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2007-2008 Program Alumni

Maggie Aftahi

Coordinator
College of Liberal Arts

Maggie Aftahi joined the College of Liberal Arts in 2005 as coordinator of Undergraduate Recruitment. In this position, Maggie is charged with enhancing the excellence and diversity of CLA's undergraduate student body. She is responsible for the coordination, design, implementation, and evaluation of the undergraduate student recruitment plan which involves the participation of CLA's deans, academic departments and faculty, staff, current students, and alumni. Various forms of communication are used as well as event planning including the CLA Open House, which plays host to nearly 2,000 admitted students and family members. Maggie works closely with CLA Students Services, External Relations, Honors, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Program, the McGuire Academic Program, and the Office of Admissions in complementing their specialty recruitment efforts and processes. In addition, Maggie oversees CLA's K-12 outreach efforts; she was also instrumental in the creation of the CLA Ambassador Program in 2006.

Maggie received her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Before coming to the University, she worked in marketing, public relations, and recruitment at Saint Paul College.

Aaron Asmundson

Assistant Director
Office for Student Affairs

Aaron Asmundson is currently the assistant director for the Office for Student Engagement and Leadership. Prior to this position, Aaron worked in Student Unions and Activities for six years in a variety of roles, including advising fraternities and sororities, working with the student services fees committee, and as the director of Student Organizations. In addition to his current role working with co-curricular leadership programs, Aaron teaches two of the core courses in the University's Leadership Minor.

Aaron holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Psychology from Augustana College and a Master of Arts in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University. He is a member of the American College Personnel Association, the National Clearinghouse for Leadership Programs, the Leadership Educators Institute, and the International Leadership Association.

Jessica Beyer

Community Program Assistant
Academic Administration – UM-Morris

Jessica Beyer is a community program assistant for the Center for Small Towns on the UM-Morris campus. Her responsibilities include the coordination of the Student Involvement component at the Center. In this role, she involves UMM students in a variety of projects with surrounding small communities. She is also the organization's lead staff in communications and publicity. Through other professional development opportunities, she completed programs such as the Blandin Community Leadership Program and Leadership Morris. Jessica also serves on several UMM committees.

Jessica is a lifelong resident of Morris and received her bachelor's degree from UMM. In addition to her job at UMM, she is also a co-owner of Beyer's Laundromat and Carwash, staff support for Craig Beyer's Tree Service, and a mother of two. Horses are a big part of Jessica's passions, and she has successfully shown horses in competitions on both the national and international level.

Sherri Boone

Facilities Planner
Office of Space Management

In her role as facilities planner in the Office of Space Management, Sherri Boone provides “best use” practices for space allocation, location analysis, and consultation to decision-makers throughout the University. She also assists units with planning for current and future space needs. One of her goals is to successfully integrate the U of M Strategic Planning to the space and allocation process within the University community.

Sherri received her bachelor's degree at Cornell University and has worked in the field of space planning and management for over twenty years. She joined the University of Minnesota in 2004; her prior work experience included positions in the aerospace and medical devices industries, local government, and as a consultant in space management and acquisition. She feels fortunate to be able to draw upon her variety of past experiences in her day-to-day service to the University.

Sandra Ecklein

Coordinator
Office of the Vice Provost for Distributed Education and Instructional Technology

Sandra Ecklein is one of the managers of the U of M portal (myU). In this role, she works with technical staff and information owners to provide an array of services to students, faculty, and staff throughout the University system. She has also coordinated development of the online Student Evaluation of Teaching, from its inception as a pilot in 2003.

Prior to assuming her current position, Sandra served as co-editor of the University Accountability Report. She is an alumna of the Women's Leadership Institute and a current member of the U of M Communicators Forum. She received her bachelor's degree from Carleton College and a master's degree in Liberal Studies from the University of Minnesota.

Bruce Erickson

Director of Communications
Office of the Vice President for Research

Bruce Erickson has been the director of communications for the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) since 2005. He joined the University in 1999 as an editor in Sponsored Projects Administration and served as communications coordinator for Patents and Technology Marketing before becoming director.

As director of communications, Bruce works to position the OVPR and its units as “advocates of University research.” In this role, he and his team deliver communication and marketing services for the OVPR that support the University’s mission and its efforts to become a top three public research university.

Bruce received his bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College. Prior to the University, he worked for the Department of Human Services, the Minnesota Senate, and Fairview Riverside Hospital.

Cathy Fejes

Human Resources Consultant
Academic Health Center, Office of Human Resources

Cathy Fejes joined the AHC Office of Human Resources in August 2001. In her role, Cathy assists administrators, managers, and staff in policy and contract interpretation, performance management, staffing, hiring processes, grievances, and pay equity. In her work she regularly partners with other University offices such as Disability Services, Office of the General Counsel, Central HR, and Labor Relations. Cathy has participated on several University-wide work teams handling projects such as performance management, Disability Services' UReturn and Transitional Employment Program, updating OHR's web-based Manager's Toolkit, and 2005 AFSCME contract negotiations. In her position, Cathy has worked with representatives of the Civil Service Committee and union leaders and stewards.

