AXIS: Journal of Lasallian Higher Education

Brother William Mann, who holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School (1990), serves as the president of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota since 2008 and as the president of the International Association of Lasallian Universities (IALU) since 2015. He is a former vicar general of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (2000-2007).

Dr. Timothy Gossed, Ed.D., is the Vice President for Mission at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He has been committed to the Lasallian mission for over 15 years. He has served the University in many different capacities: Lead Area Coordinator Residence Life, Director of Residence Life, and Dean of Students. He has also served the Lasallian Mission at the District, Regional, and International levels in many capacities: Christian Brothers of the Midwest Vocation Committee, Regional Young Lasallians Committee, Delegate to the International Symposium of Young Lasallians, just to name a few.

Timothy’s educational background includes a B.A. in Psychology from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, an M.A. in Human Development with a focus on Student Personnel from Saint Mary’s University, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary’s University.

Alisa Macksey, EdD Candidate, is the Dean of Student Success and the First Generation Initiative at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Alisa was a Lasallian Volunteer for two years in Kansas City, Missouri. In 2003 she became the associate director for the Lasallian Volunteers, and then director from 2007-2011. From 2011-2015, Alisa served as programs director and interim executive director for Christian Brothers Conference, the Regional office for the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

Alisa’s educational background includes a B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology from Saint Mary’s College of California and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. Alisa is currently working on her EdD in Educational Leadership at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Dr. Roxanne Eubank is Director of the Institute for Lasallian Studies and a faculty member in the Educational Leadership doctoral (Ed.D.) program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. She leads the annual two-week formation program specific to faculty and staff serving in Lasallian higher education ministries, the International Association of Lasallian Universities (IALU) at the Generalate in Rome. Dr. Eubank has contributed significantly to dialogues visioning Lasallian association into the future through her service in a number of roles at the District and Regional level, and through presentations at Huether and Buttimer conferences.

Dr. Greg Kopra is Director, Formation for Mission, San Francisco – New Orleans District of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Lasallian Region of North America. He holds an Ed.D. in Catholic Educational Leadership from the University of San Francisco.

A Brother for more than 45 years, Brother Frederick has been a teacher and administrator in elementary schools, high schools, and post-secondary institutions. He has taught court-adjudicated youth and served as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Providence. He has also held positions of leadership at the District, Regional, and Institute levels. Brother Frederick served on the design teams for both the Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies and the Lasallian Leadership Institute, and has been on the faculty of both Institutes. He has published monographs and articles, and has lectured extensively on a variety of Lasallian topics.

Sister Judith Schaefer, O.P., is a tenured Associate Professor of Theology at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. As a teacher, she is primarily responsible for supervision and training of pastoral and youth ministry majors, as well as teaching first year students and seniors within the Lasallian Core Traditions Program. Prior to her tenure at Saint Mary’s, Sister Judy ministered in parishes across the country in the areas of catechesis and religious education. Sister has also served as a facilitator of group process for the Mission and Ministry Council of the Midwest District of the Christian Brothers, INSECT (International Network of Societies of Catholic Theology), Communicative Theology Symposium, and various local and regional organizations. Sister Judy completed her doctoral work at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, in Theology and Society, with an allied discipline of psychology. Her doctoral dissertation on the intersection of theology and psychology on the topic of religious obedience has been accepted as a book in a series with the German publisher, LitVerlag. She has a Masters of Divinity degree from Aquinas Institute in Saint Louis and a Masters in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University in Chicago. Sister Judy did her undergraduate work in elementary education and received a bachelors degree from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. Sister Judith is a professed member of the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation, Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Brother Robert Schieler, FSC, Ed.D., was elected Superior General of the De La Salle Christian Brothers in 2014. Previously, he served for seven years as General Councilor for the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN). A Brother for 46 years, Brother Robert took the habit on September 1, 1968, in Ammendale, Maryland. He was first introduced to the Christian Brothers as a student at West Catholic Boys High School (now West Catholic Preparatory High School) in Philadelphia, PA. The Philadelphia native is a graduate of La Salle College (now University) in Philadelphia, PA, and holds masters’ degrees in European History (Notre Dame) and Asian Studies (University of Philippines) as well as a doctorate in Educational Administration (University of Pennsylvania). Brother Robert was elected as General Councilor for RELAN in 2007 after serving as Visitor of the Baltimore District from 2001-2007; Director of Education for the United States-Toronto Region; Executive Secretary for the Regional Education Board and College Presidents Association; Assistant Visitor and Director of Education for the Baltimore District; in a variety of administrative positions from Assistant Principal to Superintendent of Schools during 11 years in the Philippines; as a delegate to the 44th General Chapter in 2007, attendee of the 43rd General Chapter in 2000 and the 42nd General Chapter in 1993; and as a valued member of several boards, including Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and Bethlehem University.

Brother George Van Grieken, FSC, Ph.D., is Community Director of Holy Family Community, Napa, CA. He is the former President of Saint Joseph’s Institution International School in Singapore. Born in Holland, he grew up in Napa, California, and has earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts, an M.A. in Theology (Saint Mary’s College), and a Ph.D. in Religion and Education (Boston College). He develops curriculum materials for Boards of Trustees and staff at Lasallian schools and has given board and staff workshops in the Philippines, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Perhaps his best known work to date is “Touching the Hearts of Students: Characteristics of Lasallian Schools” (Christian Brothers Press, 1999). The text is used frequently in formation programs to establish the context for conversations about the Lasallian mission and the question of the identity of Lasallian schools. More recently, he published “Soul for Soul – The Vocation of the Child in Lasallian Pedagogy” (The Vocation of the Child, Eerdmans, 2008). Along with his interest in all things Lasallian, his liturgical song “May God Bless You” (published with Oregon Catholic Press) has a million-plus circulation as part of their annual Music Issue.