Human Resources Office
Faculty Credentials
Sara Abrahamson, Dental Assistant
A.A.S. Minnesota West Community & Technical College
B.S. Minnesota State University, Mankato
M.S. Southwest Minnesota State University
Wendy Anderson, Dental Assistant
B.S. University of South Dakota
M.S. University of South Dakota
Robert Arp, Electrician
A.S. Minnesota West Community & Technical College
B.S. Bemidji State University
Leslie Bauman, Accounting
Diploma, Minnesota West Community & Technical College
B.S. Bemidji State University
M.S. Bemidji State University
Lance Baumann, Electrician
Diploma, Minnesota West Community & Technical College
Philip Berg, Lamb and Wool Management
B.S. South Dakota State University
M.S. North Dakota State University
Shawn Berning, Carpentry
Diploma, Alexandria Technical College
Daniel Bernstrom, English
B.S. Northwestern College
M.F.A. Hamline University
Brian Binnebose, Electrical Linework
Diploma, Wadena AVTI
Michael Boersma, Farm Business Management
B.S. South Dakota State University
Tom Bohlke, Plumbing
Diploma, Minnesota West Community & Technical College
Brian Boomgaarden, Farm Business Management
B.S. South Dakota State University
Ty Bowen, Mechatronics
A.A. Minnesota West Community & Technical College
Elizabeth Bunjer, Certified Nursing Assistant
A.A.S. Minnesota West Community & Technical College
B.S.N. Southwest Minnesota State University
Aaron Brudelie, Farm Business Management
B.S. South Dakota State University
M.B.A. Southwest Minnesota State University
Tim Buysse, English and Political Science
B.A. University of Minnesota, Morris
M.A. South Dakota State University
Linda Carter, Farm Business Management
B.S. South Dakota State University
Georgina Cavin, Small Business Management
A.A.S. National College
B.S. National American University
M.B.A. University of Sioux Falls
Stacy Christensen, Practical Nursing & Certified Nursing Assistant
B.S. South Dakota State University
M.S. Minnesota State University, Moorhead
Michael Cumiskey, Law Enforcement
A.A. Alexandria Technical College
B.A. Sociology
M.A. Business Management
Jeremy Daberkow, Farm Business Management
B.S. University of Minnesota
Kent Dahlman, Speech Communications
A.A. Minnesota State Community & Technical College, Fergus Falls
B.S. Minnesota State University, Moorhead
M.S. St. Cloud State University
Mike DeVries, Diesel Mechanics Technology
Diploma, Minnesota West Community & Technical College
Mike Dierks, Farm Business Management
B.S. South Dakota State University
M.B.A. Southwest Minnesota State University
Judy Drown, Electrician
A.A.S. Minnesota West Community & Technical College
Deron Erickson, Farm Business Management
B.S. North Dakota State University
Danylle Espenson, Cosmetology
Regency Beauty Academy
Shannon Fiene, Mathematics
B.S. Clemson University
M.S. North Carolina State University
Ph.D. North Carolina State University
Paul Filzen, Farm Business Management
A.S. Willmar Community College
B.S. South Dakota State University
Erika Freking, Associate Degree Nursing
Diploma, Minnesota West Community & Technical College
B.A. Southwest Minnesota State University
M.S. Minnesota State University, Mankato
Amber Garcia, Occupational Therapy Assistant
A.A.S. Lake Area Technical Institute
B.S. St. Catherine University
M.A. St. Catherine University
Anita Gaul, History
B.A. Calvin College
M.A. University of Iowa, Iowa City
Ph.D. University of Iowa, Iowa City
Megan Gorres, Practical Nursing
A.S. Ridgewater College
M.S. Bellevue University
M.S.N. Grand Canyon University
D.N.P. Grand Canyon University
Leah Gossom, Art
B.A. Ohio State University
M.F.A. Ohio State University
Jeremy Hall, Welding
Diploma, Ridgewater College
Rosalie Hayenga, Biology, Physical Education & Coaching
B.S. Minnesota State University, Moorhead
M.S. St. Cloud State University
Justin Heckenlaible, Computer Science
B.S. Dakota State University
M.S. University of South Dakota
Alyson Helgeson, Early Childhood Development
B.A. Concordia College
M.A. University of Phoenix
Andy Hoffmann, Diesel Technology
Diploma, Minnesota West Community & Technical College
Angela Hoffman, Administrative Assistant
A.A.S. Minnesota West Community & Technical College
A.A. Minnesota West Community & Technical College
B.S. Franklin University
Kent Janssen, Farm Business Management
B.A. University of Minnesota
M.A. University of Minnesota
Doug Kleeberger, Automotive Services Technology
B.S. Pillsbury Baptist Bible College
M.A. Central Baptist Theological Seminary
Lisa Kounkel, Cosmetology
Certificate, Stewart School of Hairstyling
Ryan Knuth, Lamb and Wool Management
B.S. University of Wisconsin – Platteville
M.S. Montana State University
Ph.D. University of Wyoming
Laura Laackmann, Associate Degree Nursing
