Augustana University

Jon K. Lauck, Ph.D., J.D., M.A.

Jill Wilson — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 20:55:45 +0000

Jon K. Lauck, Ph.D., J.D., M.A. Jill Wilson Fri, 08/28/2026 - 15:55

Job Title

Executive Director

Department

Center for Western Studies

Bio

Dr. Jon K. Lauck is the executive director of the Center for Western Studies at Augustana University. He earned a Ph.D. in history from the University of Iowa, a law degree from the University of Minnesota and is the past president of the Midwestern History Association and Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature. Lauck is the editor-in-chief of the journal Middle West Review and author or editor of more then 30 books. Lauck's monographs include The Good Country: A History of the American Midwest (University of Oklahoma Press); The Lost Region: Toward a Revival of Midwestern History (University of Iowa Press); Prairie Republic: The Political Culture of Dakota Territory (University of Oklahoma Press); From Warm Center to Ragged Edge: The Erosion of Midwestern Literary and Historical Regionalism, 1920-1965 (University of Iowa Press); and American Agriculture and the Problem of Monopoly (University of Nebraska Press). Lauck's edited collections include The Oxford History of the American Midwest (Oxford University Press); The Missouri, America's Longest River (Center for Western Studies); and The Plains Political Tradition (4 vols., SD State Historical Society Press). In 2023, Lauck was awarded the Frederick Jackson Turner Award for Lifetime Achievement in Midwestern History.

Education

J.D., 2000, University of Minnesota; Ph.D. in History, 1997, University of Iowa; M.A. in History, 1994, University of Iowa; B.S. in History and Political Science, 1993, South Dakota State University

Email Address

Phone Number

605.274.4007

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Rev. Jon Splichal Larson, M.Div.

Jill Wilson — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 19:57:19 +0000

Rev. Jon Splichal Larson, M.Div. Jill Wilson Mon, 08/24/2026 - 14:57

Job Title

Associate University Pastor

Department

Office of Faith & Spiritual Life

Education

M.Div., Wartburg Theological Seminary, 2010; B.A. in Religion and Philosophy, 2006

Email Address

Phone Number

605.274.4805

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Vern M. Swanson Jr., PT, DPT, Ph.D., NCS

Jill Wilson — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 13:22:17 +0000

Vern M. Swanson Jr., PT, DPT, Ph.D., NCS Jill Wilson Mon, 08/24/2026 - 08:22

Job Title

Assistant Professor of PT (DPT-CO)

Department

School of Health Professions

Bio

Dr. Vern Swanson is a board-certified neurologic physical therapist, educator and researcher with more than 27 years of rehabilitation experience. His primary areas of expertise include neurologic physical therapy, neuroplasticity and brain adaptation, traumatic brain injury, vestibular disorders and clinical neurologic examination. He also has extensive experience in prosthetic rehabilitation and amputee care. Based in Fort Myers, Florida, Swanson has provided care across acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient, skilled nursing, hospice, geriatric day-center and other clinical settings.

Swanson has served as a clinic director and faculty member at four universities. His academic work includes developing and teaching courses in clinical neuroscience, neuroplasticity, neurologic examination and neurologic rehabilitation across the lifespan. He has delivered numerous in-person and online continuing education courses in neurologic care, brain adaptation, traumatic brain injury, vestibular rehabilitation, prosthetics and amputee care. His teaching emphasizes clinically applicable neuroscience, evidence-informed decision-making, skillful examination and patient-centered management.

In addition to his neurologic specialization, Swanson has substantial experience in prosthetics and amputee rehabilitation. He began his health care career as a prosthetic technician, helping fabricate upper- and lower-extremity artificial limbs, and later built a clinical and academic focus on optimizing mobility, function and participation for people with limb loss. He maintains an active research agenda in amputee rehabilitation and cervical joint position error investigations.

