Ann Sorenson serves as a Film & Media Professor and program director for the Five16 Film Festival at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. She pioneered the film track, which is a thriving part of the communication department, and teaches classes on storytelling, scriptwriting, and single camera production.

She received her M.F.A. in Film from Columbia University. During her time in New York City, she received a New York Women in Film nomination and a Directing the Actors Fellowship from Columbia University.

Her love and appreciation of stories propelled her professional life, beginning in television at KSTP-TV and KARE-11 and then serving as the Theater Director at Minnehaha Academy for 12 years directing theater productions.

Sorenson’s latest film, My First Funeral, screened at the 11th Annual Burbank International Film Festival, the Iowa Independent Film Festival, the Salty Earth Film Festival, and the Canadian International Faith and Family Festival. It was a semi-finalist at the Burbank International Film Festival and the Canadian International Faith and Family Festival and won Best Comedy Short at the Salty Earth Film Festival.

She is a founding member of Minnesota Women in Film and Television and was inducted into the Minnehaha Academy Fine Arts Hall of Fame.

In addition to film and all things related to story, she enjoys traveling, reading, hiking and spending time with her husband, daughter, family, and friends.

Specialty Areas

• Film production
• Script writing
• Visual narrative

Department and Teaching Responsibilities

• Advisor to NW Productions
• Intro to Film
• Story Structure
• Single Camera Production
• Script writing

Dr. Janelle Theisen began working at Northwestern in 2015. Prior to that, she worked as a staff nurse at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood for eight years. She was also an Assistant Professor, Course Coordinator, and IPE Simulation Developer for the Associate Degree Nursing Program at St. Catherine University. In addition, she has worked with Educating Nurses Across Borders.

Dr. Theisen states, “As an educator, my teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in the Scripture. I believe that every student is a unique creation of God, with potential, purpose, and inherent worth. In my role as an educator, I strive to create a nurturing and intellectually stimulating environment where students are empowered to flourish academically, spiritually, and personally. I am committed to helping students discover and develop their God-given abilities, encouraging them to use these talents to serve others and positively impact the world around them. I aspire to equip students not only with the knowledge and skills needed to be an excellent nurse, but to have a deeper understanding of their identify in Christ.”

Janelle and her husband live in Woodbury, Minnesota with their two sons. Her hobbies include reading (especially mystery with a little bit of romance), traveling, learning new things, spending time at the lake, and watching crime shows.

Published Articles:

• Theisen, J. L., Snethen, J. A., Gwon, S. H., Ellis, J. L., & Sapp, M. (2021). Facilitators and barriers to patient portal use in the older adult: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Informatics Nursing, 6(3), 23-24.

• Theisen, J. L., & Sandau, K. E. (2013). Competency of new graduate nurses: A review of their weaknesses and strategies for success. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 44(9), 406-414. Doi: 10.3928/00220124-20130671-38.

Poster Presentations:

• Theisen, J., Snethen, J., Gwon, J., & Ellis, J. (2022, April). Facilitators and Barriers to Electronic Personal Health Record Use in the Older Adult Population. Poster session presented at MNRS Conference, Schaumburg, IL.
• Theisen, J. (2020, November). Facilitators and Barriers to Older Adult Patient Portal Use: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Poster session presented at the Eta Nu Chapter Poster Symposium, Milwaukee, WI.
• Brockway, C., Krist, D., & Theisen, J. (2019, July). To sim or not to sim? A comparative analysis of overall standardized test scores. Poster session presented at the NEC Conference, Vale, CO.

• Brockway, C., Krist, D., & Theisen, J. (2018, June). Utilization of simulation to educate nursing students on spiritual care. Poster session presented at the Innovations in Faith-Based Nursing Conference, Marion, IN.
• Presentation
• Theisen, J., Skoglund, A., & Wolgemuth, V. (2019, April). HIPAA: Considerations for educational purposes. Symposium presentation couded at the Don’t Hide From HIPAA Symposium, St. Paul, MN.

Research/Grants:

• Facilitators and Barriers to Electronic Personal Health Record Use in the Older Adult Population

Awards:

• 1st place PHD Student Poster Award. Eta Nu Chapter 6th Annual Poster Symposium, November, 2020.

Joe Smith received his MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1998, he joined the Northwestern faculty in 2001.

He is the recipient of several grants and fellowships, including The McKnight Fellowship for Visual Artists 2004-2005 and 2014-2015, the Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiate Grand, and The Jerome Travel Grant

He has exhibited in numerous venues, including Midway Contemporary Art, Occasional Art, and David Petersen Gallery in the Twin Cities, and The Suburban in Chicago.

He has lectured as a visiting artist at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and Cranbrook Academy of Art.