Faculty Profiles
Our faculty are active researchers, writers and speakers; many of them internationally known for their contributions toward the advancement of their fields of study. But, most of all, they're passionate, caring teachers.
Associate Professor, Nursing
Rebeca is an Associate Professor of Nursing at St. ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ University in Saint Paul, MN. She is an alumnus of the University of Minnesota, Case Western Reserve University, and Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing. Rebeca teaches in both the nurse practitioner and master's entry-level prelicensure programs. She has extensive clinical experience as a nurse-midwife. She has educated and precepted several generations of nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners throughout the course of a four-decade clinical career. As part of a multidisciplinary team, Rebeca served at-risk populations at Seton Catholic Charities Clinic until the closing of the clinic in 2016.
Associate Professor, Nursing
Gay M. Varecka, PhD, APRN, CNP is an Assistant Professor of Nursing in the DNP program. She obtained a BS in Nursing from D'Youville College, an MS in Nursing from the State University of New York, and a PhD in Higher Education Administration and Policy from the University of Minnesota. Gay also completed a post-doctoral certification as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. She has more than 25 years of experience in both Family Practice and Internal Medicine managing the care of underserved patients with complex, chronic health problems from ages 16 to the elderly in Hennepin Health System.
Associate Professor, Nursing
Renee Colsch has a passion and specialty in the area of neuroscience nursing. Her professional experience includes acute care nursing in the intensive care unit, emergency room, and the United States Air Force deployment in Balad Iraq, 2007. She teaches courses in undergraduate and graduate pathophysiology, leadership and serves as a DNP ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ mentor. She views the teacher as the facilitator of learning. Her teaching focuses on cultural awareness and sensitivity, holistic nursing, bringing technology into the classroom and practice, evidence-based practice, research, learning, and retention.
Assistant Professor, Nursing
Dr. Beckmann is the track coordinator of the pediatric nurse practitioner program. She is a nurse scientist and practicing PNP with clinical expertise in pediatric hospital medicine and stem cell transplant. She is passionate about supporting parent family caregivers of children with life threatening and life limiting conditions. Her expertise and research interest focus on resilience, post-traumatic growth, and meaning making for patients, families, and healthcare providers. Dr. Beckmann earned her Master of Science in nursing from Duke University and a PhD in nursing from Vanderbilt University.
Associate Professor, Department of Nursing
Grace Gao earned her DNP degree in Nursing Informatics and Integrative Health, and PhD in Nursing from University of Minnesota. In addition, Grace is a public health nurse and ANCC certified Informatics Nurse. Grace has worked in a variety of roles in both public and private sectors across extensive health care settings, including case manager in home care, care plan coordinator in long-term care, staff nurse in hospital, nurse educator in the academic setting, and clinical informatics specialist and consultant.
Grace’s nursing experiences showcase expertise in public health, nursing informatics, and integrative health.
Associate Professor, Nursing
Maria Tice, PhD, RN, PHN, CNE is an Associate Professor at St. ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ University in the MSNEL program. Dr. Tice earned her MSN in Nursing Education at St. ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ University and her PhD in Nursing Education at the University of Northern Colorado. Dr. Tice has over 20 years of combined clinical practice in mental health, pediatrics, geriatrics, and as a licensed school nurse; and 9 years as a nurse educator and community/mental health clinical instructor. Dr. Tice’s research interests are in competency development in nursing education, specifically how to develop foundational mental health nursing and intercultural competency for all nurses; and intentionality in nursing as a spiritual practice.
Coordinator DNP Post-Masters Program
Katrice Ziefle is a Professor of nursing at St. ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ University. She completed her Masters of Nursing Education at Bethel University and PhD in Nursing Education at Capella University. Dr. Ziefle’s research interests include generational theory and the impact of the environment on learning, specifically civility in nursing. Her teaching experience includes associate degree nursing, entry-level master’s degree nursing and doctor of nursing practice. Dr. Ziefle has a passion for teaching and learning strategies in nursing education and works to engage ´ºÓêÖ±²¥s at every level.
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Professor of Nursing
Cynthia is faculty in the College for Adults Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN CFA) and the Doctor of Nursing Program (DNP). She is an Associate Professor at St. ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ University and has been on the nursing faculty since fall 1999. She assisted in the development of a Unitary Human Caring Science BSN curriculum, which includes integrative and cultural healthcare curricular components. She is currently involved in the redesign of the holistic curriculum for the Baccalaureate Program. She is active in promoting healthy learning environments built upon safe interpersonal behaviors.