We champion student growth
About me: After graduating from Madelia High School, I attended South Central Technical College for Wireless Communications. I took a break from school to work full-time at REM Heartland with clients from low to high functioning disabilities. I later moved to the Mankato area with my 3 children and came back to school at what is now called 色中色 in North Mankato with a major change to Computer Careers. In 2020 I earned my Computer Assistant Certificate and Associate of Applied Science degree in Networking Services and in 2022 I received my Associate of Applied Science degree in Information Systems. I began working in the Academic Support Center and Student Affairs as and Administrative assistant right after graduating with my second degree in May of 2022.
What I love about SCC:聽I love the fact that SCC is more like a family that a college. The smaller class sizes give the students opportunity to have more one on one with their teachers. My favorite part about this school is we are all working toward helping the student get to their full potential. From finding tutoring help and setting up support services to helping find the career path they desire.
Interests/Things to chat with me about:My interests include my family, pets, mental health awareness, self-improvement, gardening, new technology, photography, traveling, and helping others find resources they need.
About me:聽I started my college career at the University of Minnesota, Morris where I majored in Business Administration and minored in Mathematics.聽 I transferred to Minnesota State University, Moorhead and decided to major in Mathematics and minor in Business Administration.聽 I tutored for two years for the counseling center and in the Math Department’s Math Center.聽 I earned my secondary teaching license from North Dakota State University in Fargo.聽 When I first moved to Mankato, I started a career at Consolidated Communications in the accounting department.聽 After a few years in that field, I heard a radio advertisement that SCC was seeking a math tutor.聽 I applied and am grateful to have spent the last twenty years in a position where I can serve students and see them reach their goals.聽 I coordinate the center and tutor as well.
What I love about SCC:聽I love the atmosphere at SCC.聽 We are student-focused and strive to make sure our students feel welcome and that their voices are heard.
Interests/Things to chat with me about:聽I love to chat about hiking, biking, camping, scouting, family and of course mathematics.
About me:聽I began teaching English composition in 2002 at Texas State University where I earned an MFA in creative writing. Since then, I have taught and tutored in my hometown of Chicago, in a small town on the Oregon Coast, and online. I landed here at SCC in the summer of 2017 and have loved the opportunity to work with such a diverse body of students. In my position as Learning Specialist, I oversee the Academic Support Center on the Faribault campus and work with students to improve their reading, writing, and study skills.
What I love about SCC:聽The students! I love learning about where our students are from and seeing them work so hard to achieve their goals.
Interests/Things to chat with me about:聽Traveling, camping, books, poetry, parenting, crafting, and art.
About me:聽聽After earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and working in the mental health field in various roles, I had my first experience working in education as a teaching assistant at Riverbend Alternative Learning Center in New Ulm, MN. It was there that I witnessed the power of staff-student relationships in moving students forward in their personal and academic journey. I knew I wanted to continue this kind of work, so I went on to the graduate study of College Student Personnel at MNSU-Mankato. From there I worked at Gustavus Adolphus College, a small private residential college, yet another prime environment for developing meaningful relationships with students.聽 I joined the SCC community as Director of the Academic Support Center in 2019 with excitement to work with a diverse student body who live, work, and study in the community that I call home.聽聽
What I love about SCC:聽聽I love knowing that people come here to make a better life for themselves, whether that’s by gaining transfer credits, earning a certificate in a new career path, or taking courses to improve specific skills for professional or personal development.
Interests/Things to chat with me about:聽Yoga, gardening, camping, music, and places to hike, bike, swim, or paddleboard in the area.
About me:聽I am a biologist, I studied African elephant behavior in South Africa for my master’s thesis. My husband Jake and I are very slowly domesticating two small apes (Teddy - 5 and Violet - 1). My two cats are mostly learning to appreciate the kids. I taught biology courses at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College for 7 years before moving to Mankato to be closer to my family. Apparently, I really like the South-Central region of states.聽
What I love about SCC:聽I love the resources available to students and the people! At SCC I’ve been biology faculty, an academic advisor, and now the science tutor, and have seen how each area works to support each other and our students.聽
Interests/Things to chat with me about:聽fun animal facts, travel, places to hike and observe nature like birds and mushrooms, raising children, lack of sleep, restaurants to try, Wild hockey.聽
About me:聽During my own journey as a college student, I attended four universities and a community college, ultimately graduating with my Bachelor's of Science in Secondary Education (English/Speech) from Minnesota State University. I continued my education at the same institution, where I earned an MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis in YA Fiction.
From my time in a pre-school during college to teaching at four universities, I have been lucky to work with students ranging in ages from 3 to 78, and they tend to have more in common than they have differences.聽 In addition to running The Write Spot at 色中色, I currently teach various English classes and Academic/Professional Success courses at two online universities. But my real work begins when I’m “off the clock” as I am the blessed father of two boys, ages 6 and 10.
I am originally from Washington State and still envision my home surrounded by towering cedar trees, somewhere between the Cascade mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
What I love about SCC:聽I am energized by hearing students’ stories and knowing that SCC offers them unique opportunities to share their lives with the faculty and staff.
Interests/Things to chat with me about:聽Parenthood, education, self-improvement, meditation, forests, mountains, lakes, rivers, and roads not taken.
About me:聽I am a graduate of SCC myself, having earned my AAS degree in Speech-Language Pathology Assisting. After graduation, I worked in a K-12 school as a Speech Pathology Assistant. I took a 12-year hiatus to be the parts manager at a powersports dealership. As time went on, I realized I missed making a difference in people's lives. Accepting a position at Mayo Hospital in Mankato as an Audiology Technician allowed me to re-enter my field. Eventually, I made my way back to SCC for the Assistive Technology Specialist role, and things have come full circle.聽 I’m fortunate to be back!
As an Assistive Technology Specialist, I help students with disabilities use various tools or software to have equal access. These tools can be as simple as highlighters to take more useful notes or more complex, like text-to-speech computer programs that can read textbooks aloud. My goal is to find a tool that the student can adopt and use daily to help them be successful.
What I love about SCC:聽 My learning at SCC provided me with real-world, applicable knowledge within the time and financial boundaries that I had set for myself as a non-traditional student.
Interests/Things to chat with me about:聽 I enjoy the arts, state parks, vintage cars, motorcycles, traveling, fishing, polka dancing, and raising chickens (along with my family)!
