Rasmussen College Online Staff

At Rasmussen College Online, you are never alone; not only will we proactively support you, but we will also help you overcome any obstacles that you may encounter along the way. As a Rasmussen College Online student, you will have your own personal Student Services Coordinator, who is just a phone call away, ready to assist you with your needs or answer any questions.

As a new student, we begin by familiarizing you with the course management system that will serve as your online classroom. During our orientation process we guide you through your online classroom so that you are familiar with your environment on your first day of classes. Throughout your program we will connect you with all of the resources available and will help you develop and enhance the skills needed to be a successful online student. We will share strategies that will help you thrive in your online experience, and will continue to deliver innovative concepts to ensure your success.

Your Student Services Coordinator is your personal assistant and partner along your online path to success. Rasmussen College Online is committed to helping you achieve your educational and career goals.

Meet Your EdVantage Team

Michelle Adkins
Admissions Representative

Hometown: Toledo, OH
Education background: B.A. Communications minor Marketing from the University of Toledo
What I love most about Rasmussen: Promotion of education!
Something interesting about myself: A friend and I started a talent pageant in my hometown to help young girls between the ages of 13 - 17 to help build confidence, self-esteem, and teamwork!
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, bowling, shopping, traveling, and helping others

Michael Ballentine
Online Admissions Representative

Education Background: BS Business Administration with a specialization in Management from National American University
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
What I love most about Rasmussen: I love helping students achieve their educational and career goals but above all else I like the friendly staff that I get to work with everyday.
Something interesting about myself: Before coming to Rasmussen I worked for McDonalds for 10 years and have always wanted to have a McDonald’s franchise.
Hobbies: I am a big NASCAR fan and enjoy watching any and all NASCAR programs. My next goal is to go to a race in Kansas City next year. If you are a NASCAR fan you have to go to a race to truly experience how amazing a sport it is.

Chris Camolilla
Admissions Representative

Education: BA Marketing and Communications from Salisbury University
Hometown: Wayne, NJ
What I love about Rasmussen: What I love most about Rasmussen is the dedication to a student’s success. The services provided to ensure that a student is a success in the classroom and beyond. These are services I wish were available to me as I was going to college.
Something interesting about myself: I am a 2 year Varsity Letterman playing football at Salisbury University.
Hobbies: The only hobby that I truly pursue is Golf.

Christine Cassell
Student Services Coordinator

Education Background: My Bachelor's degree is from the University of Central Florida
Hometown: Melbourne, FL originally - now Altamonte Springs, FL
What I love about Rasmussen: That I feel I make a difference in the lives of my students. It's great to know that you can have an effect and change someone's life for the better. I love to see my students succeed, and it's truly inspiring for me when I get to see them graduate.
Something interesting about myself: I just got married on October 13th aboard the Carnival Glory. I have 2 cats that are my kids, and I write a weekly blog for the Student Portal Edvantage Reader.
Hobbies: Reading, singing, playing the piano, video games

Don DeVito
Campus Director - Rasmussen College Online

Education: Bachelor of Science, General Business; Excelsior College - Albany, NY
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
What I like most about Rasmussen College: The commitment on the part of the entire Rasmussen team to provide our students with a first-class education leading to real career opportunities
Something interesting about myself: I was once “punched” by Muhammad Ali at the airport in Phoenix, AZ.
Hobbies: Spending time with my wife Kresten, my son Dominic, and my daughter Kortney; golf; reading.

Jennifer Duholm
Financial Aid Officer

Education background: BS Degree at University of MN, Mankato & AA Degree at Riverland Community College
Hometown: Austin, MN
What I love most about Rasmussen: I love helping students reach their goal of continuing their education and perusing their dreams. I also enjoy working with wonderful co-workers that make the workday fun and exciting.
Something interesting about myself: I have a twin brother and I’m also on a bowling team sponsored by Rasmussen.
Hobbies: I enjoy being with my friends and family, bowling, shopping, going on road-trips, playing games, bon fires, camping and vacations.

