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.

Department Chair

Barrett Fisher

Department Chair | b-fisher@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988

Department Chair for Languages and Cultures

Faculty

Lisa Bekemeyer

Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures | ldb86486@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001

I am passionate about teaching language through CI (Comprehensible Input) and TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling). I base my courses on these tenants and strive to help my learners gain a variety of strategies for teaching language through content.

Brittany Clausell

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Languages and Cultures | bnc22935@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Languages and Cultures

Laura Elias

Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures | lae29245@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures

Emily Isik

Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures | emily-isik@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009

Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures

Gina Maltese-Preciado

Adjunct Instructor of Spanish Language | gim74778@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2012

Languages: Spanish

Mark Norlander

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Languages and Cultures | mrn26537@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016

Professor Norlander's teaching experience has involved secondary and post-secondary French instruction since 1979. He and his wife, Sharon have also directed the St. Paul Intercultural Institute at Bethel University for the past 20 years, which is a study abroad program for Japanese and Chinese university students.

Can Sakirgil

Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures | sakirgil@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023

Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures

Sarah Steil

Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures | scn88976@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016

Languages: Spanish

Laura Sánchez González

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Spanish | laura-sanchez@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007

Sánchez González is from Guadalajara, Mexico, and has taught and administered in a K-12 bilingual school. She has a passion for Latin American culture and film.

Becki Tate

Adjunct Instructor of American Sign Language | becki-beckman@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

Becki taught in Anoka-Hennepin for 12 years before joining Bethel University.