Christopher R. Strunk he/him

Associate Professor of Geography, Chair of Latin American Studies, Co-Coordinator of Food Studies

• Phone: 309-794-7308
• Email: christopherstrunk@augustana.edu
• Office: Swenson Geosciences 202

Chris Strunk received his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and began teaching at Augustana in 2012.

He has teaching and research interests in urban geography and planning, international migration and immigration policy, human rights, foodways and urban agriculture.

His research explores transnational migration and immigrant and refugee organizations in the United States. He has conducted research in Bolivia, Washington D.C., and Minnesota, and is currently researching urban gardening practices and migrant incorporation in the Midwest.

See report: Dr. Chris Strunk, Impact of Immigrants and Refugees in the Quad Cities

Specializations: Immigration, Latin America, International development, Urban geography and planning

Specializations: Swenson Center

As Director of IOP, I have the privilege of working with Augustana students who hope to study abroad or study away. I also have the privilege of collaborating with Augustana faculty and staff who wish to arrange international or domestic trips with students.

As part of the History Department, I will teach courses in world history, Russian/Soviet history and European history. I will also teach courses for Augie students before and after their study abroad experiences.

I have lived abroad for more than three years: two years in Finland, a year in Russia and two months in Estonia. For my Ph.D. in Russian history, I studied the history of primary schooling among ethnic and religious minorities in three provinces of the Russian Empire between 1885 and 1914.

Please come visit the International and Off-Campus Programs office to learn more about international programs available to Augustana students. We want to hear about your interests in studying away and how we can help you bring your goals to fruition.

Specializations: International and off campus programming, CORE

Michelle Hinzman-Ferris

Assistant Professor of Education

• Phone: 309-794-8107
• Email: mhinzman-ferris@augustana.edu
• Office: Evald 214

Michelle Hinzman-Ferris, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education. She earned her PhD from the University of Iowa in 2019. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Hinzman-Ferris worked in the K-12 school setting for more than 15 years as a teacher, school psychologist, special education administrator, and researcher. She teaches undergraduate classes in Methods of Inclusion, Developmental Reading Methods, Assessment of Reading Problems, and Remedial Reading Methods. Her research focuses on effective reading and writing instruction for elementary students with and at risk for reading difficulties. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, gardening, home decorating, and spending time with her husband and three children.

Specializations: Academic affairs

Lauren Clarke

Admissions Counselor and Fine Arts Recruitment Coordinator

• Phone: 309-794-7574
• Email: laurenclarke@augustana.edu
• Office: Seminary Hall 114

Schedule a meeting with Lauren

Hometown: Arlington Heights, IL
Current town: Rock Island, IL

What do you most love to tell prospective students about Augustana?
There are so many opportunities to learn outside of the classroom. With so many clubs and extracurricular activities on campus, students can become leaders and well-rounded people just by being involved. I love talking about my personal experience at Augustana and how much people can grow during college.

What is your favorite time/tradition of the Augustana school year?
The unofficial tradition of giving creative nicknames to campus legends and icons. It brings students together and feels like a giant inside joke.

What's great about the Quad Cities?
There are so many places to explore and so many coffee shops! I love energy drinks, and some of my favorites in the QC are Atomic, Awake, and the Brewed Book. I also love all the fine arts opportunities offered, including adult dance classes.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love hanging out with friends and the cats in my life. In my free time you might find me writing, playing video games, dancing, or doing anything theater-related.

What advice do you have for students who are searching for the right college for them?
Don't be afraid to ask questions and visit every school you’re considering. Visiting campus can really help you imagine how your life would be if you decide to attend that school, and it can show you what you want (or don't want) for your college experience. Everyone's timeline will be different, so remember to focus on what you need.

Specializations: Admissions, Fine Arts

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