Academics
Faculty
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 and lead faculty
Randy Bergen
Professor of Education | r-bergen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013
Dr. Bergen started working in higher education the year he graduated from college. Soon after, he entered a Ph.D. program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 'Personality and Social Ecology' (essential, personality psychology with a focus on social cognition). He completed his dissertation with Carol Dweck on the impact of negative feedback on academic motivation. Following graduate school, he became a psychology professor at Geneva College in Pennsylvania. He returned to his . . . read more.
Katie Bonawitz
| katie-bonawitz@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007
Dr. Bonawitz is a 2023 Fulbright Scholarship Grant recipient to Klaipeda, Lithuania at LCC University. She completed a Fulbright Specialist Project in Vilnius, Lithuania in May and September 2024 to collaborate with the Lithuanian Center for Inclusion in Education as the country moved to an inclusion model on September 1, 2024. Dr. Bonawitz also has a heart for Ukraine and spent her 2021 sabbatical leading teachers across Ukraine in evidence-based strategies for students with disabilities.. . . read more.
Eydie Dyke-Shypulski
Department Chair, Program Director of Masters in Social Work, and Professor of Social Work | eydie-shypulski@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Dr. Eydie Dyke-Shypulski (LICSW) has served as the chair of the Department of Social Work at Bethel University, MSW program director, and professor of social work.
Amy Evans
Program Director | Professor of Counseling | 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.
Cynthia Goetz
Program Director of Physician Assistant program | c-goetz@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014
I have worked in the areas of Family Medicine, Urgent Care, Bariatric Medicine and Retail Medicine. My passion is serving the PA Profession in various leadership positions and teaching students about state and national practice issues of the PA profession.
Greg Nelson
Adjunct Instructor of Teaching | gregory-nelson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007
International Baccalaureate education.
Tracy Reimer
Program Director and Professor of Education | t-reimer@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Tracy served as an elementary principal for 10 years before joining the faculty. During her tenure, she led a successful turnaround initiative, transforming a school labeled "Needs Improvement" by the Minnesota Department of Education into a National Blue Ribbon School, recognized for high student achievement by the U.S. Department of Education. Tracy now focuses on the daily actions of school and district leaders that foster a culture of professional learning communities, hold high expecta. . . read more.
Shawn Sauve
| shawn-sauve@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000
Shawn Sauve is joining the Bethel Business Department after serving as Associate Dean/Associate Professor at North Central University. From 2000-2019 he taught adjunct in Bethel's CAPS/GS programs. He received his MBA from the University of Rochester with concentrations in finance and economics and public policy. He is also a Bethel graduate with a MATS degree from Bethel Seminary. He and his wife Kerry attend Emmanual Christian Center and are parents to three adult children (one is current. . . read more.
Lisa Silmser
Affiliate Faculty - 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, DNP, MPH, PHN, RN
| 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.
Julie Ann Vingers
Clinical Professor of Nursing | j-vingers@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Julie Ann has been working as a certified nurse-midwife, serving a diverse population of women, since 1995. Her dissertation research focused on lateral violence in nursing and nursing education. She has experience in nursing, specifically in mental health and maternal-child nursing. In 2022, she was named a fellow of the ACNM. Currently, she teaches in the M.S. in Nurse-Midwifery program and practices at Minnesota Women's Care. Her clinical interests include perinatal mental health, trauma. . . read more.
Molly Wickam
Professor of Teaching | m-wickam@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005
Dr. Molly J. Wickam is a Professor of Education and Program Director at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she serves as Program Director for the Master of Arts in Teaching and ten Minnesota teaching licensure areas. Her work focuses on teacher preparation, business education, service-learning, innovation in business education, and the integration of artificial intelligence into teaching and learning. Dr. Wickam brings extensive industry experience in software product marketin. . . read more.
