Yolanda Arauza, assistant professor, American Multicultural Studies: An instructor in MSUM’s American Multicultural Studies department between 1998 and 2005, she’s currently working on her doctorate in North American, Great Plains and World History at North Dakota State University, where’s she’s expected to graduate this winter. She also holds a master’s degree in history from NDSU and an undergraduate degree in political science from MSUM. Active in the local Chicanos and Latinos communities, she’s a co-founder and charter member of Templo Cristiano, the Spanish Assembly of God Church in Moorhead, and received the Latina Achievement Award in 2004 and the Latina Woman of the Year award in 1999 from Mujeres Unidas. A doctoral fellow at Washington State University this summer, she was also a Bush Leadership Fellow in 2005-06.

Meena Balgopal, assistant professor, Biosciences: She earned her doctorate in zoology from NDSU, a master’s degree in entomology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an undergraduate degree in animal sciences from the University of Illinois: Urbana-Champaign. An Urbana, Ill., native, last year, as an adjunct lecturer here, she worked with an MSUM/White Earth Tribal College cooperative project guiding writing activities to increase ecological literacy among undergraduate biology students. Her previous experience ranges from working as an extension entomologist in California and as a researcher on insect vectors of plant parasites at the University of California Davis to several positions as a middle school and high school science teacher. Licensed to teach biology in North Dakota secondary schools, her research interests include studying fitness effects of plant chemicals on herbivores and their parasites along with improving ecological literacy of college students using written activities.

Jeff Ball, assistant professor, Art and Design: An instructor in the Adrian (Mich.) College art and design program for the past seven years, he expects to complete his doctorate this winter in art history at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he also earned his master’s degree. His undergraduate degree in architectural history comes from Washington and Lee University. He previously worked as an adjunct professor at William Woods University, Westminster College and the University of Missouri-Columbia, and as an architectural consultant in the restoration of the Missouri State Capitol.

Joel Beard, instructor, Athletics: A special education paraprofessional and assistant varsity football coach (offensive coordinator) for the past five years at Nicolet High School in Wisconsin, he earned his undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where he also served as an assistant football coach. While attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, he was a four-year shooting guard on the basketball team and quarterback for the football team. His previous experience includes coaching jobs at several Wisconsin junior and senior high schools.

Ken Bertolini, assistant professor, Technology: President of Kenneth Bertolini Builders in East Lansing, Mich., for the past 10 years and co-owner of a related development company, he earned both an undergraduate degree and master’s degree in construction management from Michigan State University. He also has experience teaching construction management courses at Michigan State. For the past seven years he’s also served on the board of directors for the Michigan Association of Home Builders.

Kristin Boyes, instructor and head softball coach, Athletics: A graduate assistant coach at Southwest Minnesota State the past two years, where she helped the Mustangs capture back-to-back Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season titles and advance to the NCAA Division II North Central Regional tournament in 2006 and 2007. Prior to joining the staff at SMSU, Boyes was an assistant coach at Dodge City (Kan.) High School in 2005 and spent two seasons at Dodge City Community College from 2000-2002 as a catcher and designated hitter and was elected captain as a sophomore. She holds an undergraduate degree in education from Emporia State and a master of science in education from Southwest State.

Boyd Bradbury, associate professor, Educational Leadership: Superintendent for Waubun-Ogema-White Earth Community schools for the past seven years, he holds a doctorate in general education from Capella (Minneapolis) University along with a specialist degree in educational leadership and a master of arts in teaching Spanish from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Originally from Vergas, Minn., he began his career as a high school Spanish instructor at Wadena-Deer Creek Public Schools and then Blue Earth Area Schools before moving into administration as secondary principal at Benson High School, all located in Minnesota. As superintendent in Waubun, he was a director for the Bemidji Regional Interdistrict Executive Council and the Mahnomen Interagency Collaborative.

Donna Brown, assistant professor, Counseling Education: Program coordinator and assistant director of American Indian Student Services for the past 15 years at the University of North Dakota, where she earned her doctorate in education and master’s degree in counseling. She’s a member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe, a former Bush Fellow and a member of the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. Her research focuses on retention and student services for American Indians.

