New Faculty Bring Unique Skills to Campus
Greetings from Valley City State University!
We’re very excited to welcome nine new faculty members to the VCSU ranks this fall. Although physical distancing has slowed our introductions, I trust that you will join me in welcoming this highly qualified, diverse group of educators to the campus and Valley City community. They’re excited to be here, and we look forward to them sharing their unique skills and experiences with students and colleagues alike.
Ekow Nyanfreku Ephrim joins the Art Department as assistant professor; he previously served as an associate instructor at Indiana University Bloomington. Ekow grew up in Sekondi-Takoradi, the capital of the Western Region of Ghana. He holds a master of fine arts degree in graphic design from Indiana University Bloomington and a bachelor’s degree, also in graphic design, from the University of Education in Winneba, Ghana. Within the design field, Ekow has specific interests in design for social impact, brand identity systems, visual storytelling, and data visualization. He enjoys cooking, biking, hiking and movies.
A new assistant professor in the Business Department, Mingwei Guo comes to VCSU from Fargo, where he served as a lecturer and graduate research assistant in the NDSU Department of Management and Marketing. Guo is currently in an NDSU Ph.D. program in transportation and logistics; he holds a master’s degree in finance from University at Buffalo – SUNY and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Shandong University of Finance and Economics in Jinan, China, Guo’s hometown and the capital of Shandong province. His academic interests include last mile delivery, marketing strategy and corporate finance. A Boston Celtics fan, he is a professional-level gamer and enjoys road tripping; he’s traveled to 31 states thus far since his 2013 U.S. arrival. Guo and his spouse, Yuanjun Zhai, have a son, Albert.
Joining the Kinesiology and Human Performance Department as associate professor is Kanae Haneishi. Kanae comes to Valley City from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass., where she served as senior lecturer and head women’s soccer coach. She holds a doctorate in sports pedagogy, coaching and physical education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, a master’s degree in exercise science and sport studies from Smith College, a master’s degree from the University of Memphis in exercise science, and a bachelor’s degree in health and sport science from Juntendo University in Japan. Kanae helped the Christian Brothers University women’s soccer team win the NCAA Division II championship in 2002, and she was named the outstanding defensive player of the national tournament. She was also a member of the Japanese National Team that earned a silver medal at the World University Games in 2003. In addition, she played for the New York Magic, a semi-pro team, in the United Soccer League from 2003-10. Kanae and her husband, Matt Gross, have a six-year old son, Koji Haneishi-Gross, and two daughters, Niko (4) and Sora (2) Haneishi-Gross.
Janet Jahn has joined the School of Education and Graduate Studies as assistant professor of education. She previously served as a visiting assistant professor in education at Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, and as a fourth grade teacher in the Omaha (Neb.) Public Schools. She holds a doctorate in education from the College of Saint Mary, a master of arts in communication from New Mexico State University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming, along with a K-12 endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL). A native of Lincoln, Neb., Janet is an avid Cornhusker football fan and has recently taken up golf. She and her husband, Art, have three adult children — two sons and a daughter. Janet is following a family tradition as an educator: her grandmothers were both elementary teachers, and her mother was first an elementary teacher and later an education professor.
Born and raised in southern Norway, Alex Jorgensen teaches political science in the Social Science Department. He holds three degrees in political science: a doctorate and a master’s degree, both from the University of Kansas, along with a bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. Alex previously taught at Winona State University in Minnesota and at Missouri State University in Springfield. He and his wife, Megan, have three young children: Noah (age 6), Elise (4) and Theo (1). Alex says that his kids keep him busy but when he has time he fixes things around the house and enjoys following Arsenal in the Premier League. Alex became a U.S. citizen in February 2020; he previously served in His Majesty The King’s Guard in Norway.
A 2011 graduate of VCSU in chemistry education and math education, Trent Kosel returns to his alma mater this fall as assistant professor of mathematics. In addition to his VCSU bachelor’s degree, Trent also holds a master’s in education from North Dakota State University through its Leadership Academy and a master of arts in teaching from Minot State. A two-year starter at quarterback for the VCSU football team during his undergraduate days, Trent coached football for nine years and serves as one of the heads of the Viking Football Oarsmen Club’s board of directors. Trent and his wife, Chelsea Hageman Kosel, are the parents of two sons, Theodore (21 months) and Kellen (born Aug. 19). Trent enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting, sudoku, and card and board games. A native of Edgeley, N.D., Trent comes from a family of educators that range from specialists and teachers to administrators and professors.
Also returning home to his alma mater is Clayton Mannie, assistant professor in the Technology Department. His academic interests include building science and product design. Clayton earned a master’s degree from VCSU in technology education with a STEM concentration in 2016; he also earned a bachelor’s degree in technology education from VCSU in 2006. He previously worked as a carpenter for Artistic Homes in Bismarck and taught technology education at several North Dakota junior and senior high schools over 13 years. Originally from Hazen, N.D., Clayton enjoys running, building, golf and hockey. He and his wife, Rechaye, also a VCSU graduate, have a son Caleb.
A native of Sutton, Mass., Glenn Morello has joined the Science Department as assistant professor. Glenn previously worked in Hawaii as a quality control chemist at Cyanotech, a company that grows algae for use in health supplements. He also spent three years north of the Arctic Circle in Tromsø, Norway, on a postdoctoral fellowship. Glenn holds a doctorate in inorganic chemistry from the University of North Texas and master’s and bachelor’s degrees, both in chemistry, from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He and his wife, Lili, have an infant son, Matteo, born Aug. 13. Glenn enjoys playing sports, including soccer, hockey, roller hockey, and ultimate frisbee. He loves riding his bike, has a passion for birds, and is a semi-professional photographer.
Assistant professor Kenton Sandfoss teaches in the Business Department. His academic interests lie in the management field, and he holds two business administration degrees — a master’s and a bachelor’s — both from Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky. Born and raised in northern Kentucky, Kenton comes to Valley City from the Ann Arbor, Mich., area, where he served as an assistant general manager at a McDonald’s and previously was general manager of a family-owned bowling center. His business experience also includes traveling throughout the Midwest as a regional merchandiser. Kenton bowled at the collegiate level and continues to compete nationally across the nation, sporting a 210 average. He also loves water sports ranging from riding jet skis and tubing behind a boat to whitewater rafting and canoeing.
What a wealth of personal backgrounds, experience and credentials this cohort brings to Valley City State! They represent a powerful addition to our teaching and learning community that will have an impact on our students for years to come.
Welcome, new faculty members. Go Vikings!