Faculty
Jodi Baker
Adjunct Instructor | jodi-baker@bethel.edu
Diane Banigo
Clinical Associate Professor of Nurse Midwifery | d-banigo@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022
Diane Banigo is a doctorate-prepared nurse-midwife (with in & out of hospital birth experience) called to do more than help women birth babies. When she is not at the bedside of moms, Dr. Banigo is journeying alongside women giving birth to their vision while living out their God-given purpose in life. As a fierce community advocate for Black Maternal Health matters, she is also a nurse educator, perinatal consultant, and business owner.
Emily Blackmer
Associate Program Director of Social Work, Assistant Professor of Social Work | emily-blackmer@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021
Assistant Professor in CAPS BA Social Work; Associate Program Director of CAPS BA Social Work Emily Blackmer's background includes working for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services as a Children's Social Worker, being assigned to Treatment and Dependency Investigation units. She has also worked in medical social work in a wide range of medical specialities including intensive outpatient psychiatric care, the emergency department, critical care units, mother/baby. . . read more.
Greg Bourland
Instructor of Business | g-bourland@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006
Business Management, Talent Management, Senior Level Human Resources Leadership, Executive Coaching and Development, Quality (Lean/Six Sigma/Baldrige), Mergers and Acquisitions.
Mauvalyn Bowen
Professor of Business | mm-bowen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Dr. Bowen has done extensive work in Jamaica and the Caribbean, as an administrator, consultant, and faculty. Her research interests lie in the areas of entrepreneurial marketing, social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial training for micro and small entrepreneurs in developing countries. She served as a member on the local board of HOPE International which helped to develop her passion for entrepreneurship with a purpose. Mauvalyn co-authored the textbook " Entrepreneurship for Caribbe. . . read more.
Abigail Brubaker
Clinical Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies | a-brubaker@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2025
Hematology and Oncology
Alex Chan
Adjunct Instructor | alex-chan@bethel.edu
Dawn Dahlgren-Roemmich
Clinical Associate Professor of Nursing | dawn-roemmich@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Dawn has been working with diverse patient populations as a Nurse Midwife since 2003. Dawn has always worked in a hospital setting, in suburban and rural areas. Her Clinical research interests include waterbirth outcomes and setting up rural healthcare programs for underserved patient populations. Currently she teaches in the Nurse Midwifery Program at Bethel University and practices clinically at Astera Health in Wadena, MN. She lives on a farm in rural Minnesota with her family where the. . . read more.
Anthony Dorn
Adjunct Instructor | agd26756@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Data and decision making, managerial finance, and managerial economics.
Taneesha Douglas
Associate Professor of Nursing | taneesha-douglas@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023
Taneesha Reynolds Douglas, MSN, MBA, CNM is joining the nurse-midwifery program as an associate professor. Hailing from Dayton, OH, and living in Nashville, Tennessee, Taneesha's journey to nursing and midwifery was sparked by a transformative encounter during her college years, compelling her to empower others mentally, spiritually, and physically. With degrees from Vanderbilt University, Tennessee State University, and the University of Phoenix, her expertise as a Certified Nurse Midwif. . . read more.
Paige Hardy
Associate Professor of Nursing | 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 21 years, all at the same clinic.
Mary Ann Harris
Professor of Business | m-harris@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005
Creativity and cognitive processing of marketing messages. Dissertation focus was the impact of storytelling advertisements on memory and emotion.
Polly Hendel
Clinical Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies | p-hendel@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023
Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Program. Background in retail medicine and behavioral health.
Stacy Hepburn
Program Director of the Bachelor of Social Work program and Assistant Professor of Social Work | sth68447@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2024
Professor Hepburn was born and raised in New York. Practicing as a clinician in New York City developed her skills as a clinical social worker. She received a Bachelor's in Social Work from SUNY College at Brockport and a Master's in Social Work from New York University. Growing up in a diverse neighborhood as a first-generation American influenced her passion for community and relationships with various people. She completed her first social work field placement in San Jose, Costa Rica, wh. . . read more.