Mary Dosch, instructor, Psychology: A school psychologist with the Fargo Public School District and a literary coach for the Minnesota Reading Corps last year, she earned her specialist and master of science degree in school psychology from MSU Moorhead along with her undergraduate degree in psychology. For the past three years she’s also served as an adjunct instructor here, at NDSU and at NDSCS, and as a school psychologist for the West Fargo Public School District. She is president-elect for the North Dakota Association of School Psychologists.

Rebecca Gardner, assistant professor, Corrick Center: She comes here from the University of North Dakota and Sitting Bull (Fort Yates, S.D.) College, where she served as an English instructor. She earned an undergraduate psychology degree at MSUM and a master of arts in English language and literature from the University of North Dakota, where she’s pursuing a doctorate. Originally from St. Louis Park, Minn., she also worked eight years as an assistant director at the UND TRIO program, helping low-income, first-generation adults gain entrance to and succeed in higher education. Her research interests include the conflicts in writing assessment between reliability, validity and the complexity of writing. She’s also exploring informal logic and argument theory as they relate to rhetoric.

Tracy Gompf, assistant professor, Paralegal: He received his B.A. in 1989 from the University of Minnesota, and his J.D. in 1995 from the University of North Dakota Law School. Tracy was engaged in private practice at Fargo-Moorhead area law firms as well as in Great Bend, Kansas from 1995 through 2006. Tracy’s legal experience includes general practice with an emphasis in criminal law, family law, personal injury and employment law. Tracy has worked on a wide variety of cases from class action lawsuits involving several thousand plaintiff’s to being engaged as a public defender for the East Central Judicial District in Fargo. He has lectured at continuing education seminars for lawyers, paralegals and human resource professionals in addition to lecturing as an adjunct instructor at several institutions. He is licensed in state and federal court in North Dakota and Minnesota and belongs to several bar associations.

Adam Goyt, assistant professor, Mathematics: A graduate teaching assistant for the past five years at Michigan State University, East Lansing, where he recently earned his doctorate and earlier his master’s degree in mathematics. He was named Mathematics Student of the Year as a senior undergraduate at Adrian College. His research interests are in algebraic and enumerative combinatorics: pattern avoidance and containment in permutations.

Merrie Sue Holtan, instructor, Communication Studies: An adjunct instructor and assistant professor at Concordia College for the past 18 years, she holds a MFA in creative writing from MSUM, a master’s degree in speech communication and community education from NDSU, and a master of science in speech communication and English education from the University of Minnesota. A freelance writer for more than 30 years, she’s also worked as a public speaking and media writing teacher at MSUM, as a corporate trainer at Great Plains Microsoft in Fargo and as a communications director for the F-M Family YMCA.

Elizabeth Kirchoff, assistant professor, English: An instructor of English for the past six years at St. Cloud State University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in English and master’s degrees in English and Teaching English as a Second Language. She recently earned her doctorate in literacy at the University of Minnesota. Born and raised in Detroit, her academic specialty is English education, composition and linguistics. Her research focuses on ways teachers’ and students’ perceptions of identity influence the creation and interpretation of teacher feedback to student writing.

Daniel Kirk, vice president, Facilities and Administration: Since 2000, Kirk has held dual positions as associate vice president for facilities and administration at Metropolitan State University and associate vice president at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. In his new position, Kirk will assume administrative support of the university’s mission and strategic plan and leadership in MSUM’s plans for all buildings, grounds and related operations. Kirk is experienced in the administration of capital project development from pre-design through project completion within the Minnesota State system. During the past seven years, he has participated in the successful completion of more than $55 million in capital projects for the two Twin Cities institutions, where projects totaling $23 million are currently underway. Kirk holds an undergraduate psychology degree from Dakota Wesleyan University, and a master’s degree in personnel services and counseling from the University of South Dakota. He is currently an MBA candidate at Metropolitan State University.

