All Mid-State campuses are closed Monday, December 23, through Wednesday, January 1, in observance of the Winter Break. We look forward to assisting you when we open again on Thursday, January 2. See our list of online services that remain available during the college closure.
University Transfer Instructors
MEGAN BLOUNT, BS, DC
Dr. Blount earned a doctor of chiropractic degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University. Her experience includes work as a practicing clinician for 10 years while teaching at area trade schools, technical colleges, and universities. Retired from practice, she now teaches full time in the areas of anatomy and physiology and microbiology.
“I love teaching the natural sciences because it challenges a student’s thinking process while providing a functional knowledge of the human body. I owe it to my students to make a difficult subject approachable by bringing consistency, humor, and warmth to the classroom. I help students going into a healthcare field acquire the necessary foundation to make appropriate decisions that lead to beneficial outcomes.”
ABBY FERRELL, BA, MA
After holds an undergraduate degree in arts management and worked as a public relations manager and grant writer before going back to earn her master of arts in communication from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. Her experience includes teaching communication and English courses, and she enjoys learning and maintaining industry knowledge by keeping up with new journal publications and conferences. She also holds her UW System Online Learning Certificate and remains up to date in Safe Zone training. Building an inclusive classroom is important to Abby, and she strives to create an equitable, welcoming learning environment.
"Communication plays a tremendous role in shaping our viewpoints and actions. I enjoy teaching about both the subtle and prominent impacts of communication on society in a way that my students can relate to and use in their everyday lives."
CLINT J. GOSSE, BS, DC
Dr. Gosse earned a doctor of chiropractic degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University. His experience includes over 15 years of full-time clinical practice in addition to education experience as a part-time faculty member with Mid State for much of that time until transitioning to a full-time education position. He additionally holds a bachelor of science degree in biology from UW–La Crosse.
“The ability of our next generation of health care workers to communicate well with their colleagues and patients is so important to me. I hope that as students build that foundation in the courses I teach, they see the ‘why’ in what they are learning so that they can apply concepts and streamline their own creative explanations of them in the future.”
MEGAN KUNDINGER, BS, MS
Megan holds a master’s degree in bacterial genetics and pathogenicity from Texas A&M University. Prior to joining Mid-State, Megan worked with research labs at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and in the Environmental Health and Medical Genetics labs at the Marshfield Laboratories. She has published papers on bacterial genetics in research journals.
“Teaching allows me to share my passion for science with my students every day. I love seeing their faces when they accomplish their goals.”
MAGGIE LEONHARDT, BS, MS
Maggie Leonhardt earned her BS in mathematics education from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville and her MS in education with an emphasis in math intervention from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh. Prior to joining Mid-State, Maggie gained 11 years of teaching experience with upper-level and dual credit courses at the high school level. Maggie brings a passion for mathematics and a joy in forming positive relationships with students to help enhance classroom learning. Her specialty is finding new ways to explain challenging math concepts to her students.
“It’s a privilege to share my love of mathematics with my students at Mid-State. The ‘light bulb moment’ is the absolute best! I feel like I am truly helping my students get one step closer to their life goals.”
DESIAH MELBY, BA, MST
Desiah has been an educator for more than 20 years in a wide variety of settings. Her experience as a high-school and college-level educator have honed her skills in planning, preparing, and delivering instruction while building strong, respectful, and successful relationships with her students. Outside the traditional school setting, her time working abroad and in the US as a bilingual tutor, ELL instructor, and executive director of the Portage County Literacy Council gives her a wealth of experience in working with adult English Language Learners. As a continually publishing freelance writer and web designer, she practices the writing craft that she teaches, staying fresh with industry standards and needs.
“My education practices derive from both a passion for teaching the curriculum and a deep love of building relationships with my students. A continual desire for self-improvement and an unending motivation to help my students succeed drive my daily teaching practices. I approach each day with positivity, a true desire to serve others, and boundless energy.”
MICHELLE PERIA, BA, MA, PhD
Dr. Peria earned her PhD in sociology from the University of California, Irvine, and holds an MA in social anthropology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, National Museum (PPGAS). Her research and teaching interests are in the fields of race and ethnicity, social movements, and globalization. Employing ethnographic methods, Dr. Peria has studied informal work on the US-Mexico border, the growth of the contemporary megachurch movement in the United States, and race policy and grassroots movements in Brazil. Her work is published in Ethnicities, Ethnography, Sociological Compass, and Latin American and Caribbean Ethnic Studies.
