The University of Wisconsin-Superior welcomed eight new full-time assistant professors and lecturers to campus this fall. The group represents four departments: the Department of Education, the School of Business and Economics, Health and Human Performance, and Human Behavior, Justice and Diversity. Each new faculty member brings not only a wealth of expertise and teaching experience to the campus, but is committed to the liberal arts mission of UW-Superior, engaging variously in active teaching and learning and helping students prepare for their professional futures. Meet the new instructors:
Cherie Dakota is an assistant professor in the Social Work program, where she teaches courses in methods of practice and instruction. Dakota earned her B.S.W. at Wayne State University, her M.S.W. from the University of Michigan, and is working on her doctoral degree at Central Michigan University. She joins UW-Superior from Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College in L’Anse, Michigan.
Jennifer Garland is a senior lecturer in the School of Business and Economics. Garland earned her Doctor and Master of business administration degrees at Keiser University, and completed her undergraduate degree at UW-Parkside. She joins UW-Superior from Western Governors University. This fall, she is teaching courses in marketing and management.
Jen MacKay is a senior lecturer in the Health and Human Performance Department. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and her Master of Art in education from The University of Nebraska-Kearney. She most recently taught at Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College as well as at the K-12 level in Duluth, Minn. MacKay is currently teaching courses in coaching and K-12 physical education.
Aarati Mahat is a senior lecturer in the Mathematics and Computer Science Department. She holds a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from the University of Iowa. Her research is in the area of computational neuroscience, specifically focusing on auditory streaming. Mahat is teaching courses in algebra and calculus this fall.
Stephanie Polkowski is a senior lecturer in the Department of Education. An alumna of UW-Superior, she earned a Bachelor of Science in English education and a Master of Science in education with a focus on instruction and library science. She has taught across the K-12 setting, most recently as a high school English teacher in Eau Claire, Wis. Polkowski is teaching courses in teacher education.
Jodie Riek, assistant professor in the Department of Education, hails from Queensland, Australia, although she has previously spent time in the U.S. earning her Ph.D. at Oklahoma State University. Her areas of expertise include play pedagogy, school administration, curriculum theory, early childhood education and digital pedagogy.
Anne Robertson is a senior lecturer in the Department of Education, with a focus on early childhood education. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Tech in interdisciplinary studies, Master of Arts in education from Virginia Tech with a concentration in curriculum and instruction and a post-master certificate in reading to be a licensed reading specialist. She most recently taught at Hillel Community Day School in Rochester, N.Y., and was the director of special education and pupil personnel services. Roberston places an emphasis on play-based learning, multi-sensory teaching and active learning methods such as connecting college students with Birth-Grade 3 classrooms for hands-on learning.
Sydny VanderVeen-Borrayo is a senior lecturer in Health & Human Performance department. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nutrition, exercise, & health sciences from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and holds a Master of Science in exercise physiology from The College of St. Scholastica, where she studied VO2max. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in health and human performance from Concordia University of Chicago. VanderVeen-Borrayo teaches courses in the areas of community health, exercise science, and biology.
