Graduate
A major factor in the success of your education whether you have the right people delivering class content and materials. Faculty members at Minnesota School of Business (MSB) – St. Cloud are here to supply their guidance and knowledge, providing students with the high-quality education they need to be competitive in today’s job market. Our instructors have professional experience in their industries―they are windows into the real-world workplace. Small class sizes and one-on-one instruction allow students to take advantage of that knowledge.
To learn more about our faculty, talk to a St. Cloud admissions representative at 866-403-3333 or read some of our faculty bios below.
- Dean and Associate Dean
- Business Faculty
- Legal faculty
- Criminal Justice faculty
- Health Fitness Specialist faculty
- Information Technology faculty
- Interactive Media & Graphic Design faculty
- Massage Therapy faculty
- Medical Assistant/Medical Administrative Assistant Faculty
- Veterinary Technology Faculty
- Music Business Faculty
Dean and Associate Dean of Faculty
Jena Klein - Dean of Faculty
I have been with the St. Cloud campus since the doors opened in October 2004. I started with Minnesota School of Business-St. Cloud as an adjunct writing instructor, and by January of 2005 I transitioned into my current role as Dean of Faculty. Experientially, I have worked in educational settings for 15 years. Educationally, I hold both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in English Education, along with additional graduate and doctoral level classes in pedagogy and higher education. Beyond formal education, I am also qualified as an ACICS Evaluator and an Insights Instructor.
Christine Jegers - Associate Dean of Faculty
Christine Jegers has been the Associate Dean of Faculty since June 2008. She has also served in an adjunct faculty role, teaching Music Business and Student Success classes. She has a Master’s degree in Education (Teaching and Learning) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education (Instrumental and Classroom Emphases). She taught music classes for 10 years in the K-12 school system prior to coming to MSB.
Business Faculty
Wendy Topp
I have been an instructor at MSB for the past three years. I graduated from Minnesota State-Mankato in 1976. I earned my MBA from MSB in December 2007. Prior to becoming an instructor at MSB, I was employed for 22 years by Frito-Lay, Inc. While employed by Frito-Lay, I was a Route Salesperson for the first four years and a District Sales Manager for the remaining eighteen years.
Legal Program Faculty
Joseph Bazan - Legal Program Chair and Criminal Justice Chair
- JD: The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, IL
- BA: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Joseph Bazan started his legal career as a law clerk at a plaintiff’s personal injury firm in downtown Chicago. He also worked as a law clerk in the in-house legal department for Weiss Memorial Hospital. He has been an attorney since 1993.
Joseph began teaching at the Brooklyn Center campus of Minnesota School of Business (MSB) in September 2002. He has also taught at the MSB-Plymouth campus. Joseph has been the Legal Program Coordinator at the St. Cloud campus since 2005.
Colleen Norgren
Education
- BS: St. Cloud State University
- AAS: North Hennepin Community College
Colleen teaches writing, legal research, technology, criminal law and office management courses. She has been a paralegal since 1994.
John Wegner
Education
- JD: Hamline University School of Law
- BS: St. John’s University
John teaches almost all legal courses. He focuses on probate, real estate, American legal systems, torts, legal terminology and contracts. He has been an attorney since 1980.
Tracy Harris
Education
- JD: The John Marshall Law School
- BA: Michigan State University
Tracy teaches many substantive law classes at MSB-St. Cloud, focusing on Criminal Law, American Legal Systems, Employment Law, Constitutional Law and Torts. She has been in social services since 1997 and has been an attorney since 2004. She currently serves as assistant county attorney at Sherburne County.
Jen Lessinger
Education
- JD: University of North Dakota
- BS: Minnesota State University – Moorhead
Jen teaching focuses on litigation and contracts, but she is qualified to teach most substantive law courses. She is a former Judicial Law Clerk at Stearns County and former Assistant Attorney at Otter Tail County. She has been an attorney since 1998.
