Jeffrey C. Strasser

Professor and Co-Chair of Environment, Geography, and Geoscience

• Phone: 309-794-7218
• Email: JeffreyStrasser@augustana.edu
• Office: Swenson 206

Although I consider myself a geomorphologist, I have broad interests in the geosciences. My PhD work focused on processes of sediment transport and deposition by temperate glaciers, while my MS research focused on marine sedimentation and tectonics. I am also interested in stratigraphy, structural geology, and tectonics. My active research these days is mostly on midwestern Quaternary and Holocene deposits as well as environmental geochemistry.

At Augustana I teach:

• GEO-101 Physical Geology
• GEOL-105 Physical Geology in the Rocky Mountains (first-year students only)
• GEOL-116 Energy Resources (Learning Community)
• GEOL-309 Geomorphology
• GEOL-330 Hydrogeology
• GEOL-340 Structural Geology
• GEOL-450 Research Methods
• GEOL-451 Senior Inquiry (independent advising)

I am also engaged in the College's Environmental Studies Program, teaching several core courses, serving on its advisory board, and assisting in advising student.

Specializations: Geomorphology

Leah Jorgensen

Counseling Intern

• Email: leahjorgensen@augustana.edu

I am currently a graduate student at Western Illinois University working toward my LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). From there, I plan on getting my LCPC and going on for my Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision in order to be a professor of counseling education. I have been working at Augustana since February 2024 and enjoy helping students learn more about themselves and find ways to manage stress and difficult emotions.

I work from a Gestalt perspective, which focuses on increasing a person's awareness of themselves. The Gestalt motto is that awareness necessarily brings change. In session, this can look like role-play, art, movement, talk therapy and much more. I like to work with students to understand their values, put names to emotions, use special interests to understand their own lives, and clarify thoughts and intentions. Above all, my goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment where students can find support for their unique journeys.

Lindsay Adolphs

Assistant Vice President of CORE and Community-Engaged Learning

• Phone: 309-794-7144
• Email: lindsayadolphs@augustana.edu
• Office: Olin 126

Lindsay Adolphs comes to Augustana with 14 years of professional experience in Academic and Career Development, with a track record of building and maintaining strong relationships both on campus and in the larger community.

In her role, she leads CORE in serving as the campus nexus for experiential learning and community engagement, the catalyst for reflective student practices and the pathway to outstanding post-graduation outcomes.

Adolphs earned an M.S. in college student personnel from Western Illinois University, Macomb; and a B.A. in psychology from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. She is a member of the National Association of Academic Advising, National Association of Colleges and Employers, Career Professionals of Iowa, and Career Leadership Collective.

Specializations: CORE

Specializations: Business offices

Gauri A. Pitale she/her

Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Phone: 309-794-7602
• Email: gauripitale@augustana.edu
• Office: Bahls Campus Leadership Center 101

Gauri Pitale on LinkedIn

Dr. Gauri A. Pitale is dedicated to cultivating a sense of belonging among all members of the Augustana community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners. Dr. Pitale joined Augustana in February 2024, following her role as associate dean of students for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Bridgewater College.

With more than a decade of teaching experience, Dr. Pitale has extensive expertise in DEI programming and advising student clubs and organizations. She previously served as an assistant professor in the Department of Life Sciences at Ivy Tech Community College, where she taught biology and physiology courses.

In her previous positions, Dr. Pitale chaired Bridgewater College's Intercultural Advisory Council and was a member of the Teacher Education Program DEI Committee. As part of the Student Success and Retention Team at SIU, she contributed to a 30% increase in the retention of underrepresented students over two years.

"I am inspired to create spaces where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued — celebrating the rich tapestry of our diverse community." — Dr. Gauri A. Pitale

Recent initiatives:

• Facilitated trainings on "What is implicit bias and why does it matter," inclusive leadership, understanding differences, LGBTQ+ awareness and "the model minority myth"
• Active member of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), the Asiatic Society of Mumbai and the Society of South Asian Archaeology
• Dr. Gauri A. Pitale selected as Augustana's vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion
• Augustana College Bias Education and Support Team

More than a leader

Gallup strengths: Input, Learner, Individualization, Empathy, Connectedness

Dr. Pitale was born in Thane, India, and lived there until 2008 when she moved to the United States to pursue her doctoral degree. She is married and has a young daughter. Dr. Pitale's passions include reading fantasy fiction, watching Bollywood movies, cooking elaborate meals and exploring the art of embroidery. 

Specializations: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Specializations: Public Safety