Education

Ph.D. in Physical Therapy, Nova Southeastern University; Doctorate of Physical Therapy, College of St. Scholastica; M.S. in Physical Therapy, Florida Gulf Coast University; B.S. in Exercise Science, Bowling Green State University

Email Address

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Judy Zimbelman, DSW, MSW

Jill Wilson — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:40:58 +0000

Judy Zimbelman, DSW, MSW Jill Wilson Thu, 08/20/2026 - 12:40

Job Title

Visiting Professor of Social Work

Department

Sharon Lust School of Education

Bio

Dr. Judy Zimbelman has taught in higher education in social work since 2015. She has been working in social work throughout South Dakota since 1986. In 2022, Zimbelman was the recipient of South Dakota Social Worker of the year.

Education

DSW in Social Work, 2018, University of St Thomas; MSW in Social Work, 1992, University of Nebraska-Omaha; BSW in Social Work, 1986, University of Sioux Falls

Email Address

Phone Number

605.274.5422

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Jessica Carlson, M.Ed.

Jill Wilson — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 19:04:31 +0000

Jessica Carlson, M.Ed. Jill Wilson Wed, 08/19/2026 - 14:04

Job Title

Assistant Director of Student Success Systems

Department

Student Success Center

Bio

Jessica Carlson serves the following majors in the Student Success Center: anthropology, art, classics, communication studies, English, environmental studies, French, journalism, languages, literatures & cultures, media production & entrepreneurship, music, philosophy, religion, strategic communication & leadership, Spanish and theatre.

Education

M.Ed. in Educational Administration/Adult & Higher Education, 2016, University of Sioux Falls; B.S. in Sociology, 2010, South Dakota State University

Email Address

Phone Number

605.274.4016

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Laura A. Dean, Ph.D., M.A.

Jill Wilson — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:33:08 +0000

Laura A. Dean, Ph.D., M.A. Jill Wilson Wed, 08/19/2026 - 13:33

Job Title

Associate Professor of Government & International Affairs

Department

Government & International Affairs Department

Bio

Dr. Laura A. Dean researches women’s representation, international law, migration and gender-based violence in Eurasia and is the director of the Human Trafficking Research Lab at Augustana University. She is the author of Diffusing Human Trafficking Policy in Eurasia, published by Policy Press at the University of Bristol in 2020. She joined Augustana from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, and Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia. Dean earned a B.A. in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, M.A. in international studies focusing on Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies from the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington, as well as an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science and from the University of Kansas.

Education

Ph.D. in Political Science, 2014, University of Kansas; M.A. in Political Science, 2011, University of Kansas; M.A. in International Studies in Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, 2004, University of Washington; B.A. in Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Email Address

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Jacob Kunkel, M.A.

Jill Wilson — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:26:56 +0000

Jacob Kunkel, M.A. Jill Wilson Wed, 08/19/2026 - 13:26

Job Title

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Department

Psychology Department, College of Arts & Sciences

Bio

Jacob Kunkel is an assistant professor of psychology at Augustana University and a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Minnesota's Institute of Child Development, where he studies the influence of relationships in the development and maintenance of health (physical, mental, cognitive, etc.). He grew up in southern Minnesota and graduated from Augustana University in 2017 with a B.A. in psychology (clinical emphasis) and biology (cellular/molecular emphasis).

Prior to his graduate training, Kunkel spent two years working for the Minnesota Twin Registry, conducting assessments of attachment and health with twins in older adulthood. His ongoing research is mainly focused on how relationships across the lifespan influence health, and his dissertation work is focused on infant-caregiver attachment and subsequent physical health. When not around campus, Kunkel can be found at choir rehearsal, out disc golfing, watching a Twins/Vikings/Gophers game or researching new recipes.

Education

M.A. in Developmental Science, 2023, University of Minnesota; B.A. in Psychology and Biology, 2017, Augustana University

Email Address

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Kyle Buentello, DMA, M.M.

Jill Wilson — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:11:47 +0000

Kyle Buentello, DMA, M.M. Jill Wilson Wed, 08/19/2026 - 13:11

Job Title

Instructor of Athletics Bands and Percussion

Department

School of Music

Bio

Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Kyle Buentello earned a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree from Texas Tech University in 2021, where he studied under Dr. Lisa Rogers and Mr. Alan Shinn. He later received his Master of Music (M.M.) degree at Louisiana State University in 2023 with Dr. Brett Dietz. Buentello has earned a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree from Texas Tech University in May 2026.