“I’m delighted to be teaching sociology courses at Mid-State Technical College, since it was at a community college that my passion for studying the impact of social forces on individuals was first ignited. In the classes I teach, I love helping students turn their attention toward the social structures that influence our life experiences.”
JILL QUINN, BA, MA, MFA
Jill holds an MFA from Goucher College. Her essays have appeared in Orion Magazine, OnEarth, and Natural History Magazine, among others. She has written two books: Deranged (Apprentice House, 2010) and Sign Here if You Exist (Mad Creek Books, 2020). She is a winner of the John Burroughs Award for Best Nature Essay (2010), a Rona Jaffe Writers' Award (2013), and The Journal Non/Fiction Collection Prize (2020). In addition, her work has been selected for Best American Science & Nature Writing 2012 and Best American Essays 2016.
“Teaching at Mid-State allows me to focus on students in addition to subject matter. Our small class sizes and tutoring support systems allow time, space, and resources for working with individual writers to improve their clarity and style.”
BETH SPINDLER, BS, MAM
Beth earned her master of arts in mathematics from the University of Houston and her BS in secondary mathematics education from UW-Stevens Point. She has taught math and adult basic education for 12 years at Mid-State. Previously she taught math in grades 6–12 for over three years, substitute taught K–12 for five years, and was professional math tutor for two years.
“Being a mathematics instructor, it is rewarding to see a student finally understand a subject that has troubled them their entire life. I feel like I am really making a difference in the lives of the students at Mid-State.”
JON STEELE, BA, MBA
Jon earned a BA in political science and an MBA from the University of South Florida. He has since pursued additional master’s-level education in philosophy, ethics, and political science. His combination of classroom and industry experience allows him to approach instruction using practical applications important for those desiring a career-based education while also providing the academic emphasis necessary for those seeking to continue their education beyond an associate degree.
“The social sciences and humanities help us build awareness of our world, possess the critical thinking skills needed to develop this awareness, consider diverse perspectives, and provide a path for moral progress in our society. This creates better citizens and is precisely why I am passionate about teaching.”
KELLY SOCZKA STEIDINGER, BS, MA
Kelly earned her educational psychology master’s degree from Ball State University with a graduate certificate in human development and learning. She earned her master’s degree in communication from UW–Stevens Point and an e-learning and online teaching graduate certificate from UW–Stout. She is an enthusiastic instructor and researcher who strives to use industry experiences to reinforce psychology and communication theories in class. Although Kelly’s pursuits have been primarily instructional in nature, she continues to share her pedagogy by publishing articles in the Communication Teacher journal, the CTAM Journal, the National Communication Association’s E-Tools series, and the edited resource books Communication in the Classroom: Collection of GIFTS and Professors at Play Playbook: Real-World Techniques from a More Playful Higher Education Classroom.
“Communication and psychology touch every aspect of our lives, and teaching these essential skills in an interactive, engaging manner is what drives me to teach Mid-State’s students every day.”
GERENE TAYLOR, BS, MS
Gerene earned her MS in natural resources – wildlife conservation and management from the University of Arizona. She also holds a BS in biology – zoology with a minor in chemistry. She comes to her full-time role at Mid-State with over 10 years of experience in teaching and tutoring college-level science at UW-Stevens Point, the University of Arizona, and Mid-State.
“That light bulb moment when a student finally gets it is why I enjoy teaching so much!”
BRADLEY WEISS, BS, MST
Bradley holds a master’s in the science of teaching from Portland State University and has more than 18 years of teaching experience, including teaching positions within the University of Wisconsin system and at Portland Community College in Portland, Oregon. His service activities have included three years on the board of directors for the Wisconsin Mathematics Council, an advocate for quality mathematics education at all grade levels.
“I love sharing my knowledge of mathematics and enjoy working with students from diverse backgrounds and ability levels. Although we may not always notice, math plays an essential role in our daily lives.”
ROXIE WETTERAU, BS, MA
Roxie holds an undergraduate degree in organizational administration from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh and an MA in counseling from Lakeland University. Most recently she earned a graduate certificate in communication education from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She was a part-time instructor in communication and psychology prior to joining Mid-State full-time, where she strives to create an inclusive learning environment. Roxie is SAFE trained, recognizes the importance of lifelong learning, and keeps abreast of current research in the field.
“The ‘Aha!’ moment is the ultimate reward of teaching. In communication, it occurs when a student understands how they could connect with other people—to speak so others would listen and listen so others would speak. That’s the power of communication.”
