Return to: U of M Home
Home » About UHP » Staff & Faculty > Staff
University Honors Program Staff
The University Honors Program is staffed by award-winning advisors, administrators, and peer assistants, who assist UHP students in their quest to be full citizens of the academic and global community.
The UHP staff is located in 20 Nicholson Hall. This space houses Honors advising, as well as the Honors Thesis Library, a space available to Honors students for study and relaxation.
Administration
Serge Rudaz, Founding Director and Professor of Physics
Pamela Baker, Associate Director
Pamela Drake, Associate Director
Sally Taylor Lieberman, Associate Director for National & International Scholarships
Honors Advisors
Jeanne Anderegg
Sarah H. Corrigan
Rebecca Dosch-Brown
Thomas Fitzgerald
Christine (Kit) Mack Gordon
Kate Jensen
Joel Mixon
Mary Moga
Kris Woll
Staff
Jake LaSota, Student Outreach Coordinator
Ed Stash, Student Services Specialist
Connie Waldherr, Office Manager
Peer Assistants
Aida Abebe
Megan Dullum
Ben Hinton
Meg Johnson
Jennifer Nicklay
Brittany Palmer
Linda Plautz
Anton Safonov
Hannah Schneider
Administration
Serge Rudaz, Founding Director and Professor of Physics
George W. Taylor/IT Alumni Society Award for Distinguished Teaching Recipient
Driven by a passion for research in theoretical subatomic physics for the past thirty-seven years (and currently preoccupied by supersymmetry), Serge Rudaz has been at the University since 1981. He has served as Director of Undergraduate Studies and of the Research Experiences for Undergraduates Summer program in physics for several years, and has enjoyed teaching most of the physics courses in the catalog (but especially introductory physics to Honors students!). In his spare time, he likes to listen to classical music (especially opera), hiking deserts and mountains and reading mysteries. He is married and is the father of two sons.
Pamela Baker, Associate Director
Tate Undergraduate Advising Award Recipient
Although still a Floridian in many ways, Pamela Price Baker has been with the University of Minnesota for almost 21 years. Seeing students succeed and do great things is what makes her job rewarding. She carries most of her passions into activities. She enjoys making art and music, participating in sports, watching soccer (the real football), improving public education and asking questions. Her most consuming passion is her children and their endeavors. She has one kid in college, one gainfully-employed (HCLA) graduate, and one high school sophomore. She is looking forward to seeing movies (in the theater), more live theater, and live music. However, she will no doubt continue be found on one of many soccer fields in the Midwest. Motto: "breathe, laugh, and participate in life."
Pamela Drake, Associate Director
Outstanding Civil Service Award Recipient
After serving for a decade and a half as assistant director and academic advisor in the Institute of Technology Honors Program, Pamela, along with UHP colleagues, is now contributing to the work of creating the new, pan-collegiate University Honors Program.
Pamela is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. She has two adult sons and two grandsons. She enjoys gardening, museums of all sorts, music of most genres including international fusion; reading (currently detective novels, historical fiction, and biography), and hopes one day to visit most, if not all, of the US Presidential Libraries.
Sally Taylor Lieberman, Associate Director for National and International Scholarships
CLA Service Award Recipient
Tate Undergraduate Advising Award Recipient
Sally has worked in the honors office since 1996. She publicizes prestigious scholarships of interest to outstanding undergraduates at the U, advises students on how to apply, and administers the campus nomination processes for such scholarships as the Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Goldwater, Beinecke, and Udall. A native Minneapolitan, Sally is proud to have lived or attended school in every neighborhood along the entire length of Lake Street from Lake Calhoun to the Mississippi. She has a PhD in Chinese literature from the University of Minnesota and has published a book on representations of mothers in modern Chinese literature. She has a son and a daughter who might actually finish grad school some day. In her spare time she likes to write creative nonfiction, garden, walk her dog, meddle in politics, and watch movies, preferably at the Riverview Theater.
Honors Advisors
Jeanne Anderegg, Academic Advisor
University
of North Dakota (UND) Foundation McDermott Award for Individual Excellence in
Teaching
UND Memorial Union Award for
Outstanding Student Organization Advisor
Although new to the University of Minnesota, Jeanne Anderegg has worked in academia for many years in several different capacities: as an editor at Yale University; a librarian at Boston University and the University of North Dakota; an instructor in the English Department at the University of North Dakota; and from 1993-2005, as the Director of the Honors Program at the University of North Dakota. Over the years, Jeanne has advised students in many fields, including those in engineering, pre-med, and the sciences, as well as the humanities and social sciences. A graduate of Boston University (where she majored in English and minored in Psychology) and Columbia University (where she earned a Masters in Library Science), Jeanne has drawn on her wide-ranging interests to teach interdisciplinary courses that combined science, social sciences and the humanities. Most recently, she taught at the American College of Norway in Moss, Norway. When Jeanne isn’t engaged in conversation with students, she can be found exploring the museums, theaters, movie houses, libraries and parks of the Twin Cities, or curled up with a good book.
