dean yohnk vc 11.11.15
TRANSCRIPT
1 | Dean Yohnk CV
Dean R. Yohnk
1800 College Drive, Rice Lake, WI 54868
262.358.0723 / [email protected]
Administrative and Teaching Appointments
Administrative Appointments
Dean & CEO, University of Wisconsin – Barron County, Rice Lake (2013 to present)
Senior Special Assistant for Administration, University of Wisconsin Colleges (2014 to present)
Founding Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, University of Wisconsin – Parkside, Kenosha,
WI (2011-2013)
Founding Executive Artistic Director, UW – Parkside Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts
and Humanities (2009 – 2013)
Dean of Arts and Sciences, University of Wisconsin – Parkside (2009 – 2011)
Chair of Theatre Arts, University of Wisconsin – Parkside (2003 – 2009)
Theatre Development and Enrollment Management Director, University of Wisconsin – Parkside
(2001 – 2009)
Chair and Artistic Director of Theatre and Musical Theatre Department, Viterbo University (1992
– 2001)
Assistant General Manager, The Huron Playhouse, Huron, OH (summers, 1998 – 2009)
Official Teaching Appointments Tenured Professor of Communication and Theatre Arts, University of Wisconsin Colleges (2013 to
present)
Tenured Professor of Theatre Arts, University of Wisconsin – Parkside (2005 – 2014)
Tenured Associate Professor of Theatre Arts, University of Wisconsin – Parkside (2001 – 2005)
Tenured Associate Professor of Theatre and Musical Theatre, Viterbo University (1997 – 2001)
Assistant Professor of Theatre and Musical Theatre, Viterbo University (1992 - 1997)
Professional Artist/Educator, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre (2005-2013)
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Bowling Green State University (1989-1992)
DPI Certified English, Language Arts, and Theatre Faculty Member and Director of Theatre,
Jefferson School District, Jefferson, WI (1987 – 1989)
Academic Studies and Degrees
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
Dates Attended: June 1989 to August 1992
Degrees: MA and Ph. D., Theatre Arts
Specializations: Theatre Pedagogy and Directing
Dissertation: "The Drama of AIDS: An Analysis of AIDS-Related Plays Written during the First
Decade of the Epidemic, 1981-1991"
Master’s Thesis: “HIP Techniques for Counteracting Homophobia in Educational Settings.”
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Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI
Dates Attended: August 1982 to May 1987
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, Magna cum Laude
Majors: English and Theatre Arts Education (with state licensure)
Wisconsin DPI K-12 Teaching Certifications: Theatre Arts, English, Language Arts
Chippewa Valley Technical College, Eau Claire, WI
Dates Attended: 1982
Diploma/Certificate: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Note: I worked as a CNA and Medical Assistant in the Rehabilitation Unit and Emergency Room at
Mayo/Franciscan Medical Center in La Crosse from 1982 to 1987 while attending Viterbo University.
Higher Education Leadership Development Experiences
Harvard Graduate School of Education Management Development Program (MDP)
MDP Higher Education Certificate Program (Summer 2011)
Society for College and University Planning [SCUP] (University of Michigan) SCUP Integrated Planning Institute graduate and certified strategic planning facilitator (2012 – 2013)
Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) CCAS New Dean Training Institute Certificate (Summer 2010)
CCAS Dean’s Professional Development Certificate (Summer 2011)
CCAS Active Member (2010-present)
Diversity Education and Inclusive Excellence Initiatives
University of Wisconsin Colleges and Extension Multicultural Awareness Program (MAP)
Facilitator Training Program Two year facilitator training program offered by UW Colleges/UW Extension in cooperation with
Visions, Incorporated’s “Taking Diversity and Inclusion to the Next Level” Academy” (2014-2016).
University of Wisconsin – Parkside Summer Diversity Institute for Infusing Diversity into
the Curriculum Participant and co-facilitator of intensive 8 week summer faculty and staff diversity education
immersion program aimed at incorporating proven strategies for infusing diversity topics and dialogues
into the campus’ general education curriculum (Summers 2005-2008).
University of Wisconsin – Parkside “Diversity Circles” Facilitator Training Program Trained to facilitate for-credit and not-for-credit “Diversity Circles” programs and workshops on
campus and for businesses and organizations in the greater Milwaukee/Chicago urban corridor (2001 to
2014).
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Administrative and Teaching Experiences and Achievements
Selected Accomplishments in the University of Wisconsin Colleges [Note: My current Campus Dean/CEO position at the University of Wisconsin – Barron County (UW-
BC) will be eliminated on Dec. 31, 2015 due to significant UW budget cuts and the regionalization and
consolidation of the 13 UW College campuses.]
