Doctor of Education Program Faculty

For general program questions, please contact Christine Einerson at ceinerson@edgewood.edu or 608-663-3308.

		Peter Burke, PhD pburke@edgewood.edu (608) 663-2351 Director, Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership BS, MS, PhD: UW-Madison Peter Burke serves as the director of the Edgewood College doctoral program. He began his career as a high school math teacher in Middleton, Wisconsin, and spent 11 years in program administration at UW-Madison before joining the DPI. He was section chief for the school improvement section at DPI before becoming the director of the licensing bureau. Having participated in the promulgation of Chapters PI 8 and PI 34 of the Wisconsin Administrative code, his interests are in education policy, research methods, and supervision.

		Mary Ellen Gevelinger, OP, Ed.D MGevelinger@edgewood.edu (608) 663-3244 Director of Research, Doctoral Program, Education BA: Rosary College, MA: Mundelein College, MA: St. Xavier University, Ed.D: University of St. Thomas Sr. Mary Ellen Gevelinger is the director of research for the doctoral program, and as such is responsible for the dissertation research for all students, both Wausau and Madison cohorts. She came to Edgewood from the leadership position as Vicaress of the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation, after having taught cohorts of education leadership students in Minnesota through St. Mary’s University and the University of St. Thomas. Sr. Mary Ellen taught at Newman High School in Wausau before becoming Director of Personnel and Planning for 100 Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. She teaches the Research Methods course in Madison, and has been working to embed research elements in each of the coursework modules in the doctoral program.

		Sara Jimenez Soffa, PhD SJimenezSoffa@edgewood.edu 608-663-3462 Coordinator, Higher Education and Agency Educational Leadership BA: Ripon College, MA: Alverno College, Ph.D. UW-Madison Sara Jimenez Soffa is the coordinator of the strand of the education doctoral program that enrolls leaders from higher education institutions and public or private agencies who are training or development leaders. Sara brings a wealth of knowledge in higher education administration and research to her position, and she has a passion for social justice as a cornerstone for the profession of education. She is an accomplished researcher specializing in research design, data analysis, and outcomes-based assessment. Her work at Edgewood prior to joining the doctoral program included consulting on assessment for student development, teaching in the Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program for the Psychology Department, and coordinating programs for the Institutional Research Office. Sara teaches the introductory leadership and research courses for higher education students.

		Linda Barrows, PhD LBarrows@edgewood.edu Doctoral Faculty BA: Ohio State, MS: UW-Madison, PhD: UW-Madison Linda Barrows has been superintendent of schools for Sharon, Deerfield and, most recently, Oregon, Wisconsin schools. She has held leadership roles in WASDA and served Edgewood College as a mentor and member of the Assessment, Instruction, Research, and Supervision (AIRS) committee. Linda, along with her husband Dick, teach the policy course using a combined PK-16 approach to education policy, and they both serve as dissertation advisor for doctoral students.

		Richard Barrows, PhD RBarrows@edgewood.edu Doctoral Faculty BA: Ohio State, MS: UW-Madison, PhD: UW-Madison Dick Barrows comes to the Edgewood College program after serving as professor of agricultural and applied economics and in various administrative positions at the university level and in his College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. A Peace Corps volunteer from 1966-1967, Dick served as an agricultural extension agent in Sierra Leone with his wife, Linda. That experience was the first in what would become a lifelong commitment to international development. As a faculty member he had expertise in natural resource economics and policy and state and local public finance. He and Linda co-teach the policy course using a combined PK-16 approach to education policy.

		Jane Belmore, PhD JBelmore@edgewood.edu Doctoral and Undergraduate Faculty BA: University of Georgia, ME: Georgia State University, PhD: UW-Madison Jane Belmore has been a teacher, principal and central office administrator for the Madison Metropolitan School District. As Assistant Superintendent for Madison, she provided leadership for thirty one elementary schools, supervising school administrators, overseeing curriculum and instruction, monitoring student progress and other key operations. Jane has been a member of the doctoral faculty since the inception of the program and regularly teaches the curriculum module and advises students. She also teaches undergraduate courses in the Edgewood College School of Education. In addition to her work at Edgewood, Jane has worked as a consultant with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction on the statewide Urban School Leadership Project funded by the Wallace Foundation as a project coordinator. She also plays a leading role in the Foundation for Madison Public Schools, a non-profit organization that provides funding support to the schools.