Sarah H. Corrigan, Academic Advisor and Assistant Director, CBS
Sarah’s work over the past decade has revolved around biology, whether engaged in her own research, teaching classes, or advising students in the biological sciences. She received her B.S. in Zoology from UW Madison, where she worked as an undergraduate research assistant for the Center for Limnology studying predator-prey dynamics in lakes invaded by Eurasian milfoil. Her interests in avian ecology and behavior led her to complete a Master of Science at the University of Tulsa, where she studied coloniality and reproductive success in bank swallows. Her interests include birding, biking, gardening, knitting and travel. She also enjoys teaching English as a second language at a local nonprofit organization.
Rebecca Dosch-Brown, Academic Advisor
Rebecca worked as a lecturer in fields such as world literature, composition, TEFL, creative writing, teacher training, multimedia, and intra-cultural awareness for the past sixteen years in various universities throughout Japan, and in Detroit, Michigan and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She also has enjoyed stints as a poet-in-residence, gardener, assistant editor, bonsai apprentice, tilemaker, and translator of modern Japanese poetry. She graduated from the U with an honors degree in English, received her MFA in Creative Writing, and completed a post-graduate certificate in Educational Technologies. Her current passions are taking grad classes at the U, reading about culturally-responsive education, collecting outsider art, blogging, and playing outside every day with her son. Future passions may include building her own miniature off-the-grid hut and becoming a full-time hermit. She is fond of underdogs and eccentrics.
Thomas Fitzgerald, Academic Advisor
Tom joined the Honors staff early in 2004; he has spent the last 13 years in higher education: teaching Chemistry at the University of Papua New Guinea, teaching English as a second language both abroad and at the University of Minnesota, and more recently as academic advisor. Once a Peace Corps volunteer conducting research on crocodiles in the wilds of Papua New Guinea, he still enjoys traveling when he can, with his most recent trip being to Malawi, Africa. An outdoor enthusiast and naturalist, you might find him birdwatching or hiking at any of the number of parks in the metro area and beyond.
Christine (Kit) Mack Gordon, Academic Advisor
College of Liberal Arts Service Award Winner
Kit has been an advisor in the College of Liberal Arts for over twenty years, including fourteen years in Honors. She completed an undergraduate Bachelor of Elected Studies degree at the University (her three areas of focus were English, humanities, and women’s studies), and also received her MA and PhD in English from the University. Her most passionate avocation is theater; she is a dramaturg and occasional performer with various companies in the Twin Cities, and a total Shakespeare geek. She also loves to read (especially fantasy and historical fiction) and to practice playing the lute, which she’s been studying for eight years. Both her children are U of M grads (BFA/Ceramics and BA/History).
Kate is excited to be joining the University Honors Program after spending much of her career in applied mathematics research. After graduating from the University of Kansas Honors Program with a B.S. in Mathematics and a B.S. in International Studies, she received an M.A. in Quantitative Political Methodology/Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to her academic pursuits, Kate has enjoyed living in and traveling throughout Latin America and Europe, and has dedicated several years to working in the community with numerous non-profit and service-learning organizations. Outside of work, she can most often be found cultivating her interests in pottery and textile design, appearing in local theater and musical productions, or exploring the many beautiful Twin Cities area parks and lakes.
Joel Mixon, Academic Advisor
Joel has spent almost half of his life dedicated to Higher Education. As an undergraduate student he attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. With a double major in Political Science and Public Administration he began work at Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Washington D.C. before deciding to return to school to pursue a graduate degree in College Student Development at Appalachian State in Boone, NC. His experiences in Residence Life, Student Activities, and Orientation has led him to Academic Advising where he enjoys helping students define their academic plans and engage in activities to help them meet their goals. When he is not working he enjoys exploring the Midwest and meeting new people. He loves independent and foreign films and will often spend time at any one of the Landmark Theaters in the area. Travel is another area of interest for Joel and he enjoys new cultures and cuisine whenever he gets the chance. The Minneapolis farmer’s market, outdoor concerts, festivals, and hanging out at Lake Calhoun are favorite pastimes for Joel during the summer months as he has yet to become comfortable with realities of Minnesota winters.
Mary Moga, Academic Advisor
Tate Undergraduate Advising Award Recipient
Mary has been advising Honors students since the last century (well, okay, since 1998), and is looking forward to another year of great conversations. (She especially likes the ones starting with “I’m not sure what I want to do in college, but...”) Mary’s worldly experience includes trips down varied and interesting paths including alternative health care, corporate diversity, temporary employment, and academia. She has decided that the academic life is the most rewarding. Mary enjoys the pleasures of singing, reading (mostly) science fiction, writing short fiction, and discussing the meaning of life (the answer is, of course, “42”).
