SKIP to: User Groups, Site Search, Page content, Quick Links, Contact Information

Meet a Few of Our Faculty and Staff

RCTC 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!