Selected Leadership Projects and Achievements at UW-BC: During my first two years as Campus
Dean/CEO at UW-BC I have worked collaboratively with the support and assistance of my campus colleagues
to achieve the following targeted outcomes and goals:
Integrated Strategic Planning and Budgetary Management
Led the campus community in the development of UW-BC’s first integrated strategic academic
and campus master plans, resulting in the creation of a shared mission-based vision for the campus
that serves as the primary guide and road map for all campus planning and decision making.
Collaborated extensively with the campus’ Steering Committee and other shared governance
committees to actively utilize the newly-developed integrated strategic plan and academic plan in the
complex process of establishing curricular and co-curricular priorities and budgetary allocations as we
face unprecedented UW System budget cuts and state-imposed “frozen” tuition rates.
Worked closely with UW Colleges senior leadership, other UW College Campus Dean/CEOs, and
the Budget Implementation Steering Committee to develop a data-based and comprehensive
reorganization and consolidation plan to address and manage continuing drastic cuts in state funding and
frozen tuition rates, leading to the ultimate loss of more than 85 non-instructional and administration
positions across the UW Colleges.
Enrollment Management and Student Success Initiatives
Successfully increased campus student enrollments and surpassed tuition targets at UW-BC
through a multifaceted enrollment management and branding strategy that promotes enrollment of
qualified students from more diverse populations, including current exceptional high school students,
returning adult students in our degree completion programs, international students, area Somali refugee
students, and Native American students participating in our collaborations with LCO Ojibwa Nation and
Community College.
Developed active educational partnerships with 32 top “feeder” high schools in Northwest
Wisconsin focused on frequent dialogues with K-12 administrators, guidance counselors, teachers, and
students to explore and develop effective and efficient ways to connect pre-college students to
educational and cultural programs at UW-BC, including enhancing access to our very successful youth
options and concurrent enrollment programs.
Established UW-BC’s first official International Student Office and international program
coordinator positions, providing the essential support structure necessary to actively recruit and
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successfully retain a growing number of international students on our campus from countries including
Canada, China, Kenya, Mexico, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Uganda, and Vietnam.
Enhanced and supported the campus’ Experiencing Success in the First Year (ESFY) Program,
which utilizes a variety of proven high-impact retention practices, including first year seminars, learning
communities, peer mentors integrated into gateway courses, study and time management skills
workshops, motivational guest speaker presentations, service learning projects, “intrusive advising,” and
integrated support programing for at-risk students.
Academic Program Development and Assessment
Encouraged and led in the development of innovative and flexible curricular and academic
programs, including degree completion programs and certificates, first year seminars and learning
communities, enhanced distance education options, online course and program development, flexible
and “flipped” course delivery strategies, technology-enriched learning environments, adult continuing
education programming, and collaborative degree completion programs with other UW System
campuses and technical colleges.
Provided administrative leadership in the development and promotion of the campus’ thriving
new Bachelors of Applied Arts and Science (BAAS) degree completion program, which enrolls a
rapidly growing number of adult students who have earned associate’s degrees into a flexible bachelor’s
degree completion program that includes UW-BC courses, courses from six UW comprehensive
partners, community service-learning projects, internship experiences, and a capstone e-portfolios.
Assisted in the development of the UW Colleges new Associate of Arts and Sciences “Degree Re-
Imagining Project,” which is focused on assessing our current AAS degree while utilizing UW System
and AAC&U Project LEAP learning outcomes and goals as the primary framework for developing a
renewed associates degree that continues to meet our core mission and goals while better preparing
students to successfully transfer into bachelor degree programs across the state and nation.
Advised and assisted the UW-BC Curriculum and Assessment Committees in the process of course
and program prioritization while establishing, sustaining, delivering, and assessing a balanced and well-
rounded liberal arts curriculum each semester while facing diminishing state funding and staffing.
Served as the lead campus liaison in the development of the new North Cedar Academy (NCA), an
international collegiate boarding school located at the former Mount Scenario College campus in
Ladysmith, which allows exceptional high-school-aged domestic and international students to complete
their NCA high school diploma and a UW-BC Associates Degree in four years. UW-BC now offers
selected UW courses at the NCA site, including courses that are also available to area residents.
Fundraising and Strategic Budget Prioritization
Successfully lobbied for and received a unanimous 30-0-0 vote of support from the Barron County
Board of Supervisors for it to borrow $5.5 million for a campus HVAC system upgrade, a critical
infrastructure project that was necessary in order to improve and maintain climate controls and safety
systems in our 50-year-old county-owned campus buildings.
