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Sweitzer receives October University Staff Appreciation Award

goersab — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:16:41 +0000

Sweitzer receives October University Staff Appreciation Awardgoersab October 20, 2026

LIT administrative assistant is valued for approachability, generosity and commitment to helping others

Lori Sweitzer, Learning and Information Technology administrative assistant, received the University Staff Appreciation Award for October 2027.

The individual nominating Sweitzer stated, "Lori is the kind of coworker everyone hopes to work with. She consistently goes above and beyond to keep our office running smoothly, ensuring we always have what we need to do our jobs well. She is the connective thread that supports LIT, and her exceptional dedication strengthens both our department and the university as a whole.

Sweitzer, left, receives the October University Staff Employee Appreciation award from Chancellor Katherine Frank.

"Lori consistently distinguishes herself through her exceptional commitment to both short-term initiatives and long-term departmental efforts. Whenever a project arises, she ensures that no detail is overlooked. Across LIT and the broader campus community, Lori contributes to a wide range of projects, strengthening each one with her many skills, including meticulous note-taking, proactive communication and a willingness to step into leadership roles when needed.

"Lori consistently demonstrates an exceptionally positive and service-oriented attitude toward both customers and peers. She goes out of her way to assist anyone in LIT, whether a student, colleague, or campus vendor, and treats every interaction with genuine care and respect. Her approachability, generosity, and commitment to helping others make her a valued and trusted resource throughout the department.

"Lori treats everyone with genuine kindness and makes a deliberate effort to connect with each person she meets. Through these everyday interactions, she not only strengthens the campus community but also helps individuals feel truly welcomed and valued."

Each employee of the month receives a certificate of recognition and a gift presented by Chancellor Katherine Frank. The award, in its 22nd year, was established by the Chancellor ��. Office and is co-sponsored by the University Staff Senate.

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Sweitzer receives October University Staff Appreciation Award

LIT administrative assistant is valued for approachability, generosity and commitment to helping others

Dressen receives September University Staff Appreciation Award

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Special assistant to the provost selected as one of 45 distinguished higher education professionals to participate in yearlong program

LIT administrative assistant is valued for approachability, generosity and commitment to helping others USS Award, Lori Sweitzer and Chancellor Katherine Frank

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Engineering, technology professor researches impact of AI on students’ creativity, problem-solving

goersab — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:41:28 +0000

Engineering, technology professor researches impact of AI on students’ creativity, problem-solvinggoersab October 15, 2026

Future engineers use Meshy software for AI rapid prototyping of kindergartens’ ideal toys

Abbey Goers

The Alternative Uses Task, designed by psychologist J.P. Guilford in 1967, is a psychometric test used to measure divergent thinking, a core element of human creativity. It evaluates an individual ��. ability to brainstorm unique solutions to an open-ended problem.

With this method of measuring creativity in mind, �� Polytechnic engineering and technology Assistant Professor Kevin Dietsche is researching the impact of AI on undergraduate students’ creativity and problem-solving growth during a pilot study in his Design for Industry course.

“AI and emerging technology become tools that we use to foster creativity. But the question is, will AI aid in or harm the students’ creative process?” Dietsche said. “It ��. part of the experiential learning process – to show if a new method can work. There ��. no failure, but it ��. a test to see what works best; of finding a different approach. We’re looking for continuous improvement and to showcase our university ��. polytechnic advantage through research.”

The Design for Industry students used Meshy, an online AI software, for mid- and high-level fidelity rapid prototyping. Recently, 11 kindergartners from St. Paul ��. School in Menomonie visited the future engineers in the university ��. Woods Lab. They paired up to draw and build low-fidelity prototypes of their ideal toys, using arts and craft supplies.

The students then used Meshy to turn the sketches and photos of the initial toy prototypes into printable 3D models. Soon, they will meet with the kindergarteners again to see if the models accurately capture their young clients’ visions.

“The printed prototypes are part of the larger goal in the product development cycle to move students towards a manufacturable wooden toy, as the wood is the end product material that consumers are looking for. Meshy and AI are there to help them work through and flex their problem-solving muscles and work through iterations more efficiently,” Dietsche said.

The final prototypes will be manufactured out of ash wood donated by the City of Menomonie ��. Urban Forestry Board.

Benefits or setbacks of using AI for rapid prototyping on student creativity

Dietsche ��. research is part of a three-year, cross-disciplinary project supported by the G.A. Taft Manufacturing Engineering Endowed Professorship. Meshy was purchased through the professorship.

During next spring semester ��. course, one group of students will use AI, and one will not. Technology education seniors Annika Schlueter, of Oconto, and Miranda Johnstone, of Milwaukee, will serve as Dietsche ��. co-principal investigators. They predict each group will experience pros and cons and that the use of AI will have multiple effects.

Schlueter and Johnstone see the benefits of using AI for rapid prototyping. They think it can make the ideation and design process faster and allow users to focus more on other aspects of engineering design and development. However, while Schlueter supports finding ways to positively embrace AI in the classroom, Johnstone contends that it can hinder some learning experiences critical for students.

Schlueter, a teaching assistant in the Woods Lab in Jarvis Hall Tech Wing, thinks that platforms specifically designed for prototyping such as Meshy, are going to be career-changing in the future, especially for engineers. “I believe AI will be used more for rapid prototyping in large companies to help get ideas to customers as quickly as possible. I think the implementation of programs like Meshy in future classes could be a great asset because it would allow fast prototypes to be created, with the use of digital manufacturing to bring those ideas to life right away,” she said.

Johnstone believes that using AI can negatively impact how creative problem solving takes place and in turn effect how students learn. “Understanding how AI impacts people in their critical and creative thinking is important to know how it can/should/should not be used to advance society. There is something important about cultivating a learning environment where students learn through trial and error, failure, experimentation, and discovery; a learning space that doesn’t necessarily exist when AI is used,” she said.

In past iterations of this project, Schlueter has often seen students wanting to create toys that already exist to some extent, like monster trucks or dolls. “I think the use of generative AI software can really broaden their ideas and help them create things that don’t already exist. AI could take common interests of the kindergartners and combine them into something completely different, which may create something very interesting to see and research,” she said.

