College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters Faculty - Marian University | Marian University

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Sheryl Ayala — Sheryl Ayala
Title: Professor, Biology
Email: sayala@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ed.D.

Susan Bornstein Forst — Susan Bornstein-Forst
Title: Professor, Biology
Email: sbornsteinforst@marianuniverstiy.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

Susan Bornstein-Forst

Dr. Susan Bornstein-Forst came to Wisconsin in 1991 after completing NIH supported post-doctoral research at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital in New York City. Since her initial appointment at Marian University, Dr. Bornstein-Forst has pioneered more than 25 new courses and programming in biology. She has a strong track record of structured mentorship and has devoted her career to undergraduate research in applied microbiology. Her teaching pedagogy is based upon an inquiry-to-application approach using student-active learning. As a professor, she teaches upper level courses such as Bacteriology and Immunology, and typically provides pre-service training for 4-8 students/semester in her laboratory throughout the year. Dr. Bornstein-Forst has been awarded more than $3 million in federal grant funding including two grants from the National Institute for Health for research on microbial source tracking and for two TRiO programs supporting student achievement. From 2007-2012, Dr. Bornstein-Forst served as the principle investigator and Director of the first TRiO program at Marian, named the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program. Dr. Bornstein-Forst served as McNair Scholars Program Director from 2007-2012 and was the principle investigator on Marian’s first Upward Bound Math Science grant. Most recently, she was awarded two grants for a Bridge to Success workshop that provides pre-professional training to Fond du Lac area women. Dr. Bornstein-Forst is a recognized mentor for the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the Society for Applied Microbiology (SfAM) and for the Society for Invertebrate Pathology (SIP). Many students who are trained at Marian receive fellowships from ASM and SfAM. These students have presented their findings on microbial contamination of food and water at international conferences in the U.S. and abroad. Dr. Bornstein-Forst has developed extensive academic-community partnerships with companies such as Monsanto, Miller Brewing, and Johnsonville Sausage, as well as with other academic institutions, including the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Marquette University, and Michigan State University. Many Marian students are participants in a National Science Foundation program for Connecting Researchers, Educators, Students, and Teachers (CREST) in which students learn how to build and use protein models. As an educator, administrator and researcher, Dr. Bornstein-Forst strives for the highest level of academic performance for her students and herself.

Jessica Brandt

Title: Assistant Professor, Biology
Email: jrbrandt10@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

Michael Garvey — Michael Garvey
Title: Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Physics
Email: mtgarvey04@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

Michael Garvey

Professor Michael Garvey received his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from UW-Milwaukee, where he worked under the guidance of Prof. Wilfred Tysoe. He earned his B.S. degree at UW-Oshkosh, where he majored in chemistry and physics. He joined the Marian community in 2016 and he regularly teaches general physics courses and physical chemistry, and this year he began co-directing the Honors Program. He is currently seeking collaborative research opportunities in which he can apply and expand his computational modeling expertise, and at home he enjoys trying to teach his daughters science. He has contributed to 19 peer-reviewed articles in journals including Nature Communications, The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, Tribology Letters, and The Journal of Physical Chemistry C.

Sarah Garvey — Sarah Garvey
Title: Assistant Professor, Chemistry
Email: slgarvey00@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

Sarah Garvey

Professor Sarah L. Garvey received her Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee working under the supervision of Prof. Mark Dietz. She joined Marian University in 2014, is currently an Assistant Professor and is excited to teach the general chemistry sequence; general, organic, and biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and instrumental analysis courses. Dr. Garvey earned her B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and performed undergraduate research in the lab of Prof. Charles Gibson. Dr. Garvey is interested in investigating the use of ionic-liquids in an array of applications such as dye extraction from wastewater, use as lubricants in the study of tribology, or metal ion extraction from radioactive waste. She is a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and actively involved with the local chapter (Northeast Wisconsin – ACS) as an executive committee member. She has published 12 peer-reviewed articles in journals including Journal of Chemical Education, Talanta, Separation and Purification Technology, Separation Science Technology and Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research.