Stephen Hunt
Instructor | sth76525@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
Hello. I am 1985 graduate of Bethel College. Excited to be back at my alma mater. I have been an educator for over 30 years teaching at secondary, tertiary, and adult levels. I live in Eden Prairie, am married and proud parent of two children and a wonderful yellow lab named Thunder.
Jeff Jacob
Professor of Business | j-jacob@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007
Teaching and research interests in applied econometrics, economic development and business analytics.
Peter Jankowski
Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy | pjankows@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2004
Jankowski's research focuses on differentiation of self and spirituality; positive psychology; psychotherapy effectiveness; 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.
Kristie Johnson
Clinical Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies | kristine-kunnari@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2025
Family Medicine
Jennifer Koenig Nelson
Associate Professor of Play Therapy | jen94387@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Clinical Supervision and Training; Trauma and Loss; Self-Care and Burnout; Therapeutic Relationship; Identity Development; Relationship Development; and Issues of Faith and Spirituality in the therapeutic process
Minyoung Lim
Associate Professor of Social Work | minyoung-lim@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021
Minyoung Lim is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Bethel University. She holds an MSW from University of Pittsburgh and PhD in Social Work from Indiana University. Minyoung has diverse practice experience from micro to macro including social work research in government and direct practice in Aging.
Mary Lindell
Professor of Education | mlindell@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Dr. 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. Her research agenda centers on the impacts of inclusive post-secondary programs and Bethel's BUILD program.
Abbie Marten
Instructor of Biological Sciences | ae-reynen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022
Instructor of Biological Sciences
Peg McCormick
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 of Nursing | 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.
Laurelle Myhra
Adjunct Instructor of Counseling | llm95669@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021
I'm an enrolled member of Red Lake Nation, where I grew up, and now work for my tribe as the Director of the Mino Bimaadiziwin Health Clinic in Minneapolis. I live in South Minneapolis. My personal and professional goal has been to use my education and experience to decrease health disparities. I've had the opportunity to work toward this goal as a clinician, supervisor, researcher, teacher, and as a community leader through advocacy.
Krista Nauman
Clinical Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies | krista-nauman@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020
Assistant professor in the PA program and physician assistant in orthopedic spine surgery
Blair Nelson
Director of Didactic Education for the PA Program | blair-nelson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022
Dr. Nelson is the Director of Didactic Education for the Master of Science Physician Assistant program at Bethel University.
Jeanine Parolini
MBA Program Director, Professor of Business and Career Coach | 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.
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.
John Rudberg
Adjunct Associate Professor | john-rudberg@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1998
Managerial economics, managerial accounting.
Sara Shady
Professor of Philosophy | s-shady@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002
Shady's teaching focuses on fostering healthy communities amidst significant difference, including racial/ethnic, religious, and political differences. She is also interested in how we teach empathy. And she is a specialist in 19th and 20th c. Continental Philosophy, particularly Existentialism
Deanna Towns
Associate Professor of Counseling | d-towns@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
Core Faculty Assistant Professor Clinical Supervision; Trauma and Abuse; Development of Counseling Internationally; Virtues in Learning Acquisition; Cultural Diversity; Mentoring 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 her doctorate in counselor education and supervision at Regent University in Virginia. Prior to joining the Bethel community, Deanna worked as . . . read more.
Stephen Whiting
Associate Professor of Business | whiste@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006
More than 30 years of management, consulting, and information technology experience. Interested in a biblical framework for technology/engineering and business.
Gretchen Wrobel
University Professor of Psychology Emerita | 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.
Nick Zeimet
Director of Practicum Education, Associate Professor of Social Work | nick-zeimet@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021
Nick is a clinical social worker with more than 10 years of psychotherapy and community social work experience. He volunteers with Mount Sinai Human Rights Program conducting remote evaluations for those seeking asylum in the United States. He is the past President of SAMS - MN Chapter (Syrian American Medical Society) and Mental Health Committee member of SAMS - national. He was lead coordinator of the first SAMS Mental Health Psychosocial Support report and in 2019 led a mental health mis. . . read more.