Johnstone thinks that AI may yield more ideas for toy generation, but they will not be any more creatively successful than those created by people without using AI. “I predict that students who go through the creative thinking process to generate a toy idea on their own will, afterward, have a more well-rounded and creative mindset than those who used the AI to generate solutions for them, simply because they went through that generation phase on their own,” she said.

They will present their preliminary findings at the Wisconsin Technology Education Association conference next spring.

Kids’ and their college friends’ toy designs

Encouraged by Dietsche to be as creative as they wanted to be, the kindergarten and college student pairs made toys with paper straws, Play-Doh, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, markers and craft foam.

Here are some of their designs:

Jace and Tristan formed a T-rex head out of green and brown Play-Doh and mounted it on the top of a cardboard race car that will eat bugs. Because Jace likes dinosaurs but doesn’t like bugs, of course.
Murdock and Michael constructed a brown truck. The kindergartner and college friend made a good team, helping each other pick up Play-Doh bits that rolled off the table.
Karis, Silu and Brendan made a magical purple and pink glitter-spraying wand, topped with a heart.
Raegan and Trenton crafted a red unicorn on cardboard wheels. Even the kids noticed that cars and animals are popular themes.
Josie and Dio created a brown and black bunny, inspired by Josie ��. own bunny, Shyly.
Madelyn and Mackenzie rolled out strips of Play-Doh and made a rainbow desk for Barbie and a chair with a seat in the shape of a sun – a very cheerful spot to study for the world ��. most famous doll.
Everett, Nolan and Caleb crafted blue and green ancient Greek-style helmets with red visors made of Play-Doh for miniature warriors.
Zyla and Andrea built Bob the Turtle. He ��. purple and pink with googly eyes and looks like a good animal friend to talk to.

�� Polytechnic ��. Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering is home to five ABET-accredited programs that also include computer and electrical engineering, engineering technology and plastics engineering, as well as a sixth bachelor ��. program in packaging. A master ��. in manufacturing engineering is available on campus or online.

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Future engineers use Meshy software for AI rapid prototyping of kindergartens’ ideal toys Engineering Technology, Kevin Dietsche GA Taft, fall 2026

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Kevin Dietsche

Teaching Interests: Joining, Foundry, Fluid Power, Mechatronics

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Fulbright teaching experience at Turkish university leads to new research for professor

giffeyt — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Fulbright teaching experience at Turkish university leads to new research for professorgiffeyt October 7, 2026

Marriage & family therapy faculty member strengthens international connections through prestigious program

Tom Giffey

University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic Associate Professor Candice Maier says a semester spent teaching marriage and family therapy courses in Türkiye as part of the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program will impact her teaching and research now that she ��. returned to Wisconsin.

In fact, Maier is already drawing on her experience this fall in a graduate-level course she is teaching that focuses on trauma and recovery. With her students, Maier plans to replicate research conducted by a Turkish colleague to examine how strength and resilience in the face of adversity are transmitted across generations. Students will interview their parents and grandparents, if applicable, to gather information on differences in how people identify their strengths.

Ultimately, Maier hopes the work leads to published research in conjunction with Associate Professor Yudum Söylemez, who leads the marriage and family therapy program at Istanbul Bilgi University, where Maier taught last spring.

Maier, associate professor in the M.S. marriage and family therapy program, was one of about 800 American academics chosen to teach or conduct research overseas this year as part of Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, which is funded by the U.S. State Department and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

“It was hands down the best experience of my life,” said Maier, who explained her time in Türkiye – sometimes spelled “Turkey” in English – profoundly influenced her both professionally and personally.

Between February and June, Maier lived and worked in Istanbul, the largest city in Türkiye. The metropolis of 15 million provided a sharp contrast to western Wisconsin, although despite the culture differences Maier and her family found the people incredibly kind and welcoming.

“I really loved my family therapy students,” Maier said. “They reminded me of my students from Stout.”

Maier herself is a Blue Devil alum: She graduated in 2009 with a B.S. in human development and family studies from �� Polytechnic, and she also holds a master ��. degree from North Dakota State University and a doctorate from the University of Iowa.

Marriage and family therapy students at Istanbul Bilgi University in Istanbul, Turkey, take part in classroom role-playing. / Submitted photo

Experience offers lessons in cultural context

Maier taught an undergraduate psychology course as well as a graduate course in children and family therapy. Working with the Turkish students gave her plenty of opportunity to reflect on how cultural context impacts the realm of therapy.

“Often I would say, ‘This is what the research shows and this research was done by Europeans or Americans. How would you say things are similar or different in a Turkish context?’” Maier recalled. “And a lot of times students would say, ‘There are some similarities, but here's how it would be different.’ ”

Associate Professor Candice Maier on the campus of Istanbul Bilgi University. / Submitted photo

For example, she noted, Turkish families are frequently more hierarchical than their American counterparts. In addition, multigenerational households are more common, which means some clinical concepts, such as enmeshment – in which personal and emotionally boundaries are blurred, leading to a loss of individuality – are perceived differently across borders. Turkish families have traditionally emphasized strong intergenerational relationships and family connectedness while the influence of Westernization has changed family life to include more emphasis on individual independence.

Overall, the experience of recognizing familial differences inspired Maier to be more patient and reflective – something she hopes she can instill in future marriage and family therapists.

“I think this experience helped me to learn that it ��. OK to step back and model that for students,” she said. “In our field, it is really important to slow down and to help clients, students, and supervisees sit with the unknown and the gray.”

When she wasn’t teaching family therapy, Maier was experiencing Türkiye with her own family: her husband, Joshua Sanderson, assistant coach of �� . women ��. soccer team, and the couple ��. two young children. The family traveled by bus and walked around Istanbul, bringing their children to a playgroup where they met other families, attending sporting events, and otherwise making memories in the historic metropolis.

