindy Hansen
Adjunct Instructor | cjm54467@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Cindy has been honored to serve God as a teacher and principal in PK-12 public education (Illinois and Minnesota) since 2000. She is currently the principal of Pine Island Elementary in Pine Island, Minnesota. Her research interests include principal career paths, employee turnover, and social, emotional, and spiritual health of both students and adults.
Paige Hardy
Adjunct Instructor | p-hardy@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020
Paige practices full scope midwifery in a rural critical access hospital in western Minnesota. She has been a Nurse-Midwife for 16 years, all at the same clinic. She also works for Mahube-Otwa, a family planning clinic serving residents of western Minnesota.
Todd Harmening
Adjunct Faculty | trh46824@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Todd has been in public higher education for 17 years engaging in system and institution level strategic and academic planning and in advancement of academic programs and initiatives. His professional and research interests are development of organizational leadership and effective governance and collaboration within and across institutions.
Tedi Anne Hasapopoulos
Adjunct Instructor | tedi-hasapopoulos@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006
New product development and strategic planning, applied ethics, data and decision making, business plan development, marketing, customer insights and research. Recent developing expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion organization best practices.
Tammie Haveman
Assistant Professor | t-haveman@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020
Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Program
Erica Hering
Enrollment Counselor, Program Coordinator, Adjunct Faculty and Adjunct Faculty | e-hering@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005
Erica is a former elementary school teacher who has served in higher education for 12 years. Erica has worked with the Doctoral and Licensing Program in Educational Leadership since 2006. She also received her doctoral degree through Bethel's program.
Nicole Higgins
Adjuncy Faculty | nih45543@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
Education Professional Committed to: Special Education Inclusion Developmental Disabilities Transition Programs Person Centered Planning Education Technology
Jenny Hill
Adjunct Professor | jch93249@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Jenny Hill (@Bibliophile84) has been recognized on WCCO TV for her work as an elementary school library media specialist. She recently completed her Doctorate of Education from Bethel University, St. Paul, MN. Jenny loves drinking strong coffee, reading good books, and savoring deep thoughts. You can find her book and blog online at walkingwithtension.com. Jenny lives in central Minnesota and attends Genesis Covenant Church.
Jeff Jacob
Adjunct Instructor | j-jacob@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007
Teaching and research interests in applied econometrics, economic development and business analytics.
Ross Jahnke
Adjunct Instructor | ross-jahnke@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Ross Jahnke teaches courses on leadership and higher education administration. He also serves as the Dean of Academic and Business Operations for Bethel University's College of Adult and Professional Studies, Seminary, and Graduate School. His research has examined empowering leadership behaviors and trust in higher education contexts. Ross has also presented at accreditation conferences on topics including assessment of student learning and strategic decision-making. With graduate degrees . . . read more.
Peter Jankowski
Associate Professor of Counseling | pjankows@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2004
Jankowski’s research focuses on differentiation of self and spirituality; forgiveness; faith integration in psychotherapy; narrative and experiential therapy; and clinical supervision.
Gary Johnsen
Adjunct Instructor | gjohnsen@bethel.edu
Human resource management, human resources transformation, leadership.
Janet Johnson
Athletic Training Clinical Coordinator | jl-johnson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1996
In addition to her teaching role, Johnson also serves as an Athletic Trainer and the Physical Therapist for Bethel's athletic teams.
Kevin L. Johnson
Teaching Partner | klj84696@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Dr. K.L. Johnson is a Teaching Partner (Adjunct Associate Professor) at Bethel University. He teaches in the Undergraduate (CAS Business and Economics Department), as well as both the Adult Undergraduate, and Graduate MBA Programs of Bethel (CAPS/GS).
Rachel Jorgensen
Adjunct Instructor | rra35368@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: Fall of 2017
Special education teacher with a particular interest in effective collaboration with all stakeholders.
