Heather Grudzinski began her role as an adjunct instructor at Northwestern in the fall of 2024 in the Department of Behavioral Science. Heather obtained her master’s degree in counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, where she originally became fully licensed as a professional counselor. Heather moved to MN in 2018 and continued her licensure in both states. Her specialty is in trauma, domestic abuse, and adverse childhood experiences. She loves looking at how the nervous system, brain and body are all connected, and how God wired them to work together toward healing. She enjoys working with people of all ages and stages of life, which led her to a new adventure in the academic world. Heather continues to see clients as well as teaching undergraduate courses for the university.

Jana Evink has been an adjunct faculty member since 2012 and was instrumental in bringing the Economics course online at that time. She holds both a B.S. in Business, minor in Psychology from the University of Northwestern – St. Paul as well as a Master’s in International Business from Hult International Business School. After graduating from with her undergraduate degree at Northwestern she discovered her passion for International Business and decided to pursue her Master’s. She determined that if she was going to study International Business, she might as well do that overseas to be fully immersed in the program. She went on to obtain her Master’s in International Business from Hult International Business and spent the majority of her studies living in Dubai with rotations in London and Shanghai as well. Obtaining the chance to study and learn from those Global economic and cultural centers of the world was an incredible experience.

“God has given me some great opportunities around the world and I am very grateful for that. I have definitely developed a huge passion for traveling throughout those experiences. It is so cool to see the vast differences in God’s wonderful creation and people. But trust me, you don’t need to travel the world to see that, it is here all around us too if we have the eyes to see it.”

As a 2009 grad of Northwestern, Jana counts it as a great honor and privilege to still be connected and pour into students lives in the same way her professors while she was a student. She deeply cares for her student’s well-being and success and prays for them by name throughout the semester. She strives to do everything possible to be an encouragement for any student who encounters difficulties, whether that be personal or academic and helps, or brainstorming solutions together with students to give them the best chance at success, not only in the course, but in life as well. Jana is passionate about teaching Economics, International Business, and many other business courses and strongly considers them vital pathways to using business as a missions.

“One of the things I love most about Economics is how it really does help us to understand how the world works. Economics allows us to dive into what is going on underneath the surface and helps to better explain the cause and effects of different activities or outcomes, including why people make the choices that they do. What I love most about International Business is how it really does help us to understand how people from other perspectives see and interact with the world. When you have the humility to understand and learn where someone else is coming from—especially as it relates to different cultures and perspectives—then you have a unique advantage to be able to build bridges whether that be in terms of a business partnership or deeper friendship. As Christians, I believe it is so important to understand what is going on around us in terms of the economic factors and understanding people of other perspectives or cultures so that as we go about our lives we can make a difference in the lives of the people we touch in a way that allows that impact to go further.”

One of her favorite passages is Psalms 139:1-10 “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways… Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

Stefan began his musical journey at the age of five with piano, later discovering a passion for the cello. Since then, he has performed throughout the Twin Cities in competitions, recitals, and community events. Most recently, Stefan was awarded the Merit Prize in the 2024 Minnesota Opus Music Competition in the strings division.

He is a member of the Northwestern Orchestra and participates in various chamber ensembles. Stefan currently studies cello with Diane Tramaine and actively seeks out opportunities to grow as a performer.

In addition to formal performances, Stefan shares his music with the broader community. He plays regularly at his church as part of the worship team and has also performed at local senior homes, using music to build connections and bring joy.

Stefan is passionate not only about music but also about deepening his faith in Christ.

Sam was born in San Diego, CA, and heard the call of God in his life at a very early age. After graduating from high school, he attended a small Bible college in Northeast Georgia called Toccoa Falls Bible College and graduated with a BS in Missiology. Not long after marrying his wife, he went to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where he graduated with an MDIV degree in 2007. He has been pastoring and/or served in some kind of ministerial leadership role for almost 20 years. He has also worked in data analytics and has supported leaders as an executive assistant with various higher educational institutions and other businesses. His current hobbies include golfing, and he enjoys coaching/watching his four children play competitive sports (basketball/volleyball).