Faculty and Staff Directory

B.S. in Nursing St. John Fisher College

B.A. in General Studies St. John Fisher College

Red Cross Certified Instructor Trainer in First Aid, CPR, AED, and Basic Life Support

Todd Anderson is a Computer-Aided Design Program Director. He received his A.A.S. in Computer-Aided Drafting at Western Dakota Technical Institute and a B.S. in Technical Occupations at Chadron State College. Anderson has worked in Architectural Design and Drafting since 1996. His experience spans multiple disciplines, including work in the casino industry, and in both residential and commercial building design. His experience includes design work on over 100 casinos across the US, Canada and Mexico. He has also worked on several local design projects in and around Rapid City including Black Hills Community Bank, Deadwood Mountain Grand Casino, The Lodge at Deadwood, and many others. In addition to teaching Architectural CAD at Western Dakota Tech, Todd continues to work part time as a design consultant for several casinos in the state of California.

Eric Anderson has been the CTE teacher for the past five years in the Belle Fourche school district. Anderson is an adjunct CTE teacher for Western Dakota Tech, helping students complete their dual enrollment credits. Anderson and the Belle Fourche School District have built an extensive high school CTE program allowing the students to take part in building a house in the city of Belle Fourche for the past few years. His hard work and community involvement have allowed them to build a program to be proud of for years to come.

Troy Barry, a 2005 graduate of Western Dakota Tech’s (WDT) Welding Program, brings 14+ years of industry experience to classroom instruction. While a student, Barry was a S.D. State SkillsUSA Champion and now currently serves as the Vice President of the S.D. SkillsUSA Board of Directors. Additionally, Barry was recently named as one of five 2019 SkillsUSA Outstanding Career and Technical Educators and was honored at their national conference. In 2020, WDT’s Welding and Fabrication program earned the American Technical Education’s Association (ATEA) Outstanding Technical Program Award. Barry was a 2020 finalist for the ATEA Outstanding Faculty Award.

Bret Clark is the Construction Technology Program Director. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Education at Black Hills State University. He taught in the Rapid City School District for five years. Clark then began his own construction company working primarily in western South Dakota, Wyoming and North Dakota. The main focus of his company was commercial construction and post frame construction, but it also branched out into the residential homes and concrete. After 15 years in construction, Clark began teaching the Construction Tech program at Western Dakota Tech in the Fall of 2018.

B.B.A. in Health Services Administration at University of South Dakota

M.B.A in Business Administration at Mounty Marty College

Janna Cowling initiated the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program at Western Dakota Tech (WDT) in 2016. She currently instructs Immunology, Immunohematology, and Microbiology MLT courses. Prior to joining WDT, Cowling was a Supervisor and Medical Technologist at Regional Health specializing in Microbiology, Blood Bank, and Serology for almost 15 years. She has a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Certification, ASCP, Bachelor’s degree in Biology at University of Mary, and a Master’s degree in Health Service Administration at University of South Dakota. In her free time, Cowling enjoys spending time with her family, running, skiing, and soccer.

M.B.A. in Business Administration at American Public University School

B.S. in Business Administration, Tourism, and Hospitality at Black Hills State University

A.S. in Computer Technology at Black Hills State University

B.S. in Accounting at Southwest State University

C.P.A.

Bio:

Mary R. Duncan, CPA, CGMA, has been an Adjunct Accounting Instructor at  Western Dakota Tech since 2018.  She has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Southwest Minnesota State University and has been a Certified Public Accountant for more than 33 years. Duncan worked in public accounting for 15 years, where she did auditing, tax preparation and financial statements.  She was also the CFO of a non-profit community mental health center for 10 years, prior to becoming the Accounting Manager for the Rapid City Area School District - a position she has been in for the last 12 years. Duncan is a member of the South Dakota CPA Society and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

A.A.S. in Agricultural Sciences at South Dakota State University

B.S. in Agriculture at New Mexico State University

NASFAA Federal Pell Grant Credential

NASFAA Cost of Attendance Credential

B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing at Slippery Rock University

M.B.A. in Business Administration at National American University

John Geiman is the Computer Science Program Director. He started in February 2016 at WDT. He has a Bachelor’s degree, Composite Major in Industrial Arts with an emphasis in Teaching Methods, Electronics and Drafting, from Chadron State College. Geiman has 22 years of experience in the Computer Science field.