J. Chris Klippen, Attorney, Instructor
- J.D.: William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN
- B.A.: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
- Legal Instructor, Minnesota School of Business – St. Cloud
- Registered Lobbyist, Klippen & Associates
- Assistant County Attorney, Sherburne & Mille Lac Counties, MN
- Of Counsel, Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A., Minneapolis, MN
- Private Attorney: criminal defense and civil litigation
- Assistant Public Defender: Tenth Judicial District, Minnesota
Denis Hynes, Attorney, Instructor
- LLM: George Washington University, Washington, D.C., 1972
- JD: George Washington University, Washington, D.C., 1968.
- BS: St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN, 1964
- Assistant Public Defender, Seventh Minnesota Judicial District
- Chief, Criminal Division, Stearns County Attorney’s Office
- Private Practice
- Office of the General Counsel, Federal Trade Commission
- U.S. Army Legal Services Agency
Criminal Justice
Sandi Sostak
Education
- MS: St. Cloud State University
- AAS: St. Cloud State University
Sandi’s experience in corrections started in 1990 at the Minnesota Department of Corrections where she carried out pre-sentencing investigations. She also conducted a pre-release program at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud. Later, she worked as a corrections agent for Stearns County Community Corrections, and in 1997 was promoted to supervisor for adult medium- and high-risk offenders and the specialized sex offender unit. She is now employed as a career corrections agent for the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
Sandi has taught as an adjunct faculty member at St. Cloud St. University and Rasmussen Business College. In addition, she is a certified trainer for the Level of Service Inventory – Revised (LSI-R) and a trained facilitator for the National Institute of Corrections cognitive behavioral change program.
Health Fitness Specialist
Scott Eide - Program Coordinator
Scott Eide graduated from Minot State with a degree in physical education and received his master's degree in human performance from SCSU. Scott has coached track and field athletes for twenty years and is CSCS and USAW certified. He is the program coordinator for the St. Cloud campus and has held several master's weightlifting records. His favorite classes to teach are exercise physiology and research.
Dr. Sara Cuperus
Education
- DC: Northwestern Chiropractic College
- BAA: University of Minnesota – Duluth
Sara’s academic background in exercise science and chiropractic directly relates to what she does today. As a private-practice chiropractor, she has specialized in pediatric, family practice and sports chiropractic. Her experience also qualifies her to teach several classes in the health fitness specialist program at MSB-St. Cloud, where she has taught since 2005. She enjoys teaches Nutrition, Kinesiology and Musculoskeletal Disorders.
Ana Freire
Education
- MS: St. Cloud State University
- BA: UniverCidade, Rio de Janeiro
Ana received her Teaching Certification in Dance while attending UniverCidade in Brazil in 2002. In 2005, she added to her academic credentials by completing a 2-year Specialization in Psychomotor Education from Uni-IMBR in Rio de Janeiro. Ana has over a decade of experience teaching ballet, which lead her to her pursue an education in injury prevention and performance for dancers. She completed her Master’s in Exercise Science at St. Cloud State University, emphasizing in Biomechanics. Ana was recently elected President of the Cutting Edge Skating School. She has taught health fitness specialist courses MSB-St. Cloud since 2008.
Information Technology
Ron Altmann
Education
- BS: Webb Institute of Naval Architecture
At Hydronautics, Inc., Ronald worked his way up from Assistant Research Scientist to Principal Research Scientist from 1963 to 1983. From 1983 to 1989, he was Principal Research Scientist at Tracor Hydronautics, where he was a member of the Head, Ship Performance and Model Testing Division. He also served as Branch Head for the U. S. Naval Academy Hydromechanics Laboratory. Ronald is now the sole proprietor of Parth Galen Software (1989 – present), providing consulting services, code development, database conversion and more.
Ronald has been an instructor of information technology courses at Minnesota School of Business St-Cloud since 2002. He teaches subjects such as database design, Microsoft Office Suite, and fundamentals of mathematics. In 2006, he was named Minnesota Career College Teacher of the Year.
