Specializations: Admissions

Kay Roderick

Visiting Assistant Professor of Art

• Email: kayroderick@augustana.edu
• Office: Lindberg 214

Kay Roderick received their M.F.A. in graphic design in May 2022. Three years in art school was a much different experience than their undergraduate degree from Augustana. Much of their design work involves generative methods of making and the freedom that can be derived from those. Breaking away from current design orthodoxies and bringing others along with them to experience new playful ways of making is what they strive for in their classroom/studios.

For fun they pretend to know about fractals and tessellations while finding ways to incorporate them in their visual graphic design language. Roderick enjoys making with many materials, including 3D resin printers, screen printing and wheel-thrown ceramics. 

Sumita Amrik

CORE Career Coach (S.T.E.M and Environment)

• Email: sumitaamrik@augustana.edu
• Office: Olin Center

I have over 12 years working in Higher Education in different roles and departments. A small piece of my background that I will share is that I was once an International student. My passion is learning new skills and working with  diverse populations. Each position that I held has made me realize how much I enjoy working with students and the community. In addition to working in the Higher Education field, I worked with the workforce (IowaWorks/Equus) with the Adult and Dislocated populations.

First job: My first job was at a Public Relations firm called Black and White in Penang, Malaysia. My main focus at this job was setting up marketing events for industries and writing press release. Skills learned at this job was time management, being detailed oriented and communication.

Professional and Community Activities: Diversity Committee, Board of Studies, SAU Staff Assembly, NAFSA (Association of International Educators) and AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers).

Honors and Awards: Completion of Windmills Training of Trainers Program: Changing the Perception of Ability and Employment Disability Inclusion Program.

Specializations: CORE, Career Navigator, Recruitment, Retention, Assistant Registrar, Admission Counselor, Career Coach, Press releases, Event planning

Specializations: Athletics

Specializations: Public Safety

Claire Brakel Packer

Career Coach

• Email: clairebrakelpacker@augustana.edu

Claire Brakel Packer is an experienced professional in adult education, student development, and community engagement. Claire values higher education as it changed her life by opening doors she didn't even know existed. She enjoys being a part of the career journeys of Augustana students as they learn more about who they are and how they want to live that out in the world. Claire also oversees PLEN.

Specializations: CORE

Specializations: Campus Ministries

Erin Elgin

Visiting Assistant Professor of Business Administration

• Phone: 309-794-7407
• Email: erinelgin@augustana.edu
• Office: Evald 307

Erin Elgin is a former small business owner and a long-time educator. She has co-produced feature-length films, edited novels and co-founded a premier fitness facility. She has taught a variety of core business, communication, and computing courses at The University of Iowa, Iowa Wesleyan University, Upper Iowa University, Kirkwood Community College and Southeastern Community College. Prior to receiving her MBA in Marketing and IT Management from The University of Connecticut, she used her BA in English from The University of Iowa to help write grants, quarterly reports and marketing communications for a $3.5 million federal grant at The University of Iowa.

She lives in Washington, Iowa with her husband, son, dog, and a dozen barn cats.