Mary Grassrope has worked at Western Dakota Tech since 2015 and is the Paramedic Program Director. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Physics at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and a Master’s degree in Instructional Design at Western Governors University. Grassrope is a certified Paramedic and has additional certifications in Advanced Medical Life Support, Prehospital and Trauma Life Support. She is also a certified PALS/ACLS provider. 

A.A.S. in Engineering Technology Southwestern Illinois College – Benton LA

Essentials in Clinical Simulations Certificate -George Washington University

B.A. in General Studies at Southern New Hampshire University

A.A.S. in Pharmacy Technician Program at San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersville, CA

A.A.S. in Dental Assisting Program at San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersville, CA

B.S. in Education at University of South Dakota

M.S. in Education Technology at Dakota State University

M.S. in Engineering Management at Southern Methodist University

B.S. in Electrical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Jodi Kor began working for Western Dakota Tech (WDT) in the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Program in 2017 and transitioned into the Program Director and Team Leader positions in 2018. Prior to working at WDT, Kor was a Laboratory Manager, Supervisor, and Medical Technologist with Regional Health for more than 20 years. She has a Medical Technologist Certification, ASCP, a Bachelor’s degree in Arts & Science from South Dakota State University, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration at Baker College. In her free time, Kor enjoys spending time with her family, trail riding, and skiing.

Charles Leeper received a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture at Illinois State University. Leeper has more than 38 years of industry expertise from many years with Caterpillar and other business roles. While at Caterpillar Inc, he helped move Motor Grader Welding and Fabrication production to North Little Rock, Ark. While at Caterpillar Reman, West Fargo, N.D., as their weld engineer, he designed and implemented a new weld shop and oversaw the installation of three new robotic weld cells with their specialized processes. He was on the North Dakota State College of Science Mechatronics Advisory Board. He is an AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI). In 2020, WDT’s Welding and Fabrication program earned the national American Technical Education Association’s Outstanding Technical Program Award.

Dr.B.A. in Finance at Walden University

M.B.A. in Accounting at Columbia College

 B.S. in Business Administration in Finance and Management at Columbia College

James S. Loverich is Computer-Aided Design Program Director and a Mechanical Computer-Aided design instructor. He teaches PTC Creo, Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Fusion 360 software in addition to mechanical design and CNC machining. He graduated from Northern Arizona University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and continued his education at Virginia Tech where he received a M.S. in Engineering Science and Mechanics.  He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of South Dakota. Loverich worked at as a mechanical engineer for 10 years before making the transition to teaching in 2008. His engineering work experience includes: Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, Wellstream, Inc.; Sanmina-SCI; and RPM and Associates.

J.D. in Law and Communication at the University of Miami School of Law

M.A. in Public Relations at University of Miami School of Communication

B.A. in Liberal Arts at Augustana College

B.A. in Biology at University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

B.A. History Plattsburgh State University of New York

NASFAA Federal Pell Grant Credential

NASFAA Cost of Attendance Credential

B.S. in Interdisciplinary Sciences at South Dakota School Mines and Technology

M.A. in Interdisciplinary Sciences at The University of South Dakota

M.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Missouri State University

B.S. in Sociology at Black Hills State University

NASFAA Federal Pell Grant Credential

Christine Ousley started at Western Dakota Tech (WDT) nine years ago transitioning to the Phlebotomy/Medical Laboratory Assistant Program Director position in 2013. She instructs the first semester of the Medical Laboratory Technician program in which students can earn a Phlebotomy Certificate. Ousley came to WDT with more than 15 years of industry experience as a Patient Service Center Manager for Regional West Medical Center in Rapid City and as a Medical Laboratory Technician and Phlebotomist/Outpatient Services Coordinator in Minnesota. She received her A.A.S. in Medical Lab Technology from Hibbing Community and Technical College. She is Medical Laboratory Technician certified, ASCP. In her free time, Ousley enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and traveling to see sloths.

Michael Prugh is the Welding and Fabrication Program Director and has been a full-time faculty member for Western Dakota Tech (WDT) for six years. Prugh has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design. He  serves as a Team Leader and is a member of WDT’s Persistence and Completion Committee. Prugh has more than 20 years of welding and fabrication experience to include being a successful business owner. In 2020, WDT’s Welding and Fabrication program earned the American Technical Education’s Association Outstanding technical Program Award.