Kris Woll, Academic Advisor
Kris received her BA in English and history from the University of Minnesota Morris and her MA in history from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has worked in cultural institutions and universities in western Massachusetts and New York City. Most recently, she worked as an Education Program Manager at the City University of New York's Gotham Center and also taught college courses on American history through literature. After several years on the east coast, Kris is happy to back in Minnesota and is savoring the great assets of the Twin Cities, including the bookstores, the museums, the parks, and the cinnamon rolls.
Staff
Jake LaSota, Student Outreach Coordinator
Jake is a recent summa cum laude graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Music degree in voice. Outside of the honors office Jake can be heard as the baritone section leader at Central Presbyterian Church and seen on stage as a member of the Minnesota Opera chorus.
Ed Stash, Student Services Specialist
Ed is the newest member of the UHP family and its resident art critic. He received his BA in Art History from DePaul University in Chicago and spent the next half-dozen years working as an art dealer where he was able to travel both in this country and in Europe. Ed came to the Twin Cities to pursue an advanced degree because he thinks the Midwest is the best place in the world. He received his MA in Art History from the University of Minnesota and his areas of interest include works on paper from all periods, European art of the 19th and 20th centuries and arguing if post-modernism exists or not. Outside of that, Ed enjoys cycling, reading, movies, music and any number of things.
Connie Waldherr, Office Manager
Connie joined the University Honors Program in July 2008. She has nearly two decades of distinguished service at the University of Minnesota and is a graduate of the University Of Minnesota College Of Home Economics. Prior to her career at the U of M, she served as a communications specialist and consumer energy advisor with the Anoka Electric Cooperative. While at the U of M, she has gained experience in administrative, supervisory and office management support as well as project management and coordinating initiatives. Connie grew up in Northeast Minneapolis and enjoys researching her family history. She also enjoys camping, reading, movies, and travel.
Peer Mentors
Aida Abebe, sophomore, French
Aida likes to travel. In her free time she listens to music, sits out in the sun, reads, and meditates to find the quintessential meaning in life. She's currently in CLA, majoring in French, but is also interested in environmental science. Her other activities include running, people watching, volunteering at the library, and training to be a free runner.
Megan Dullum, junior, Marketing
Megan has volunteered at the Twin Cities Marathon and was the chair of the Relay for Life event in North St. Paul. She has taken leadership classes, has lived in Honors housing, and is a great resource for information on Carlson School of Management activities and opportunities. She was vice-president of DECA, a business and marketing association and is currently involved with CSOM’s Women in Business organization.
Ben Hinton, sophomore, Biomedical Engineering
Ben loves sports. His favorite sports to watch are basketball and football (Go Packers!). In his spare time he likes biking, playing Frisbee, and playing racquetball. Ben also volunteers as a tutor at the YMCA and is a member of the Community Engagement Scholars Program.
Meg Johnson, sophomore, Dance
Meg is from Jefferson City, Missouri. Her passions, other than dance, include bluegrass music, writing, and spending time with her nieces and nephews. She has performed with the University Dance Theater, The Vibrant Ideal, as well as at Balls Cabaret and Bryant Lake Bowl. She is also studying non-profit management at the U, with hopes of going into arts administration and development.
Jennifer Nicklay, junior, Biology and Social Justice
Jennifer has a knack for stumbling upon rather varied opportunities – the result of a continual pursuit to merge her passion for both the physical and social sciences. This pursuit began in high school, but she became dedicated to making it happen after studying abroad in Vietnam/Cambodia and becoming involved in social justice organizations during her first year. Most recently, she has presented her work on sustainable agriculture education at the university level and the extent to which these programs include migrant farmworkers. To continue this project, she hopes to become involved in the nearby community gardens located in immigrant/impoverished neighborhoods.
Brittany Palmer, junior, Anthropology and German Studies
Brittany enjoys traveling, dancing, and playing the harmonica. She is fluent in German and has a passion for going on adventures and learning about other cultures. Brittany is vice-president of the Anthropology Club and helps to plan an annual anthropology conference. She finds the interactions between people on metro transit intriguing.
Linda Plautz, sophomore, Human Resources and German Studies
Linda has spent a year abroad in Germany living as an exchange student. She loves interacting with others and learning about new cultures. At the U of M she enjoys giving tours, answering questions and sharing her enthusiasm for the University as an Admissions Ambassador. Her favorite time to be on campus is in the fall, because the trees turn such beautiful colors.
Anton Safonov, junior, Biomedical Engineering
Anton is passionate about medical research; he is currently involved in a cardiovascular tissue engineering project on campus, and will excitedly show you videos of spontaneous-beating artificial tissue if you ask. Other than that, Anton enjoys volunteering at Fairview Hospital, swimming, and savoring the rich opportunities of our lovely campus.
Hannah Schneider, junior, Agricultural Education
Hannah has studied horticulture in China and is a member of the Agricultural Education Club, the Collegiate Agri-women, and the Beta of Clovia Sorority. She is a U of M Admissions Ambassador for the St. Paul campus, giving tours and answering questions for prospective students. She is also involved with the Wheat Diagnostics Laboratory assisting in Mycotoxin research.