Candice Maier and her family pose in front of the Sea Gate at Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul, overlooking the Bosphorus Strait. / Submitted photo

Maier, students will pursue research

Beyond these fond personal memories, Fulbright experience has had other lasting impacts as well. Maier is beginning to replicate research by Söylemez, her Turkish colleague, whose work on resiliency and trauma has focused on the impact of the February 2023 earthquake that killed an estimated 60,000 people in Türkiye and nearby Syria.

It was Maier ��. previous collaboration with Söylemez – the two had co-authored an academic paper published in 2022 – that she believes helped her Fulbright application stand out.

Shortly after returning to Wisconsin in June, Maier taught an online capstone course that included both American and Turkish students, which featured Zoom discussions about topics such as collectivist versus individualistic families.

“I hope to continue those connections with their students and our students through class if possible,” Maier said.

�� Polytechnic ��. counseling, rehabilitation and human services department offers three bachelor ��. degrees and five master ��. programs – including M.S. marriage and family therapy, M.S. clinical mental health counseling, M.S. rehabilitation counseling, M.S. school counseling, and an M.S.Ed. and Ed.S. in school psychology. The university also offers school counseling licensure programs for both educators and mental health professionals.

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Marriage & family therapy faculty member strengthens international connections through teaching as part of prestigious program Candice Maier in Ortakoy, Istanbul

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Marriage and family therapy professor selected for prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program

Maier will teach next year at university in Istanbul, Turkey

Search Keywords: Fulbright U.S. Scholar ProgramMarriage and family therapy

Hero Caption: Associate Professor Candice Maier, front, with her marriage and family therapy students at Istanbul Bilgi University. / Submitted photo

Candice Maier

Dr. Maier is a faculty member in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) and Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). She is a licensed clinical therapist and is an active member of the Affiliate Council Board and Family Therapy sections of the National Council on Family Relations. Dr. Maier is a clinical fellow and approved supervisor in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

Full Name: Candice Maier

Job Title: Associate Professor / Clinical Director

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Area of Expertise: Couple and Family Processes & Contributions to Mental and Physical Health Gender Equity in Therapy Feminist Theories

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: Counseling, Rehabilitation & Human Services Department

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Curriculum Vitae: Candice Maier CV (264.12 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Couple and Family Therapy

University: University of Iowa

Degree: M.S. Human Development and Family Science

University: North Dakota State University

Degree: B.S. Human Development and Family Studies

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

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Dressen receives September University Staff Appreciation Award

goersab — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 18:04:00 +0000

Dressen receives September University Staff Appreciation Awardgoersab October 1, 2026

Food service assistant helps to help improve operations at Fireside Cafe and Blue Devil Market

Devany Dressen, a food service assistant in Dining Services, received the University Staff Appreciation Award for September 2027.

The individual nominating Dressen stated, “Nothing can prove your commitment better than breaking old habits, and that is exactly how Devany has shown her commitment to being a part of the Memorial Student Center dining team.

Dressen, left, receives the September University Staff Employee Appreciation award from Chancellor Katherine Frank.

"There were moments in the beginning of Devany's time with us that we really had to challenge her to make some tough changes. It was not always easy, but she rose to the challenge. Her upbeat, spunky personality is an asset to the Fireside Cafe, and she has formed some fantastic bonds with many of the students she works with. She sees things from a perspective that is often similar to theirs and can then give direction that makes sense to them. She has made some huge improvements, and we are very proud of her.

"Devany has worked hard to take real ownership of her role in the Fireside Cafe. She understands the impact of her presence and recognizes her need to be present and consistent. She has started to recognize business patterns and is even trying to troubleshoot ideas to help improve operations in the Fireside. She has also really begun to own her ability to gain knowledge in the Blue Devil Market. She no longer sits back and waits to be directed to learn things down there, but jumps in, asks questions and strives to understand as much as she can.

"Devany has a very positive attitude towards customers and employees. You can always hear her happily chatting away to the people around her, doing what she can to make them feel included and welcome."

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Food service assistant helps to help improve operations at Fireside Cafe and Blue Devil Market Devany Dressen and Chancellor Katherine Frank

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�� Polytechnic chemistry professors’ patent detects amino acid linked to M.S., rheumatoid arthritis, cancer

giffeyt — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000

�� Polytechnic chemistry professors’ patent detects amino acid linked to M.S., rheumatoid arthritis, cancergiffeyt September 28, 2026

Faculty, student research paves way for patented biochemical discovery

Tom Giffey

More than a decade of work by two �� Polytechnic faculty members and their student researchers has led to a newly patented process that allows for the easy detection of an amino acid linked to multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and potentially cancer.

Biochemistry Professor Jennifer Grant and chemistry Professor Dmitry Kadnikov recently received official word from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that their patent for an improved chemical probe for detecting citrulline has been formally granted. This amino acid is an indicator of autoimmune diseases, such as M.S., as well as a number of neurological disorders, cancer and immunity in general.

Despite its importance – citrulline also plays a role in DNA transcription – it is difficult to detect: The modification that creates citrulline only adds the weight of one hydrogen atom to a protein, and available chemical probes were cumbersome and costly. Researchers were discouraged by these factors, and citrulline detection remained a rarely explored subject.

Grant has been intrigued by citrulline since she worked as a postdoctoral fellow 20 years ago. She saw how a chemical process to detect citrulline more easily could work in theory but learned that the sole researcher who had been investigating the process had moved on to other topics.

“I started thinking about this, and I realized I’ve got a pretty good organic chemist as a colleague,” she recalled – and thus began a more than decade-long partnership with Kadnikov to develop the new detection process.

�� Polytechnic Professors Jennifer Grant, left, and Dmitry Kadnikov successfully applied for and received a patent.

The now-patented process occurs in two steps: First, a small, sensitive chemical probe latches onto the citrulline. Then, a chemical tag is added, attaching to the probe and making it easier to detect. Crucially, the kind of tag can be modified to meet a researcher ��. needs. It may be an antigen, a nanoparticle or even a fluorescent tag useful for imaging. Grant compares the process to a factory using interchangeable parts.

“Once we have the citrulline roped in, so to speak, we add any reagent we want to,” she explained. “That is the real novelty of the project.”

