About Dr. Sally Baas

Dr. Baas, director of Concordia's Southeast Asian Teacher Licensure Program, is committed to building a community of lifelong intercultural learners. She joined the Concordia staff in 2002 as an adjunct faculty member in the Southeast Asian Teacher Licensure and Special Education Teacher Education Programs. Baas has devoted her teaching to preparing future educators for diversity in the classroom and developing teaching methods to best serve students of various ethnic backgrounds.

For more than 40 years, Baas has been training students at all levels. She brings her expertise to general students and students with special needs and has served as a behavioral assessor, consultant, dean, principal, and also as a school psychologist. She has worked in the collegiate ranks for more than 15 years, passing on her passion and knowledge to future educators. Baas also serves as the Minnesota Teacher Performance Assessment Coordinator. She has numerous publications related to school psychology, reducing assessment bias and preparing children to learn.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Ed.D., St. Mary's University (2011)
• Ed.S., School Psychology, University of Wisconsin, River Falls (2000)
• M.S., Education, School Psychology, University of Wisconsin, River Falls (1990)
• B.S., English/Journalism Education, Ball State (1969)
• Administrative Licensure, St. Mary's University (1999)
• Pre-K-12 School Psychologist Professional Licensure
• Grades 7-12 Journalism Professional Licensure
• K-12 Principle Professional Licensure

ACADEMIC FOCUS

Teaching methods, teacher development, leadership skills, assessment tools, Southeast Asian culture, special education, psychology

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

“My career highlight has been developing the Hmong Culture and Language Program at Concordia. This program serves as a means of planting the seeds of higher education for K-12 students while helping Hmong students preserve their Hmong culture through storytelling, gardening and the arts, and in doing cutting edge research with the Hmong 18 Council in the Twin Cities.”

About Dr. David Bredehoft

Dr. David Bredehoft has been involved in the fields of psychology and family education since 1974. He started the psychology program at Concordia in 1976 and now chairs the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Bredehoft holds four academic degrees, in the areas of psychology, educational psychology and family social science. He is also a licensed psychologist and has nearly 40 years of experience in both research and therapy.

Bredehoft has published more than 100 articles in journals and magazines and has presented papers at national conferences for psychology, parenting and families. He co-authored a book published in nine languages, titled "How Much Is Enough? Everything you need to know to steer clear of overindulgence and raise likeable, responsible and respectful children – from toddlers to teens." He was named the 2003 Certified Family Life Educator of the Year by the National Council on Family Relations.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Ph.D., Family Social Science, University of Minnesota (1983)
• M.Ed., Educational Psychology, University of Oklahoma (1974)
• B.A., Psychology, University of Oklahoma (1973)
• A.A., St. John's College, Kansas (1971)
• Licensed Psychologist, State of Minnesota
• Certified Family Life Educator, National Council on Family Relations

ACADEMIC FOCUS

Psychology theory and methods, counseling, family life education, research on overindulgence

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

"I published Family life education: Integrating theory and practice (NCFR), which has been adopted by the majority of universities across the country that have Family Life Education programs."

About Dr. Lynn Gehrke

Dr. Lynn Gehrke is a professional educator with more than 20 years of experience teaching learners at all levels, from Pre-K through the collegiate ranks. She has been preparing future educators at Concordia since 1999. Dr. Gehrke specializes in early childhood and elementary education. She has coordinated Concordia's Early Childhood Education online programs since 1999.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Ph.D., Curriculum & Instruction, University of Minnesota (2004)
• M.A.Ed., Early Childhood Education, Concordia University, St. Paul (1998)
• B.A., Elementary Education, Concordia College, St. Paul (1979)
• Minnesota Elementary Education teaching licensure
• Minnesota Pre-Kindergarten Education teaching licensure

ACADEMIC FOCUS

Child guidance and classroom management, curriculum and instruction, observation and assessment in Pre-K through elementary years.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

"I see teaching as a time to intentionally build relationships with students, motivate and inspire, and create learning together. My students teach me as much as I teach them. The highlight of my teaching is to go beyond the academic classroom into the classrooms of my B.A and M.A. students to model, consult and co-teach. Their invitations to me are humbling and exciting."

