In 2022, Moraine Park Technical College, along with many of the other Wisconsin technical colleges, was granted permission to begin offering Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) liberal arts degrees. For the first time, students seeking a general studies/liberal arts degree could obtain it at MPTC. Our University Transfer options allow students to start at Moraine Park for a fraction of the cost, receive the same general education instruction as a four-year, and transfer on to a partner university at junior status.
Meet our Educators:
April Alexander, MS – Math Instructor
Instructor April Alexander comes from the banking and insurance industries. She has over a decade of experience teaching in higher education and has been with MPTC for two years.
“I love seeing students gain confidence in their abilities to do math and be successful, which helps in all subjects and areas of their lives.”
Dr. Bruce Forciea, D.C. – Anatomy & Physiology Instructor
Dr. Forciea has published six books (three fiction and three non-fiction) and ran his own chiropractic and rehabilitation practice where he treated thousands of patients including Olympic athletes and professional dancers. He has been with the College for 21 years.
“My teaching philosophy centers on leveraging cutting-edge technology to create a dynamic, interactive, and fun learning environment where concise, targeted multimodal microlearning activities are scaffolded to build upon prior knowledge, fostering deep understanding and mastery of the subject matter.”
Dr. Jonathon Fleischmann, PhD – Math Instructor
Before becoming an instructor, Dr. Fleischmann worked as an assistant professor of engineering at various universities. He also worked in the industry as a computational mechanics engineer, a research scientist and a structural engineer.
“I love helping students see mathematics and physics as straightforward and relevant to their jobs and lives, rather than obscure and frightening.”
Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss, PhD – Social Science Instructor
Before teaching, Dr. Leichtfuss worked in the newspaper industry as an editor, in the healthcare field in crisis communication and public relations and in the insurance industry in corporate communications and special event planning. She has been in higher education for 27 years–24 of them at MPTC.
“I find great fulfillment when working with students, especially those who have faced academic challenges in the past, as it is gratifying to witness their active engagement and noticeable progress towards achieving their educational and career goals, and equally rewarding is experiencing the transformative growth and development of all students when the “aha” moments occur.”
Dr. Rebecca Mullane, PhD – Communications Instructor
Dr. Mullane has taught at MPTC for 13 years. Before becoming an instructor, she worked in public relations and marketing in corporate and higher education settings. At MPTC she teaches English Composition I & II; Oral & Interpersonal Communication; College 101; MPTC 101; Intro to Mass Communication, Intro to Writing and Occupational Communication.
“I am a first-generation college student who was raised in a small town by a single mother. My education provided me with opportunities that I could never have even imagined, and I want to be a part of creating those types of opportunities for others.”
Dr. Susie Stanley, PhD – Social Science Instructor
Dr. Stanley has three years of teaching experience as a special education teacher in Milwaukee public schools. Since then, she has 15 years of teaching experience in higher education–including five years at MPTC. She teaches Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Psychology of Human Relations and Introduction to Ethics: Theory and Application.
“I believe in developing students into well-rounded, life-long learners who will contribute positively to our society as they pursue their goals.”
Jenny McClyman, MA – Communications Instructor
Instructor Jenny McClyman has 20 years of experience teaching in K-12, and she is brand new to higher education and MPTC. She teaches English Composition I, Oral & Interpersonal Communication and Introduction to Literature.
“We learn best when we are relaxed, feel acknowledged and are open to diverse perspectives.”
Elizabeth Yoon, MS – Science Instructor
Instructor Liz Yoon has 25 experience in higher education, 23 of those at MPTC. Prior to teaching full-time, Yoon spent eight years doing molecular genetics research. At MPTC, she teaches Microbiology, General Chemistry and General Biology.
“I teach to help students discover the relevance of science to their lives and to provide opportunities for them to consider new ideas and possibilities in both science and themselves.”
Melissa Ewoldt, MS – Communications Instructor
Before becoming an instructor, Melissa Ewoldt was district director at the Muscular Dystrophy Association, director of special events at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Executive Director of the Todd Johnson Memorial Foundation and was owner and President of Plan Ahead Events. She has 16 years of experience in higher education–13 of those spent at MPTC. She teaches English Composition 1, Oral Interpersonal Communication, Technical Reporting, Occupational Communication and College 101.
“My goal is to create a learning environment where students feel included and safe so everyone is comfortable actively engaging in learning activities.”
Ryan Paruch, MS – Science Instructor
Instructor Ryan Paruch has been teaching in higher education since June 2004. Before coming to MPTC, he taught in Kansas and Tulsa. He has been with MPTC for more than seven years, starting as an adjunct instructor and now teaching Advanced Anatomy & Physiology, General Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology. His teaching philosophy is always to adapt and be flexible.