Amber Gullickson
Financial Planning Coordinator

Education background: BA Business Administration from Concordia College— Moorhead, MN
Hometown: Fertile, MN
What I love most about Rasmussen: Everyone is so friendly and helpful.
Something interesting about myself: I’m on a bowling team sponsored by Rasmussen College.
Hobbies: Bowling, golf, watching movies, very amateur karaoke

Matt Haag
Admissions Representative

Education: Bachelor of Science- Business Management: Finance Concentration - Southwest Minnesota State University Marketing Minor
Hometown: Marshall, MN
What I like best about Rasmussen College: Rasmussen has a great small class model and we have great services like free online tutoring and job placement to make sure students will be successful and that their lives will be changed forever. I love working here because everyone is very friendly and helpful and I enjoy hearing our student’s excitement about making a change for the better.
Something interesting about myself: In college, I opened the first Fireworks stand ever in Southwest Minnesota.
Hobbies: Hiking, Backpacking, Music, and Video Games

Jolene Harding
Admissions Manager

Education Background: B.A. Communications Studies St Cloud State
Hometown: Originally from Blaine, MN
What I love most about Rasmussen: Helping students succeed and reach their goals
Something interesting about myself: I love dogs, if I could I would have 10 of them
Hobbies: My dog Gracie Lou, spending time with family and friends, being outdoors

Jennifer Higgins
Admissions Representative

Education background: BA Saint Leo College
Hometown: From Tampa, Florida
What I love most about Rasmussen: I love the positive environment. I enjoy changing people’s lives.
Something interesting about myself: I am an animal lover.
Hobbies: Yoga and reading.

Linda Hoffman
Online Administrative Assistant

Education background: Associate’s degree from Normandale College
Hometown: I was born in Detroit, Michigan-and currently reside in Eden Prairie
What I love most about Rasmussen: The variety of duties, the people, the students, and I am always busy!
Something interesting about myself: I always put other people before me, my favorite place is Venice Beach, California, and I am a big Styx fan!
Hobbies: Cats, scrapbooking, dancing, baseball, music, and the outdoors in the summer!

Brianne Hupke
Financial Planning Coordinator

Education background: B.S., AMDP; Primary Focus: Merchandising and Buying; Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Hometown: Watkins, Iowa
What I love most about Rasmussen: Assisting students in achieving their educational goals
Something interesting about myself: I grew up in the countryside of a small town with a population of 31 people
Hobbies: Singing (karaoke), photography, playing WOW (video game) and Guitar Hero

Lisa Knox-Aquino
Admissions Representative

Education background: B.A. from Tuskegee University
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
What I love most about Rasmussen: I love interacting with my students
Something interesting about myself: I am the youngest sibling, the youngest cousin and the youngest niece in my generation of my family.
Hobbies: I enjoy reading, listening to Duke Ellington, and playing wrestle mania with my son.

Jeff Laing
Student Service Coordinator

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
What I love most about Rasmussen: Helping students achieve their academic goals.
Something interesting about myself: I am a big fan of the local music scene
Hobbies: Play guitar

Joanne M. Larson
Administrative Assistant

Education Background: Diploma - Rasmussen College
Hometown: Nisswa, Minnesota
What I love most about Rasmussen: The quality of education we work so hard to provide our students. I really like my co-workers along with the many other friends I have made at the other campuses throughout my tenure at Rasmussen College.
Something interesting about myself: I love to volunteer. Most of my time away from Rasmussen College is volunteering with the Minnesota Women of Today. I am active on the local, district and state level. Giving back to our communities, personal growth and the fellowship I get from my WT friends.
Hobbies: I like to walk, volunteering which involves too many things to list, hanging out with friends.

Dana Macdonald
Rasmussen College Online Admissions Rep

Education background: Graduated from Stetson University in 2005 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management- Human Resources
Hometown: Boca Raton, FL
What I love most about Rasmussen: Helping others
Something interesting about myself: I have traveled to 34 states
Hobbies: I love movies, music, football (Go Irish!!!), tennis, going to the beach/pool, huge Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order fan, and always up for a challenge or game.

Stephanie Mattie
Admissions manager

Education background: AAS Sales and Marketing Rasmussen College and currently pursuing BS Business Management at Rasmussen College
Hometown: Racine, WI
What I love most about Rasmussen College: Coming to work everyday knowing I am here to make a difference in other people’s life.
Something interesting about myself: I tap danced for 15 years.
Hobbies: My favorite hobbies are bowling, reading, movies, watching football and currently learning to quilt.