Adjunct faculty
Tonya Allen
Adjunct Instructor of Education | t-allen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022
Tonya started with Bethel University in 2022. Tonya is an educational leader within an intermediate school district and teaches within the BA in special education and MA in K-12 education programs.
Lisa Bekemeyer
Adjunct Instructor of Education | ldb86486@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001
I am passionate about teaching multi-lingual learners and helping our teacher candidates prepare for this worthy profession. In my courses, I emphasize teaching language through a wide variety of strategies that fit under the umbrella of CI (Comprehensible Input); I strive to help my learners actively engage and practice these strategies for teaching language through content.
Chris Bellment
Adjunct Instructor of Education | chb62854@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023
Adjunct Instructor of Education
John Bergeland
Adjunct Instructor of Teaching and Thesis Advisor | jbergeland@isd12.org | Started at Bethel: 2005
Content Area Literacy, Disciplinary Literacy, Vocabulary Instruction, Teaching Reading, Middle School Education
Neil Best
Adjunct Instructor of Education | nabest@alaska.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021
Dr. Neil Best has been working in Higher Ed for almost 20 years now. He received his PhD from Azusa Pacific University in Higher Education and his dissertation explored on the campus climate predictors of sexual assault victimization. His Master’s degree is in Leadership from Trinity Western University. He has professional experience working in the areas of Equity and Compliance, Residence Life, Student Engagement, Leadership Development, and Student Conduct. He currently serves as De. . . read more.
Cheryl Bostrom
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Education | c-bostrom@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1995
My areas of expertise include culturally valid assessment, international education, teacher education, educational leadership, English language learning, scholarly research and writing, and intercultural communication. In addition to teaching and advising at Bethel University, I am serving with TeachBeyond.
Joni Burgin-Hartshorn
Adjunct Instructor of Education | j-burgin-hartshorn@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008
Educational Leadership, School Safety, Instructional Leadership, Policy and Administration
Ruth Cartagena-Marz
Adjunct Instructor of Social Work | ruc93552@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2026
Ruth is a licensed graduate social worker, with education from Bethel University. Ruth is a bilingual (Spanish and English) school-based therapist with experience in community-based work, day treatment, and crisis response for children and families. Ruth has worked with ages 4-18 across different roles and settings. Ruth enjoys reading, baking (especially sourdough bread), and experiencing life with my 2 kids and husband. Our family loves to travel and experience the world through food an. . . read more.
Meg Cavalier
Adjunct Instructor of Education | 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.
Nicole Centanni
Adjunct Instructor of Counseling | n-centanni@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005
Nicole is an experienced career coach with a focus on positive psychology, design thinking and wellbeing.
Vicki Clark
Adjunct Instructor of Business | vic58924@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
A lifelong learner paying forward the encouragement I received from others.
Brittaney Corso
Adjunct Instructor of Nurse Midwifery | bhc92958@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2025
I was a labor and delivery nurse for 10 years prior to becoming a CNM. I am a proud Bethel alumni from this program! I work in a rural hospital setting and am very proud to have started our community's first water birth option. My husband, three beautiful children, our many pets and I live in the southern marsh of Louisiana. I am proud to be a Spanish speaking Cajun Latina!
Joshua Delich
Adjunct Instructor of Education | jod87828@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2025
Adjunct Instructor of Education
William Derden
Adjunct Instructor of Education | wid88763@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
Specializing in Special Education Due Process and Law Graduate of Bethel Educational Doctorate Program.
Amy Fox
Adjunct Faculty - Student Teaching Supervisor, Thesis Advisor, Science Content Expert | beiamy@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
Secondary Science, Trauma Informed Instruction, Education Equity, Environmental Education
Joel Frederickson
Adjunct Instructor of Psychology | 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.