About Dr. James Gimbel

Dr. Jim Gimbel has been on the faculty at Concordia since 2002. With graduate degrees in both social psychology (Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership) and theology (M.Div), Gimbel thrives on exploring the variety of experiences where faith and life intersect for leaders, especially for business and ministry students.  Gimbel is known as a passionate, creative, and stimulating facilitator of learning. Gimbel thoughtfully engages graduate and undergraduate students in both online and face-to-face settings with wit, humor, content knowledge, and wisdom.  He is frequently asked to consult on group dynamics, organizational behavior, strategic planning, and intentionality about mission.  Gimbel’s ministry is rooted in a passionate love for God, for people of all ages, and for the rhythms of life in God’s care.  Gimbel remains active in parish ministry, applying over 30 years of active ministry and organizational leadership experience (ND, IL, MN) into classroom insights and parish connections, particularly when he serves as Interim Pastor for congregations facing unique challenges and circumstances. Gimbel came to CSP from Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis, where he served as Senior Editor of Youth, Family, & Sunday School Materials. His parish ministry includes rural & urban, campus, youth, and senior pastoral leadership.

Gimbel currently serves as Chair of the Christian Ministries Department, and is coordinator of religion courses for cohort students. He facilitates the faculty and staff Lutheran Identity Seminar, and chaired the Faith and Learning Task Force. He is a popular and effective communicator, consultant, and thought leader. He has co-authored seven books, including a series of three children’s books co-written with each of his three children. As a member of the graduate faculty, most of his teaching is with MA in Leadership and Management students.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Ph.D., Organizational Leadership, Regent University Center for Leadership Studies, Virginia Beach, VA (2002)
• M.Div., Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO (1985)
• B.A., Educational Psychology, Concordia College, St. Paul, MN (1981)

ACADEMIC FOCUS

Leadership, Management, Research, Organizational Behavior, Social Psychology, Theology, Innovation, Ministry, Faith and Life, Applied Ethics.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

“God made humans with the capacity to be, learn, and do. There is nothing better in life than seeing the ‘light’ go on when people grasp a new and difficult concept, and learn to apply it."

About Dr. Nancy Harrower

Dr. Nancy Harrower brings a practical approach to teaching marketing principles. With more than 20 years as a marketing executive in global corporations, Harrower has the experience to bring course material to life for students and illustrate how business works in the "real world." The mixture of academic excellence with professional acumen gives students critical analysis skills that will need in the workplace. Students also gain practical experience working on applied projects such as marketing research, marketing strategy, marketing promotions, and business plans.

Following her successful marketing career, Harrower has taught at Concordia for eight years, working with traditional undergraduate students, graduate students, and adult cohort students. She also presents in the business community and consults with companies on strategic marketing programs, branding, and promotional campaigns.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Ed.D., Organization Development, University of St. Thomas, Minn.
• M.B.A., Marketing, University of Montana
• B.A., Marketing, Michigan State University

ACADEMIC FOCUS

Critical business and marketing analysis skills, combined with practical application of student skills in real-world projects.

About Dr. Suzanne Hequet

About Dr. Suzanne Hequet

Dr. Suzanne Hequet began teaching full-time at Concordia University in August 2012. Prior to that, she taught at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, and St. John's University and School of Theology, Collegeville, MN.

Hequet has a passion for Church History, in particular the 16th century Reformation. This period marked the division of the Roman Catholic Church, a topic that Hequet researched in her book, The 1541 Colloquy at Regensburg: In Pursuit of Church Unity (2009).

"I am truly blessed to be able to teach church history. I learn from my students! And my study and teaching continually enriches my personal faith-life."