Peggy Kendall
Faculty and Professor | p-kendall@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999
Kendall is a recent Fulbright Scholar who spent time in Poland researching issues related to eldercare. Her current field of study examines caregivers, specifically how culture impacts an individual's willingness to care for an aging relative and how COVID-19 has impacted the relationship between caregiver and elder. Her secondary research and writing focuses on how technology impacts faith, relationships, and identity.
Alicia Klein
Director of Academic Education, Assistant Professor, Assessment Chair | alicia-klein@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
Family Practice with a focus toward underserved patient populations. Acute and chronic disease management, women's health, and pediatrics.
William Kron
Adjunct Instructor | wjk97757@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2010
Teaching and Learning
Michelle Langenfeld
Adjunct Instructor | m-langenfeld@bethel.edu
Susan Larson
Adjunct Professor | susan-larson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013
Experienced Speech Language Pathologist and Professor with a demonstrated history of working in public schools, charter schools and the higher education industry. Skilled in Speech and Language Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Phonology, Child Development, Clinical Supervision, Course Development and Teaching. Strong education professional with Masters of Arts and Science (M.A., M.S.) degrees focused in Speech Language Pathology and related Mental Health Counseling.. . . read more.
Donna LeGrand
Adjunct Associate Professor of Spanish Education | legdon@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999
LeGrand developed and directs Bethel's Spain Term and oversees the Languages and Cultures education program at Bethel. Her interests include teaching all levels of Spanish, teaching about and applying theories of second language acquisition, and researching 16th and 17th century literature from Spain and Latin America. LeGrand is on the board of the Minnesota Council of Teaching Languages and Cultures and has been president of the Minnesota chapter of the Association of Teachers of Spanish. . . read more.
Daniel Leafblad
Adjunct Assistant Professor and Medical Director of Physician Assistant Studies | d-leafblad@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009
Infertility, minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, laser surgery
Jason Li
Professor of Psychology | j-li@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1985
Li focuses his research on cross-cultural and multi-cultural competence in counseling. He also has a passion for exploring the integration of psychological and Christian perspectives in counseling.
Mary Lindell
Associate Professor | mlindell@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Lindell is interested in practices and interventions that support student success in inclusive environments. She enjoys facilitating general and special education teacher development and partnering with schools to better prepare teachers and serve (P-12) students well.
Jonathan Lofgren
Adjunct | lofjon@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
I'm mainly a hospitalist, but teach adjunct at the PA program.
Amie Lorence Grubidge
Adjunct Instructor of Education | amie-lorence@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
Adjunct Instructor of Education
Angela Mansfield
Adjunct Professor | alm68587@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
My professional objective is to be an integral part of making schools into the social equalizers they can be. I believe that leadership sets the tone for student achievement. Effective leadership is able to bring educators together toward a learner-centered philosophy thereby creating a common goal of learning and achievement for everyone involved. Solid leadership will guide educators to culturally responsive, equity focused, highly effective, research-based instruction and assessment pra. . . read more.
Jill Martin
Associate Professor of Education | jmartin@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1996
Martin’s scholarly interests include content area literacy, reflective teaching, and teacher’s use of metacognation. Her teaching specialties include secondary social studies, middle level philosophy and pedagogy, and educational psychology.
Peg McCormick
Associate Professor of Education | p-mccormick@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009
Peg McCormick's interests and areas of specialization include Behavioral Theory, interventions for the EBD classroom, resilient health and occupational longevity for teachers, and best practices for the support of international student teachers.
Lillian Medhus
Adjunct Instructor | lim96498@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020
Lillian is passionate about the midwifery model of care- listening to women and honoring their autonomy. Her specific interests include trauma informed care, mental health, and reducing health disparities and violence against women. She hopes to help students begin to develop their midwifery practice in a way that will honor the people they serve and improve the health of their communities.
Alison Meyer
Adjunct Faculty | alison-meyer@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2018
Currently practicing as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Tri-County Health Care in rural central Minnesota. Interests include pediatrics and preventative care.