A.A. Minnesota State University, Mankato
A.S. Southeast Technical Institute
B.S. South Dakota State University
M.S. Western Governors University
Jeffrey Linder, Physical Education & Coaching
A.A. Minnesota West Community & Technical College
B.S. Bemidji State University
M.S. United States Sports Academy
Amy McCuen, Surgical Technology
Diploma, Southeast Technical Institute
A.A. South Dakota State University
Shawn Meyer, Farm Business Management
A.A. Fergus Falls Community College
B.S. University of Minnesota
Brad Milbrath, Farm Business Management
B.S. South Dakota State University
Rita Miller, Medical Lab Technician
B.S. South Dakota State University
M.S. University of North Dakota
Ed.D., MLS (ASCP), St. Cloud State University
Gary Olsen, Electrician & Wind Energy
Diploma, Minnesota West Community & Technical College
Troy Otto, Farm Business Management
A.A. Minnesota West Community & Technical College
B.S. South Dakota State University
Eric Parrish, Music & Theatre
M.M. University of Northern Colorado
B.A. Gustavus Adolphus
Rose Patzer, Renewable Energy
B.A. Southwest Minnesota State University
M.B.A. Southwest Minnesota State University
Terri Petersen, Health Information Technology
Diploma, Minnesota West Community & Technical College
A.A. Rochester Community & Technical College
Robert Purcell, Physical Education, Health & Coaching
B.S. Minnesota State University, Moorhead
B.A. Minnesota State University, Moorhead
M.S. North Dakota State University
Zach Rada, Farm Business Management
B.S. South Dakota State University
Jeffrey Rain, Biology
A.A. Vermilion Community College
B.S. Minnesota State University, Mankato
M.A. Bemidji State University
Vong Rathsachack, Psychology
B.S. Huron University
M.A.C.O. Sioux Falls Seminary
Ph.D. Capella University
Tim Rhodes, Computer Technology Support
A.A.S. South Central Technical College
Jeff Rogers, Agriculture
A.S. Minnesota West Community & Technical College
B.S. University of Minnesota
M.Ed. North Dakota State University
Terry Rotschafer, Accounting & Business
B.S. Minnesota State University, Mankato
M.B.A. Minnesota State University, Mankato
M.S. University of Wisconsin
Jordana Runck, Biology
B.S. Winona State University
M.A. Concordia University
M.S. University of Nebraska, Kearney
Anna Sandager, Occupational Therapy Assistant
B.A. Iowa State University
M.A. St. Catherine University
Doug Schuett, Electrical Linework
Diploma, Minnesota West Community & Technical College
Ronald Schwint, Law Enforcement
B.A. Augustana College
M.A. University of South Dakota
Paul Siefert, Physics
B.S. Minnesota State University, Moorhead
M.S. North Dakota State University
Ph.D. North Dakota State University
Sally Sieve, Radiologic Technology
A.A. Avera McKennan School of Radiologic Technology
B.S. Bemidji State University
Gillian Singler, English
B.S. St. Cloud State University
M.A. Minnesota State University, Mankato
Krayton Stenzel, Business/Business Management
B.S. Minnesota State University, Mankato
M.B.A. Minnesota State University, Mankato
Eric Stoll, Electric Linework
Diploma, Northwest Iowa Community College
Heidi Tarus, Biology
B.A. Gustavus Adolphus
M.S. Minnesota State University, Mankato
M.S. University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Kip Thorson, Librarian
B.S. Minnesota State University, Mankato
M.S. University of Tennessee
Beth Van Orman, Psychology
A.A. Minnesota West Community & Technical College
B.A. Augustana College
M.S. University of Wisconsin, Stout
Lori Van Overbeke, Farm Business Management
B.S. Southwest Minnesota State University
M.S. Southwest Minnesota State University
Jay Vargas, Sociology
B.A. University of Texas, Pan American
M.S. University of Texas, Pan American
M.S. Minnesota State University, Mankato
M.A.I.S. University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley
M.A.T. Bemidji State University
Ph.D. South Dakota State University
Abby Vercauteren, English
B.A. University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire
M.A. University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire
B.A. St. John's University
M.S. Southwest State University
B.S. University of Wisconsin, Madison
M.S. Yale University
Ph.D. Yale University
B.A. Northwestern College
M.S. University of North Dakota
B.S. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
M.Ed. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
B.S. South Dakota State University
B.Ed. Dakota State University
M.S. Southwest Minnesota State University
B.S. University of Wisconsin – Platteville
M.S. Montana State University
Ph.D. University of Wyoming
Human Resources Office
Retirement Plans
Under provisions of Minnesota law, most state employees are members of a state retirement plan.