The professors’ research has been boosted by grants from WiSys, the Universities of Wisconsin technology transfer agency, and the work of numerous �� Polytechnic students who have assisted with research in their labs. For example, two biochemistry alumni – Dylan Meyer, now a senior research scientist at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Justin Olson, a senior data scientist at Alpha Theory – co-authored a scientific paper with Grant. The paper, published in the journal Computational Biology and Chemistry in 2017, identified several motifs – specific sites on a protein residue that are converted to citrulline.

Such undergraduate research experiences aren’t exceptions at �� Polytechnic, where applied learning and research are core to the university ��. polytechnic identity. On campus, labs and studios outnumber traditional classrooms by a 3-to-1 ratio, and 100% of Blue Devils graduate with applied learning experiences.

In addition to their expertise in the lab, Kadnikov and Grant had to cultivate patience during the patent process. Their application was submitted in 2020, published in 2022 and cleared the final technical and legal hurdles just this year. Now that it has been approved, the professors hope the invention will be used by scientists around the world researching autoimmune diseases and other ailments.

Grant also looks forward to continuing work on citrulline at �� Polytechnic.

“As a biochemist, where my first thought is to try and understand the natural system, I wasn’t ever setting out to get a patent – so this is a real milestone,” she said.

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Faculty, student research paves way for patented biochemical discovery Professors Jennifer Grant and Dmitry Kadnikov in �� Polytechnic lab

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Hero Caption: Professor Jennifer Grant works with students in the proteomics lab at �� Polytechnic.

Jennifer Grant

Teaching Interests: Proteomics (Bio425); Biochemistry (Chem311); General Chemistry (Chem135); Human Biology Lecture & Laboratory (Bio132); Biochemistry Lecture & Laboratory (Chem311); Introduction to Biotechnology (Bio210, Online); Advanced Biotechnology (Bio470); Introductory Biology (Bio101); General Chemistry (Chem 135); Biology of Aging (Bio125)

Research Interests: The impact of proteins in disease and the creation of functional foods using biochemistry.

Professional Interests: Mass spectrometry, protein chemistry, protein separations.

Full Name: Jennifer E. Grant, Ph.D.

Job Title: Professor

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Area of Expertise: Mass Spectrometry Protein Chemistry Protein Separations

College: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Department: Biology Department

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Website: LinkedIn Profile

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology

University: University of Wisconsin Medical School

Degree: M.S. Biochemistry

University: Case Western Reserve University Medical School

Degree: B.A. Biochemistry

University: Oberlin College

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AI reshaping industry: Using artificial intelligence to help students understand a human-centered profession

goersab — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:32:00 +0000

AI reshaping industry: Using artificial intelligence to help students understand a human-centered professiongoersab September 1, 2026

Professor Hessel develops training for future clinicians to gain ‘clarity about AI as a tool versus a replacement for human connection’

For the last several years, M.S. marriage and family therapy Associate Professor Heather Hessel has been examining how artificial intelligence is impacting the mental health field – particularly the ethical dimensions – and how best to prepare students and clinicians for a future that integrates AI with a profession fundamentally about human connection.

“Almost invariably, the first ethical concern most clinicians raise is client confidentiality. That's a real issue, but it's also one we can solve with sensible policies, secure technology and training,” Hessel said.

More challenging issues raised by both students and clients include the biases perpetuated by AI tools and the environmental cost of running AI systems, she added.

“And there's a deeper ethical question at stake – one about what therapy fundamentally is. Clients know that a therapist can offer perspectives and interventions, but a chatbot can do that too. What clients sometimes don’t understand is that therapy works because those things come from a real, embodied human in a unique relationship with you – someone with a life, a history, their own interpersonal relationships and imperfections,” Hessel said.

These questions have moved from theoretical to urgent: Clients are already using AI tools, and therapists need training to navigate that reality.

Recently, a client who had not disclosed using AI before mentioned using a parenting chatbot trained on a specific therapeutic approach. “The casualness with which she mentioned it surprised me. Clients are experimenting with AI tools, finding them helpful for certain tasks, such as quick advice offered ‘just-in-time.’ How do I work with clients to understand what a chatbot can and cannot do in their lives? How do we work together to see both the opportunities and the risks without influencing them too much based on my own opinions about AI?” Hessel said.

These conversations require therapists who understand AI ��. strengths, but also its emotional and relational limitations – and who can work with clients to gain clarity about AI as a tool versus a replacement for human connection.

Hessel ��. thinking on these questions has been developing through multiple channels. Last fall, with her colleague Assistant Professor Somi Hynes, program director of marriage and family therapy, Hessel published “A Framework for Ethical Considerations in the Integration of AI and Systemic Therapy” in the International Journal of Systemic Therapy. This spring, she presented at the Midwestern American Psychological Association conference in Chicago, and she recently delivered a webinar for the Minnesota Association for Marriage & Family Therapy.

Across these venues, a consistent theme emerged: clinicians are looking for frameworks to help them think through AI, with the goal of integrating it responsibly and ethically into their practices.

A master's student conversing with a SimCare AI-simulated client.

This year, Hessel and her colleagues are translating these insights into graduate training through SimCare, a clinical simulation platform launching this fall with students. The pilot creates a space where students can practice therapeutic skills with more than 500 counselor-designed AI avatars, providing a low-stakes environment to develop competence before working with real clients. SimCare gives access to AI-simulated individuals, couples, and families with a variety of presenting issues, such as substance use, family conflict and mental health diagnoses. Students can also use this space to practice talking about AI with an AI-simulated client, building competence in conversations they’ll increasingly have with real clients.

“The goal isn’t to reject AI or embrace it uncritically, of course,” Hessel said. “It ��. to help future practitioners think through the ethics of how to integrate AI tools into their future work – should they choose to do that – gain experience having these conversations with clients, and learn how to work with clients who are already navigating their own AI use.”

Hessel is the recipient of a Carl Whitaker Award from the Wisconsin Association for Marriage and Family Therapy for her creative and innovative contributions in advancing AI integration with therapy.