Mary Gross — Mary Gross
Title: Associate Professor, History
Email: mgross@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

John Hammond

Title: Assistant Professor, Biology
Email: jihammond08@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

Faculty member Amy Hennings — Amy Hennings
Title: Associate Professor, Psychology
Email: alhennings55@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

Amy Hennings

Currently the chair of the Marian Psychology Program and a member of Marian’s Social, Behavioral, and Forensic Sciences Department, Dr. Amy Hennings arrived at the school in 2007 and is an Associate Professor in Psychology. She annually travels to the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference in Chicago with Marian students and her research focus is on retention and success of high-risk first-generation college students. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from UW-Eau Claire, her Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Saint Mary’s University Minnesota, and her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychology from Walden University Minnesota. She has worked in the field of psychology and human services for more than 20 years and additionally researches trauma informed and resilience building practices to serve survivors of trauma. Her human services experience includes working with children, adolescents, women, and families, who struggled with surviving trauma, mental health issues, chemical dependency, and domestic violence. She still works in a clinical supervisory role with a local foster care agency.

Leslie Jaber Wilson — Leslie Jaber-Wilson
Title: Professor, Social Work
Email: lejaberwilson02@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: D.S.W.

Leslie Jaber-Wilson

As a Professor in the Social, Behavioral and Forensic Science Department’s Social Work Program Leslie Jaber-Wilson teaches throughout the curriculum and serves as an academic advisor, while also serving as director of the social work program. She previously worked as a social worker and social work administrator in the areas of foster care, child welfare, and community mental health in Washington, Colorado and Wisconsin, and her research and professional presentations focus on foster care, mental health, and social work education. She continues to work in the field as the Executive Director of a private foster care agency and serves on the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Council on Social Work Education. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Washington and her Doctorate in Social Work from Aurora University.

Alan Johnson — Alan Johnson
Title: Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice
Email: arjohnson52@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: J.D.

Alan Johnson

Professor Alan Johnson, J.D. is the Director of the Criminal Justice and Homeland Security programs, having begun teaching courses at Marian in 2004 and becoming a full-time faculty member in 2014. A retired Milwaukee Police Lieutenant with 26 years of service, he enjoys using his real-world experience to explain the criminal justice system in ways that make the theoretical and practical work together. He believes students understand lessons and apply them to their professional exploits better if they understand the nuances and reasons behind their actions. Having attended a technical college himself and transferring to Marquette University to complete his degree in Criminal Justice and his law degree, Johnson has a strong understanding of the challenges students face in balancing their personal lives, families, education, and employment. He assists students with their journey as a student advisor and mentor.

Diana Johnson — Diana Johnson
Title: Assistant Professor, Forensic Science
Email: dgjohnson99@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: M.S.

Diana Johnson

Diana G. Johnson is the Director of the Forensic Science Program. She has taught at Marian University since 2015. She holds an M.S. in Entomology from Washington State University (Pullman, WA) and a B.S. in Biology from The College of New Jersey (Ewing, NJ). Before moving to Wisconsin, Diana worked for the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences in the Forensic Serology Section (2003-2011). Her main areas of interest are forensic serology and forensic entomology.

Ciara Kidder

Title: Assistant Professor, Psychology
Email: ckkidder08@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

Mary Klein — Mary Claire Klein
Title: Professor, Communication
Email: mklein@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ed.D.

Mary Claire Klein

Heaving earned a BSE, cum laude, from UW-Whitewater and an MA in Theology from the University of Notre Dame with an emphasis in liturgy, Mary Claire Klein, EdD, now serves as Marian’s Communication program director and Leadership program director. She completed an MS, summa cum laude, in Organizational Communication at UW-Whitewater, and her doctorate in Education from Cardinal Stritch University is in the area of leadership for the advancement of learning and service. Her research emphasis is in leadership in non-profit organizations, and she was named the 1999-2000 recipient of the Underkofler Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching award. She was also the recipient of the Excellence in Academic Advising award in May 2010 and the 2016 WACADA Faculty Excellence in Academic Advising award. She is a member of the Lakeshore Chorale and plays guitar, piano, and knits. She lives near the shores of Lake Michigan in Cleveland, Wisc., where she practices sustainable landscaping for natural bird habitat.

Jason Kowalski

Title: Assistant Professor, Chemistry
Email: jmkowalski06@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

Linda Krueger

Title: Assistant Professor, Mathematics
Email: lkkrueger64@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: M.S.

Christina Kubasta

Title: Associate Professor, English
Email: ckkubasta60@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: M.F.A.