Tessa Hand
Adjunct Instructor of Nurse Midwifery | t-hand@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2025
Tessa is a midwife at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND and an adjunct instructor with over ten years of experience in women’s healthcare. She specializes in menopause care while providing full-scope midwifery services with a team of hospital based midwives. Tessa is passionate about helping students find unique ways to better serve women and believes in the power of personalized, compassionate care. Guided by her faith, she strives to approach both her teaching and patient care with integrity. . . read more.
Cindy Hansen
Adjunct Instructor of Education | 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, Minnesota, and Missour) since 2000. She is currently the superintendent of Jasper R-5 School District in Jasper, MO. Her research interests include principal and superintendent career paths, employee turnover and retention, and social, emotional, and spiritual health of both students and adults.
Tedi Anne Hasapopoulos
Adjunct Instructor of Business | 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.
Al Hauge
Adjunct Instructor of Teaching | a-hauge@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Adjunct Instructor of Teaching
Erica Hering
Adjunct Instructor of Education | e-hering@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005
Erica is a former elementary school teacher who has served in higher education for 20 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.
Ryan Hovis
Teaching Partner of Counseling | ryan-hovis@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
Teaching Partner of Counseling
Ross Jahnke
Adjunct Instructor of Education | ross-jahnke@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Ross Jahnke teaches courses on leadership and higher education administration. 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 in both theology and higher education leadership, he seeks to foster the integration of students' deepest beliefs and values with their approaches to leadership.. . . read more.
Kevin L. Johnson
Adjunct Associate Professor of Business | klj84696@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Dr. K.L. Johnson is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Bethel University. As one of our Bethel MBA faculty, Dr. Johnson has taught courses for CAS (Undergraduate Business Department), as well as the Adult Undergraduate, and Graduate Programs of Bethel (CAPS/GS).
John Kantke
Adjunct Professor of Gerontology | john.kantke@voamn.org | Started at Bethel: 2011
Ethics and Aging
Michelle Langenfeld
Adjunct Instructor of Education | m-langenfeld@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007
Langenfeld served as the Superintendent of Schools and Learning for the Green Bay Area Public Schools from 2011-2020. Since retiring in 2020, Dr. Langenfeld served as an education consultant and was elected to serve on the Anoka-Hennepin Board of Education beginning her 4 year tenure in January of 2024. Prior to serving at Superintendent, Michelle served as an Associate Superintendent, Principal, Assistant Principal and Dean the Anoka-Hennepin School District. She also taught in both ur. . . read more.
Susan Larson
Adjunct Instructor of Education | susan.larson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013
Susan Larson is a licensed Speech Language Pathologist with a history of working in public, private, and charter schools. She currently works in an urban school district as an SLP and clinical supervisor. Her strong interest and experience working with autistic individuals from age three to 21 led her to Bethel University where she began to teach in the special education program in 2013. Susan teaches courses in autism and is also a thesis advisor, a role she thoroughly enjoys. Her professi. . . read more.
LyTou Lee
Adjunct Instructor of Education | lll52636@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2025
Formerly a Business Education teacher of 8 years, currently serving as the High School Principal of Math and Science Academy in Woodbury. Adjunct Instructor of Education
Helen Nazarian Lole
Adjunct Instructor of Social Work | h-lole@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021
Helen Lole is a licensed clinical social worker with over a decade experience in various social work settings, including: community mental health, hospital social work, law enforcement, mental health court and substance abuse facilities. Helen Lole is also a licensed attorney and has a professional interest in the intersection of the two professions: Social Work and Law. Helen Lole has focused on increasing legal knowledge through social work skills to achieve effective empowerment of indiv. . . read more.
Amie Lorence Grubidge
Adjunct Instructor of Education | amie-lorence@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
Adjunct Instructor of Education
Molly McKinnon
Adjunct Instructor of Education | moe44467@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022
Molly graduated in 2002 with a bachelors in Elementary Education and Deaf and Hard of Hearing license. She started her teaching career in 2002 as a K-12 Special Education Itinerant Deaf and Hard of Hearing teacher. Molly then moved into the classroom working with students who have moderate to severe cognitive disabilities. She received her masters in special education in 2004 with added licenses in Developmental Cognitive Delay (DCD), and Physical and Healthy Disabilities (PHD). Molly then . . . read more.