		Thomas Owens, PhD trowens@dce.k12.wi.us Doctoral Faculty BA: UW-Whitewater, MS Ed: UW-Whitewater; PhD: UW-Madison Tom Owens has taught social studies at the middle school, junior high and senior high levels. He is a certified superintendent, business manager and principal and is a two-time recipient of the Eagle Award from the International Association of School Business Officials (ASBO). Tom also received the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials (WASBO) highest award, the Zastrow Award, in 2005 and became WASBO*s first School Business Official of the Year in 1996. Tom has spoken extensively throughout the state on school district operations, management and leadership, and has been the Assistant Superintendent for Business and Personnel Services in the D. C. Everest School District since 1990. A Past-President of WASBO he maintains a commitment to that organization and to the School Administrators Alliance (SAA) through membership on several committees and councils. Tom teaches the Finance course for the Wausau area cohorts.

		Roger Price, MS rwprice@matcmadison.edu Doctoral Faculty BS and MS UW-Whitewater; MS and Ph.D. Candidate UW-Madison Roger Price is the Vice President of Infrastructure Services and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Madison Area Technical College. In that role he is responsible for technology, finance, facilities, security, budget, and auxiliary services. He previously worked as Assistant Superintendent - Business Services for the Madison Metropolitan School District where he also served as Board Secretary; Business Manager in Oregon and River Falls, Wisconsin; and as an administrator in the Appleton Area School District. An active member in Madison Downtown Rotary, he also has been involved in leadership positions in numerous professional and civic organizations. Roger was the 2006 recipient of the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials (WASBO) Wally Zastrow Award for Life Time Achievement. In addition to co-teaching the finance course for Edgewood, Roger has been on the faculty of UW-Whitewater since 1995 where he teaches in the graduate program in School Business Management.

		Dean Ryerson, MA dryerson@tds.net Doctoral Faculty BA and MA: University of Northern Iowa Dean Ryerson has experience as a Human Resources Director for Middleton and Wisconsin Rapids School Districts, and was superintendent of Schools in Wisconsin Rapids and Port Edwards. He has been a school counselor and assistant principal and has recently worked with Quality Leadership by Design of Madison, Wisconsin as a Consultant and Coach where he helped school districts to implement school improvement models. Active in Rotary and the Wisconsin Urban Schools Superintendent Association, he has held leadership roles in both public and non-profit groups. Dean works with the Wausau area students as a mentor and liaison, and supports the instruction as a co-teacher for several of the module classes.

		Mary Jane Scherdin, PhD scherdin@edgewood.edu Doctoral Faculty BS: UW-LaCrosse, MS: UW-Madison, MEPD: UW-Whitewater, PhD: UW-Madison Mary Jane Scherdin has worked as a professional librarian at the elementary, middle, high school and college/university levels. She has taught graduate courses for UW-Whitewater, UW-Milwaukee, and UW-Madison in addition to serving as Assistant Dean of the School of Library and Information Services at UW-Milwaukee. She joined the Edgewood faculty in 1992 and served as a member of the planning committee for the doctoral program. Mary Jane recently retired as Director of the Oscar Rennebohm Library for Edgewood after developing a service-oriented staff, building a strong relationship with faculty, incorporating information literacy into the curriculum, and initiating a Friends of the Library organization. Mary Jane was the first associate to work with students who came to the program from higher education leadership positions, and she has continued as a dissertation advisor and campus liaison for students in each cohort.