Jeff McGie
Admissions Rep

Education Background: BS in Communications
Hometown: Apple Valley, MN
What I love most about Rasmussen: Rasmussen’s desire to help our students
Something interesting about myself: When I was in Hollywood, CA, my brother and I walked into an infomercial. Even though we were not paid actors, they assumed we were and allowed us to act in it.
Hobbies: Twae Kwon Do, Sports, Guitar Hero, Swing Dancing, movies

Eva Mendoza
Admissions Representative

Education: BA Psychology, Rutgers University
Hometown: Casselberry, FL
What I love most about Rasmussen College: The effort and professionalism of all staff members in promoting the importance of education in conjunction with a friendly and family-like atmosphere.
Something interesting about myself: My brother is 20 years my senior and so I have a niece who is older than me!
Hobbies: The outdoors, reading, spending time with family.

Allison Muesing
Admissions Rep: Online division

Education Background: BS in mass communications specialization PR minor in marketing from Minnesota State University Mankato.
Hometown: Maple Grove, Minnesota
What I love most about Rasmussen: The fun working atmosphere and wonderful co-workers.
Something interesting about myself: I was adopted from Guatemala when I was 3 months old.
Hobbies: Hanging out with friends and playing varies sports.

Sharon Richardson
Director of Admission

Educational Background: Bachelors of Science Business Administration from University of Louisville; minor in International Marketing, 3 classes away from receiving my Masters of Science in Human Resource Management from Troy University.
Hometown: Frostproof, Florida - home of Alvin Harper (Dallas Cowboys) and Travis Henry (Denver Broncos)
What I love about Rasmussen: I love the difference I make in our students lives.
Something interesting about myself: I am an All American college basketball player from University of Louisville. I played a pick up game with Shawn Kemp.
Hobbies: I am all about family; I hang out with my husband (Danny) and my daughter (Eja). We are big NFL football fans ** GO STEELERS**

Rachel Ruch
Registrar

Education: BA in American Studies from Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA
Hometown: Williamsport, PA
What I love most about Rasmussen: It’s exciting to work in the field of education and you can’t go wrong by making an investment in learning.
Something interesting about myself: I’m a new mom as of May 2007.
Hobbies: Cooking, tennis, knitting, hiking.

Tara Scott
Student Accounts Manager

Education background: BS – Finance @ Minnesota State University - Mankato
Hometown: Austin, MN
What I love most about Rasmussen: Co-Workers
Something interesting about myself: Bowl on Rasmussen bowling league.
Hobbies: Bowling, hanging out with friends, hunting, fishing.

Meghana Shroff
Career Services Advisor

Education background: B.A. Psychology, M.A. Counseling Psychology (expected 2008)
Hometown: Brooklyn Park, MN
What I love most about Rasmussen: The people. And I truly enjoy working with students from whom I learn so much!
Something interesting about myself: I was a Combat Medic in the National Guard.
Hobbies: Music, outdoor activities, spending time with family and friends.

Nicole Stefurak
Sr. Marketing Manager

Education Background: Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing from Stetson University
Hometown: Coral Springs, FL
What I love most about Rasmussen: Seeing the success of our students!
Something interesting about myself: I have triplets that were born in April of 2007.
Hobbies: If I get any free time (which isn’t too often J) I enjoy reading, walking, hanging out by the pool and shopping.

Lucie Van Horn
Financial Aid Officer

Educational Background: Graduated in Germany with a High School Diploma and a degree in Accounting
Hometown: Born in Frankfurt, Germany
What I love most about Rasmussen: I especially like the National Online Program at Rasmussen College, which allows students to learn on their own time and adjusts to their personal schedules.
Something interesting about myself: I was born in Germany and came to the United States of America in 1992. I am married and have a teenage daughter (Katie 18). Our family resides in Albertville, Minnesota. We have two Labrador dogs named Hunter and Duke. In 2006, I started my career as a Financial Planning Coordinator with Rasmussen College. I am working with the National Online team and my duties are assisting our students with their Financial Aid process. Prior to Rasmussen College I worked mainly in the Accounting field (AP Manager) and in Property Management.
Hobbies: Boating, snow mobiling, spend time with my husband and teenage daughter, and my two dogs Hunter and Duke.

Brandon Zenk
Admissions Representative

Education Background: BS Finance St Cloud State University
Hometown: New Ulm, MN
What I love about Rasmussen: Being able to help students earn their degree and knowing that we truly put them in a position to succeed at Rasmussen College.
Something interesting about myself: My cousin wrestled in the WWF and WCW.
Hobbies: Golf, Softball, going to sporting events, traveling and hanging out with friends and family.