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Ph.D., Church History, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
• M.A., concentration in American Lutheranism, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
• B.A., majors in mathematics, German and Education, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN

ACADEMIC FOCUS

Luther and Reformation Studies, Post-Reformation Church History, Lutheran Confessional Writings, Protestant Theologians, Church History survey, Global Christianity, and Biblical Heritage. Hequet has written about the value of experiential learning and frequently incorporates experiential learning opportunities into classes to enhance student learning.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

Following the successful defense of my doctoral thesis, my husband, Marc, handed me a beautiful rose—a sign of his steadfast love and support. Shortly thereafter, I traveled to Lutherstadt Wittenberg to research and see for myself the places that were so important in Luther's life.

About Dr. Robert Krueger

Dr. Robert Krueger began teaching at Concordia in 2001 and became the chair of the Department of Mathematics in 2005. Krueger offers not only an expert knowledge of mathematics to Concordia students, he also strives to make each student’s experience as rewarding as possible. Krueger is a central advocate of mentoring and leadership. He created and directed the First-Year Seminar Program, which trains faculty and student leaders to foster mentor relationships with students. He also advises the Tri-Pi math club, which annually hosts the Homecoming Dodgeball Tournament and the Tri-Pi Game Night. These large service events are designed to enhance the organizational skills of the club members while building community among Concordia students.

Staying ahead of changes in the field, Krueger has worked to revise the Math and Math Education curriculums at Concordia. Krueger has a particular interest in financial literacy and has made presentations to groups of local high school students about the importance of budgeting, investing and understanding credit. As chair of the Faculty Senate, Krueger also works to keep faculty members involved in workshops and has won numerous grants for student and faculty advancement.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• B.S.Ed., Mathematics, Concordia University, Seward (1993)
• M.S., Mathematics, University of Nebraska (1995)
• Ph.D., Mathematics, University of Nebraska (1998)

ACADEMIC FOCUS

Financial literacy, financial mathematics, difference equations, leadership, student success

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

"My career highlight is seeing former students who I mentored through the undergraduate math major go on to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics or other related fields and become college professors themselves."

About Dr. Steven Manderscheid

Steve Manderscheid has 20 years of leadership, organizational development, human resources and employee training experience in both the educational and private business sectors. As chair of Concordia's Leadership and Management Department, Manderscheid assists in creating additional graduate programs and employs his leadership skills in the recruitment, hiring and development of the department's faculty.

The lessons that Manderscheid imparts in his professorial role at Concordia come from real-world expertise. He is a principal consultant for a variety of public, private and nonprofit organizations. He regularly publishes peer-reviewed articles and presents at leadership conferences. Before coming to Concordia, Manderscheid worked in training and development for a number of local companies.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Ed.D., University of St. Thomas (2005)
• M.A., Human Resource Development, University of Minnesota (1994)
• B.S., Industrial Studies, St. Cloud State University (1990)
• Situational Leadership Certification
• 360 Degree Profiler Feedback Instrument
• Training & Development Professional Certificate
• Certified Microcomputer Programmer/User

ACADEMIC FOCUS

Leadership development and assessment, transitional leadership, global leadership, organizational development for human resource professionals.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

"My top career highlights are presenting internationally at professional conferences in Malaysia, China, England and France. In addition, I facilitated an MBA/Talent Management course in Kiev, Ukraine."

About David Mennicke

About Dr. Jean Rock

Dr. Jean Rock is an innovative educator with a passion for teaching in both face-to-face and online modalities. She has more than 25 years of professional and academic management and marketing experience ranging from positions in support services to nonprofit marketing to senior level management. She is a devoted lifelong learner who imparts a hunger for knowledge to her students.

Dr. Rock has served in multiple leadership roles at Concordia University since her arrival in 1986, including her current post as chair of the Department of Leadership and Management. She previously served as associate dean of undergraduate studies, co-chair of the Organizational Management and Communication Leadership program and marketing coordinator. She is a regular presenter at regional workshops and conferences.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Ph.D., Education, Training and Performance Improvement, Capella University (2011)
• M.A., Advertising and Journalism, University of Minnesota (1989)
• B.A., Communications, Bemidji State University (1984)

ACADEMIC FOCUS

Group dynamics, management, values and ethics, diversity, systems, communication and marketing, project control/integration.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

"Each May – when students walk across the stage and graduate. To be able to walk with them on this educational journey, and perhaps help in some small way, is extremely gratifying."