Hardy Koenig, assistant professor, Theatre Arts: For the past four years he’s been the Educational Theatre director for the Southeastern Theatre Conference, where he traveled presenting workshops on auditioning for students and professors. He holds an MFA in acting from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and a degree in drama from the University of Texas Austin. Koenig will teach all levels of acting and directing as well as directing shows for the theatre department. He previously taught at High Point University in North Carolina and St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn. In a prior life, before committing to a career in academics, Koenig was a drummer in rock bands in California and Texas and paid his way through college as a deputy constable in Austin, Texas.

Anthony Lowrie, associate professor, Business Administration: An assistant professor of marketing at Edgewood (Madison, Wis.) College before coming here last year, he holds a doctorate in marketing from the University of Cambridge and an MBA from Oxford Brookes in England along with a master’s and undergraduate degree from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Before pursuing his doctorate, he was a teaching fellow at Loughborough University Business School in England. He’s a specialist in consumer behavior and marketing research. He also has research interests in the marketing of higher education and is organizing the International Conference in Higher Education Marketing in Poland, 2008.

Pamela McGee, assistant professor, Technology: She comes here from Microsoft and Great Plains Software in Fargo, where for the past seven years she held several positions ranging from director of Global Marketing Business and Operations and director of Global Human Resources to senior consultant and program director for global leadership development. She owns her own business consulting firm where she consults on business strategy and execution, including project management, operations management, leadership development, change management and transition. She also travels and does keynotes on the numerous business topics. She holds an MBA degree from the University of North Dakota and an undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She previously taught at Mayville State University and Dickinson State University in North Dakota. Before joining academia, she worked as an assistant manager at Eddie Bauer Clothing in Grand Forks and as sales and marketing manager for Dayton Hudson Incorporated (now Macy’s department store) in Grand Forks, Minneapolis and Appleton, Wis.

Christine Metzo, assistant professor, Philosophy: A visiting assistant professor of women’s studies at MSU Mankato last year, she earned her doctorate in philosophy and master’s degree in geography at the University of Kentucky and undergraduate degrees in philosophy and psychology from Ripon College. After graduating from college, she spent a year teaching English at a high school in Hungary. She’s also taught at St. Cloud State and Gustavus Adolphus College. She specializes in 20^th century continental philosophy, phenomenology, the philosophy of the body and feminist theory.

Jay Noland, instructor, Mathematics: He’s taught three years of high school mathematics in various settings and as a teaching assistant as a graduate student. He earned a bachelor’s in mathematics education from MSU Moorhead and a master’s in mathematics from South Dakota State University. His academic interests lie in mathematics education, which will eventually be the focus of his doctoral work.

Theresa Nygaard, instructor, Corrick Center: She earned her undergraduate degree in Earth Science Education at MSUM and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She continues to teach part time at a Fargo middle school in the science department. Nygaard’s primary focus while working for the MSUM Regional Science Center was presenting shows in the planetarium and assisting with observational astronomy programs at the Science Center’s Buffalo River site. Since her graduation from MSUM, she now spends most of her summer hours at the Buffalo River site teaching in the great outdoors.

Benjamin Olson, instructor, Athletics: A graduate assistant and tight end coach at the University of North Dakota for the past two years, he earned an undergraduate degree in social science from UND, where he’s currently seeking a master’s degree in kinesiology. He was an all-conference, All-American offensive lineman for the Sioux and signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks after graduating. He spent the 2004 season playing with the Billings Outlaws and the following season with the Everett Hawks in the National Indoor Football League.

Michael Parks, director, Campus Security: For the past four years he was coordinator and a member of the faculty at Minnesota West’s Law Enforcement Academy. He will oversee a staff of more than 20 full- and part-time Campus Security employees, the majority of them student workers. Originally from Dilworth, Parks attended MSUM for one year before earning an associate degree in Law Enforcement at Alexandria Technical College. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement at Metropolitan State University and a master’s degree in Leadership at Concordia University in St. Paul. Parks started his career as a patrol officer in his hometown of Dilworth and then served 11 years as a patrol officer and narcotics detective for the Lakeville (Minn.) Police Department.