Interactive Media & Graphic Design
Mike Chau, Interactive Media & Graphic Design
Education
- BFA: St. Cloud State University
Mike has been applying his training in graphic design to use since 2002, in work such as freelance web design, video production, motion graphics, website administration, consulting, and training workshops for industry professionals. He has also taken on pro-bono work for non-profit organizations and is active in the St. Cloud community.
Mike teaches almost every course in the Interactive Media and Graphic Design programs at GU-MSB, and enjoys watching students progress as they develop their skills from their first days in class till graduation.
Rhonda Smedstad, Interactive Media & Graphic Design
Eduction
- BA: St. Cloud State University
Rhonda has teaching experience working from a wide range of age groups, from kindergarten to college-level students. Her experience includes working as a travel agent and interior designer. She has also worked at Bankers Systems in the graphic design department. But most of her 23 years of design experience has come from freelance work. Rhonda’s enjoys teaching at MSB-St. Cloud, especially Applied Color Theory and Design Fundamentals.
Massage Therapy
Jennifer Doherty
Education
- BS: New Mexico State University
- Certificate: Arizona School of Massage Therapy
While attending Arizona School of Massage Therapy, Jennifer learned many massage modalities including Structural Integration, Craniosacral Therapy, Russian Sports Massage, Acupressure and Shiatsu. After she graduated in 2002, she continued to add to her repertoire, receiving training in Shirodhara, Abhyanga and Stone Abhyanga, Vibrational Healing and Aromatherapy. She maintains certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. She has been teaching for the massage therapy program at MSB-St. Cloud since 2005.
Celina McKenzie – Program Coordinator
Education
- AAS, High-Tech Institute
Celina joined Globe University/Minnesota School of Business in 2005 after working in both spa and chiropractic settings. She currently owns her own massage business, holds certification in Reflexology, Craniosacral levels 1 and 2 and Lymph Drainage level 1 through Upledger Institute, and has completed continuing education in Myofascial Release through Cross Country University, Labor Doula through Cappa, Geriatric Massage, Raindrop Therapy, Energy Work, and Shoulder Pain Protocols through Healing Arts, and Reflexology through Natural Selections. Celina is a member of the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals and is nationally certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Celina is also an active book reviewer for Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
MA/MAA
Lisa Smith, C.M.A. - Medical Program Coordinator
Education
- AAS: Minnesota School of Business
- Diploma: Lakeland Medical and Dental Academy
Lisa Smith attended Lakeland Medical and Dental Academy in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated in 1993 and became a licensed x-ray operator in June 1995. During this time she worked at a pediatric office and an urgent care clinic.
Lisa began teaching in April 2005 for Minnesota School of Business in St. Cloud where she started as an adjunct instructor while running the urgent care clinics. In July of 2005 she became a full time instructor and completed instructor CPR certification in May 2006. In July 2006 Lisa became Coordinator of the Medical Programs, and in June of 2007 graduated with an associate degree from Minnesota School of Business.
Jennifer Potter
Jennifer began teaching at the St. Cloud Campus in April of 2008, where she started as an adjunct instructor teaching radiology. She found that she could easily balance hospital life with the task she had set out to do when she first started college: teaching. Jennifer currently teaches an average of five classes per quarter as an adjunct medical assisting instructor. She has found that blending her medical experiences in with her teaching has been rewarding, for she believes that not sharing knowledge is a lost opportunity.
Veterinary Technology
Dr. Joel Erickson, DVM
Education
- DVM: University of Minnesota
- St. Olaf College
- University of Minnesota – Duluth
Joel Erickson, DVM has been a veterinarian since 1974. He worked as a staff veterinarian at Skowhegan Animal Hospital from June 1974 until April 1976. He then served as a staff veterinarian from April 1976 until June 1977. He opened his own veterinary clinic in Monticello, Minnesota on July 1, 1976. He expanded this veterinary business on several occasions eventually having a staff of over 40 employees and 5 veterinarians. Dr. Joel Erickson’s practice was an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited practice. The Monticello-Big Lake Pet Hospital was sold by Dr. Joel Erickson on June 11, 2007.