About Dr. Mark Schuler

Dr. Mark Schuler has been teaching religion and theology at Concordia since 1994. Schuler passes on his passion for Biblical Greek and the New Testament to Concordia students in the classroom, and gives members of the community a first-hand account of Biblical times through his ongoing archaeological research project at Hippos of the Decapolis in Israel. Since 2001, Schuler has led annual trips to the Hippos Excavations, giving Concordia students and any interested community members the rare opportunity to be part of an excavation team. The Concordia team works alongside partners from the University of Haifa to uncover the ancient city of Hippos.

Since joining the faculty at Concordia in 1994, Schuler pioneered classroom and other educational uses of information technologies. He served as Director of Internet Services as the university transitioned into a laptop campus. Among his many publications is Called by the Gospel: An Introduction to the New Testament, with Michael Middendorf. Schuler is a member of the American Schools of Oriental Research, the American Institute of Archaeology, and the Society of Biblical Literature, for which he served as the coordinator of the Upper Midwest Region from 2003-08. His transition to collegiate education came after eight years of experience as a pastor at Lutheran congregations in Iowa and Missouri.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Th.D., Exegetical Theology, Concordia Seminary (1991)
• St.M., Exegetical Theology, Concordia Seminary (1988)
• M.Div., Concordia Seminary (1981)
• B.A., Classical Greek concentration, Concordia College, Fort Wayne, Indiana (1977)

ACADEMIC FOCUS

Biblical Greek, New Testament, Greek readings, archaeology, Christianity and Islam

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

"Since 2001, I have been the director of the Northeast Insula Project at Hippos of the Decapolis, on a mountain overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Taking students to the land where Jesus walked and introducing them to the thrill of archaeological discovery are academic and spiritual highlights for them and me."

Sites/Handles:

• www.markschuler.com
• hippos.archaeology.csp.edu
• www.facebook.com/profschuler
• www.facebook.com/NIPatHippos
• www.facebook.com/csphonors
• www.twitter.com/NIPatHippos

About Dr. Rhoda Schuler

Dr. Rhoda Schuler has been teaching full-time at Concordia University since fall 2008.  In her previous life she served as executive director for a church-related non-profit that addressed problems of poverty and racism in north St. Louis County, Missouri.  Her decade of work on the behalf of those on the margins of society along with her advanced theological training make her uniquely qualified to teach in the University Honors Program In litteris fideque.  She teaches the spring Honors courses, which focus on service to the world and on “hearing the voices of the marginalized.”

Schuler’s research passions are liturgical theology and ritual studies, which she views as more than academic disciplines.  Convinced that what people believe is more profoundly shaped by worship and ritual than by didactic exercises, her research interests have implications for the church.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Th.D., Historical Theology, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
• M.A., Liturgical Studies, St. John’s University School of Theology, Collegeville, MN
• B.A., Theology major, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN

ACADEMIC FOCUS

Church history survey, Christianity in the U.S., liturgy and worship, interdisciplinary teaching in the Honors Program In litteris fideque.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

“Teaching at Concordia stretches me theologically and pedagogically.  At one end of the spectrum, I am privileged to teach students in the Honors Program, which intentionally integrates the Christian faith with academic learning and critical thinking.  Students are in this program by choice.  At the other end of the spectrum, I have the joy and challenge of teaching theology courses that are part of the required general education curriculum.  The diversity of the students in these classes can make for rich conversation and can provide unique opportunities to present the Christian message in an engaging yet academically rigorous manner.”

WEBSITES/HANDLES

• http://rhodaschuler.com/
• http://youtube.com/csphonors
• http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003153947025

About Dr. Thomas Trapp, emeritus

Dr. Thomas Trapp taught full-time at Concordia University from July, 1982 – June, 2012. He served as a parish pastor for nine years before coming to CSP, finishing his doctoral thesis during that time. His special interest continues to revolve around matters connected with the Old Testament prophetic literature and the Hebrew language. Over the years, he also taught New Testament, philosophy, the Lutheran Confessions, Aramaic, apologetics, Christian Ministry and Practice, ancient Near Eastern archaeology, introductory courses in the Bible, many upper level intensive study courses, ethics at CSP and in prison situations, and both authored and taught the Religion Module in the degree completion program for many years. His Scripture and Life textbook served as the text for that course for many years.
 
