DWU employees receive promotions, title changes

MITCHELL—Several Dakota Wesleyan University employees have been promoted or taken on added responsibilities before the start of a new school year.

Lori Wehlander of Iroquois, a 1992 graduate of DWU, has been promoted to director of library resources. Wehlander joined DWU in 2024 as a teaching and learning specialist. Wehlander holds a B.A. degree from DWU, and master’s degrees from the University of Sioux Falls in Education and from the University of North Dakota in Special Education. Previously she worked as an education learning specialist for Compass/Black Hills Special Services Cooperative; was a director of special services in the Huron school district and served as both a superintendent and principal in the Iroquois and Carthage school districts. She will retain her previous DWU duties with the new title of director of library resources and teaching and learning specialist.

Heather Miller-Cink, a native of Mitchell and Sioux Falls, has been appointed dean of students. In 2024 she joined DWU in the role of interim dean. She holds a B.A. degree in Music Education from Gustavus Adolphus College, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a Specialist in Educational Administration degree from Minnesota State University. She returned to South Dakota after a career as a teacher, assistant principal and high school principal in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Miller-Cink works with all aspects of student life including residence services, campus ministry, campus health and student governance.

Dr. Melissa Weber, Canistota, has been appointed to the new position of associate dean of strategic initiatives, reporting to the provost. Weber joined the faculty at DWU in 2018 and will continue serving as associate professor of education and director of the Master of Arts in Education program. Weber earned bachelor’s degrees in Education and Journalism from South Dakota State University; a master’s degree in Library Science from the University of North Texas; a Specialist in Education degree and a doctorate in Education from the University of South Dakota. She was previously employed as a teacher, librarian, assistant principal and curriculum director for the Canistota school district and as a teacher for the Bridgewater school district. In her new role, she will provide faculty leadership in the areas of research, evaluation, strengthening and implementation of programs. Weber’s duties will include supporting online and adjunct instructors, coordinating online and graduate program infrastructure and advancing a variety of instructional initiatives.

Fredel Thomas, Mitchell, has taken on added responsibilities in the area of Information Technology with the new title of vice president of admissions, marketing and technology. Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of South Dakota; a Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate and an MBA from DWU. She worked for 12 years in the telecommunications and technology industry as a programmer, quality assurance officer, project manager and director of product management before joining DWU in 2012. In addition to continuing her broad scope of duties with admissions, retention, enrollment management and marketing, Thomas will take a leadership and support role in the implementation of several new campus-wide technology applications.