		William Shirer, PhD pybills@charter.net Doctoral Faculty and Coordinator, Central Wisconsin Program BA: Knox College, MA: UW-Madison, PhD: UW-Madison Bill Shirer is the recently retired superintendent of the Mosinee School District, after serving as Director of Instruction for that district. He began his career in education as an intern teacher in Kaukauna before moving to the Downers Grove, Illinois school district as a teacher then coordinator of interdisciplinary studies. As co-founder of the School Evaluation Consortium at UW-Madison he helped numerous Wisconsin school districts develop school improvement and program evaluation plans. Currently working as a Certified Senior Advisor for the Hermening Financial Group in Wausau, Bill coordinates the mentoring and teaches the policy course for the Wausau cohorts.

		Henry St. Maurice, PhD HStMaurice@edgewood.edu Doctoral Faculty BA: Wesleyan University College of Letters, M.Ed: University of Vermont, PhD: UW-Madison Henry St. Maurice has taught English, special education and computer science in a variety of settings including elementary, secondary, and rehabilitation programs. Since 1990 he has served as Director of Field Experiences and Professor of Education at UW-Stevens Point, and he serves as Research Coordinator for the Wausau cohorts. Henry has held leadership positions in state and national organizations including the American Educational Research Association (AERA). His research and teaching and interests include research methods, supervision of instruction, mentoring, and professional development planning.

		M.J. Best, PhD maryjane.best@wtcsystem.edu Doctoral Faculty BA: UW-Whitewater, MS, PhD: UW-Madison M.J. Best is the Education Director for general education and liberal arts transfer students for the Wisconsin Technical College System. She has held leadership roles in K-12 education as well as at the DPI. MJ joined the doctoral faculty as a liaison to students in higher education leadership positions and teaches in the area of curriculum development, instructional practices and assessment strategies for students in the higher education focus.

		Scott Brown, Ed.D Scott_Brown@mcfarland.k12.wi.us Doctoral Faculty BS: Maranatha College, MS: UW-Whitewater, Ed.D: Edgewood College A graduate of Cohort II of the Edgewood College program, Scott Brown began his career as a teacher and administrator in private schools, and currently is the district administrator of the McFarland Public Schools. Prior to accepting the job as superintendent Scott was the director of finance and business services for McFarland. He has taught for UW-Madison, Cardinal Stritch University, and Madison Area Technical College, and served on the original planning committee for the Edgewood College doctoral program. Scott has held leadership roles for the Dane County superintendents and is an active participant in Professional Development Teams for DPI license renewal. Scott teaches the finance module for the doctoral program, as well as teaching the school business class for the Edgewood College master’s program.

		Thomas Evert, PhD tevert2459@charter.net Doctoral Faculty BS: UW-Eau Claire, MSE: UW-Eau Claire, PhD: UW Madison Tom Evert was hired as Superintendent of the Janesville, Wisconsin school district in 1995, after having served as Principal of Janesville Craig High School. His professional experience includes the roles of school psychologist and student services director in Beloit and Sheboygan. The focus of his superintendency has been on increasing student learning and achievement, accepting and encouraging diversity, and increasing parental involvement. Tom was on the WASDA board for seven years and served as WASDA president in the 2003-04 school year. Tom teaches in the Wausau cohort with specialties of Law, Media and Public Relations, and Curriculum.

		Kristine Gilmore, Ed.D kgilmore@dce.k12.wi.us Doctoral Faculty and Site Coordinator Central Wisconsin Program BS: UW-LaCrosse, MA: Edgewood College, Ed.D: Edgewood College Kris Gilmore is the superintendent for the D.C. Everest School District where she traversed the ranks of assistant principal, elementary principal, and middle school principal before accepting the superintendency. Her professional education career began as an itinerant teacher for schools in CESA #3. Kris is a graduate of Cohort I of the doctoral program, and was instrumental in the design of the program for the Wausau area cohorts. She works as a mentor, college liaison, dissertation advisor, and faculty member for the program. She teaches the initial leadership module in Wausau and supports the organization and development of the program in Central Wisconsin.

		John Kammerud, Ed.D JKammerud@edgewood.edu Doctoral Faculty BS: UW-River Falls, MS: Winona State University, Ed.D: Edgewood College John Kammerud is a graduate of the Edgewood College doctoral program. He has served as superintendent in Greenwood and Mauston, and taught English in Royall before becoming high school principal in Monticello. His experience as an administrator includes supervising the construction and renovation of school buildings, including leading successful referenda necessary to the projects. John has held leadership positions with WIAA and WASDA, and teaches the introductory course in school leadership for the Madison cohorts.