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Collaborated with our campus leadership team and county administration in the development and
successful receipt of a $273,000 state energy savings grant, which has allowed us to install new
lighting and climate control systems throughout the campus that have made our facilities much more
energy efficient.
Hired and collaborated closely with the first UW-BC Development Director and Foundation
Executive Director, allowing us to significantly enhance the UW-BC Foundation endowment by
$150,000, further develop alumni and corporate relations, and increase fundraising projects and grants
that are used to support student scholarships, faculty and staff professional development, the Pay-it-
Forward Emergency Student Support Fund, and the Dean’s Campus Enhancement Fund.
Actively utilized the campus Steering Committee and Budget Committee in the proactive and
integrated process of determining campus and academic program priorities, strategic goals, curricular
needs, and budgetary expenditures. This has been critical during times of severe budget reductions.
Faculty Recruitment, Retention, and Professional Development
Oversaw the successful recruitment, hiring, orientation, and on-boarding of all new campus
employees, including faculty (5), instructional academic staff (12), non-instructional academic staff
(10), and classified staff (4), who have joined the campus community in the past 24 months.
Worked closely with campus faculty and Foundation Board in the development and submission of
program and professional development grants, which have brought in more than $260,000 in the last
16 months to fund special campus enhancement projects, faculty research and professional development,
and critical student scholarships for those who could not otherwise afford college.
Held monthly “All-Campus Listening Sessions” and more informal “Tea with the Dean”
gatherings for campus colleagues and student government leaders as a means of enhancing and
building a stronger sense of community and collaboration while also encouraging a more positive and
collegial atmosphere during very difficult budgetary times.
Created monthly and annual “Deans Recognition Awards” that were given out at the monthly all-
campus Collegiums, awards that were recommended by members of the campus community to
recognize achievements and appreciations for colleagues who had “gone above and beyond” in realizing
our core values of student success, educational or research advancement, inclusive excellence,
community engagement, and service to others for the common good.
Collegiate and Community Partnerships
Collaborated with colleagues at other regional UW and WTCS campuses (including UW-Superior,
UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout, UW-Madison, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, and Chippewa
Valley Technical college ) to develop and maintain collaborative educational programs and updated
transfer agreements and MOUs with each school to better meet the needs of the diverse students who we
jointly serve.
Engaging in active and engaged campus outreach to regional communities, elected officials, non-
profit organizations, and businesses, which has led to increased public awareness and appreciation of
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UW-BC’s invaluable educational and economic development resources and the campus’ positive impact
on the quality of life in Northwestern Wisconsin for 50 years.
Volunteered to serve as a board member and secretary of NorthWERD (Northwest Wisconsin
Educators for Economic Development), an organization that brings together leadership from public
and private universities and technical colleges in the 15 county NW Wisconsin region who are united in
a shared goal and vision of collaborating to enhance the region’s overall educational, economic, and
cultural vitality, visibility, and success.
Additional Duties, Responsibilities, and Achievements as the Campus Dean/CEO:
Served as a civic, academic, and administrative leader and “public spokesperson” for UW-BC (one of 13 UW Colleges campuses across the state) while reporting directly to the senior leadership of
UW Colleges and Extension and developing invaluable working relationships with other senior UW
System institutional officers, including UW System President Ray Cross.
Functioned as the intellectual and academic leader of the regional UW campus, providing a broad
vision for UW-Barron County at the local, institutional, system-wide, and state levels and advocating for
the educational aims and values of the liberal arts and “The Wisconsin Idea” in public higher education.
Met monthly with elected state legislators from or region, including Senator Janet Bewley and Rep.
Romaine Quinn, in order to update them on campus programming, budgets, and regional impact.
Provided oversight and leadership in all aspects of campus operations, including academic
programs, program assessment, student support services, enrollment management, financial affairs,
faculty and staff development, facilities maintenance, enhanced campus diversity and inclusion,
marketing and promotion, development and fundraising, and government and community relations.
Supervised campus executive staff, including the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, the Assistant
Dean for Administrative Services, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Director of
Development and Foundation, the Director of Library Services, the Director of University Relations and
Communication, the Director of Continuing Education, and the Director of Athletics.
Demonstrated sound personal qualities, such as integrity, intellectual vigor, a sense of humor, clarity
of purpose, principled decisiveness, and a strong work ethic while creating an inclusive environment that
seeks people from diverse backgrounds and supports their success.