Rachel Meixner
Adjunct Instructor of Psychology and Adjunct Instructor of Education | rra35368@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Dr. Rachel (Jorgensen) Meixner is a leader in work-based learning with experience in both general education and special education work-based learning programs. She also has expertise in the area of special education and parental support for students with disabilities. She is the author of three books published by Routledge. The first, Loving Your Job in Special Education: 50 Tips and Tools, is a resource on burnout prevention to help educators find lasting peace and joy in their work as spe. . . read more.
Maia Miller
Adjunct Instructor of Education | maia-miller@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014
Maia has been working and teaching in the special education field for over 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 9 years, Maia has worked as a Work-Based Learning Coordinator for high school s. . . read more.
Scott Moats
Adjunct Instructor of Education | scm44939@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2018
I have been in Christian Higher Education for about 34 years. I have worked in many areas, including teaching, administration, and operations.
Randy Moberg
Adjunct Instructor of Education | ram44555@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009
Moberg has worked at Bethel since 2009.
Glenn Morehouse Olson
Adjunct Professor of Education | olsgle@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
Glenn Morehouse Olson is an adjunct professor for Bethel University, teaching the Language Arts Methods course in the CAPS/GS program. She is a Certified Journalism Educator who also has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater performance. Now in her 17th year as an educator, she teaches AP Lang and Comp, journalism (on-line, broadcast, social media, and print), theater, playwrighting and Language Arts (grades 9 - 12) at St. Francis High School. She has three daughters and her husband is also a. . . read more.
Allen Mork
Adjunct instructor of Physician Assistant Studies | ajmork@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2025
I am currently a practicing family physician in Cambridge, MN where I have lived and worked for the past 33 years. I will be retiring in January 2025 and am looking forward to working with the PA program at Bethel! My wife and I have 6 children and 6 grandchildren. My interests include camping and canoeing the BWCAW, fishing, hiking, reading and beekeeping.
Janet Nelson
Adjunct Instructor of Teaching | jln56272@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Janet received her B.A. in K-6 Elementary Education at Bethel.
Anthony Nichols
Adjunct Instructor of Counseling | at-nichols@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2024
Anthony Todd Nichols is a licensed psychologist in the State of Minnesota. He has been Executive Director of the Family Attachment and Counseling Center, located in the Twin Cities, since 1997. The center specializes in working with trauma in adults and children and specifically in adopted children who experienced early life maltreatment. Dr. Nichols is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and other modalities. . . read more.
Richard Olson
Adjunct Instructor of Business | rwo62666@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Adjunct Instructor of Business 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, Medicaid, Managed Car. . . read more.
Alecia Pankratz
Adjunct Instructor of Education | 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.
Xueqin Qian
Adjunct Instructor of Education | xuq38858@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2018
Currently, I am an autism teacher at Lawrence Free State High School in Lawrence, KS. Prior to becoming a special education teacher, I worked at University of MN as a research associate and University of Kansas as a research professor. My research interests include social network, self-determination, and social inclusion for students with autism.
Breanna Reed
Adjunct Instructor of Counseling | Blw18873@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021
Breanna Reed is a Board Certified Art Therapist specializing in Anxiety, Spirituality, and Depression. She has experience working with people with physical and developmental disabilities, adolescents, and young adults. She is passionate about incorporating her client's faith perspectives into the counseling session. She is passionate about training the next generation of counselors and building a Christian support system. She is the Owner and Supervisor at Creative Connections Counseling L. . . read more.
Ryan Richardson
Adjunct Instructor of Education | rgr64245@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2024
Ryan is originally from the state of Mississippi and received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mississippi State University. Following a season of mission work in northwest Montana, Ryan and his wife, Kristen moved to Texas and earned their Masters of Divinity degrees at Baylor University. After almost a decade of working as a university chaplain at Baylor, Ryan pursued further study in the field of Higher Education Administration, receiving his PhD in 2016 from Azusa Pacific Uni. . . read more.