		Steve Koch, PhD smkpak@aol.com Doctoral Faculty BS, MS, PhD: UW-Madison Steve Koch has been a part of the Edgewood College doctoral program since its inception. He was a social studies teacher, assistant principal, school business manager, and assistant superintendent, interrupted by several years as the owner and operator of a hardware business in Reedsburg. He has been superintendent in Pulaski and Middleton, where his business acumen served him well as a school leader. A strong involvement with civic, business and non-profit organizations is an important part of Steve’s experience. He has served as President of three Chambers of Commerce and two Lions Clubs, as well as sitting on the board of directors of a hospital, retirement community, and a performing arts group. Steve has taught leadership, finance, law, and media for the doctoral program, and is focusing on the Law and Media module, which is a valuable and unique course for future education leaders. In addition, he works as a liaison for students and mentors and advises dissertations for each cohort.

		Robert Koskela, PhD rkoskela@edgewood.edu Doctoral Faculty BA: Trinity College, MA: UW-Madison, MS: Edgewood College, PhD: UW-Madison Bob Koskela, along with his wife Ruth, serves as a Research Associate for the doctoral program. Under the coordination of the Research Director, he is responsible for supporting the instruction in research methods, assessing and consulting on dissertation proposals, reviewing dissertations, and giving final approval for the structure and format of the final dissertation.

		Ruth Koskela, PhD rakoskela@chorus.net Doctoral Faculty BA: Trinity College, MS: UW-Madison, MS: Edgewood College, PhD: UW-Madison Ruth Koskela, along with her husband Bob, serves as a Research Associate for the doctoral program. Under the coordination of the Research Director, she is responsible for supporting the instruction in research methods, appraising and consulting on dissertation proposals, reviewing dissertations, and giving final approval for the structure and format of the final dissertation.

		Bette Lang, Ed.D tevert2459@charter.net Doctoral Faculty BS: UW-Stevens Point, MA: UW-Superior, Ed.D: Marquette University Bette Lang has been a teacher, a principal, and a central office director of instruction in addition to having in-depth experience as a school superintendent. She has been superintendent of schools in four Wisconsin districts – DeForest, Beloit, Stevens Point and Oshkosh. Bette has served on the state board of directors for WASDA and participated in the Administrator Assessment Centers sponsored by the DPI. She also serves on several boards of nonprofit organizations and was a board member for the Lakeshore Technical College. She was named Educator of the Year in 2003. She has served as a mentor and advisor for students in the program, and has taught the curriculum module for students in the Wausau cohorts.

		Gene Thieleke, PhD gmjthieleke@charter.net Doctoral Faculty BS: Lakeland College, MS: UW-Milwaukee, PhD: UW-Madison Gene Thieleke has been a teacher, coach, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent of schools. His experience is in Michigan and Wisconsin, where he served as superintendent in Middleton and Whitnall. He is a superintendent search consultant with the Fox River Consultant Group and serves as Treasurer for the Wisconsin Retired Educators Association. Gene serves as a dissertation advisor and campus liaison for each cohort.

		Lori Weyers, PhD Weyers@ntc.edu Doctoral Faculty BS, MS, PhD: UW-Madison Lori began her tenure as Northcentral Technical College President July 1, 2006. Prior to coming to NTC, she served as the Vice-President for Learning at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay. Lori has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Behavioral Disabilities, a Master of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling/Administration and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. She obtained all her degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Lori has been the recipient of the prestigious Eagle Award that recognizes outstanding leadership in the Wisconsin Technical College System. She has also been recognized by the American Association of Community College’s Chair Academy as an outstanding educational leader. Lori serves on several local boards including: North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development, Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce, Mc DEVCO, Wausau Business Incubator, Dairyland State Academy, and the Robert W. Monk Botanical Gardens (ex-officio). At the State level, Lori serves as a member of the Department of Public Instruction Task Force and is the WTCS Presidents’ Association Chair for 2009-2010. Nationally she serves on the board for Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) and Church Mutual Insurance Company. Lori has been married for 35 years and is the mother of two grown sons and has one daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.