B.S. in Psychology South Dakota State University – Brookings, SD

A.A.S. in Surgical Technology Program at Western Dakota Tech

Robert Reagan is the Director of the Western Dakota Tech Business programs. The programs include Business and Technology, Entrepreneurship, Office Professional, Social Media Marketing and Hospitality. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Black Hills State University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Webster University. Reagan has been teaching in the Business programs for more than 10 years and brings 20 years of work experience in investments, real estate and entrepreneurship. Reagan has worked as a manager, financial advisor, small business owner (hotel, auto dealership, rental real estate), librarian and soccer coach.

M.Ed. in Administration of Student Affairs at South Dakota State University

B.A. in History in History/Education at South Dakota State University

A.A.S., Instructor of Technology & Military Science / Mechanical & Electrical Instructor, Community College of the Air Force

B.S. in Occupational Education at Wayland Baptist University

A.A.S. in Welding at Lake Area Technical College

Olimpia Tilles has been teaching at Western Dakota Tech since 2017. She started her educational leadership career at Tallahassee Community College, Florida in 2013. With a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management, Tilles progressed from a Human Resources Specialist to a Business Analyst of Human Capital Management, in the Information and Technology Department. Tilles has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. She has worked as an instructor at Tallahassee Community College and Bryant and Stratton College - Online, and Black Hills State University. Tilles is a recipient of the National Association of African American Studies and Affiliates National Conference Award (2017), Florida A&M University Graduate Studies and Research Poster Competition (2015), Golden Key International Honor Society (2015), and the Holmes Scholars Organization Membership (2015). She  is currently an affiliate of several national educational and research organizations.

B.S. in History Black Hills State University

B.B.A. in Mass Communications at Morningside College

M.S. in Library and Information at Wayne State University

A.A.S. in Sociology at Gainesville State College

A.A.S. in Intelligence Operations Support at Cochise College

B.A. in Sociology at University of Georgia

M.A. in Theological Studies at Liberty University

CompTIA Security+ Certified

Eric Anderson has been the CTE teacher for the past five years in the Belle Fourche school district. Anderson is an adjunct CTE teacher for Western Dakota Tech, helping students complete their dual enrollment credits. Anderson and the Belle Fourche School District have built an extensive high school CTE program allowing the students to take part in building a house in the city of Belle Fourche for the past few years. His hard work and community involvement have allowed them to build a program to be proud of for years to come.

B.B.A. in Health Services Administration at University of South Dakota

M.B.A in Business Administration at Mounty Marty College

M.B.A. in Business Administration at American Public University School

B.S. in Business Administration, Tourism, and Hospitality at Black Hills State University

A.S. in Computer Technology at Black Hills State University

B.S. in Accounting at Southwest State University

C.P.A.

Bio:

Mary R. Duncan, CPA, CGMA, has been an Adjunct Accounting Instructor at  Western Dakota Tech since 2018.  She has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Southwest Minnesota State University and has been a Certified Public Accountant for more than 33 years. Duncan worked in public accounting for 15 years, where she did auditing, tax preparation and financial statements.  She was also the CFO of a non-profit community mental health center for 10 years, prior to becoming the Accounting Manager for the Rapid City Area School District - a position she has been in for the last 12 years. Duncan is a member of the South Dakota CPA Society and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing at Slippery Rock University

M.B.A. in Business Administration at National American University

B.S. in Education at University of South Dakota

M.S. in Education Technology at Dakota State University

M.S. in Engineering Management at Southern Methodist University

B.S. in Electrical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Dr.B.A. in Finance at Walden University

M.B.A. in Accounting at Columbia College

 B.S. in Business Administration in Finance and Management at Columbia College

J.D. in Law and Communication at the University of Miami School of Law

M.A. in Public Relations at University of Miami School of Communication

B.A. in Liberal Arts at Augustana College

B.A. in Biology at University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

B.A. History Plattsburgh State University of New York

B.S. in Interdisciplinary Sciences at South Dakota School Mines and Technology

M.A. in Interdisciplinary Sciences at The University of South Dakota

M.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Missouri State University

B.S. in Sociology at Black Hills State University

A.A.S., Instructor of Technology & Military Science / Mechanical & Electrical Instructor, Community College of the Air Force

B.S. in Occupational Education at Wayland Baptist University

A.A.S. in Welding at Lake Area Technical College

Olimpia Tilles has been teaching at Western Dakota Tech since 2017. She started her educational leadership career at Tallahassee Community College, Florida in 2013. With a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management, Tilles progressed from a Human Resources Specialist to a Business Analyst of Human Capital Management, in the Information and Technology Department. Tilles has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. She has worked as an instructor at Tallahassee Community College and Bryant and Stratton College - Online, and Black Hills State University. Tilles is a recipient of the National Association of African American Studies and Affiliates National Conference Award (2017), Florida A&M University Graduate Studies and Research Poster Competition (2015), Golden Key International Honor Society (2015), and the Holmes Scholars Organization Membership (2015). She  is currently an affiliate of several national educational and research organizations.