Eric Roesler
Adjunct Instructor of Teaching | err79847@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
Eric Roesler brings over 20 years of teaching experience in Business and Marketing Education, including leadership as a department lead at Bloomington Jefferson High School. He holds an M.Ed. in Business and Marketing Education from the University of Minnesota, with additional certifications in Work Based Learning and Online Teaching from Bemidji State University. Eric excels in curriculum development, innovative teaching methods, and student mentorship. His proactive approach integrates te. . . read more.
John Rothchild
Adjunct Instructor of Business | jfr67788@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2018
John is an adjunct business professor at Bethel University. John has taught in higher education for 13 years. John holds a B.A. in Social Science from the University of North Dakota, an M.B.A. and D.B.A. from Metropolitan State University, as well as a J.D. from the University of Saint Thomas. John has spent most of his career working in sales leadership.
Emily Rustman
Adjunct Instructor of Education | 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, strategic planning and systems theory. 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.
Susan Schwope
Affiliate Faculty - Adjunct Teaching Partner Instructor of Education | s-tag@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001
Psychology Mental Health Special Education
Jenna Seal
Adjunct Instructor of Gerontology | 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.
Laura Shaw
Adjunct Instructor of Education | laf72749@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2025
Laura Shaw is a dedicated educator, internationally selling artist, and mentor with over 25 years of experience in visual arts education. Passionate about integrating creativity, faith, and pedagogy, she is committed to equipping the next generation of teachers for impactful and Christ-centered careers
Michael Shypulski
Adjunct Instructor of Social Work | michael-shypulski@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023
Adjunct Instructor of Social Work
Shanna Slice
Adjunct Instructor of Education | smg97337@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022
Hello. I'm excited to be an adjunct professor at Bethel University for their graduate school art education program. After doing social service work for ten years, I went through the program I now get to teach for and became a high school art teacher. I'm passionate about both art and effective teaching in the 21st century. Outside of teaching, I enjoy creating art of course and camping, traveling, and spending time outside with my family. I believe as humans we all have the need to create. . . read more.
Rebecca Smith
Adjunct Instructor of Nurse Midwifery | rms23539@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021
Rebecca currently practices in a large tertiary-care facility in southern Minnesota where she does inpatient and outpatient obstetrical care, as well as being an early pregnancy loss provider. She is pursuing a PhD with research in risk stratification in rural obstetrical patients and risk for severe maternal morbidity/mortality.
Stacie Stanley
Adjunct Instructor of Education | 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
Michelle Steffenhagen
Teaching Partner of Psychology | allmica@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Steffenhagen's research interests include purpose and wellbeing in emerging adults.
Charles Strand
Adjunct Instructor of Education | 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!
David Thomas
Adjunct Instructor of Education | david-thomas@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019
I am a proud graduate of Bethel (class of 2005). I am married to my incredible wife, Lindsey (class of '06), and we live in Lino Lakes with our 4 kids. Although I started out as a high school social studies teacher, I have spent most of my career as a special education teacher working with students with emotional and behavioral disorders. I find great joy in sharing Jesus's love with my students and coworkers. Every day God shows me grace and mercy, and I try like crazy to do the same thin. . . read more.
Nicole Truniger
Adjunct Instructor of Business | ntruniger@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2019
Dr. Nicole Truniger is an experienced nurse leader and educator with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) in Healthcare Systems Leadership. She brings over a decade of diverse healthcare experience to her teaching, including bedside nursing and clinical operations. Dr. Truniger began her career as a medical-surgical nurse. She later advanced into leadership roles, where she has successfully led multidisciplinary teams and enhanced patient care delivery across multiple healthcare settings. . . . read more.
Michelle Wang
Adjunct Instructor of Education | mfw38922@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2018
Michelle's research interests focus on effective school leadership practices specifically focused on change management. Topics include equity, data/assessment, standards, school reform, and adaptive leadership.