Cathy received her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–LaCrosse.

Steve Gillard

Steve Gillard is an analyst and information systems architect with the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences. His responsibilities include working across several functional areas and organizational boundaries; his primary focus is to provide data reporting and decision support assets to a diverse internal customer base. His position functions in the space where technology meets the business needs – at the intersection of where technology meets the business side of the college. He is also a virtual member of a number of functional areas including Information Technology, Fiscal Operations, and Student Affairs of the College in an ongoing collaboration as well as working closely with the management team.

Steve received his degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. He began his employment with the University in 1986 in the financial area of the College of Human Ecology. Over the years, he has held positions focusing on data management, database development and reporting, accounting, analysis, and information technology.

Elizabeth Grossman

Senior Career Consultant
Health Careers Center

Elizabeth Grossman is a senior career consultant with the Health Careers Center. She has been in her role at the center for just over a year. Before coming to the University, Liz spent six years working at a research consulting firm as a member of the national evaluation team for the largest federally funded children's mental health initiative. Her work in public health over the past 15 years has primarily focused on the design, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs at the local, state, and national levels. Her responsibilities at the Health Careers Center includes providing leadership on the center's strategic planning initiative, integrating performance measurement methods, assisting with the design and implementation of special programs and events, and teaching workshops and courses for undergraduates and prospective students exploring health professional programs at the U of M.

Liz received her master's degree in Public Health Education and Behavioral Sciences from Emory University.

Peter Haeg

Director of Student Services
College of Pharmacy

Peter Haeg currently oversees the admissions and student services in the Pharm.D. program in the College of Pharmacy. His responsibilities include oversight of the competitive admissions process, student advising, student communications, and maintaining student records. He joined the University of Minnesota as the student services coordinator in the college in 2000.

Peter has served elsewhere in the University as a Council of Academic Professionals & Administrators (CAPA) representative, as a U of M Senator, and as an advisor to student organizations. He received his bachelor's degree from St. John's University in Minnesota and his master's degree from the Universitat Jaume I in Spain.

Rachel Hartreeve

Coordinator
Office of Space Management

Rachel Hartreeve works in the Office of Space Management advising University clients on space options and strategizing long-term solutions that address limited space resources. She began her career at the University in the Office of the President and has also worked in the Office of Planning and the Office of Institutional Research. Rachel is a recent participant in the Women's Leadership Institute.

Her previous work experiences span nonprofit, public, and private sectors and include such diverse roles as an archaeologist, a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala, the administrative director of a holistic health center, and a consultant in marketing.

Rachel received her bachelor's degree from Eastern New Mexico University and her master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Andy Howe

Coordinator
Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

As a coordinator in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Andy Howe's primary responsibility is to lead the development and implementation of the vision for the undergraduate portal. He is also active in a variety of committees and advisory boards. Andy has 15 years of professional experience working in advisor, coordinator, director, and instructor roles in both private and public universities, and community colleges. His professional interests in higher education include multiculturalism/diversity, institutional change, leadership development, and student retention theory and practice.

Andy received his bachelor's degree from Indiana University–Bloomington and master's degree from Clemson University. He is currently in his final year in the Ph.D. program in Higher Education at the University.

Claire Kari

Environmental Health Specialist
Environmental Health and Safety

Claire Kari is a biological safety specialist for DEHS. She joined the biosafety group in September 2003. Prior to joining DEHS, she was an assistant scientist and research lab manager for the Department of Genetics, Cell, and Developmental Biology and Animal Science for a total of 27 years. Her current job responsibilities include working with researchers to implement biosafety programs, developing, and delivering lab safety training material, and interacting with federal agencies to insure University compliance with regulations. She also transformed the IBC process from a paper document system into an electronic document and management system. She participated in the Biosafety Implementation Project to write the policies and procedures for the IBC. Her new duties allow her to indulge her lifelong enthusiasm for learning and teaching. She delights in using the skills she developed acquiring a degree in Secondary Education: Biology and utilizing decades of research experience.

In addition to her background in education and research, Claire is a master gardener, tree care advisor, and plant health care advisor for Hennepin County.

Charleen Klarquist

Assistant, Student Support Services
Department of Design, Housing, and Apparel

Char Klarquist provides student services support for the Graduate Program of Design, Housing, and Apparel – the department for which she has worked since 1988. She has served on committees at the department, college, and University levels. She has a strong commitment to service and is passionate about lifelong learning.

Char's awards include the College of Human Ecology Excellence in Academic Advising Award and the College of Human Ecology Civil Service Outstanding Performance Award.

Char's personal interests include birds, theater, yoga, creative writing, travel, and lifelong learning.

Victoria Larson

Vicki Larson

Manager
One Stop Student Services

Vicki Larson is a manager in One Stop Student Services Center within Academic Support Resources, a position she has held for the past five years. Prior to that, Vicki worked in the Campus Involvement Center (now Student Activities) advising the student services fees committee and maintaining the departmental budget.