Kimberley Meyer
Associate Professor of Nursing | k-meyer@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997
Dr. Meyer has been teaching since 1989 in nursing theory, fundamentals of nursing, ethics, psychiatric mental health nursing in the undergraduate program; theory and nurse educator courses in the MSN program, theory in the DNP program, and psychopathology in the marriage and family therapy master's program at Bethel Seminary. Areas of specific interest include: theory, ethics, mental health and mental illness in society and the church, women's issues, and innovations in nursing education.. . . read more.
Michael Mignard
Adjunct Instructor | m-mignard@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002
Introduction to Education
Melissa Miller
Adjunct Instructor | mam95375@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
2017. Adjunct Instructor. Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology minor, University of Saint Thomas, 1996. Master of Arts in Education, University of Saint Thomas, 2000. Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership, University of Saint Thomas, 2004.
Maia Miller
Adjunct Faculty | maia-miller@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014
Maia has been working and teaching in the special education field for 20 years. During this time she has worked with students in all disability areas. Maia started, like many, as a para in a special education classroom. For 10 years Maia worked with middle school students teaching reading, writing, and social skills classes. She also taught in a center-based DCD program for multiple years. For the past 7 years, Maia has worked as a Work-Based Learning Coordinator for high school studen. . . read more.
Scott Moats
Adjunct Faculty | moatss@crown.edu | Started at Bethel: 2018
I have been in Christian Higher Education for about 28 years. I have worked in many areas including: teaching, administration, and operations.
Randy Moberg
Adjunct Instructor | ram44555@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009
Moberg has worked at Bethel since 2009.
Scott Morrell
Adjunct Instructor | stm93723@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014
Conflict Competency Development, Organization development, executive development, team development, employee engagement, and talent management.
Jan Mrozinski
Adjunct Faculty | j-mrozinski@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
Jan has experience as a mental health therapist and a special education teacher. She began her career as an in-home therapist and taught special education students in Settings I, II, and III. She began teaching at Bethel in 2016. She enjoys teaching in the Bethel University Inclusive Learning and Development (BUILD) program and the graduate and undergraduate special education teacher preparation programs, supervising student teachers, and advising students with thesis-completion. . . . read more.
Lisa Naser
Assistant Professor | l-naser@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014
Family practice with an emphasis on women's health, adolescent health and behavioral health, emergency medicine, and urgent care.
Krista Nauman
Adjunct Instructor | naukri@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020
Adjunct Instructor in the Bethel University Physician Assistant program
Greg Nelson
Program Director | gregory-nelson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007
International Baccalaureate education.
Kristen Nichols-Besel
Teaching Partner | kmn39985@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Nichols-Besel's areas of interest include Literacy Education, Writing Centers, Education for Multilingual Learners, Academic Writing, Qualitative Research.
Nichole Olsen
Adjunct Professor | nio53336@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021
Living life out loud unapologetically for Jesus. Kindness, compassion, empathy, grace, these are the things I want more of everyday. Bethel has been a light in the world for me. A place to learn, grow, and thrive. Not just a building, but a community designed to equip you for a future to glorify our creator in all that you do. Worked in the K - 12 system for over 8 years full time, moved to part time this last fall. Joined the Bethel community as an adjunct faculty member to give back to th. . . read more.
DiAnna Olsen
Adjunct | dio64579@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
President of Owl Bookkeeping and CFO Services and Small Business Consultant - Entrepreneur. I took over as President of Owl Bookkeeping and CFO Services, in 2019 and acquired the business in 2020. We have a staff of over 30 employees and over 200 clients. Leadership, strategy development, collaboration, delegation, problem-solving, and conflict resolution is a daily affair as well as the full suite of small business accounting. Having spent 35 years in this industry, and graduating with a. . . read more.
