Michael D. Reisner

Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Director of the Upper Mississippi Studies Center

• Phone: 309-794-3418
• Email: michaelreisner@augustana.edu
• Office: Hanson 441

Dr. Michael Reisner is the director of the college's Upper Mississippi Studies Center  (UMSC), which will assume a leading role in sustainability science.

Dr. Reisner earned his Ph.D. in ecosystem and restoration ecology from Oregon State University and J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law.

In Montana, he helped to negotiate an agreement between miners and conservation groups that helped to create about 1,000 family-wage jobs in a rural area, without degrading the water or air quality.

At the University of Wisconsin, his work focused on creating more sustainable energy systems for the upper Midwest.

Along the way, he helped to build better relationships between the academic community and the broader community outside—businesses, neighborhoods and conservation groups.

“We have to stop looking for panaceas or silver bullets,” Dr. Reisner said. “Our communities face complex challenges that involve interactions between social, economic, institutional and environmental dimensions. We need to work collaboratively to develop and implement complex solutions.”

A watershed moment for Dr. Reisner came as a boy. He visited Cairo, Ill., and remembers a breathtaking view — the great confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. But his lasting impression was spoiled by pollution, industrial waste and mind-numbing poverty.

“Nearly three decades after I first visited the town as a third-grader, things are the same, at the very least, and arguably have grown worse,” he said.

Dr. Reisner will engage Augustana students in the center’s projects, challenging them to think in new ways that use interdisciplinary approaches, acknowledge competing interests, and find ways to compromise behind a common cause. 

Specializations: Upper Mississippi Center

Michelle Opsahl she/her

Director of Web Content and Design

• Phone: 309-794-7626
• Email: michelleopsahl@augustana.edu
• Office: Bahls CLC 201

Michelle Opsahl '11 was born and raised in Illinois. Originally from the Rockford area, she became a proud Quad Cities resident during her time as an Augustana student.

A lifelong creative writer, she majored in English and was active with SAGA art and literary magazine and WAUG student radio. After graduation, she worked as a communications professional in e-commerce and corporate environments before joining the Augustana staff in 2023.

She's pleased to be back on campus and to give back to the Augustana community that embraced her passions all those years ago.

Aside from writing, Michelle enjoys knitting, playing board games and spending time with her husband and cats.

Specializations: Communication and marketing, Content management, Writing, Copy editing

Jackie Opfer

Assistant Professor of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy

• Email: jackieopfer@augustana.edu
• Office: Hanson 204B

Dr. Jackie Opfer studies how living organisms interact with their physical environment from an environmental engineering perspective, with applications in harmful algal blooms and environmental justice.

In her free time, she enjoys reading good books, eating good food and watching bad TV.

David DeSimone

Athletic Fundraising and Engagement Specialist

• Phone: 309-794-8986
• Email: daviddesimone@augustana.edu
• Office: Sorensen Hall

David DeSimone serves as head women’s and men’s tennis coach as well as leading athletic fundraising  and coordinating the Viking Club.

The club has more than 500 members and raised nearly $190,000 last year in support of Viking athletics. The club organizes fundraising and engagement efforts for supporters of Viking athletics.

DeSimone grew up in Bettendorf, Iowa. He graduated from Kalamazoo College in 2015 with a B.A. in German. He returned to the Quad Cities where he served as the Junior Development Pathway director for the Quad City Tennis Club. During that time he also helped out as an assistant coach for the Augustana men's tennis team.

Specializations: Athletics

Specializations: Academic affairs