Employee Directory

Ricardo Rojas

Associate Professor of Mathematics

MeWaldt-Jensen 213

Jon Schaff

Professor of Government/Director of the Center for Public History and Civic Engagement

Technology Center 356

Samantha St. Clair

Assistant Professor of Biology

Jewett Science Center 119

Ph.D., Nutrition Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison

B.S., Nutrition Science, Indiana University-Bloomington

Courses Taught

• Genetics
• Cell and molecular biology
• Nutrition and disease
• Human health and biology

Research Interests

• Mechanisms of type II diabetes and diet-induces obesity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) 
• Development of biological reasoning skills in undergraduate biology majors and non-majors

Krystal Stuwe

Instructor - Nursing Department

MeWaldt-Jensen 210

Academic History
Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC): International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners
Certified Childbirth Educator (CCCE): Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: South Dakota State University (2002)
Current Pursuit: Master's Degree of Science in Nursing (MSN)- Nurse Educator at Western Governors University

Krystal Stuwe, BSN, RN, IBCLC, CCCE is an Assistant Nursing Instructor for the BSN Nursing Program at Northern State University.

Krystal’s career in nursing has been primarily in women’s health and education, with areas of rural health care mixed in throughout.  She holds international certifications in prenatal education/care and lactation care. She has been a registered nurse since 2002 and has worked in multiple labor & delivery units, post-partum clinics, lactation consulting, and prenatal education programs. She continues as an active nurse providing maternal-child education in all areas of antenatal care, prenatal care, childbirth preparation care, postpartum care, prenatal nutrition and newborn/infant care. She has experience in providing care/education in-person and on telemedicine platforms, reaching women no matter where they may live.
Krystal is currently pursuing her Master’s degree of Science in Nursing (MSN)-Nurse Educator at Western Governors University. Krystal’s role for NSU is in clinical instruction, nursing simulation lab, and lab application, with guest lecture content focused on Obstetrics/Pediatrics.

Her nursing philosophy is centered around the idea that students must learn to see the dignity in each patient, think critically about the patient’s needs, and then advocate for those needs. Ultimately, finding the joy in nursing. Krystal lives in Aberdeen with her spouse, Lance, and is busy outside of work raising her large family.

Professional Nursing Memberships:
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal (AWHONN)
American Nurses Association (ANA)
South Dakota Nurses Association (SDNA)
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM)
American Association of College of Nurses (AACN)
Evidence-Based Birth Academy of Professionals (EBB)

Meng Tian

Assistant Professor of Communication Studies

Technology Center 262

Travis (William) Trentham

Senior Lecturer of Mathematics

MeWaldt-Jensen 217

Stacy Trentham

Associate Professor of Mathematics

MeWaldt-Jensen 216

Steven A Usitalo

Professor of History/Department Chair

Technology Center 369

PH.D. McGill University, 2003

M.A. Carleton University, 1991

Master's Program/Certificate, University of Helsinki, 1990

B.A. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 1988

Steven Usitalo is a specialist in Russian and Soviet history, modern genocide studies, and Roma studies. A recipient of numerous research grants, he has co-edited an anthology on Russian and Soviet history and published a monograph on the Russian polymath Mikhail Lomonosov. In fall 2023 he completed a revised Russian translation of his Lomonosov book. His present research focuses on the history of the Roma in the Soviet Union. He is at work on a book-length study of the genocide of the Roma people on Soviet territory during the Second World War.
 

He received a B.A. in history from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, a master’s certificate in political history from the University of Helsinki, an M.A. in Soviet and East European studies from Carleton University, and a Ph.D. in history from McGill University. In his spare time, he’s driven by a love for travel. Even when life gets busy, his passion for exploring the world never slows down. More and more, however, he can be found wandering, silently, through Nothern Minnesota or any forest in Finland, with his family by his side—including a wonderful Labrador companion. Always moving forward, always seeking new adventures—there’s no looking back! 

Courses Taught

HIST 122 Western Civilization II

HIST 256 Modern World History

HIST 313 The Middle East

HIST 329 The French Revolution and Napoleon

HIST 330 Nineteenth Century Europe

HIST 420 Twentieth Century Europe

HIST 443 Imperial Russia

HIST 444 Twentieth Century Russia

HIST 470 The Second World War

HIST 485 History of Genocide in the Modern Era

HIST 492 Amerika through Soviet Eyes

HIST 492 Introduction to Japanese Film

HIST 492: The Genocide of the Roma

HIST 492 The Ottoman Empire and the Caucasus

HIST 492 War, Nationalism, and Terrorism

HIST 492 The Roma in Imperial Russia and the Soviet Union

HIST 492 The First World War

HIST 492 Stalin and Stalinist Civilization

Kylie Waldo

Nursing Program Assistant

Technology Center 357

Kylie Waldo serves as the Nursing Program Assistant, bringing a wealth of administrative expertise to support the program's operations and growth. With a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of North Dakota and a strong background in Human Resources, Project Management, and Healthcare, Kylie excels in managing the multifaceted aspects of the nursing program. Her responsibilities span administrative and faculty support, program coordination, student assistance, recruitment, and outreach efforts.  Kylie's dedication to student success coupled with her ability to streamline processes, makes her an invaluable asset to the nursing team.  

Kylie grew up in North Dakota and has resided in Aberdeen for almost 20 years with husband Aaron and their six children.  When she isn’t working, she is chasing after their children and attending all of their activities. She enjoys spending every summer minute possible at the lake....any lake.  In the fall and winter, you will find her cheering on her Minnesota Vikings.