Richard Olson
MBA Adjunct Instructor | rwo62666@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Adjunct Instructor of Business and Economics MBA Adjunct Instructor The majority of Ric Olson's working life continues to be dedicated to serving elders within the senior living arena. The focus on serving elders has resulted in work in numerous settings including but not limited to: health care, management, leadership development and training, accounting and finance, budget and planning, cash management, project development, strategic planning, operational assessments, Medicare, Medicai. . . read more.
Alecia Pankratz
Adjunct Faculty | a-pankratz@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2010
Alecia Pankratz is an adjunct faculty member in the Special Education Graduate program as a reading field experience instructor. She graduated from Bethel University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and Literature and in 2008 with a Master of Arts in Literacy. She teaches high school English and reading at Anoka High School in Anoka, MN.
Craig Paulson
Professor | craig-paulson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002
Craig is a tenured faculty member within the Bethel University Doctor of Education: Leadership in Higher Education Program as well as the Doctor of Education: Leadership in K12 Administration and K12 Administrator Licenses Program. He has moved from full-time to phased-in retirement focusing on Comprehensive Examinations, Institutional Review Board approvals, and dissertation advising.
Patricia Paulson
Professor of Science Education Emerita | patricia-paulson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999
Paulson focuses her research on trustworthy practices for teaching and learning, focusing specifically on integrating scientific practices. She has led the GEMS program, coordinated the STEM program, and taught Life Science Concepts, Applied STEM Practices, and Science Curriculum and Methods at all levels. With the completion of her phased in retirement in June 2020, Paulson serves as an adjunct instructor in the Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership program, teaching the Curriculum and Inst. . . read more.
Bill Paxton
Adjunct professor | b-paxton@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007
Organizational behavior, leadership, management, strengths development
Chad Peterson
Adjunct Professor | petcha@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013
Pharmacy practice, clinical pharmacy, medication access and transitions of care
Beth Peterson
Acting Associate Dean of Nursing | e-peterson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1982
Dr. Peterson's areas of interest include mental health nursing, nursing care of the elderly, gerontology, end of life care, nursing curriculum development and assessment, and the theology of suffering. Her publications and presentations primarily focus on faith and health integration, suffering, and professional boundaries.
Randall Peterson
Adjunct Professor | randall.peterson@district196.org | Started at Bethel: 2019
I am a passionate thirty-six year veteran educator who has had the opportunity to teach, guide and motive students at the elementary, secondary and university graduate levels.
Heather Petridis
Adjunct Instructor | hip77679@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Currently serves as the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Chief Enrollment Officer for Azusa Pacific University. Her leadership experience in higher education spans private and for-profit education, career services, enrollment management, military-veteran resources, student affairs, and regional campus operations. Dr. Petridis is the founding vice president at Azusa Pacific University for the Offices of Military-Veteran Resources and Graduate and Professional Student Affairs. . . . read more.
Linda Probert
Associate Professor of Education | linda-probert@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997
Beginning as a general education elementary teacher, Associate Professor Probert has taught at Bethel since 1996 in both the CAS and the Graduate levels. Her main responsibilities are teaching Reading Foundations and working with students as they complete their edTPA during student teaching. She also is one of the professors that teaches Foundations of Education.
Matthew Putz
Instructor | m-putz@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008
Dr. Putz teaches courses on conflict management, ethics, organizational systems, organizational leadership, organizational change, and philosophy of technology.
Steve Raimo
Faculty of CAPS and GS (College of Adult & Professional Studies and Graduate School) | steve-raimo@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
With an undergraduate degree in accounting, a masters in business administration, and a doctorate in strategic leadership (from the School of Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship at Regent University), Dr. Raimo's thirty-plus years of organizational leadership and management experience in the United States and over-seas with multi-national corporations, small business, government, and non-profit organizations give him a distinctive perspective and expertise as an organizational coach and . . . read more.