Selected Accomplishments at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences (Humanities)
Selected Leadership Projects and Accomplishments: As the “final” Dean of the College Arts and Sciences
and the founding Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at UW-Parkside, I worked collaboratively with
the support and assistance of my campus colleagues to achieve the following targeted outcomes and goals:
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Strategic Planning, Program Prioritization, and Reorganization
Actively contributed to the research, development, and implementation of the University’s and
College of Arts and Sciences (Humanities) first mission-based integrated academic and strategic
plans, which played critical roles in providing a detailed and proactive guide and “road map” for
effective, transparent, integrated decision-making processes and procedures.
Provided academic leadership and administrative coordination for the 32 diverse departments
and programs in the former College of Arts and Sciences (which included all UW-Parkside academic
major departments programs with the exception of Business and Computer Science), serving
approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students, over 150 full and part time faculty and
instructional academic staff, and administrating an annual budget of over $25 million.
Served as a lead negotiator and advisor in the reorganization of the College of Arts and Sciences,
selected departmental mergers, and the creation of three new Colleges, including the College of Arts and
Humanities, the College of Natural and Health Sciences, and the College of Social Sciences and
Professional Studies.
Academic Program and Faculty Development / Assessment
Collaborated with university colleagues in a wide array of essential academic planning and
assessment activities, including the development and implementation of university, college, and
departmental mission statements, strategic plans, academic plans, assessment rubrics and reports,
program reviews, and other UWS and HLC accreditation documents.
Actively participated in the successful preparation and completion of UW-Parkside’s Higher
Learning Commission of the North Central Association’s 10 year accreditation process, taking a
lead role as College Dean in assisting departments in researching and completing program reviews and
assessments.
Collaborated with UW-Parkside, UW Extension, and UW System leadership and faculty in
development of new undergraduate and graduate programs, including the multi-campus Bachelor of
Applied Arts and Sciences degree (BAAS), BS and MS Consortial degrees in Sustainable Management
and Healthcare Information Technology, and the UW “Flex Option” certificates and degrees.
Co-sponsored and participated in UW-Parkside’s nationally-regarded “Infusing Diversity into the
Curriculum Summer Institute,” a two-week multicultural diversity education immersion program for
faculty and staff members who were dedicated to developing and teaching general education courses
that directly address issues of prejudice and priveledge based on race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality,
educational achievement, or region. This program resulted in a signification increase in the campus’
focus on diversity education and much higher retention rates for under-represented minority students,
who accounted for 29% of the campus’ total enrollment.
Collaborated with departments, university administration, and the HR office in the recruitment,
screening, interviewing, hiring, on-boarding, and integration of more than 28 new faculty and 42 full
and part time lecturers into the College of Arts and Sciences over a four year period. As Dean, I also
played a key role in all merit assessments and promotion and tenure applications.
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Secured internal and external funding and “re-assign time” to support ongoing professional
development opportunities for faculty and staff related to their continuing education, pedagogical
development, research and creative activity, and service to community and profession. This included
funding for faculty and staff to attend UWS OPID programs focused on teaching and learning,
discipline-based conferences and workshops, and short and long term sabbaticals.
Enrollment Management, Recruitment, and Retention Initiatives
Appointed to serve on the Chancellor’s Task Force on Campus Branding and Marketing, an
extensive two year research study and market analysis that ultimately led to developing and using a
new campus identity and promotional campaign that was used in all print, digital, and social media
materials. Of critical focus was embracing the prestigious “University of Wisconsin” brand, which
led to a significant increase in prospective student inquiries, applications, and enrollments.
Facilitated the development of strategic enrollment management plans for the college and each
academic department, helping each academic unit to identify and market unique programmatic
features, student and staff success stories, and graduate achievements. Ultimately, each academic
department and program developed a multifaceted, practical marketing and recruitment plan with
funding available from the College and UW-Parkside Admissions Office
Actively served for seven years as a member and chair of the UW-Parkside First Year Success
Committee, working closely with colleagues from across campus in the creation of an innovative
Center for Academic and Student Engagement, department-based peer mentor programs, annual
common reads with extended activities, the development of course-based learning communities, and
the reorganization of the campus’ remedial pre-college program in English and mathematics. These
high-impact practice programs significantly increased the success and retention of new students,
especially in underrepresented minority and first generation college student populations.
Financial Planning and Fundraising Leadership
Assisted colleagues in effectively and creatively handling a variety of campus and UW budgetary
challenges and opportunities, including the development and implementation of integrated budget
allocation strategies to prioritize and optimize our existing resources (human, financial, facilities) and
assisting colleagues in seeking and receiving internal and external funding to support academic,
research, and creative activities of the College.