During this time period, other areas of interest have occupied Dr. Trapp’s attention. He has kept close ties with parish ministry, having served for a year as vacancy pastor at St. John’s in Woodbury, as assisting pastor at Bethlehem in St. Paul for 15 years, as mission (interim) pastor at Jehovah in St. Paul (four years) and at Emmaus in St. Paul (four years), where he has served as called pastor since 2007. He led a week-long summer Bible study for clergy and laity, also titled “Scripture and Life,” with different biblical topics each year, for almost all of his years at CSP. His connection with German scholarship, fostered because of his Fulbright Grant and doctoral work at the University of Heidelberg, led to translating German theological works. He is presently working on his ninth translated book, the last three being part of a series on Luther’s catechisms (by Albrecht Peters) for Concordia Publishing House. He translated a three volume commentary on Isaiah (by Hans Wildberger) and an archaeology book (by Keel & Uehlinger) for Fortress Press and a book about Luther’s theology (by Oswald Bayer) and about St. Peter (by Martin Hengel) for Eerdmans Publishing. He also served as a theological educator in Liberia for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and continues to provide guidance and support to members of the brand new Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• D. Th., Ruprecht Karl Universität Heidelberg, 1980
• M. Div., Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, 1971
• B. A., Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, IN, 1967

ACADEMIC FOCUS

Old Testament, Biblical Hebrew, Biblical Theology

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

“My entire pastoral and teaching ministry has been a (challenging) joy. I love to tell the story. I have been honored to teach, to learn, and to work in parish, educational and academic settings. I enjoy being a bridge from head to head, heart to heart, hand to hand. My brother Dale and I are honored that we were chosen to share our insights into faith and learning at the Poehler Lecture at Concordia on April 24, 2012.”

About Dr. Alan Winegarden

Education:

• PhD 1983-1989. University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
  Communication major, Journalism research, Marketing minor
• DCE, LTD 1977-1979. Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebraska.
  Fifth-year Director of Christian Education Diploma
  Lutheran Teachers Diploma by colloquy
• Master of Arts 1973-1976. University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
  Speech Communication: Rhetoric and Public Address
• Bachelor of Arts 1969-1973. University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.
  Communication Arts: Communication & Public Address

Research and Teaching Interests:

• Mass Communication
• Communication Analysis
• Organizational Communication
• Media Analysis

About Dr. David Woodard

A self-proclaimed political junkie, Dr. David Woodard serves as chair of the Department of History and teaches courses in political science and history. Woodard has been an instructor at Concordia since 1999 and has chaired the history department since 2008. His drive to teach was derived from the knowledge that good citizenship requires a basic understanding of history and current events; Woodard pushes students to read, reflect, think for themselves and make public decisions based on facts and not emotions.

Woodard has shared his expertise in U.S. history and political science through of presentations, lectures and book reviews nationally. He has published articles and book reviews in scholarly journals, including Civil War History, Journal of Southern History, Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, American National Biography, Teaching History and Peace and Change. Woodard is an active researcher and publisher who has secured multiple teaching grants for faculty improvement conferences and seminars. He served as a local television political commentator during the 2008 elections and has been a costumed interpreter at Historic Fort Snelling.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Ph.D., History, University of Minnesota (1996)
• M.A., History, Southern Illinois University (1986)
• B.A., Political Science and History, Western Illinois University (1976)

ACADEMIC FOCUS

American government, U.S. foreign policy, campaigns and elections, American Civil War, Cold War, research methods

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

"My career highlight was working with the distinguished Civil War historian, Dr. John Y. Simon, who served as my mentor when I began my academic journey.  I wouldn't be where I am today without his support and guidance."