Alexander Pershounin, assistant professor, Music: Previously an assistant professor of bass and director of jazz studies at Westfield (Mass.) State College, he holds a doctorate and master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s and undergraduate degree from Gnessins’ Russian Academy of Music in Moscow, one of the most prestigious musical institutions in the country. He started his career as a musician at the age of 16, performing extensively throughout Europe, coming to the United States in 1998 to finish his graduate degrees. His performing credits include collaboration projects and appearances with world-class artists and ensembles ranging from Ray Charles and Yo Yo Ma to Doc Severinsen, the MKC Big Band and Bob Berg to Benny Golson and Tom 'Bones' Malone. He also has recorded several commercially produced compact disc albums and music to four full-length motion pictures, maintaining a private studio of double bass and bass guitar since 1989.

Doug Peters, director, Athletics: Athletic Director at Valley City State University for the past 3 years Peters was responsible for all aspects of the organization and administration of the intercollegiate athletics. Peters also had responsibilities within the VCSU Foundation and was responsible for athletic development. Prior to his appointment at Valley City State, Peters coached and worked in athletic administration at Bemidji State. Peters served as Director of Development for Intercollegiate Athletics after having served as the Beaver Pride Coordinator for the Beaver athletic department. He also was an assistant basketball coach from 1996-2003. A former student-athlete at Bemidji State University, Peters received undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Sports Management. He added a master’s degree in Physical Education in 2000. Peters was a two-year basketball letterman and captain at Bemidji State and an honorable mention All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference selection. He transferred to BSU after three years at Eastern Wyoming College. Peters grew up in Fort Lupton, Colorado.

Kristina Peterson, instructor, Counseling Education: A graduate assistant for the President’s Diversity Council and Anti-Racism Team last year at NDSU, where she’s pursuing a doctorate in counselor education. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and master’s degree in counseling, also from NDSU. Peterson’s previous experience includes private practice counseling, specializing in working with children and adolescents. She’s also worked as a social service/mental health coordinator in a Head Start program serving low-income children and their families. Her research interest, and also her dissertation topic, is “The Grief Experience of African-American Homicide Survivors.”

Aaron Quanbeck, assistant professor, Mass Communications: Since 1997, he has served as news director for Studio One, a weekly television program produced at the University of North Dakota and telecast live on Grand Forks Cable Channel 3.  The program is re-broadcast on Prairie Public Television and on cable television systems across North Dakota, eastern Minnesota and southern Manitoba as well as the metropolitan areas of Denver and the Twin Cities. In that position he helped train and supervise a staff of student interns who produce this one-hour news, weather and sports program. He recently earned an Eric Sevareid Award for his 2006 documentary work titled "UND Clay: the Cable Years.” Before joining UND, he worked four years as a reporter, photographer and editor at WDAZ-TV in Grand Forks, where he earned an Eric Sevareid Award from the Northwest Broadcast News Association for his documentary/series “Moose Research” and was part of a news team that won an Edward R. Murrow Award for coverage of the flood of 1997 in Grand Forks. Raised on a farm near McVille, N.D., he earned his undergraduate degree at MSUM in 1993 (working all four years as an honors apprentice producer with the university’s Campus News program) and later a master’s degree in communications at UND.

Lacey Saga, preschool teacher, Early Education Center: A recent summa cum laude graduate of MSUM’s Early Childhood Education program, where last year she worked part time as a first grade and preschool student teacher. She also has practicum experience as a preschool and elementary teacher at several Fargo and Moorhead schools. She’s also held positions as an American Reads tutor, child-care worker and nanny.

Bonita Schmidt, instructor, Mathematics: She comes here with 25 years of experience teaching university students, most recently as a visiting assistant professor at Concordia College, Moorhead. She holds a master’s degree in mathematics from Wichita State University and an undergraduate degree in math and chemistry from Dickinson State. She began her career as a laboratory technician at NDSU’s Biosciences Research Laboratory and from 1982-2001 taught mathematics at MSU Moorhead as an instructor, assistant professor and adjunct professor.

