Faculty sabbatical, tenure and promotions announced for 2025-26

Join The College of St. Scholastica in congratulating the faculty who have been awarded a sabbatical and who have received tenure or promotion. “We are proud of your remarkable achievements in teaching, scholarship and service to the College and community at large,” said President Barbara McDonald.

Sabbatical awarded to

Dr. Kelly Erickson, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, to complete several research projects, lay the groundwork for new research, course focus on strategic growth planning for the department and program, curriculum development and professional scholarship
Dr. Lynn Kalnbach, Department of Management and Business Studies, Stender School of Leadership, Business and Professional Studies, to focus on research and writing appropriate to her discipline, reenergize her research interests in employee morale and well-being and enhance her abilities in resilience as a leader and increasing mindfulness
Dr. Karen Rosenflanz, Department of Global Sustainability and Justice, School of Arts and Sciences, to complete a translation project for publication, pursue additional research interests in political science, integration of immigrant and refugee communities and literary studies and continue professional development in German language pedagogy with the aim of redesigning and reinvigorating the St. Scholastica German Language and Culture program
Dr. Dan Westholm, Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, to complete cloning and phenotypic assays for mycobacteriophage Brusacoram, prepare a manuscript for publication and pursue additional bioinformatics training

Tenure granted to

Dr. Christine Cabelka, Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions
Dr. Jenean O’Brien, Biology, School of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Karen Rissling, Education, Stender School of Leadership, Business and Professional Studies
Dr. Daniel Stam, Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions
Dr. Evan Tyler, Physical Science, School of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Kaya Zelazny, Biology, School of Arts and Sciences

Promotion granted to

Promotion from Assistant to Associate Professor

Dr. Lisa Kappes, Exercise Physiology, School of Health Professions
Dr. Timothy Lorek, History and Politics, School of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Karen Rissling, Education, Stender School of Leadership, Business and Professional Studies
Dr. Kaisa Syvaoja, Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions

Promotion to Full Professor

Dr. Bret Amundson, Dean, School of Arts and Sciences