Jim McCracken

Dr. James McCracken is Professor in the Department of Industrial Technology, serving as Director of the Bemidji State University Center for Career and Technical Education and as Academic Coordinator for Distance Delivery of the B.A.S. in Technology Management.  He has taught courses in technology education, design technology and industrial technology, and currently has instructional duties which include professional education courses. Jim earned his B.S. and M.S. in Industrial Education from U- W Stout and his Ed.D in Technology, Career, Technical & Adult Education from Texas A&M. Jim has held many leadership and professional positions, including Minnesota Technology Education Assn. President, International Technology Education for Children Council President, and a member of the International Technology Education Assn. Board of Directors. He has also presented both nationally and internationally, and has authored many articles and served as editor for professional publications.

755-2954

jmccracken@bemidjistate.edu

Kathy Jackson

Kathy Jackson is the Assistant to the Director, Center for Career & Technical Education. She is the individual responsible for working with individuals to acquire secondary Career and Technical Education Licensure or their Teacher Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Licensure.  Kathy graduated in 1985 from Bemidji State University with a degree in Vocational Education.  Kathy taught for 5 years at the Technical College in East Grand Forks.  She has also worked as Minnesota Department of Labor’s field representative for Youth Apprenticeship.

755-3876

kjackson@bemidjistate.edu

David Kingsbury

Dr. David Kingsbury is Professor in the Department of Industrial Technology and serves as the Executive Director of Corporate and Educational Relations at Bemidji State University.  Responsibilities include the identification, development and implementation of strategic projects for the University and the Centerfor Research and Innovation.  Duties in instruction have ranged from teaching courses in the Department of Industrial Technology, the Center for Career and Technical Education as well as corporate training and research responsibilities for companies across the Upper Midwest of the United States. Recent work has focused upon the design and implementation of articulated programs between Bemidji State University and institutions of higher education using distance education technology on the state, regional and international level.  Doctoral work at the University of Minnesota involved action research on programs within vocational education and productivity enhancement.

755-4900

dkingsbury@bemidjistate.edu

Arlin Melgaard

Arlin G. Melgaard serves as Adjunct Professor for the Center for Career & Technical Education. He graduated from North Dakota State University with a B.S. degree in Human Resource Management, and received an M.S. degree from Bemidji State University in Vocational Special Needs and Counseling. Arlin has been involved in Career and Technical Education in Minnesota, both as a teacher and administrator, for the past 25 years.  This includes the past eight years as Perkins / Tech Prep / School-to-Work Grants Coordinator at North Country Vocational Cooperative Center, District 919, Bemidji, Minnesota and Pine to Prairie Cooperative Center, District 985, Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. He is also a Past President of MACTA (Minnesota Association of Career-Technical Administrators).

amelgaard@bemidjistate.edu

Darren Olson

Dr. Darren Olson is Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Technology. He is a graduate from Indiana State University, where he earned a Ph.D. in Technology Management, with a specialization in Quality Management Systems.  He is also a graduate from Bowling Green State University, earning a M.Ed. in Career and Technology Education, and from Brigham Young University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.  In addition to education courses, he teaches courses in CADD, and materials and processes. Dr. Olson’s current research interests are in the areas of service quality and organization-level quality management.  He is currently a member of the National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT) and the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

755-2948

dolson@bemidjistate.edu

http://www.bemidjistate.edu/dolson

Truman Jackson

Dr. Truman Jackson serves as Adjunct Professor for the Center for Career & Technical Education. He is also currently employed as the Vocational Director for North Country Vocational Cooperative Center serving ten independent school districts in and around Bemidji.  Truman’s educational background includes his B.S. from Moorhead State, Masters for Bemidji State and Ph.D in Vocational Administration from the University of Illinois.  Employment relevant to Career and Technical Education include six years as Assistant Director of Vocational Education at Dakota County Secondary Technical Center, 13 years as Secondary State Supervisor for Business Education, Teacher Educator at UMD and at Moorhead State University. Truman has also served on the National Board of Directors for Business Professionals of America for approximately 22 years and has held several positions on the Executive Committee, included Chair of the Board several times.

tjackson@bemidjistate.edu

Colleen Falk

Ms. Colleen Falk is employed as the Corporate Development Coordinator at the Center for Research & Innovation.  With a B.S. in Business Administration, an M.S. in Industrial Technology, and 17 years as a business owner, Ms. Falk uses her experience to advocate for small business interests. Her expertise includes over 10 years as a custom training representative delivering courses in Information technology and business development, grant administration, and project management. Colleen has also worked as a Project Manager for various grants for manufacturing companies, human resource training and development and strategic plan development.

755-4900

lfalk@bemidjistate.edu

Jeanne Johnson

Jeanne Johnson serves as an Adjunct Professor for the Center for Career & Technical Education. She is employed full time at Northwest Technical College in Bemidji as an Instructor in General Studies. She also serves as the Division Chair for General Education. She has earned two degrees from Bemidji State University, including a B.S. degree in Elementary education with concentrations in Reading and Early Childhood, and an M.S. in Career & Technical Education with an emphasis in Special Needs.

jjohnson@bemidjistate.edu