Actively engaged in private donor fundraising efforts resulting in $4.5 million in gifts for the
design, construction, and equipping of the $35 million Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts and
Humanities, while serving as the Center’s Founding Executive and Artistic Director in charge of
programming and staffing.
Led in the College’s efforts in fundraising more than $1.5 million related to the new Rita Tallent
Pickens Regional Center for Arts and Humanities to support faculty research and creative activity,
staff professional development, scholarships in the arts and humanities, and facilities enhancements.
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Campus and Community Service and Leadership
Represented the College’s diverse departments while serving on a variety of campus and
community committees and organizations, including the extended Chancellor’s Cabinet, Provost’s
Cabinet, the Strategic Plan Leadership Team, the Campus Master Plan Committee, the First Year
Success Committee, the Inclusive Excellence Committee, the Strategic Enrollment Management Task
Force, the Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Leadership Team, the Racine Arts Council, and
the Kenosha Arts Commission.
Served as the lead facilitator for on-going conversations and collaborations between campus and
regional community arts and humanities leaders in the formation of the mission and programming
goals for the new Regional Center for Arts and Humanities, the development of the new College of Arts
and Humanities Advisory Board, the new Dean’s Student Advisory Board, and working closely with
Arts and Humanities departments and programs to fund, produce, and present over 300 individual
cultural events annually.
Promoted the College of Arts and Humanities’ and University’s hallmark of community
engagement through active participation in a variety of community-based organizations and
activities, including: representing the University and College at many educational and cultural events in
the Kenosha/Racine metropolitan area; maintaining active membership in the Arts Wisconsin Advocacy
Group, Racine Arts Council, and Kenosha Arts Commission; participating in regional meetings of the
Wisconsin Arts Board, the Wisconsin Humanities Council, and the Kennedy Center American College
Theatre Festival.
Chair, Artistic Director, and Professor of Theatre Arts
Selected Leadership Projects and Accomplishments: As the Chair, Artistic Director, and a tenured full
Professor in UW-Parkside’s award-winning professional theatre training program, I worked collaboratively with
my departmental colleagues and student co-creators to achieve the following targeted outcomes and goals:
Our department received the UW Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award in 2009,
recognizing the Theatre Arts Department as the most outstanding academic program in the UW System
– the first UW-Parkside department and first fine arts program in the state to ever receive this
prestigious award.
Our department received 67 Awards of Merit from the Kennedy Center American College
Theatre Festival (KCACTF), acknowledging our program’s excellence in the areas of
acting/performance, design, directing, playwriting, stage management, and technology. I was fortunate
to receive the prestigious KCACTF Gold Medallion Award in 2010 for my contributions to the
advancement of collegiate theatre.
As a professor, I was responsible for an array of faculty duties in the areas of teaching, research,
creative activity, and service, including: the development and delivery of courses in theatre history,
dramatic literature, multicultural theater in America, gender and sexuality on stage and screen,
playwriting, directing, production practicums, theatre management, senior seminars, and professional
theatre internships; researching and directing 2-3 theatrical productions every academic year; providing
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academic and career advising, guidance, and mentoring to students, theatre company members, and
prospective students.
As chair the Theatre Arts Department, I was responsible for providing academic program
leadership in a variety of areas, including: scheduling and facilitating weekly department meetings;
coordinating and balancing departmental S &E budgets ($75,000 annually); providing leadership in the
development new a program curriculum and new degree concentrations; resolving conflicts or issues
between personnel and students; and researching and writing program reviews and assessment
documents.
As the Artistic Director of the Theatre Production Company I was responsible for leading artistic
programming activities, including: coordinating the selection, funding, and development of 4-8
theatrical productions per year; leading weekly theatre production meetings; working collaboratively
with the department’s Publicity Director and University Creative Services staff to market the
department’s productions; advocating for sufficient internal and external funding support for the
department’s award-winning artistic programming.
As the producer and chief budgetary officer for the theatrical production company, I was
responsible for the following duties: overseeing the $45,000+ annual production budgets for shows;
successfully writing grants to help fund productions, including annual requests to the Student Unified
Fees Allocation Committee (SUFAC), the Fireside Theatre, the Wisconsin Arts Board, the Wisconsin
Humanities Council, and other corporate and private donor appeals; leading fundraising efforts through
the development of the STAGE Club Benevolent Foundation; providing on-campus supervision of the
Fireside Professional Theatre Grant Program, which brings in more than $150,000 of funding to the
department annually.