		Sue Abplanalp, PhD sabplanalp@madison.k12.wi.us BS: UW-Milwaukee; MA: Edgewood College; PhD: UW-Madison Sue Abplanalp has been a dissertation advisor for Edgewood College doctoral students on a variety of PK-12 topics, and she teaches in the area of curriculum studies. Sue is an Assistant Superintendent in the Madison Metropolitan School District. She works with the 32 elementary schools (11,200 students). Sue is a former teacher and principal of 10 years, where her most recent school in the Madison Metropolitan School District was awarded the Distinguished School Award in 2000 and was nominated as a Promising Site 2001 through the Department of Education because of its successful reform initiatives.

		Monica Bischoff, EdD mbischoff@edgewood.edu BS & MS: UW-Madison; Ed.D: Edgewood College As a graduate of Cohort I of Edgewood’s doctoral program, Monica Bischoff continued her association with Edgewood as a mentor and advisor for doctoral candidates, as well as an adjunct instructor teaching a PD course training teacher mentors. Monica is the assistant director of research for the doctoral program, and is responsible for facilitating all aspects of the Advising Communities, working to build a strong sense of ‘community’ to support the doctoral student throughout the entire advising stage of doctoral studies. Monica has been an educator for over 25 years, and currently as the Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Madison.

		Chuck Taylor, PhD ctaylor@edgewood.edu Doctoral Faculty BS: SEMO University; MS: University of Oregon; Ph.D. UW-Madison Chuck Taylor is joining the doctoral faculty as an instructor for Politics, Policy and Administration. Chuck has been an academic administrator at the college level for over 20 years. He most recently served as the Dean, School of Business at Edgewood College. He previously served as the Assistant Dean of Graduate, Adult and Professional Studies Programs at Edgewood College. He also served as Vice President and Academic Dean at Herzing College. Dr. Taylor has served as the chief administrator of a branch campus for Cardinal Stritch University; has served as the Director of the Department of Human Relations in the Madison School District; as Director of the Multicultural Education Center at UW-Oshkosh and ran his own publishing business for 14 years. He has taught courses at the collegiate level at three different universities and serves as a national consultant in the areas of diversity and assessment.

		Georgia Irre, MS girre@edgewood.edu Doctoral Faculty BA: University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, MS: Georgia State University Georgia recently joined Edgewood College as a writing coach. She comes with experience in English Second Language, second language acquisition and intercultural experience both in the academic and the corporate arena. Georgia has worked both in the US and in Europe and she speaks English, French, Spanish and Norwegian at a professional level. Georgia worked at five start-up situations in secondary education in Georgia and developed a start up program for second language adults linked to their children’s elementary school. Georgia worked for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games where she developed the language interpreter team for the 1996 Olympics and served as the media spokesperson for Language Services. She also served as hostess and interpreter to many VIP visitors and International Olympic Committee and their families. Georgia has been active in TESOL, GaTESOL, ASCID and has served as Alumni President and the Alumni President’s Organization at Georgia State University. She hopes to continue the pursuit of English language skills for the adult student and the adult instructor at Edgewood College.

		Jane M. Dziewior, EdD JDziewior@edgewood.edu Research Assistant AA: UW Baraboo/Sauk County Campus, BS: UW Superior, MS and EdD: Edgewood College Jane Dziewior is a Research Assistant for the doctoral program, and a graduate of the program at Edgewood College. She has an extensive background in leadership and supervisory positions. She has been a teacher supervisor for a sexual offender facility, a training officer for the State of Wisconsin and a Warehouse Management Specialist in the Naval Reserve where she also conducted supply training. She has been a teacher/instructor, both at the elementary level as well as at the higher education level. At the higher education level, Jane has taught English composition courses as well as taught in the GED programs at both the WWTC-Mauston Campus and MATC-Madison Campus.