In her spare time, Vicki enjoys rowing, sports, reading, art, and playing with her kids. When rowing was a club sport at the University of Minnesota, Vicki coached the novice women's rowing team for our years and discovered a passion for coaching. This love of coaching has translated well to her current position as manager in One Stop.

Matt Nuttall

Business Analyst
Academic Support Resources

Matt Nuttall joined Academic Support Resources as a Business Analyst in 2006. In this role, Matt supports student-related business processes working as a liaison between technical support and end users. His current projects include the Scholarship Search and Management project and the Lifetime Internet ID project.

Prior to this position, Matt worked in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) for eight years in the college's Office of Information Technology. His projects included CLAIM, an equipment checkout and inventory management system used by several CLA departments, and the Media Mill, a video archival and distribution system. Matt shared in a team Outstanding Service award for his work on the Media Mill.

Tricia Sanders

Assistant to Vice Chancellor
UMC Business Affairs

Tricia Sanders is the assistant to the vice chancellor of Finance & University Services at the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) and has served in this role since September 2004. Her responsibilities include preparing the annual budget, assessing UMC's current and future financial status, preparing and presenting financial information to key administrators, performing campuswide audit functions, and assisting the vice chancellor with financial modeling, analysis functions, financial policy, and new program development. She joined the University in July 2003 as an accountant.

Tricia received her bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota and has plans to pursue her master's degree. She is active within the campus and serves on various committees.

Virajita Singh

Senior Research Fellow
Center for Sustainable Building Research

Virajita Singh is a senior research fellow in the Center for Sustainable Building Research and adjunct assistant professor in the School of Architecture, College of Design. Virajita also plays the role of facilities coordinator and leads the effort to green the College of Design. Her work involves connecting students, faculty, and staff across the areas of research, teaching, and operations and moving the college towards achieving its sustainability goals.

Virajita received her bachelor's degree in architecture from Mumbai, India, and a master's degree from the University of Minnesota. She is an alumna of the University's Women's Leadership Institute 2006-07 cohort.

Outside architecture and sustainability, Virajita's passions are in the areas of social justice, culture and sacred spaces, and the arts. She volunteers regularly at a local homeless shelter and at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts as a Collection-in-Focus guide for the museum's Arts of China collection. This year, she will also be leading a Global Seminar to India through the U's Learning Abroad Center and exhibiting her artwork at a Minneapolis emerging artist’s exhibition in the fall.

Anne Sumangil

Event Manager
Carlson School of Management

Anne Sumangil is the event manager at the Carlson School of Management and has worked at the University of Minnesota since 2002. In her role, Anne oversees the design, logistics, and execution of over 100 events annually for internal and external constituents of the Carlson School including school-wide, alumni, development, and diversity events. She also serves as a representative for the Carlson School at national alumni events in cities across the U.S.

Anne received her bachelor's degree from the College of St. Benedict and recently graduated with a master's degree in Human Resource Development from the University of Minnesota. She is a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), a professional meeting and event organization, and is certified through the University of Minnesota in Festival and Event Management.

In addition to her role at the Carlson School, Anne is an active volunteer with the Minneapolis Aquatennial. Currently, she serves as director of the Queen of the Lakes Scholarship Program; member of the Aquatennial Ambassador Organization's (AAO) Board of Directors; and the 2007 vice president of AAO. As a past ambassador for the Aquatennial, Anne values the development of the young women who participate in the festival and enjoys the opportunity to give back to her community.

Peggy Talbot

Technology Manager
University Services Information Systems

Peggy Talbot is a technology manager with University Services Infrastructure Support (USIS). She came to the University of Minnesota in October 2005, from American Express where she held various management positions in accounting and technology. Her current responsibilities are to provide the operational support for desktop management and applications in support of Facilities Management, Capital Project Planning, University Services, and Environmental Health and Safety.

Peggy enjoys working with customers to provide a high level of customer service by providing technology solutions, enhancing support processes, and using tools to best meet their business needs.

Julie VanSteenbergen

Assistant to Dean - Design, Housing, and Apparel
College of Design

Julie VanSteenbergen is the assistant to the head in the department of Design, Housing, and Apparel in the College of Design. Her responsibilities include course schedule management, instructor support, human resources, budget forecasting and management, and facilities issues. Julie previously worked at the University of Minnesota hospital as manager of environmental services. Before returning to the University in 2005, she spent eight years working on a research project for the codification of the laws of the Republic of Uganda.

Julie received her bachelor's degree in human resource management from Metropolitan State University.

Jodie Walz

Curator
College of Design Academic Resources Center

Jodie Walz is the director of digital collections and archives at the College of Design. Her role is to support college teaching and research through the production and management of digital content. She has worked in the unit since 1997 (starting as the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture) and has enjoyed watching the collection grow. She is especially proud of the collaborative project with the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) to create the Digital Content Library in that it involved a campuswide effort to bring together people, expertise, and content.

Jodie received a bachelor's degree in art and a bachelor's degree in architecture and art history from the University of Minnesota; she received her MLIS from the University of North Texas. In her free time, she enjoys pursuing interests such as photography, biking, hiking, or fishing around the region.

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