As the Theatre Arts Department Development Director I was responsible for the following:
developing departmental recruitment materials and scheduling visit days; serving as the primary contact
person between the department and local high school theatre teachers and students; acting as a liaison
between the department and professional theatres in the region that offer apprenticeship and internship
opportunities for students; serving as the primary departmental liaison with our accrediting organization
The National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), The Kennedy Center’s American College
Theatre Festival (KCACTF), the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE), and The
Alliance for Wisconsin Theatre Education (AWTE).
Selected Achievements at Viterbo University (La Crosse, WI)
Primary duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments included:
Assistant/Associate Professor of Theatre Arts, responsible for duties including: developing and
teaching a wide variety of theatre arts courses; providing academic and artistic advising and mentoring
for 50+ theatre majors; directing and/or designing 3-4 fully staged productions each academic year.
Chair of Theatre and Musical Theatre Department, responsible for duties including: coordinating
and administrating all aspects of the University's extensive theatre and music theatre professional
training programs (11 faculty and staff members and 120 majors); developing and implementing new
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BFA degrees in theatre, music theatre, and arts administration; managing the department's $50,000+
annual production and academic budgets; coordinating all departmental marketing, advertising, and
development activities; developing of the department’s Professional Theatre Affiliation Program;
coordinating the department’s very active study abroad programming in England and Ireland.
University Service and Leadership, including active engagement with the following committees:
University Promotion and Tenure Committee, Franciscan Mission Effectiveness Committee, President’s
Counsel, Admission Committee, Fine Arts Advisory Board, Academic Advisory Committee, Global
Studies Committee, Advising Committee, and School of Fine Arts Curriculum Committees.
Complete List of Collegiate Courses Taught
Courses taught at University of Wisconsin and Viterbo University include:
Multicultural Theatre and Film in America (200 level general education diversity course)
Gender and Sexuality on the Stage and Screen (200 level general education course)
First Year Seminar: Engaging with the Arts and Humanities (100 level gateway course)
Text Analysis
Public Speaking and Presentation (100 level general education course)
Interpersonal Communication
Organizational Management and Leadership
Theatre Appreciation (100 level general education course)
Fundamentals of Theatre Direction
Advanced Projects in Theatre and Film Direction
Theatre and Stage Management
Writing for Stage and Screen I & II
Theatre History and Literature to 1660
Theatre History and Literature from 1660 to 1915
Theatre History and Literature from 1915 to Today
Acting and Performance Technique (various levels)
Teaching and Service Awards and Nominations
UW-Barron County Outstanding Leadership Award (2014)
Gold Medallion Award – Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (2011) National
Award for Extraordinary Contributions to American College and University Theatre
University of Wisconsin Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award – Outstanding Academic
Department in the UW System (UW-Parkside Theater Arts Department, 2009)
Stella Gray Outstanding Teaching Award Nomination (UW-Parkside, 2002, 2005, 2010)
Alliance for Wisconsin Theatre Education Service to Educational Theatre Award (September
2000)
Viterbo University Teacher of the Year Award (Viterbo University, 1998)
Case National Collegiate Outstanding Teaching Award (Viterbo University, 1995)
Burlington Northern Teaching Excellence Fellowship Award (Viterbo University, 1993)
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Professional Theatre Administrative and Artistic Positions
The Milwaukee Repertory Theatre: Professional Artist/Educator, Urban Education Outreach
Specialist, and Education Program Advisory Board (2005-2013)
The Huron Playhouse (Huron, OH): Assistant to the Artistic Director (summers from 1998 to 2009)
Guthrie Theatre (Minneapolis, MN) : Assistant Education Director (summers 1995-1997)
Representative Artistic & Creative Activity
Selected Professional and Educational Directing Credits: Provided below is a small sampling of the 100+
classical, contemporary, and original plays that I have directed since 1987: The AIDS Memorial Quilt at 25
Years: Voices from the Quilt and Survivors (original collaborative work with UW-Parkside students; 2012),
The Music Man (UW-Parkside, Spring 2009), The Foreigner (UW-Parkside, Fall 2008), Shakespeare on Love
adapted by Dean Yohnk (UW-Parkside, 2006), Escape from Happiness (UW-Parkside Theatre, 2006), The
Trojan War adapted by Dean Yohnk (UW-Parkside, 2005), Fifth of July (American College Theatre Festival
national finalist, UW-Parkside, 2005), Do Not Go Gentle (Racine Theatre Guild, 2004), The Tempest by
William Shakespeare (UW-Parkside, 2003), You Can’t Take It with You (Huron Playhouse, 2003). A complete
list of productions directed is available upon request.