From 2023 to 2026, Buentello served as a one of the drumline instructors for Texas Tech University’s Goin’ Band from Raiderland, where he had the opportunity to prepare the drumline for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, New York, an exhibition show at the Texas 5A State Marching Competition in San Antonio, Texas, and multiple bowl games across the country, including a college football playoff game at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. In addition to running the Texas Tech Drumline, Buentello has been an active drumline/front ensemble clinician around Texas, teaching at schools ranging from the 2A to 6A. In addition to marching band, Buentello has experience teaching applied percussion lessons, percussion ensemble and steel band.

Buentello has been an active musical artist for the past 10 years, performing with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Lubbock and at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) with both the Texas Tech University Percussion Ensemble and “Hamiruge,” the LSU Percussion Group. Buentello has also had the opportunity to preform and travel internationally with the Texas Tech steel band Apocalypso Now to Valenica, Spain, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Montreal, Canada.

Education

DMA in Percussion Performance, 2026, Texas Tech University; M.M. in Percussion Performance, 2023, Louisiana State University; B.M. in Percussion Performance, 2021, Texas Tech University

Email Address

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Jean Merkle, M.A.

Jill Wilson — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:59:06 +0000

Jean Merkle, M.A. Jill Wilson Wed, 08/19/2026 - 12:59

Job Title

Success Advisor

Department

Student Success Center

Bio

Jean Merkle earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in communication with a minor in English from the University of Minnesota, Morris campus in 1989. From 1994-99, Merkle joined the Augustana community as the Bergsaker Hall director/first-year experience coordinator. In 2000, she graduated from Augustana with a master's degree emphasis in student development. Merkle continued her career path as an associate dean of students in Wisconsin and dean of students/Title IX coordinator in Iowa and has returned to South Dakota as a student success advisor at Augustana University, helping students achieve their dreams.

Education

M.A. Student Development, 2000, Augustana College; B.A. Communication, 1989, University of Minnesota

Email Address

Phone Number

605.274.4265

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Logan Rodgers PT, DPT, Ph.D., OCS, FAAOMPT

Jill Wilson — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 19:47:57 +0000

Logan Rodgers PT, DPT, Ph.D., OCS, FAAOMPT Jill Wilson Mon, 08/17/2026 - 14:47

Job Title

Assistant Professor of PT (DPT-MN)

Department

School of Health Professions

Bio

Dr. Logan Rodgers earned a Ph.D. in rehabilitation science with a concentration in neuromuscular plasticity from the University of Florida in 2026. His research investigated the mechanisms of manual therapy, role of contextual factors and impact of a patient centered mechanistic framework on rehabilitation outcomes. Through rigorous coursework, Rodgers developed expertise in neuroplasticity, rehabilitation science theory and research methodology.

Prior to doctoral studies, Rodgers earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine and completed an orthopedic residency, an orthopedic manual physical therapy fellowship and achieved board certification as an orthopedic certified specialist. As a licensed physical therapist, he garnered extensive clinical experience in treating a diverse range of neuro-musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. During his time at the University of Florida, Rodgers put his clinical skills to use by volunteering in the PT department’s equal access clinic, where he over saw student lead patient care.

Rodgers has also pursued a commitment to education throughout his career. Early on, he accumulated experience teaching physical therapy orthopedic residents and delivering post-professional continuing education courses, utilizing both online and in-person instructional methods. He further refined his teaching skills at the University of Florida through a college-level pedagogy course, focusing on creating stimulating learning environments and developing effective curricula. Rodgers then took on various roles guest lecturing and adjunct faculty in several classes, gaining hybrid and residential teaching experience. His unique blend of fundamental scientific knowledge and practical clinical application in positions him to effectively contribute to future scholarly and academic endeavors.

Education

B.S. in Education Health and Sports Science, University of Memphis; M.S., Exercise and Sport Science, University of Memphis; DPT, University of St. Augustine for Health Science; Ph.D. in Rehab Science, University of Florida

Email Address

Phone Number

605.274.5463

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