Ruslana Westerlund
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Education | r-westerlund@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002
Drawing on her identity as a transcultural Ukrainian immigrant, Professor Westerlund's passion is to advocate for linguistically and culturally minoritized people, including students in school systems at various levels.
Curtis Windham
Adjunct Instructor of Business | Curtis-Windham@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014
Over my 30+ year career in non-profit organizations and education, I am thrilled to rejoin our Bethel Community as an Adjunct Instructor in the CAPS-GS Department (MBA). I graduated from seminary in 1993 and completed all of my BA, MA, and Ed.D. work here at our beloved Bethel University! Over the last 10 years, I have served as the Executive Director/Principal of three charters schools in the greater Twin Cities area and have taught at Bethel University since the fall of 2014, with a one . . . read more.
Jodi Wolkerstorfer
Adjunct Instructor of Education | woljod@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Jodi 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.
Jessica Yudchitz
Adjunct Instructor of Social Work | jcy25223@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2025
Adjunct Instructor of Social Work
Annette Ziegler
Adjunct Instructor of Education | annette-ziegler@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2010
Annette Ziegler received her masters in educational leadership and administration from the University of LaVerne, CA, and her educational doctorate in educational leadership from Bethel University. She is the Director of State and Federal Programs and Elementary Schools in the Anoka-Hennepin School District. In her 30 years in education, she also served as the Principal of Coon Rapids High School in the Anoka-Hennepin School District and the former principal of Coon Rapids Middle School. S. . . read more.
Emeritus/emerita faculty
John Bower
Professor of Social Work Emeritus | j-bower@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1978
Professor of Social Work Emeritus
Nikki Daniels
Associate Professor in Organizational Leadership Emerita | n-daniels@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1989
Self Analysis, Self Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Team Development
Jamie Dolieslager
Associate Professor of Human Kinetics and Applied Health Sciences, Athletic Trainer Emerita | doljam@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000
Associate Professor Dolieslager taught in the Human Kinetics and Applied Health Sciences department
Neal Dutton
Associate Professor of Human Kinetics and Applied Health Science | dutnea@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1980
Athletic Training, Nutrition, and Wellbeing
Andy Johnson
Associate Professor of Psychology Emeritus | ajohnson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1995
Dr. Andy Johnson's research interests include religion and gender violence. He edited the volume "Religion and Men's Violence Against Women."
Jason Li
Professor of Psychology Emeritus | 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.
Kimberley Meyer
Associate Professor of Nursing Emerita | 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.
Craig Paulson
Professor of Educational Leadership Emeritus | 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.
Beth Peterson
Professor of Nursing Emerita | 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.
Ruben Rivera
Associate Professor of History Emeritus | ruben-rivera@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997
Ruben was the Chief Diversity Officer at Bethel University, and has long been a faculty of the history department and taught one course each semester at the college and one in the summer at the graduate school. As Chief Diversity Officer, Ruben engaged in numerous strategic initiatives across all our schools, including the Shalom seminar, developing institutional capacity in cultural intelligence and intergroup dialogue, racial and other forms of bias mitigation, hiring for inclusive excell. . . read more.
Timothy Shaw
Professor of Biological Sciences Emeritus | 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.
Jone Tiffany
Professor of Nursing Emerita | tifjon@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001
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.
Sandra Traudt
Associate Professor of Social Work Emerita | s-traudt@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999
Sande Traudt has specialized experience in integrative practice; children, youth, and families; gerontology; group work; ethics; supervision; violence prevention and intervention; trauma informed practice; resiliency; justice and spirituality; compassion fatigue; and self-care. Her years in social work education have focused on faculty liaison work, integrative seminar, practice based research, ethics, experiential learning, and utilization of case studies in social work education.. . . read more.
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 in the two countries as part of a broader global political-economic issue of the relative role of states and the market in the contemporary incarnation of global capitalism. Zalanga grew up in the rural, social margins, and peri. . . read more.