Mark Robertson
Adjunct Instructor | mark-robertson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006
Robertson previously served as superintendent of schools for Fridley Public School District in the Twin Cities area from 2006-10, when he was selected as Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. Over the past 31 years, his experiences working in education have included work as a science teacher, staff developer, activities director, associate principal, and high school principal.
Eric Roesler
Adjunct Professor | err79847@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
I am excited to be teaching adults. I have 15+ years experience teaching high school students about Business, Marketing, and Economics. I am enjoying being able to transfer that knowledge to adults as well.
Kristi Romo
Adjunct Faculty | kristi-romo@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2018
Kristi Romo is an adjunct faculty member in the Special Education Graduate program as a reading field experience instructor. She graduated from University of Northwestern-St. Paul in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and Literature and in 2008 with a Master of Arts in Literacy. She also graduated from Hamline University in 2015 with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults. She is a Q-Comp Peer Evaluator for the Anoka-Hennepin School District. . . read more.
John Rothchild
Adjunct Professor | jfr67788@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2018
John is an adjunct business professor at Bethel University.
John Rudberg
Adjunct Associate Professor | john-rudberg@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1998
Managerial economics, managerial accounting.
Daniel Rude
Adjunct Professor | daniel-rude@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2020
Primary care practice with emphasis on acute care medicine, including urgent care and emergency medicine.
Emily Rustman
Adjunct Professor | emily.rustman@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2019
Emily is passionate about developing special education programs for students with special needs; focusing on social-emotional learning. She enjoys collaborating and learning with other educational professionals to promote a growth mindset while developing high expectations for all students. Emily is currently the Director of Special Services for Westonka Public Schools.
Bethany Sahli
Adjunct Professor/Student Teaching Supervisor | b-sahli@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
I am grateful that God has led me to Bethel and am enjoying my second year on staff. I have spent 12 years in education, during which I have had the privilege to hold teaching and administration positions at elementary and middle schools across the Twin Cities and in my home state of Indiana. My husband, two boys (8 and 3), and I live in the heart of St. Paul. I am passionate about educational equity and school transformation.
Jessica Samens
Lead Faculty | j-samens@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009
Samens' research interests include health communication, focusing on identity after an illness, disclosure of health status, and health disparity.
Kristin E. Sandau
Professor of Nursing | k-sandau@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006
Dr. Sandau has been a Bethel University nursing faculty member in 2006. She has over 30 years of experience in acute cardiovascular patient care. Dr. Sandau chaired the 2017 AHA Scientific Statement's: Update to Practice Standards for Electrocardiographic Monitoring in Hospital Settings: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association.
Susan Schwope
Teaching Partner Adjunct Instructor | s-tag@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000
Psychology Mental Health Special Education
Jenna Seal
Adjunct Instructor | jks29647@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
Seal has held a variety of leadership roles in the field of aging services, in both assisted living environments and skilled nursing facilities. She is currently serving as the housing director of an assisted living community in St. Paul, and is actively involved in advocacy efforts for senior healthcare.
Marta Shaw
Adjunct Instructor and Adjunct Instructor | gilmara@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Marta Shaw is a lecturer in the Institute of Public Affairs at Jagiellonian University in Poland, and an Adjunct Professor in the Doctor of Education program at Bethel University. Her research has focused on leadership and management of education, comparative and international education, intercultural leadership, and the implications of research in neurobiology for the theory and practice of educational leadership.
Timothy Shaw
Professor | t-shaw@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1985
Shaw's research interests include development of chick nervous system, the brain and feeding behavior, relationships between the structure of the brain and behavior, progress in new clinical treatment options, and the biology of morality.
Heidi Simons
Adjunct Professor | heidi-simons@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020
Heidi has taught Social Studies for 25 years at Bloomington Jefferson High School, been an Instructional Mentor to 1st & 2nd year teachers and has lead professional development. In addition, she has taught at MN State University - Mankato for their Graduate Teacher Program. She is very excited to become part of the Bethel University community and work with future educators in the courses she will instruct.