Selected Professional Acting Credits (Actors Equity Association Candidate): Performance credits include
roles in over 40 university, community theatre, and professional (*) productions including the following
representative roles: *Professor Metz (Arsenic and Old Lace), *Selsdon (Noises Off!),*Judge Wargraves (Ten
Little Indians), *Senator McKinley (John Loves Marry), *Ben Franklin (1776), Acaste (The Misanthrope), *Mr.
Henderson (You Can’t Take It with You), Gardener Church (Painting Churches), Charlie (Where's Charlie),
Oscar Madison and Felix Unger (The Odd Couple), Albany (King Lear), *Marcelus (The Music Man), and
Horace Vandergelder (The Matchmaker). A complete acting vita will be furnished upon request.
Selected Professional and Educational Scenic Design Credits: Professional scenic design and/or painting
credits include the following: Mixed Emotions (Racine Theatre Guild), The Cherry Orchard, Philadelphia Here
I Come, and She Stoops to Conquer (The Guthrie Theatre); Moon Over Buffalo, Guys and Dolls, Amadeus, All
My Sons, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and You Can't Take It with You (Peninsula
Players Theatre), Over the River and Through the Woods, Nunsense, State Fair, 1776, Nunsense II, Little Mary
Sunshine, Catch Me if You Can, Two by Two (Huron Playhouse); Medea, Nature and Purpose of the Universe,
The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Misanthrope, The Nerd, Quilters, Spoon River Anthology, and A Comedy of
Errors (BGSU Theatre); Cinderella (Calloway Gardens Theatre, Georgia); Cosi Fan Tutti, Steel Magnolias,
Quilters, Black Elk Speaks, Patient A, Death and the Maiden, Macbeth, and God's Country (Viterbo
University). A Photo Portfolio is available upon request.
Original Plays & Adaptations Written for Production: The AIDS Memorial Quilt at 25 Years: Voices from
the Quilt and Survivors (original collaborative work with UW-Parkside students; published by the AIDS
Memorial Quilt Foundation, 2012); Shakespeare Alive! (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre Summer Theatre
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Conservatory, 2008); Shakespeare on Love (UW-Parkside, 2006); The Trojan War (UW-Parkside, 2005);
Promise to Remember: Voices from the Quilt (Viterbo University, 2000); Of Mice and Men (Adaptation)
(Viterbo University, 1997).
Professional and Community Association Memberships
Member, UW System Council of Arts and Sciences Deans (2010 to present)
Member, UW Colleges and UW Extension Gender Equity Committee (2014 to present)
Member, UW Colleges Affirmative Action Advisory Council (2014 to present)
Member, UW Colleges and Extension Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Council (2014 to present)
Member, Council of College of Arts and Sciences (2010 to present)
Board Executive Committee Member, Arts Wisconsin Advocacy Group (2013 to present)
Member, International Council of Fine Arts Deans (2010 to present)
Member, Association of American Colleges and Universities (2010 to present)
Member, Society of College and University Planning (2009 to present)
Member, Regional Executive Committee / Region III New Play Program Chair, Kennedy Center
American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) (2001 to 2003)
Member, Past President and Executive Committee Member, The Alliance for Wisconsin Theatre
Education (AWTE) (1992 to present)
Member, Past Chair and Executive Committee Member, Wisconsin Council of Theatre Chairs, 1992
to 2010.
Member, Rice Lake Rotary Club (2014 to present)
Member, Barron County Kiwanis Club (2014 to present)
Selected Publications and Published Assessments
“The Transformative Power of Using Cultural Autobiographies in the Classroom.” Book Chapter included in
the upcoming publication of Diversity in the College Classroom: Knowing Ourselves, Our Students, & Our
Disciplines, edited by Eugene Fujimoto, Roseann Mason, and Fay Yokomizo Akindes (Common Ground Press,
LLC, 2016)
Methodologies and Procedures for Conducting Effective Production Responses for in Educational
Theatre Settings (Published by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region III,
2009, 2011, 2013)
Milwaukee Repertory Theatre Educational Audience Guides (contributing writer and editor for 24
educational study guides published by the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, 2004 to 2012)
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Production Evaluations and Assessments (production assessments published by KCACTF for over 50 university productions presented in the
states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio)
Selected Conference Presentations
Diversity in the College Classroom: Knowing Ourselves, Our Students, & Our Disciplines (Invited
pre-conference session for the Diversity in Organizations, Communities, & Nations Conference, July
2016, University of Granada, Spain).
14 | Dean Yohnk CV
Pre-Conference Workshop: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Infusing Diversity into the College
General Education Curriculum (National Conference on Race and Ethnicity NCORE, May 2016, San
Francisco).