Marriage and family therapy professor awarded for advancing AI integration with therapy

Hessel receives Carl Whitaker Award from state professional association

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Professor Hessel develops training for future clinicians to gain ‘clarity about AI as a tool versus a replacement for human connection’ SimCare counselor, AI-simulated patient

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Heather Hessel

Dr. Hessel is a faculty member in Counseling, Rehabilitation, and Human Services, teaching in the Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) and Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS) programs. Her research interests include the young adult life stage, extended family relationships, and the role of technology in family relationships and in clinical practice. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Approved Supervisor for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Dr. Hessel's clinical interests include the use of technology in clinical practice, mindfulness, and Buddhist psychology.

Full Name: Heather Hessel

Job Title: Associate Professor

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College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: Counseling, Rehabilitation & Human Services Department

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Curriculum Vitae: Heather Hessel CV (315.96 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Family Social Science, Specialization Couple and Family Therapy

University: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Degree: M.A. Counseling Psychology, Specialization Couple and Family Therapy

University: University of St. Thomas

Degree: MLIS Information Studies, Specialization Information Systems

University: University of California-Los Angeles

Degree: B.A. Humanities, Specialization Music

University: Loyola Marymount University

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Board of Regents approves promotions, tenure for 18 �� Polytechnic faculty members

giffeyt — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Board of Regents approves promotions, tenure for 18 �� Polytechnic faculty members giffeyt August 26, 2026

Changes in status take effect as 2026-27 academic year begins

Tom Giffey

The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents has approved promotions and tenure recommendations for 18 �� Polytechnic faculty members effective for the 2026-27 academic year.

The professors and their departments are:

Professor Min DeGruson, left, works with a student in the Packaging Materials Lab.

Promoted to professor

Daniel Atyim, visual and performing arts

Julie Beston, biology

Min DeGruson, engineering and technology

Rickie-Ann Legleitner, English, philosophy and communication studies

Kimberly Loken, design

Cody Reimer, English, philosophy and communication studies

Tyler Skorczewski, mathematics, statistics and computer science

Tami Weiss, teaching, learning and leadership

Assistant Professor Keif Oss, right, with cinematographer Shana Hagan, who visited �� Polytechnic as part of Canon ��. Explorers of Light program.

Promoted to assistant professor with tenure

Ahmed El-Magrous, mathematics, statistics and computer science

Somi Hynes, counseling, rehabilitation and human services

Keif Oss, design

Afroza Polin, mathematics, statistics and computer science

Associate Professor Nicole Hayes works with high school students to test the water at Gilbert Creek.

Promoted to associate professor with tenure

Kelly Droege, operations and management

Nicole Hayes, biology

Courtney Juelich, social science

Derek Sturgill, mathematics, statistics and computer science

Yuan Xing, engineering and technology

Tenure

Latha Ramakrishnan, chemistry and physics

The 2026-27 academic year began Aug. 17. August Opening activities, including campuswide Engagement Sessions for faculty and staff, will run through Aug. 27. Classes begin Wednesday, Sept. 2.

As of the beginning of the academic year, �� Polytechnic had 233 faculty members and 182 instructional academic staff.

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2026 teaching excellence awards celebrate 10 faculty, staff members

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2026 teaching excellence awards celebrate 10 faculty, staff members

goersab — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 14:15:55 +0000

2026 teaching excellence awards celebrate 10 faculty, staff membersgoersab August 18, 2026

Teachers, advisors recognized for supporting student success, scholarly research engagements, creating inclusive classroom experiences

Abbey Goers

Ten �� Polytechnic faculty and staff members have been recognized by their colleagues as Outstanding Teachers, Outstanding Graduate Faculty and Advisors of the Year.

Reflective of the university ��. FOCUS2030 Enduring Goals, these awards recognize honorees for their teaching excellence and celebrate their dedication to and lasting impact on student success, their scholarly research and approaches, their contributions to the university and surrounding community, and more.

Award recipients were recognized at the university ��. Opening Day presentation on Aug. 17, the kick-off event for August Opening Activities. Read more about what their colleagues have to say, and view all current and past honorees.

CAHS Outstanding Teacher Awards

Cortney Benjamin, Maggie Keenan and Cody Reimer

Assistant Professor Cortney Benjamin, applied social science, works to expand Spanish learning on campus and beyond. Her teaching embodies the idea that Spanish is not just a discipline or a career, but opens an entire new world to students. She has nearly doubled the enrollment of Spanish minors and changed how students learn by devising new assignments using the TILT (Transparency in Learning and Teaching) framework and introducing new courses, such as Spanish for the Workplace. Benjamin has expanded access to Spanish courses by offering dual credit courses with area high schools and revised an option to better serve heritage language learners. She has served on a variety of committees to expand Spanish on campus, including the Literature Committee, the Curriculum and Instruction Committee, and the search committee for the Study Abroad Advisor. She regularly organizes Spanish events and has collaborated with teachers and undergraduate students to lead Spanish language activities in a preschool classroom.

Early Childhood Education Teacher Maggie Keenan, Child and Family Studies Center, demonstrates an exceptional commitment to teaching, student learning and community engagement that extends well beyond the classroom. In her dual role of teaching both college students and young children, she creates a dynamic and highly effective learning environment. She invests deeply in mentoring student teachers and lab students, supporting their growth as educators with thoughtful guidance and consistent encouragement and builds authentic relationships with students by supporting their pursuits across campus and in the community. She also intentionally builds strong partnerships with families and leads innovative intergenerational programming for preschool children and senior community members through shared activities such as literacy experiences, movement classes and seasonal events.

Associate Professor Cody Reimer, English, philosophy and communication studies, is a teacher-leader. Beyond his excellent student course evaluations and peer observations, Reimer is a highly reflective, dedicated teacher who engages in innovative teaching supported by his research. Because of his teaching excellence and steady mentorship, Reimer served as First-Year Composition (FYC) director, where he facilitated year-long professional development for 25 FYC instructors, conducted annual program assessment, and onboarded and mentored FYC instructors. High-impact practices, such as semester-long client projects and cross-disciplinary integrative assignments, characterize his teaching. During summer 2023, he collaborated with faculty across CSTEMM and CAHS to build a dynamic and flexible B.S. games and media studies degree. The program ��. contributions to �� . Polytechnic ��. programmatic landscape are a direct result of Reimer ��. scholarly, collaborative approach to teaching and learning.