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Classified employees are enrolled in a defined benefit plan with the Minnesota State Retirement System General Plan.
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Unclassified employees are enrolled in one of several retirement funds – MSRS General Plan or Unclassified Plan, Teachers Retirement Association, or the Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.
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There is no mandatory retirement age for employees.
Defined Benefit Plans
A pension plan provides you a benefit at retirements based on a formula that takes into account your years of service, High-5 Compensation and the age at which you begin to receive benefits.
Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS)
800-657-5757
Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA)
800-652-9026
Teachers Retirement Association (TRA)
800-657-3669
Minnesota State colleges and universities and TIAA-CREF
800-682-8969
Defined Contribution Retirement Plan (DCR)
These defined contribution plans provide you a benefit at retirement based on the amount of your contributions, Minnesota State contributions and the market value change (earnings). The investments you select and the performance of those investments over time will have a significant effect on the amount of your retirement benefit.
Minnesota State Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
This site provides investment fund descriptions and performance, forms, and video presentations on Individual Retirement Account Plan (IRAP) and the Supplemental Retirement Plan (SRP).
TIAA-CREF 800-682-8969
Additional Voluntary Coverage
Employees can choose to contribute additional amounts to two other retirement plans. Employees can contribute to one or both of these plans, but contributions are subject to the IRS regulatory maximums.
Minnesota State Deferred Compensation Plan (457)
MnDCP is a voluntary retirement savings plan under section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code. Find more information about the plan, investment options, and forms on this site.
877-457-6466
Tax Sheltered Annuity Programs (403b)
TSA is a voluntary retirement savings program offered by Minnesota State.
TIAA-CREF, 800-682-8969
Human Resources Office
Optional Employee Benefits
Minnesota Management & Budget - Insurance Benefits
Affinity Credit Union
800-322-7228
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
EAP provides cost-free, confidential, professional assistance to help employees and their families resolve personal problems that may, though not necessarily, be affecting job performance. EAP is primarily an assessment, short-term counseling and referral agency.
800-657-3719
Life Insurance
Ochs 800-392-7295
Pre-tax Program
Pre-tax benefits allow an employee to pay for certain expenses with money that is deducted from pay before it is taxed. Because the employee is taxed less, take-home pay may be more. The following are pre-tax benefits: Health and Dental Premium Expense Account, Dependent Care Expense Account, Medical/Dental Expense Account, Parking Permit Expense Account.
Short-term, Long-term Disability/Managed Income Protection Plan
If an employee becomes disabled because of an illness or injury and can’t work, Short Term Disability (STD) benefits help replace lost income. Benefits begin on the 1st day of an accident or 8th day of an illness and can continue for up to 26 weeks while the employee is disabled. Long-term disability benefits extend income protection if a disability lasts for more than six months.
Hartford 800-752-9713
Human Resources Office
Health and Dental Benefits
Minnesota Advantage Health Plan Summary of Benefits
Minnesota Advantage Health Plan's Clinic Directory
State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP)
Your Employee Benefits
Insurance Carriers
- Advantage Blue Cross Blue Shield
800-262-0819 - Advantage Health Partners
888-343-4404 - Advantage Preferred One
800-997-1750 - State Dental Plan
800-553-9536