Winona State University has an astounding reputation for educational practitioner preparation programs in the College of Education. As the summer of 2019 commences, a new journey begins for the inaugural cohort of doctoral students who embark on their quest to obtain Doctor of Education degrees.
Donavan Bailey serves as a Social Worker with the Minnesota Public Defender Office for the past 12 years. He is a native of Indianapolis, IN, and now lives in Minnesota. He is blessed with two wonderful kids. His past work experiences include work as a counselor, police officer, and residential treatment supervisor. He has served on various committees such as the 3rd District Equal Justice Committee, the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, and the Olmsted County Human Rights Commission. He holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Winona State University. Donavan is a Licensed Social Worker in Minnesota and Colorado.
Brooke Boulton lives in northern Minnesota where she teaches courses in writing, literature, and developmental education at Rainy River Community College. In 2008, Brooke graduated from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga with a Bachelor of Arts in Writing. As an undergraduate, she studied abroad at the University of Oulu, Finland. In 2013, Brooke graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in Poetry from Northern Michigan University. As a doctoral student at Winona State University, Brooke aims to study Finnish literacy, reading culture, and reading methods, and their potential influence on developmental college reading education, specifically for adult learners. When she is not teaching, Brooke writes, runs, bikes, and translates Finnish poetry.
Bryan Boysen is a district superintendent and elementary principal for Lyle Public Schools in Lyle, Minnesota. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Winona State University in 2002 and a Masters of Education degree from Hamline University in 2009. Bryan is interested in researching the decline in parental involvement in rural and urban schools. When he is not at work, Bryan enjoys spending time with his wife and their three children.
Richard Breuninger is an enrolled member of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin and currently works as the managing partner and co-owner of the Bridge to Wellness, LLC. He is also an adjunct professor of American Indian Studies at Arizona State University. Richard has a Bachelor of Science degree in American Indian Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art with an emphasis in Photography and Fine Art Painting, which he earned in 2006. In 2013, Richard obtained a Master of Legal Studies from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law with an Indian Legal Program emphasis. Richard completed his studies at Arizona State University. He is currently pursuing his Education Doctorate at Winona State University and intends to research Reservation Education Systems. Richard lives in Arizona and enjoys teaching, learning, golfing, running, hiking, playing music, and singing, all with his beloved family.
Kara De La Fosse is the Director of the Nursing Assistant Home Health Aide Program at Riverland Community College in Austin, Minnesota. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Youngstown State University in 2003, an Associate degree in Nursing from Riverland Community College in 2014, and Bachelor of Science (RN) and Public Health Nursing (PHN) degrees from Winona State University in 2014. In 2016, she earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Walden University. Kara is interested in researching what students need to be successful in Certified Nursing Assistant programs in community colleges. This topic inspires Kara because it applies directly to her role at Riverland Community College. During her free time, Kara enjoys spending time with her family.
Amanda Durnen serves as the principal at Byron Primary School in Byron, Minnesota. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education K-6 from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1995, a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning from Saint Mary’s University in 2000, and an Education Specialist degree in K-12 Administration from Winona State University in 2011. Amanda is a doctoral student at Winona State University who is interested in researching preservice teacher preparation programs, which include Grow Your Own models of strategic practice. Amanda resides in Winona, Minnesota with her husband and is a proud mom and step-mom. When not engaged in professional practice, Amanda loves spending time with her family and friends and attending her children’s events as their biggest cheerleader.
Nichelle Guillaume is a math and computer science teacher at Lourdes High School in Rochester, Minnesota. In 2015 she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. Continuing on, she obtained her teaching license through the Teacher Preparation Collaborative program in 2016, and by 2018, Nichelle had earned her Master of Science in Education degree. She obtained both her license and degree from Winona State University. Nichelle plans to research self-regulated learning strategies in high school students. When getting a break from teaching, furthering her education, and coaching volleyball, Nichelle loves to spend time with her husband and their two children.
Sam Jones is an Assistant Professor in the Center for Sustainability Studies at Bemidji State University. Her educational background in geography and geographic information systems (GIS) is supplemented by rich applied experiences in forest research and management. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from Bemidji State University in 2011, and a Master of Science degree from Ohio University in 2013. Sam’s research interests center on experiential learning and essential skills in field-based education. In her free time, she enjoys home, family, and exploring new places.
Joe Mollner is an instructor at Dakota County Technical College in the Industrial Engineering program. Before obtaining his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from the University of St. Thomas in 2005, Joe spent six years in the United States Marine Corps. He then decided to continue his education and earned a Master of Arts degree in Construction Management from the University of Minnesota in 2007, while maintaining a career in the construction field. Joe had the opportunity to teach high school in 2012 and fell in love with teaching. Because of this newfound love, Joe decided to further his education and received a Master of Arts in Educational Technology from Concordia University-St. Paul in 2012. As a student in Winona State University’s Doctor of Education program, Joe hopes to research why there has been a trend in decreasing enrollment in vocational colleges over the past decade. When he is not working or doing school work, Joe loves spending time with his two amazing girls and wonderful wife. He loves biking, hiking, hunting, and swimming, but his true passion is restoring old muscle cars.
Carson Perry is the Assistant Director of Student Leadership and Engagement at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Carson obtained both of his degrees from Winona State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies in 2014, and a Master of Science in Leadership Education in 2017. His general areas of research interest include assessment and accreditation in higher education. When he isn’t working, Carson enjoys being outside, cooking, and baking.
Meghan Sinning is a faculty member in the Special Education Department at Winona State University. Meghan started her journey in the field of Special Education at Arizona State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education – Developmental Disabilities and Learning Disabilities, in 1999. After teaching middle and high school, Meghan enrolled at Winona State University to earn her Master of Science Education in Special Education Learning Disabilities, which she completed in 2013. Her master’s thesis focuses on patterns of behavior in children enrolled in after-school programs. As a student in Winona State University’s Doctor of Education program, Meghan intends to research the retention of alternatively licensed special education teachers in rural communities. In her free time, Meghan enjoys traveling, adventuring, and exploring with her daughters and husband. Her hobbies include reading, baking, and scrapbooking.
Susan Webber is the Language Arts instructor for middle school grades at Bluffview Montessori School in Winona, MN. She obtained her Associate of Arts degree at Minnesota State University-Akita, Japan in 1996, her Bachelor of Elective Studies in Japanese Studies and Intercultural Communication from Minnesota State University-Akita, Japan and St. Cloud State University in 1998, and her Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language from St. Cloud State University in 2000. Before her position at Bluffview Montessori School, Susan had a career of over twenty years working in higher education as an instructor and administrator, which included six years at a private university in Istanbul, Turkey. Her research interests include social and emotional support services to ensure student success and reintegration of special needs students transitioning from secondary school into higher education. In her free time, Susan enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, relaxing at the lake, reading, camping, and listening to live music.
Photos by Amy Nelson, Winona State University Photographer