CSTEMM Outstanding Teacher Awards

Camille Banger, Andrei Ghenciu and Arthur Kneeland

Assistant Professor Camille Banger, program director of business and information technology and digital marketing technology, is an exceptional educator with a passion for student success, innovative teaching practice and commitment to excellence. She creates engaging, student-centered learning experiences that connect classroom concepts to real-world business technology applications, ensuring students graduate with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in today's workforce. As a leader in the integration of generative AI into business technology education, Banger continually enhances her curriculum to reflect emerging industry trends while fostering critical thinking. Her innovation, professionalism, approachable teaching style, dedication to mentoring students, and willingness to go above and beyond have earned the respect and admiration of both students and colleagues.

Professor Andrei Ghenciu, mathematics, statistics and computer science, consistently brings his personal enthusiasm for learning new mathematics into the classroom. He creates a welcoming, inclusive, and active learning environment, where students are encouraged to fully participate each day. Beyond the classroom, for the past several years, Ghenciu has been co-leading a Nakatani Teaching and Learning Center Sharing Community focused on inclusivity in mathematics, statistics and computer science courses. His concern for students also extends to his advising role, and he regularly shares his mathematical discoveries with colleagues and students in departmental seminars and colloquia.

Senior Lecturer Arthur Kneeland, biology, has made strong connections with others in and around �� Polytechnic through his passion, enthusiasm, mentorship through LAKES REU and in student research grants, and engagement in community events. Kneeland frequently instructs Honors College course sections. He has led presentations on the delight of insects at the Child and Family Study Center and hosts talks with the Chippewa Valley Biodiversity Partnership. His sustainability efforts include the development of a Biomimicry for Sustainability course, sustainability assessments of the university ��. sports and recreation programs, leading Campus Trees and the campus bike infrastructure, working extensively with the campus, nonprofits and the City of Menomonie on sustainability capstone projects, and developing the Community Educational Workshop at Dunn County Historical Society.

Outstanding Graduate Faculty Awards

Lynne Willett and Angela Axelrod

CSTEMM Assistant Professor Lynne Willett, operations and management department, is committed to her students’ education with engagement in their research projects and additional up-to-date materials she makes available. Her Subject Matter Expert status in human resources and being a former adult learner herself make her an exceptional mentor to her adult learners.

“As an adult student with a full-time job, I often have questions at weird, late hours and on the weekends. That she answers is appreciated, as I know she is most likely putting in a ridiculous number of hours each week; that tells me that she cares and is committed to our learning,” an anonymous student said.

CAHS Assistant Professor Angela Fontanini-Axelrod, program director of M.S.Ed. and Ed.S. school psychology, continues to be an outstanding mentor and faculty member. She consistently demonstrates a deep dedication to teaching up-and-coming school psychologists with reliable support, clear feedback and exceptional guidance. Within her classroom, Axelrod creates an engaging, inclusive and personable environment, while intertwining theory and practice and building connections with her students as future school psychologists.

Advisors of the Year

Amanda Drews and Megan Quick

Assistant Professor Amanda Drews, family and consumer science education, was named Faculty Advisor of the Year for her mastery of best practices in academic advising, deep institutional knowledge, and authentic commitment to student relationships.

Megan Quick, academic advisor in the Blue Devils Achievement Center, was named Staff Advisor of the Year for her proactive outreach to students, her continuous improvements and her desire to make sure that students receive the help they need to achieve their dreams.

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Students, staff turn community into a canvas during Murals in Menomonie

giffeyt — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:30:00 +0000

Students, staff turn community into a canvas during Murals in Menomoniegiffeyt June 30, 2026

Muralists from around the U.S. and world join university artists and volunteers for public art event

Tom Giffey

From an artistic portrayal of the journey of Hmong refugees from Laos to Menomonie to an eye-catching image that captures the past, present and future of Wisconsin ��. ��, students and staff members from �� Polytechnic had key roles in a just-completed effort to create 15 pieces of public art in and around Menomonie.

Murals in Menomonie drew hundreds of artists from across the United States and beyond for a five-day mural-making festival. Since 1993, members of The Walldogs – an international collective of muralists, artists and designers – have gathered annually in a new city to demonstrate their talents. From June 24-28, Walldogs from 30 states and four countries worked alongside local artists to create enduring images honoring the history and culture of the community as curious bystanders watched the process.

Among the murals was a vibrant image created in Wilson Park and designed by two �� Polytechnic students, graphic design and interactive media major Angelina Yang of Plover and interior design major Gao (Pretti) Zhong Thao of St. Paul.

Fifteen murals were painted during Murals in Menomonie, including this one devoted to the city's history.

The 8-foot-by-12-foot mural takes the form of a Hmong story cloth – a traditional style of embroidery that tells a story through images of everyday life, historic events and the natural world. Against a vivid blue background bordered by a triangular motif, the artwork details the journey of Hmong refugees from war-torn Laos across the Mekong River and ultimately to western Wisconsin, represented by a red barn, rolling fields, a farmers’ market and the familiar Bowman Hall Clock Tower.

Yang and Thao learned about Murals in Menomonie from Wade Lambrigtsen, a �� Polytechnic alumnus and lecturer who also owns Vintage Sign Shop in Menomonie. Lambrigtsen, who served as mural coordinator for Murals in Menomonie, reached out to the Hmong Stout Student Association last spring to see if any members were interested in submitting a design for the project. A mural honoring Hmong heritage had been one of the most popular options voted on by members of the public during the planning stages of Murals in Menomonie.

Volunteers paint a mural resembling a traditional Hmong story cloth.