Krista Soria
Adjunct Faculty | ksoria@umn.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
Dr. Soria teaches research courses for the Educational Leadership program.
Raymond Sperl
Adjunct Faculty | raymond-sperl@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Instructional Technology Integration; Science Instruction
Stacie Stanley
Adjunct Faculty Member | sts44568@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
District Leadership, Instructional Leadership, Systems Change, Leadership in Urban and Urban Like Settings, Curriculum Instruction & Assessment, Quality English Learner Programs
Allison Steinke
Adjunct | aja66338@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020
I am a Ph.D. Candidate enrolled at the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. I'm a qualitative researcher that utilizes in-depth interviews, content analysis, and netnography to answer research questions on topics related to journalism, digital and social media, and social justice with an emphasis on solutions journalism and the anti-human trafficking movement. I am minoring in sociology and am a research assistant for the University. . . read more.
Charles Strand
Adjunct Faculty | c-strand@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000
I enjoy my work at Bethel University in the area of Special Education! As a retired special educator, my greatest passion now is to help Graduate Students be more successful as special education teachers!
Dawn Sugg
Adjunct Instructor | drs82593@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020
With experiences from, long-term care, hospice, newborn nursery, obstetrics, medical/surgical and emergency department; Dawn workes as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C)/ DNP, focusing on building health in her primary care patients at all stages of life.
Maya Sullivan
Adjunct Faculty | mas43936@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
I work full time as a higher education administrator. Teaching other future higher education leaders is my great pleasure!
Barry Sullivan
Adjunct Instructor | b-sullivan@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000
Highlights Dr. Sullivan served for about 30 years in the Office of Government Relations in the Minnesota Department of Education, where he coordinated the development of state education policy recommendations to the legislature; interpreted state and federal education regulations for school leaders and the public; and acted as a liaison between the department and other federal and state agencies. Included in these tasks were yearly, detailed summaries of new state laws along with presentati. . . read more.
Jeanne Szarzynski
Assistant Professor | j-szarzynski@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Physician Assistant
Teresa Maria Taylor
Adjunct Faculty | t-taylor@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2018
Dr. Taylor is a teacher at heart. Since 2014, she has served as an educational leader in higher education. Before transitioning to her current administrator role, she served as a K-12 educator. Dr. Taylor is passionate about empowering others through education and teaches a variety of graduate-level courses. Her research is in culturally responsive teaching and is an advocate for educational equity. Dr. Taylor received her doctoral degree from Bethel University.. . . read more.
Jone Tiffany
Professor of Nursing | tifjon@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001-2007, 2010-Present
Dr. Tiffany is a Professor of Nursing, Healthcare Education Consultant, and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. In her academic role, she is involved in designing and implementing simulations in the lab and in virtual settings; the use educational technology; and teaches Innovations in Nursing Education and Nursing Informatics. She also chairs the Credentialing and Privileging sub-committee of the Board of Directors for the Fairview Care system in Minneapolis, MN. Dr. Tiffany has presented n. . . read more.
Deanna Towns
Instructor | d-towns@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
Clinical Supervision; Trauma and Abuse; Military Families; Development of Counseling Internationally; Virtues in Learning Acquisition Deanna Towns earned her bachelor's degree in social work from University of Georgia, her master's in marriage and family therapy from Liberty University in Virginia, and is completing her doctorate in counselor education and supervision at Regent University in Virginia. Prior to joining the Bethel community, Deanna worked as an adjunct professor at Regent U. . . read more.
Helen Trenz
Adjunct Instructor | yet58993@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
Dr. Helen Trenz is the Director of Research at the Center for Health Care Research at UnitedHealth Group. Previously, she was with Optum Life Sciences as a Senior Health Economics Researcher with the Health Economics and Outcomes Research team. Dr. Trenz earned her MA in International Development from American University and PhD in Applied Economics with a focus on Health Economics from the University of Minnesota. At Bethel she teaches undergraduate and graduate economics courses in the CA. . . read more.
