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www.rctc.eduLearn from the Best
When
you want to be the best,
you have to think like the best.
You have to act like the best.
You have to believe you're the best!
But first, you have to learn from the best.
Meet a Few of Our Faculty
and Staff
Dr.
Julie Rodakowski, RCTC English/Humanities Instructor and Coordinator of the
Learning Center, was recently selected as one of the three winners of the
first-ever Excellence in Teaching Award named by the Minnesota State Colleges
and Universities Board of Trustees. Dr. Rodakowski was instrumental in forming
an honors program and the Comprehensive Learning Center at RCTC. In addition,
she has brought an international perspective to the College's curriculum by
teaching in the global learning program at Oxford University in England, studying
in Tanzania and India and leading the College to introduce Arabic and Chinese
as new courses.
RCTC has recently had four Fulbright Scholars. Lillyam Arroyave, RCTC Spanish
Instructor, completed her Fulbright in Paraguay. Darlene Voeltz, RCTC Business/Economics
Instructor, completed her Fulbright in both Peru and Argentina. Virginia Wright-Peterson,
RCTC English Instructor, pursued her Fulbright in Algeria and Dr. Julie Rodakowski,
RCTC English/Humanities Instructor, completed her Fulbright in India. As Fulbright
Scholar grantees, each of these faculty lectured and conducted research in
their academic and professional fields in another country. The Fulbright program,
sponsored by the United States Department of State and Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs, is one of the most prestigious faculty grant and research
programs offered in the United States.
Judy Gust, RCTC Health Information Technology Instructor, was named the 2006
Minnesota Business Educators, Inc. Outstanding Post-Secondary Business Instructor.
Judy has also had two articles featured on WCCO; "Rochester Technical
Program is an Online Leader" and "Gust" A Pioneer in Online
Education".
Simon Huelsbeck, RCTC Art Instructor, has had his work featured in galleries
and institutions in Philadelphia, Chicago, Rochester, Minneapolis and New
York.
Jean Musgjerd (RCTC coach, Co-Athletic Director and instructor) and Paula
Carlsen (RCTC adjunct instructor) are active members of the Southern Minnesota
Canine Search and Rescue. Jean and Paula and their dogs Cabala and Hannah
are pictured above.
Pam Whitfield, RCTC English and Equine Science Instructor, was recently nominated
for a US Equestrian Federation Pegasus Media Award for an article she wrote
for Practical Horseman.
Fan Shen, English Instructor, recently published the book, "Gang of One:
Memoirs of a Red Guard". Dr. Shen's book describes his disenchantment
with the radical Communist Red Guard and his escape from China to the United
States. "Gang of One" was selected as the RCTC Common Book for 2004-2006.
Jeff Taylor, RCTC Librarian and Political Science Instructor recently published
a book entitled, "Where Did the Party Go?".
Eric Sime, Special Needs/ADA Coordinator and RCTC Health Career Program Advisor,
was the recipient of the "National Career and Technical Education Special
Needs Direct Service Provider of the Year Award." Eric is pictured below.
FUN FACTS...
A yodeling
Dr. Ruth (a.,.a. Psychology Instructor Dr. Ruth Casper).
Marilyn Treder, a tap dancing math and computer science instructor.
A certified hynotherapist and Reiki Energy Healer who also teaches English
and philosophy, Dr. Ann Whelan.
Dr. Jeff Taylor, a librarian and political science instructor who also plays
electric guitar and sings in a rock band!