Building Community in All Diverse Learning Environments (UW System Office of Professional and
Instructional Development (OPID) (UW-Madison, April 2016).
“Academic Planning from the Ground Up: The Importance of Campus Engagement in the
Collaborative Process” (Society for College and University Planning National Convention, July 2014)
“Integrated Planning Applied to the Design and Construction of a Regional Arts Center” (Society
for College and University Planning National Convention, July 2013).
“Towards a Flourishing State: Advocating for the Vital Role of the Liberal Arts in 21st Century
Higher Education” (AAC&U National Conference on the Arts and Humanities, May 2011)
“First Year Success: An Overview of Proven Retention Strategies at Urban State Universities” (featured presenter, 2009 University of Wisconsin President’s Summit, Madison, WI, April 2010 and
2011)
“Risky Teaching: Pedagogical Approaches for Teaching Issues Related to Gender and Sexuality
in the General Education Classroom” (featured presenter, 2009 University of Wisconsin President’s
Summer, Madison, WI, April 2010.)
“Risky but Essential Pedagogy: Developing and Teaching Diversity Courses that Address Issues
of Race, Class, and Gender” (Pre-Conference intensive 2 day workshop presented with Eugene
Fujimoto, Fay Akindes, and Roseann Mason; 2010 National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in
American Higher Education, Washington, D.C., June 1-5,2010).
“Models of Developing and Teaching Diversity Courses that Address Issues of Race, Class, and
Gender” (University of Wisconsin System President’s Conference, April 29-30, 2009, presented with
presented with Eugene Fujimoto, Fay Akindes, and Roseann Mason).
“Taking Risks: Utilizing Playwriting as a Means for Exploring Issues faced by At-Risk Students” (Featured Presenter, 2009 National Conferences of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education
[ATHE] and the Alliance for American Theatre Education [AATE], New York City)
“Taking Risks as a Artist-Educator: Approaches to Putting Yourself “On the Line” while
Creating Art with Students” (Featured Panelist, 2009 National Conferences of the Association for
Theatre in Higher Education [ATHE] and the Alliance for American Theatre Education [AATE], New
York City)
“Techniques for Effectively Responding to New Student Written Plays” (KCACTF Region III
Festival, January 2008, Saginaw Valley State University, MI)
“The Role and Value of the Arts in Our Community” (Racine/Kenosha Adventures in Life-Long
Learning (ALL) Group, October 2008, Kenosha)
“Techniques for Effectively Responding to New Student Written Plays” (KCACTF Region III
Festival, each annual regional festival from 2001 to 2008.)
“Speak the Speech: A Practical Method for Teaching Shakespeare in the Classroom” (AWTE
Annual Conference, September 2001, 2003, 2005)
“Building Partnerships between Educational and Professional Theatre Organizations" (AWTE
State Convention Coordinator, September 1996, 2001, 2005)
“Developing Scripts for Social Action Theatre in the Classroom" (Regional Festival, ACTF, 1997,
1998, 2000)
“Interactive Techniques for Addressing Issues of Homophobia in the Classroom" (American
Alliance for Theatre Educators, July 1997)
# # #
15 | Dean Yohnk CV
Selected References for Dean R. Yohnk, Ph. D.
(Listed in alphabetical order.)
Dr. Jayant Anand
Regional Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Campus Administrator, UW-Marathon
Associate Dean, UW-Barron County / Professor of Sociology and Anthropology
(715) 234-8176 / [email protected]
Dr. Terry Brown
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, State University of New York – Fredonia
Former Provost / Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UW-Parkside
Professor of English
952.258.9568 / [email protected]
Dr. Paul Chase
Dean Emeritus, UW-Barron County
Professor of History
(715) 205-1642 / [email protected]
Dr. Ray Cross
President, University of Wisconsin System/ Former Chancellor of UW Colleges and Extension
(608) 262-2321 / [email protected]
Dr. Debbie Ford
Chancellor, UW-Parkside
Former Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of West Florida
(262) 595-2211 / [email protected]
Dr. Joseph Foy Associate VC of Academic Affairs, UW Colleges
Professor of Political Science
(608) 263-7217 / [email protected]
Professor Mary Hoeft
Past UW-BC Campus Steering Committee Chair
Professor of Communication and French
Dr. Christa James-Byrnes
Campus Steering Committee Chair, UW-Barron County
Former Interim Dean of UW Colleges Online /
Professor of Engineering
(715) 234-8176, ext. 5483 / [email protected]
Dr. Greg Lampe
Provost and Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UW Colleges
Professor of Communication and Theatre Arts
(608) 263-1794 / [email protected]