Lauren Van Gomple
Adjunct Instrutor/Lecturer | lsv89686 | Started at Bethel: 2018
As a Bethel Alumni, Professor Van Gomple is proud to contribute to the valuable learning that takes place at Bethel. After many years in the special education classroom, she brings her experience and expertise to her role as a teacher educator! Personal areas of expertise include social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, evidence-based intervention, literacy, assessment, and instructional design.
Julie Ann Vingers
Associate Professor of Nursing | j-vingers@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Dissertation research on lateral violence in nursing and nursing education. Nursing experience in Mental Health and Maternal-Child nursing. Fifteen years spent working as Certified Nurse Midwife serving a diverse population of women. Currently teaching in the M.S. in Nurse-Midwifery program
Ruslana Westerlund
Adjunct Instructor | r-westerlund@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002
Drawing on her identity as a Christ-following Ukrainian immigrant, Professor Westerlund's passion is to advocate for linguistically and culturally minoritized people, including students in school systems at various levels. She tries to live Christ's highest calling to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
Mary F. Whitman
Associate Professor | m-whitman@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2004
Whitman’s research interests include expatriate and repatriate adjustment, motivation, and job satisfaction. She has also worked on research exploring personality factors with both organizational and self-identified expatriates. Her research participants include expatriates and repatriates from around the world.
Kara Wicklund
Instructional Designer | k-wicklund@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Instructional Design
Brian Wiersma
Adjunct Faculty | bdw75429@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Adjunct Faculty, M.B.A. program.
Chipp Windham
Lead Instructor, Adjunct Instructor | Curtis-Windham@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014
Organizational Leadership, Leadership, Followership
Jodi Wolkerstorfer
Adjunct Instructor of Education | woljod@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Wolkerstorfer is passionate about supporting current and soon-to-be educators on ways to collaborate and find success for all students including those with special education needs.
Jane Wrede
Program Director, Associate Professor of Nursing | j-wrede@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014
Reproductive Health Topics, Advanced Practice Nurses in Rural Practice, and Nursing Education Program Development.
Gretchen Wrobel
University Professor of Psychology | g-wrobel@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988
Wrobel conducts research on curiosity as it affects relationships in adoption, including the adopted person, adoptive parents, and birth parents.
Katrina Wu
Nurse-Midwifery Instructor | katrina-wu@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014
Katrina is a practicing, full-scope nurse-midwife with experience in home and birth center birth and developing women's healthcare services. Her clinical interests include family planning, integrative medicine, improving racial and cultural diversity among midwives, and increasing access to midwifery care in underserved communities.
Samuel Zalanga
Professor of Sociology Emeritus | szalanga@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999
Zalanga's doctoral fieldwork focused on the comparative role of ruling elite coalitions in development policy formulation and implementation in Malaysia and Nigeria. He specifically studied the process and politics of neoliberal economic reforms and implementation. Zalanga grew up in the northeastern region of Nigeria and brings an international and interdisciplinary perspective to the department.
Annette Ziegler
Adjunct Instructor | annette-ziegler@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2010
Ziegler is the principal of Coon Rapids High School and was the former principal of Coon Rapids Middle School. She served as assistant principal at Sandburg Middle School and Anoka High School following her tenure as dean of students in Kern Unified School District in California.
Tiffany Zitzewitz
Adjunct Faculty | tmz73393@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
Tiffany H. Zitzewitz has over 20 years of senior executive-level experience with a variety of regional and national health care organizations. She has significant governance experience as a board member of several organizations. She has built several businesses and divisions from the ground up and has negotiated significant partnerships and joint ventures with all types of organizations. Tiffany is currently a principal with MedTrend, Inc., a firm that specializes in value-added, data dri. . . read more.