Diane Solinger, assistant vice president, Student Affairs: The interim director of development for the past two years in the student affairs division at MSU Mankato, where she’s worked 13 years in positions ranging from interim vice president for student affairs to director of residential life. She earned her undergraduate degree in personnel services from MSU Moorhead and a master’s degree in college student personnel from Western Illinois University. Her previous experience includes four years as director of residence life, two years as associate director and three years as complex director at the University of Denver, where she earned a certificate in public relations.

Rebecca Sundet-Schoenwald, assistant to the dean, College of Arts and Humanities: For seven years she served as executive director of the Fargo-Moorhead Opera Company, where she became part of an effort that tripled the budget and elevated the company’s status as one of the best small opera companies in the nation. She left that position in 2006 to serve as project manager for local artist Marjorie Schlossman on her Roberts Street Chaplet Project, a collaboration with six regional architects that won recognition in Architectural Record, International Design Magazine, and other national architecture journals. Sundet-Schoenwald earned a degree in music (flute performance) from Brandon University in Manitoba and a master’s degree in music (flute performance) from Ithaca (N.Y.) College. She has previous experience in corporate marketing and communications, and worked as a journalist for the Minot Daily News. In her new position, she’ll be a liaison between the office of the dean and the MSUM Alumni Foundation, the university’s news and media department and the Grants Office. She’ll also work with departments and programs in the College of Arts and Humanities in support of their goals.

Shannon Terry, instructor, Sociology: An adjunct professor here for the past six years, she earned her master’s degree in sociology from NDSU and an undergraduate degree in sociology and criminal justice from MSUM. Her previous experience includes teaching positions at Fergus Falls Community College, the University of Wisconsin-Superior, Minot State University and Minot Air Force Base.

Mary Thrond, Spanish instructor, Languages and Cultures: An adjunct Spanish teacher here for the past two years, she holds master’s degrees in Spanish language and culture from the University of Salamanca, Spain, and in education from NDSU.  She moved to Fargo-Moorhead from New York City to direct the Concordia Language Villages program.  She regularly collaborates with John Rassias of Dartmouth College, presenting his dramatic language teaching methodology.  Her research focus is on recovering the literature of post-Spanish Civil War exiled women writers.

Roy Thurston, assistant professor, Special Education: An assistant professor of educational psychology and special education at California State University-San Bernardino for the past three years, he holds a doctorate in educational research (brain injury, memory and learning) and a master’s degree in educational research (the brain injured student in the classroom) from the University of Calgary. He’s taught in both the public and private school systems in the Province of Alberta, covering curriculum from elementary through secondary schools for students with both cognitive and physical disabilities. A native of Calgary, he also taught two years at Northern State (S.D.) University. His research interests are in the areas of traumatic brain injury and memory.

Tracy Wright, assistant professor, Nursing: Ms. Wright has been working in nursing practice and nursing education, both within and outside of the MnSCU system for more than 10 years. She has been an active member of several local, regional and statewide committees and has served in various nursing leadership and health division chair roles at institutions of higher education. The last eight years of her career in nursing education have included extensive online and web-enhanced training and delivery of nursing curriculum. Born and raised in Cresco, Iowa, she earned her undergraduate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, and is currently a doctoral candidate with plans for completion September 2007, all from UND. Her nursing practice experience includes medical-surgical research, pediatrics, neonatal intensive care, women’s health, gerontology and post-partum. Her research has focused on adult women’s urologic health and psychometric analysis.

Greg Wymer, coordinator, International Student Affairs: For the past three years he served as assistant director of International Student Services at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minn., where he earned an MBA and undergraduate degrees in arts and history. He also holds a master of science in educational leadership from MSU, Mankato. He previously worked as a transfer specialist and international student officer for four years and as an admission counselor for five years, all at Southwest Minnesota State.