About Outreach and Graduate Studies

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls provides high quality, innovative, learner-centered, academic and professional development programs that respond to the changing professional, cultural, and social needs of lifelong learners. We are dedicated to offering quality programs that are practical, flexible and convenient, thus fostering a climate in which our students can thrive.

Meet the Outreach and Graduate Studies Staff

Dr. Doug Johnson
Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and
Director of Graduate Studies

douglas.l.johnson@uwrf.edu

(715) 425-3256

Dr. Doug Johnson was appointed the director of Graduate Studies in March 2005 and the Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in August 2007. He holds a B.S. degree from Ohio University and a Ph.D.from the University of Minnesota. A professor in the biology department for several years, Doug's academic specialization is in genetic counseling and related human genetics services.

Katrina Larsen
Director of Outreach and
Title III Project Director

katrina.larsen@uwrf.edu

(715) 425-3256

Katrina Larsen was appointed the director for Outreach in March 2005. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural education from UW-River Falls. She has been employed at UWRF since 1985 in a variety of roles including directing the Extended Degree Program in agriculture and outreach program management. Katrina has worked with interactive television, the Semester Abroad Europe international program, and written and received a number of grants. Katrina is also the project director for the USDE Title III grant, "Stronger Together: An Educational Partnership for the Changing Economy."

Linda Jacobson

Outreach Program Manager

linda.r.jacobson@uwrf.edu

(715) 425-3190

Linda's responsibilities include working with graduate level programs and courses for educators, College of Arts and Sciences Community Classroom coordination, Youth Options/ITV programming, and some noncredit programs offered in partnership with other organizations. Before joining Outreach and Graduate Studies, Linda implemented two grant-funded programs at UWRF, both of which involved building community networks, planning, developing new programs, and facilitating collaboration. She holds bachelors and master's degrees in Home Economics Education from North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota, respectively, and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas.

Amber Tubré

Outreach Program Manager

amber.tubre@uwrf.edu

(715) 425-3557

Amber Tubré has been working in Outreach and Graduate Studies since 2001. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Luther College and a master's degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Texas A&M University . As an Outreach Program Manager, she works with the College of Education and Professional Studies to develop nontraditional programs and create systems to support the students and the instructors.

Kristen Allen

Outreach Program Manager

kristen.allen@uwrf.edu

(715) 425-3751

Kristen has worked at UW-River Falls in various capacities, including lecturer, project coordinator, and program manager, since 1991. She has a BS in Agricultural Science from the University of New England, a MS in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University, and a MS in Scientific and Technical Communication from the University of Minnesota. Her current program areas include credit and noncredit programs in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and noncredit programs in the College of Business and Economics.

Cynthia Wells-O’Malley

Noncredit Youth and Adult Program Manager

cynthia.wells-omalley@uwrf.edu

(715) 425-3261

Cynthia Wells-O’Malley joined Outreach and Graduate Studies office in March 2006. She holds a BA in Social Work from St. Cloud State University, a teaching licensure from Augsburg College and is currently completing a Masters Degree in Management at Hamline University. Cynthia brings several years’ experience as the director of Enrichment Programs at Century College, MN and work as a social worker and non-profit program evaluator for Minneapolis United Way. As the director for noncredit youth and adult programs, Cynthia’s responsibilities include Discover U (formerly Teen University and College for Kids), Senior Outreach Services and adult enrichment classes.

Michael A. Padgett

Art Department Chair and
Senior Manager of Pigeon Lake Field Station

michael.a.padgett@uwrf.edu

(715) 425-3266

Michael A. Padgett, M.F.A., Chair of the Art Department at UWRF since 1989 and professor in the department since 1978, has served as Senior Manager, responsible for the direction of all administrative, operational and financial aspects of the UW-System's Pigeon Lake Field Station since January 1998. Mr. Padgett earned his B.S. in Education at Eastern Michigan University in 1967 and his M.F.A. in Ceramics at Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1970. Michael is committed to the outreach and continuing education opportunities the UW System provides through the Pigeon Lake facility.

Kristine Tappe

Graduate Studies Program Assistant

kristine.tappe@uwrf.edu

(715) 425-3843

Kristine Tappe joined Outreach and Graduate Studies in March 2004. As a Program Assistant in the Graduate Studies office, Kristine's primary responsibilities revolve around Graduate Admissions. Kristine is a point of contact for individuals researching graduate programs at UW-River Falls ; she guides prospective students through the admissions process and special program requirements. She also acts as a liaison between prospective students and Program Coordinators. Kristine processes graduate applications, initiates the graduate student files and corresponds with applicants until they are officially admitted to the Graduate School . Kristine also re-enters returning students and provides customer service in the Graduate Studies office. Kristine earned her B.A. in Anthropology from Marquette University in 1991.

Julia Persico

Graduate Studies Program Assistant

(715) 425-3843

Angela Whitaker

Marketing Specialist

angela.whitaker@uwrf.edu

(715) 425-3256

Angela Whitaker joined Outreach and Graduate Studies in January 2003 as the College of Arts and Sciences program assistant. A long-time resident of River Falls, Angela holds a B.A. in journalism and biology from UW-River Falls. Her responsibilities include website updates, writing copy for various marketing materials, prospect database administration and supporting the customer service staff. Before joining UW-River Falls, Angela was a regulatory compliance manager at Conseco Finance in St. Paul , Minnesota. She brings several years of experience in customer service, training and supervising, and information management.

Jerald Liddell

Customer Service
Program Assistant

jerald.liddell@uwrf.edu

(715) 425-3256

Jerry Liddell joined the Outreach and Graduate Studies team in January 2004. Jerry is an initial contact for students, callers and visitors to the office. His responsibilities in this role include providing basic information on the variety of programs offered through Outreach and Graduate Studies. He is also a program assistant for College of Business and Economics and the Wildlife Recreation and Nature Tourism program. Having worked in Customer Relations at Northwest Airlines and Customer Service at Pan Am International Flight Academy , Jerry brings several years of customer service experience to the office.

Deborah Wulf

Marketing Manager

deborah.wulf@uwrf.edu

(715) 425-0680

Deb Wulf joined the Outreach and Graduate Studies office in October 2002. She assists the program managers and other staff in assessing new markets and program promotions. She holds a Master of Business Communication from the University of St. Thomas and has several years of experience in service marketing and business communication. Deb also manages and updates the OGS web site.