Get to Know Our Faculty
Meet the Rasmussen College School of Education Faculty
Regina Jackson .jpg)
Title: Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator
Eagan Campus
As a Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator at Rasmussen College, Regina works with students to help them reach their goals of obtaining a college degree. She is committed to working with students to help them succeed. Regina has three wonderful daughters Renae (11), Jasmine (8 ½) and Julia (15 months). And a supportive husband James of fifteen years. Regina completed her Bachelor’s of Arts degree from the University of Concordia in St. Paul, with a major in Elementary Education and minor in Early Childhood Education. Regina completed her Master’s of Arts degree in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University in St. Paul.
Regina has worked with children and families through various positions, including teaching kindergarten and first grade in Texas. A Child Development Specialist at an early childhood education hospital center. Her true passion is working with students and helping them become advocates for young children and their families and helping society value the early years of a child’s life and the field of early childhood education as a profession.
Joni Kuhn
Title: Adjunct Online Instructor
Rasmussen Online
My name is Joni Kuhn and I live in Washington State. I have been teaching for Rasmussen for 3 ½ years now and absolutely love it!
I am married and have three sons who are 20, 18 and 8. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development and a Master's degree in Reading and Literacy. I have also earned 45 credits in Special Education, which is an area I have a real passion for.
Dena Wyum
Title:
Adjunct Online Instructor
Rasmussen Online
My undergraduate degree is in Child Development and Family Science (CDFS) from North Dakota State University (NDSU), with a minor in Women’s Studies. My Master’s degree is also from NDSU in the Marriage and Family Therapy program, housed in the CDFS department. One of the major research projects that I worked on while a student at NDSU was called the Early Risers Project. This project focused on how to prevent unwanted behaviors in young children through the use of a student mentoring program.
I am currently teaching at NDSU in the Women’s Studies department, and will be teaching in the CDFS department in the fall of 2009. I also work part time in a clinic doing individual therapy. I really enjoy teaching, as well as conducting therapy sessions and I have currently been able to find a balance where I can do both. I am very excited about joining the Rasmussen team and having another opportunity to teach.
I am a strong proponent of prevention. I like working with families and children to help parents make smart parenting choices that will not only benefit their children now, but also have a lasting impact. As a therapist I believe in a strength based approach to working with families and children. I like to find what families are doing well and help them capitalize on those strengths. In a broader sense I am passionate about social justice and working to make sure that all families have equal access to resources. I want children and families to have the tools they need to be successful!
Courtney Anderson
Title: Adjunct Online Instructor
Rasmussen Online
I was born and raised in Janesville, MN (just outside Mankato). After high school I attended Bethany Lutheran College for 2 years and then transferred to the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities, where I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Child Psychology in 2001. While attending college in Minneapolis I worked full-time as a Toddler Teacher on the St. Paul Campus at Community Child Care Center.
I married my husband Ethan in December of 2002 and we moved to New Haven, CT in January of 2003 for graduate school. While in New Haven I began working at the Yale Hospital Day Care Center in the infant/toddler room. This was a different experience for me as it was a multi-age group setting with 8 children ranging in age from 3 months - 3 years. After a year and a half I was promoted to Lead Teacher in the Preschool room, which was also a multi-age group setting only this time the age range was 3 years - 5 years. While working full-time I started grad school at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT. After much hard work I received my Master of Science Degree in Elementary Education/Early Childhood/Special Education in December of 2005. Which was just in time, as I became a mother to a beautiful boy in February 2006!
In July of 2006 my husband, 6 month old son, and I moved to Greenville, NC where I have been a stay at home mom ever since! We since then have added another little boy and will be awaiting baby #3 in Sept. 2009. I wish I could say I have some really fun and cool hobbies, but as you can see I have been busy with school, work, and raising children:) I have been with Rasmussen since August 2008 and have loved every minute.
Courtney Brumbaugh
Title: Adjunct Online Instructor
Rasmussen Online
Hello, my name is Courtney Brumbaugh. Currently, I have the pleasure of supervising an early childhood program at St. David's Center. I've held this position for eight years. Children are my passion, and I received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Augsburg College. My educational journey has brought me back to Augsburg to obtain my Master's degree.
At Rasmussen College, I've taught residential classes, online classes, and supervised student teachers. This experience has been rewarding and I enjoy helping students meet their educational goals. Most importantly, I'm blessed to have a ten year old son (who keeps me young) and a supportive husband. We enjoy spending time together; laughing, reading, and making memories. Children grow so fast!
Monica Mauri
Title: Adjunct Online Instructor
Rasmussen Online
I love teaching online. It is wonderful to get to meet students from virtually all over the United States. When I am not teaching the wonderful students at Rasmussen College, I am working as an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS) in Miami, Florida. As an ITDS, I provide therapy, screening, and assessment for the special needs birth to three populations, and their families.
I am married to a wonderful man called Rob and we have two sons: Danny is eleven, and Ryan is two. My hobbies are traveling, reading, and cooking. I love to travel, primarily to see new places and experience new cultures, but especially to eat! My husband and I are “foodies” so we are always cooking or trying new recipes or foods. I feel bad for our sons because they are our “guinea pigs” as far as making them try the foods we try to re-create from our trips.
Kelly Lee Kist
Title: Adjunct Online Instructor
Rasmussen Online
My name is Kelly Lee Kist. I have been an Early Childhood Educator since I enrolled in Community College at age 17. I started my own preschool as a young adult and, through the years, found my time spent in educating teachers and parents as enriching and important as my time with the children. After two decades of Preschool Teaching, Mentoring and Development I left my school and the non-profit agency, The Seasons Way, in good hands in California and relocated to the Twin Cities to raise my son and focus more exclusively on adult learners. I am delighted to join the Rasmussen team and grateful for every opportunity to connect, reflect and learn in my work and in my life.
Katie Seckora
Title: Adjunct Online Instructor
Rasmussen Online
My name is Katie Seckora and I began teaching for Rasmussen College in 2008. I fell in love with teaching young children while attending the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse while working at the Campus Child Center. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a Child/Youth Care Emphasis and have been working with children ever since! I live in Wisconsin with my husband, Dan, and our Weimaraner, Asti. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, boating, taking my dog running, and playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band on occasion!
Cece Westby
Title: Department Chair of Early Childhood Development
Brooklyn Park Campus
As a Department Chair, Cece has the opportunity to help student teachers enrolled in Rasmussen’s School of Education. She is committed to developing Rasmussen students to be the best they can be. Cece has worked with infant, toddler, preschool and school age children as a teacher, director and program specialist. In June 1999 and 1996, she led a team of teachers to earn national accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children for a multi-site early childhood program. Cece has authored a teacher training article on inclusion titled, Prevention: It is all about environment, for the State of Minnesota.
Recently, Cece completed her doctorate in education from the University of Minnesota. Her dissertation explored how teachers can support the success of diverse children. Cece also holds Minnesota teaching licenses in pre-kindergarten and Grades 1-6. Since joining Rasmussen, Cece has been dedicated to helping Rasmussen students achieve success through degree completion.