Student gains experience in art, life

Though neither had experience making murals, Thao said she and Yang were eager to take part in the project. “This opportunity doesn’t come very often,” Thao said while taking a break from painting alongside a half dozen volunteers. “It was very exciting, and we wanted to do something to represent the community.”

Thao and Yang brainstormed the elements of the mural – which range from the mountains of Laos to the bandshell in Wilson Park – and then Yang created a digital image using Adobe Illustrator. Next, working with Lambrigtsen in his shop, they made a full-sized printout of the design, whose contours were then carefully transferred to a sheet metal surface with an electric pen.

For three days, muralists worked diligently to bring the artwork to life. While traditional story clothes are meticulous works of embroidery, this one was created with painstaking dabs of paint to create tiny figures and scenes.

Yang and Thao were joined by more than 20 volunteers in downtown Menomonie ��. Wilson Park, where the mural took shape. The completed mural is expected to find a home – at least temporarily – at the Dunn County Historical Society ��. Rassbach Museum.

�� Polytechnic Student Pretti Thao, left, co-designer of the Hmong story cloth mural, poses with Chancellor Katherine Frank.

“I feel ecstatic. I feel great having the whole community here,” Thao said. “I hope this inspires other people to take part in learning our history.”

In addition to the artistic skills she ��. developed, the project required Thao to communicate a great deal with other artists, something she expects will help her in professional life as an interior designer.

“I feel like it ��. more than an experience on my resume,” she concluded. “It ��. a life lesson.”

Camilla Estes, a veteran Walldog who operates a mural business in Paducah, Kentucky, said she was privileged to help the �� Polytechnic students with their mural.

“The best thing about Walldogs is that so many strangers can come together and create so much love and beauty,” Estes said.

Among the �� Polytechnic students and staff members who helped with the story cloth mural were Evangeline Thao, a graphic design and interactive media major from Hudson; Maiyer Xiong, a graphic communication major from Eau Claire; Ghiatight Xiong, an information and communication technology major from Eau Claire; Addison Vang, an applied math and computer science major from Rosemount, Minnesota; and university employees Michael Moua, TRIO Student Support Services, and Heidi Smith, Office of Research & Sponsored Programs. Chancellor Katherine Frank even grabbed a paintbrush to help while visiting the mural sites spread throughout downtown Menomonie.

Chancellor Katherine Frank joins other volunteers to paint a mural portraying �� Polytechnic's past, present and future.

Campus mural embodies polytechnic tenets

Murals in Menomonie involved the creation of 15 murals, 13 in Menomonie and one each for the nearby communities of Boyceville and Ridgeland. Many immortalized historic individuals, events or institutions, including Swiss Miss hot cocoa (invented by Charles Sanna of Menomonie), the Menomonie Blue Caps Base Ball Club, and the Knapp, Stout & Co. lumber business, co-owned by the father of university founder James Huff Stout.

Stout ��. most enduring legacy – the educational institution he founded – is now depicted in a mural on the east side of the Administration Building, facing Clock Tower Plaza. Painted just weeks after the word “Polytechnic” was officially added to the university ��. name, the mural encompasses elements from the institution ��. 135-year history: bold block letters reading “STOUT,” the logos of both the Stout Institute (1908-55) and Stout State University (1955-64), the contemporary triple-banded “S” logo and the official designation as “Wisconsin ��. ��,” and pillars bearing the institution ��. enduring values – Honor, Industry, Learning and Skill. Painted archways bearing the phrases “Forward from our founding” and “Forever to our future” frame a panoramic depiction of campus landmarks.

The artwork was designed by muralist Tom Seibert of California, who has taken part in about a dozen Walldogs events over the years. Seibert ��. business, Murals for Schools, specializes in institutional murals like this one. Seibert said the mural was created in trompe l’oeil style (French for “deceive the eye”) and will likely become a popular selfie spot.

�� Polytechnic alum Billie Walleen prepares to add her handprint to a mural dedicated to her family's longtime Menomonie business, Bolo Country Inn.

Frank lent a hand to the campus mural as well, praising Seibert ��. design. “When we saw Tom ��. expertise at creating pride through his murals, we knew we didn’t have to speak to a single point in �� Polytechnic ��. 135-year history,” Frank said. “Tom has given us a mural that celebrates the legacy of our graduates and employees in a campus location that deeply resonates with our alumni and many others, while also inspiring future innovation in Menomonie, Wisconsin, and beyond through Wisconsin ��. ��.”

Lambrigtsen said three years of planning went into bringing the Walldogs to Menomonie. Numerous community sponsors, including �� Polytechnic, supported the Murals in Menomonie effort, as did hundreds of volunteers. Among them were at least 10 former �� Polytechnic students and dozens of others connected to the university.

“I think the best part was seeing the community come together, seeing how people stepped up to help,” said Lambrigtsen, who added that the newly created artwork will attract admirers for years to come.

An art auction held June 27 at the Memorial Student Center to celebrate the conclusion of Murals in Menomonie raised nearly $34,000, one of the highest fundraising figures in Walldogs history. The funds will be held in an endowment to support mural upkeep.

The new mural on Clock Tower Plaza joins several others painted by students on campus in recent years. Students in the Graffiti and Street Art summer class have designed and created four large-scale murals on the east side of the Applied Arts Building, including one painted in early June under the leadership of Assistant Professor Mary Climes.

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Muralists from around the U.S. and world join university artists and volunteers for public art event Hmong story cloth mural part of Murals in Menomonie

#StoutProud: Wade Lambrigtsen ('00), Lin Boland ('25), Megan McDowell ('25) and Lily ('27)

�� Polytechnic alumni and students are using public art to celebrate local stories, strengthen community connections and inspire future generations.

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Hero Caption: Volunteers paint a mural on the exterior of the Administration Building on the �� Polytechnic Campus during the Murals in Menomonie event.

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AASCU ��. Emerging Leaders Program names Engen to national cohort

goersab — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:20:44 +0000

AASCU ��. Emerging Leaders Program names Engen to national cohort goersab June 29, 2026

Special assistant to the provost selected as one of 45 distinguished higher education professionals to participate in yearlong program

For more than a decade, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) has prepared the next generation of higher education leaders to be effective, compassionate, resilient, accountable and courageous to help all students reach their goals.