Joel Erickson, DVM began to do relief veterinary medicine at AEVS (Affiliated Emergency Veterinary Service) in December 2007. He continues to do relief veterinary medicine for AEVS. He works on the average two week-ends a month primarily at the Duluth AEVS facility.
Joel Erickson, DVM began teaching at Minnesota School of Business-St. Cloud in April 2008. He is the staff veterinarian for the MSB-St. Cloud campus where he teaches Veterinary Technician Pharmacology, Anesthesia and Analgesia and Surgical Nursing. He also performs surgery as part of his teaching duties.
Joel Erickson, DVM has been a member of the American Animal Association and the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association since his graduation in June 1974.
Holly Gazett
Holly attended Ridgewater College in Willmar, MN. She graduated in 1999 and became certified in June of 1999. She did educational rotations at the University of Minnesota’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital for 12 weeks. Holly completed her internship in the north metro area, where she continued to work for 1 ½ years. She relocated back to the St. Cloud area in October of 2000 where she worked as a CVT until starting at MSB.
Holly began teaching at the St. Cloud Campus in January 2006, where she started as an adjunct instructor teaching 5-6 classes per quarter. In April 2008, she became a full time instructor where she continues to teach in the class room and also help with administrative duties. In January 2009, she was appointed the Veterinary Technology Program Chair where she oversees the entire vet tech program.
Deb Palmer
Deb attended Argosy University, in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated in 1994, and became certified in June 1994. While in school she worked as a veterinary assistant in a small animal clinic in the western suburbs. Deb completed her internship in the west metro area, where she continued to work for 7 years. She relocated to the St. Cloud area in January of 1999, where she worked as a CVT until starting at MSB in 2005.
Deb began teaching at the St. Cloud Campus in April of 2005, where she started as an adjunct instructor teaching 5-6 classes per quarter. In October of 2007, she became a full time instructor where she continues to teach in the class room.She also serves as a student coordinator, the advisor for SCNAVTA (Vet Tech Club) and supervises all animal care.
Music Business
Gary Sklenar – Program Coordinator and Lead Instructor
Education
- BS: Minnesota School of Business
Gary Sklenar is the coordinator for the Music Business program at St. Cloud, and has handled advising for the Business Administration program in the past. He has been the music business and audio production program coordinator and instructor for Minnesota School of Business for more than 5 years, teaching classes on the recording industry, copyright and publishing, artist management, music fundamentals, Pro Tools, and MIDI production. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a Music Business emphasis. His Insights color is green -- he cares greatly about the people and projects he is involved with and desires harmony within the group.
Gary's career has spanned over 20 years in the Twin Cities music scene as an accomplished lead vocalist, drummer, keyboard player/sequencer and songwriter. Over the years, he has performed with (among others) Ground Control, Offender, Leni DiMancari, Zig Zag, The Mixx, Compass, Legendary Rip Offs (LRO), Radioface and Arena. For the last 3 years, he has performed as Neil Diamond in the highly successful annual "Tribute to the Last Waltz" at The Cabooze in Minneapolis. Gary is currently performing as a drummer and co-lead vocalist with SHATTERED GLASS, a classic and current rock/variety band booked through Music Works.
Gary also has a background in web development and design for the entertainment and education industries, and did the cover art and graphic design for the latest Lamont Cranston Band CD "Live at the People's Fair.
At MSB-St. Cloud, Gary is the program coordinator and lead instructor for our music business courses.
Contact us today
Want to know more about the faculty at our St. Cloud campus? Contact an admissions representative today to schedule a tour and possible meet some of our instructors. Our toll-free number is 866-403-3333.