David Leichter — David Leichter
Title: Associate Professor, Philosophy
Email: djleichter24@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

David Leichter

David J. Leichter is chair of the Department of the Humanities and the director of the philosophy program and the social justice program. He joined the Marian community in Fall 2013 after receiving his PhD from Marquette University and MA from Northern Illinois University. While at Marian he has taught courses in Bioethics, Existentialism, the Philosophy of Love and Friendship, Monuments and Memory, and the Philosophy of Food. In addition to teaching he has published several articles on the relationship between food and memory, the philosophical significance of graphic novels, and the importance of narrative ethics for medical practice. When not working, he spends his time cooking while listening to records from his ever-growing LP collection.

Ronald Lewis

Title: Instructor, Criminal Justice
Email: rlewis@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: M.S.

John Morris

Title: Assistant Professor, Chemistry
Email: jmorris@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

Justin Ponder

Title: Associate Professor, English
Email: jcponder43@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

Gina Possin

Title: Assistant Professor. Psychology
Email: gapossin00@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: M.S.

Anairahe Rosenow

Title: Assistant Professor, Social Work
Email: arosenow93@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: M.S.W.

Jennifer Schultz — Jennifer Schultz
Title: Instructor, Psychology
Email: jmschultz86@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: M.A.

Jennifer Schultz

Schultz has been teaching in the psychology program for more than 10 years and has extensive clinical experience with children and families. A Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Wisconsin, she has worked as a therapist and clinical director for a foster care agency and currently provides clinical consultation to several Fond du Lac area social service agencies. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the University of Colorado at Denver and a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Studies from UW- Madison. She remains active in the community, serving as a member of the Zero Suicide FDL initiative, on the board of the Robert E Berry House, and previously helped establish the Kewaskum Community Pantry. She lives in Fond du Lac with her family, including three cats and dogs. When not vacuuming pet hair she enjoys kayaking, hiking, flower gardening, reading, and cooking.

Sr. Marie Scott — Sr. Marie Scott
Title: Assistant Professor
Email: MScott@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: M.A.

Sr. Marie Scott

Sr. Marie Scott has served at Marian University for the past 17 years as the Director of Campus Ministry and as an assistant professor of history. Sr. Marie Scott is a proud member of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, the founder and sponsoring organization of Marian University.

On a personal note, Sr. Marie Scott enjoys traveling, reading, good movies, conversation and spending time with friends.

Brenda Stueber — Brenda Stueber
Title: Associate Professor, Social Work
Email: bjstueber00@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: M.S.W.

Brenda Stueber

Brenda J. Stueber is an associate professor and social work field director at Marian University. She received her bachelor’s degree (B.S.W.) from UW-Oshkosh and her Masters Degree in Social Work, (M.S.S.W.) from UW-Milwaukee with emphasis in school social work. She has more than 25 years of combined experience practicing in the social work field and teaching general studies and social work at higher education institutions. The lifelong resident of Fond du Lac is invested in the Fond du Lac community through her work in service-learning and volunteer practices.

Matt Szromba — Matthew Szromba
Title: Associate Professor
Email: mpszromba93@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

Luke Townsend

Title: Assistant Professor, Theology
Email: ldtownsend27@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

Lance Urven

Title: Professor, Biology
Email: lurven@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

Jodi Wagner-Angell

Title: Associate Professor, English
Email: jlwagner@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

Cooper Wakefield — Cooper Wakefield
Title: Assistant Professor, Communication
Email: cswakefield00@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.

Cooper Wakefield

Dr. Cooper Wakefield specializes in developing intercultural competence, the cultural differences between the U.S. and Asia, diversity, and interpersonal competence. He has been an Assistant Professor of Communication at Marian since 2014 and teaches courses including Intercultural Communication, Essentials of Interpersonal Communication, and Interpersonal Communication. He obtained his doctoral degree in intercultural communication from the University of Kansas, his master’s degree in East Asian Languages and Cultures from the University of Illinois, and his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Cincinnati. Before coming to Marian he taught at the University of Kansas, in the graduate department at Shanghai International Studies University, and at the University of Illinois. His appreciation for the field of intercultural communication came largely as he studied and taught in China from 1995-2009. He has a continuing fascination with how people’s cultural heritage profoundly influences their worldview and communication mechanisms and is gratified when he’s able to help others navigate and affirm culture. The Oshkosh resident lives with his wife and two children, and besides being in the classroom he is happiest when he toils in his garden.

Tom Wallestad

Title: Associate Professor, Art
Email: twallestad@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: M.F.A.

John Walser

Title: Professor, English
Email: jwalser@marianuniversity.edu
Degree: Ph.D.