�� Polytechnic Special Assistant to the Provost Chris Engen has been named to this year ��. 45-member national cohort, from institutions across more than 20 states.

The ELP program supports the development of mid-senior career higher education professionals as they strengthen their capabilities, broaden their networks, and contribute to the future of their institutions and the students they serve. Participants explore key topics, including strategic communication, project management, organizational change and the development of a personal leadership approach.

Engen is grateful for this professional development opportunity and honored to be representing �� Polytechnic among a distinguished group of colleagues from other regional and national public universities. “ELP provides a unique, impactful setting to build upon and leverage my previous experience while gaining new knowledge and skills for application to our current initiatives. I look forward to exchanging ideas and best practices with the other ELP cohort members,” he said.

A 30-year U.S. Army veteran (colonel, retired), Engen held a variety of leadership, staff, and faculty positions within the Army ��. professional education and training system. Later joining federal civil service, he directed a center that provides workforce education and training within the U.S. Department of Defense.

Seeking to pursue a follow-on career in higher education, Engen joined �� Polytechnic in 2021, first serving as the Veteran Services coordinator before his current role in the Provost ��. Office, which he began last year. He now manages a portfolio of cross-functional projects and initiatives involving interest holders within the university ��. Academic Affairs and across campus, while continuing to provide assistance to Veteran Services.

“Chris has an impressive resume of achievements. His skills in project management and systems-thinking, coupled with his dedication to student success, are an asset and have helped move institutional work forward while strengthening relationships across the �� Polytechnic community,” said Provost Glendalí Rodríguez. “Chris’ interest in pursuing professional development, targeted to the higher education sector, was a clear next step, and I was pleased to endorse his application to the ELP.”

Each ELP cohort member leads a campus-based project or initiative over the course of the academic year, working with a designated advisor. The project will have an impact on the campus community and align with the participant ��. professional goals.

With the dynamic changes occurring in the higher education sector and �� Polytechnic ��. commitment to the Baldrige framework, Engen ��. project will entail a collaborative review of the university-wide systems for student support and services to identify and act upon opportunities for improvement.

“This long-term project considers the continuing evolution of enrollment across all modalities – in-person, hybrid and fully online – and aims to provide an easily navigable student support and learning experience regardless of enrollment type through agile and streamlined university organization and processes,” he said.

Malcolm Baldrige Award

�� is the first-ever higher education recipient of this prestigious award.

The ELP program began on June 23 with an in-person seminar in Washington, D.C., and will be followed by a series of interactive virtual sessions held throughout the year.

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), based in Washington, D.C., is a higher education association that represents the sector of over 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to serving today ��. students, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development.

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Special assistant to the provost selected as one of 45 distinguished higher education professionals to participate in yearlong program 20210602_chrisengen_8384_web.jpg

Veteran Services

A community of veterans and services providing you with the camaraderie you came to rely on in the military.

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Provost's Office

The Provost's Office, working with the deans, department chairs, directors and others, oversees the Division of Academic Affairs.

Welcome from Provost Ramakrishnan

2026 Opening Day Celebration

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in �� Polytechnic. With our focus on applied learning, career preparation, and collaboration, students graduate from our institution ready for their next steps in work and life. We offer a wide array of specialized programs, and work closely with business, industry, and non-profit institutions to ensure our curriculum is up-to-date.

Our outstanding faculty and staff are dedicated to ensuring that our students leave the University with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful.

Our facilities, with three times more laboratories and studios than traditional classrooms, enhance our focus on applied learning. Our programming, with more than 90% of our students completing a co-op, internship, or other out-of-classroom experience, guarantees readiness for careers. Finally, the infusion of general education courses throughout our programs of study ensures that students are ready not just for their next job, but for future career changes, and their role as contributing citizens in society.

The Provost's Office has oversight of the Division of Academic Affairs, which encompasses the following areas at �� Polytechnic:

Career Services
Center for Applied Ethics
College of Arts & Human Sciences
College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management
Educational Pathways & Outreach
Graduate Studies
Honors College
Menards Center for the Study of Institutions & Innovation
Multi-Modal Instructional Supports
Office of International Education
Office of Research & Sponsored Programs
Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center

Provost Office

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Provost Latha Ramakrishnan

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News

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Kids’ and their college friends’ toy designs

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Experience offers lessons in cultural context

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M.S. Marriage & Family Therapy

Marriage and family therapy professor selected for prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program

Dressen receives September University Staff Appreciation Award

�������� Polytechnic chemistry professors’ patent detects amino acid linked to M.S., rheumatoid arthritis, cancer

B.S. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

AI reshaping industry: Using artificial intelligence to help students understand a human-centered profession

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M.S. Marriage & Family Therapy

Board of Regents approves promotions, tenure for 18 �������� Polytechnic faculty members

Promoted to professor

Promoted to assistant professor with tenure

Promoted to associate professor with tenure

Tenure

2026 teaching excellence awards celebrate 10 faculty, staff members

2026 teaching excellence awards celebrate 10 faculty, staff members

CAHS Outstanding Teacher Awards

CSTEMM Outstanding Teacher Awards

Outstanding Graduate Faculty Awards

Advisors of the Year

Recognizing Teaching Excellence

Students, staff turn community into a canvas during Murals in Menomonie

Student gains experience in art, life

Campus mural embodies polytechnic tenets

#StoutProud: Wade Lambrigtsen ('00), Lin Boland ('25), Megan McDowell ('25) and Lily ('27)

First student-designed mural is ‘part of the legacy, history of art at the university’

AASCU ��������. Emerging Leaders Program names Engen to national cohort

Malcolm Baldrige Award

Veteran Services

Welcome from Provost Ramakrishnan

�� Polytechnic chemistry professors’ patent detects amino acid linked to M.S., rheumatoid arthritis, cancer

Board of Regents approves promotions, tenure for 18 �� Polytechnic faculty members

AASCU ��. Emerging Leaders Program names Engen to national cohort