B.B.A. in Mass Communications at Morningside College

M.S. in Library and Information at Wayne State University

A.A.S. in Sociology at Gainesville State College

A.A.S. in Intelligence Operations Support at Cochise College

B.A. in Sociology at University of Georgia

M.A. in Theological Studies at Liberty University

CompTIA Security+ Certified

B.B.A. in Mass Communications at Morningside College

M.S. in Library and Information at Wayne State University

NASFAA Federal Pell Grant Credential

NASFAA Cost of Attendance Credential

NASFAA Federal Pell Grant Credential

NASFAA Cost of Attendance Credential

NASFAA Federal Pell Grant Credential

B.S. in History Black Hills State University

Todd Anderson is a Computer-Aided Design Program Director. He received his A.A.S. in Computer-Aided Drafting at Western Dakota Technical Institute and a B.S. in Technical Occupations at Chadron State College. Anderson has worked in Architectural Design and Drafting since 1996. His experience spans multiple disciplines, including work in the casino industry, and in both residential and commercial building design. His experience includes design work on over 100 casinos across the US, Canada and Mexico. He has also worked on several local design projects in and around Rapid City including Black Hills Community Bank, Deadwood Mountain Grand Casino, The Lodge at Deadwood, and many others. In addition to teaching Architectural CAD at Western Dakota Tech, Todd continues to work part time as a design consultant for several casinos in the state of California.

Troy Barry, a 2005 graduate of Western Dakota Tech’s (WDT) Welding Program, brings 14+ years of industry experience to classroom instruction. While a student, Barry was a S.D. State SkillsUSA Champion and now currently serves as the Vice President of the S.D. SkillsUSA Board of Directors. Additionally, Barry was recently named as one of five 2019 SkillsUSA Outstanding Career and Technical Educators and was honored at their national conference. In 2020, WDT’s Welding and Fabrication program earned the American Technical Education’s Association (ATEA) Outstanding Technical Program Award. Barry was a 2020 finalist for the ATEA Outstanding Faculty Award.

Bret Clark is the Construction Technology Program Director. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Education at Black Hills State University. He taught in the Rapid City School District for five years. Clark then began his own construction company working primarily in western South Dakota, Wyoming and North Dakota. The main focus of his company was commercial construction and post frame construction, but it also branched out into the residential homes and concrete. After 15 years in construction, Clark began teaching the Construction Tech program at Western Dakota Tech in the Fall of 2018.

B.B.A. in Health Services Administration at University of South Dakota

M.B.A in Business Administration at Mounty Marty College

Janna Cowling initiated the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program at Western Dakota Tech (WDT) in 2016. She currently instructs Immunology, Immunohematology, and Microbiology MLT courses. Prior to joining WDT, Cowling was a Supervisor and Medical Technologist at Regional Health specializing in Microbiology, Blood Bank, and Serology for almost 15 years. She has a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Certification, ASCP, Bachelor’s degree in Biology at University of Mary, and a Master’s degree in Health Service Administration at University of South Dakota. In her free time, Cowling enjoys spending time with her family, running, skiing, and soccer.

M.B.A. in Business Administration at American Public University School

B.S. in Business Administration, Tourism, and Hospitality at Black Hills State University

A.S. in Computer Technology at Black Hills State University

B.S. in Accounting at Southwest State University

C.P.A.

Bio:

Mary R. Duncan, CPA, CGMA, has been an Adjunct Accounting Instructor at  Western Dakota Tech since 2018.  She has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Southwest Minnesota State University and has been a Certified Public Accountant for more than 33 years. Duncan worked in public accounting for 15 years, where she did auditing, tax preparation and financial statements.  She was also the CFO of a non-profit community mental health center for 10 years, prior to becoming the Accounting Manager for the Rapid City Area School District - a position she has been in for the last 12 years. Duncan is a member of the South Dakota CPA Society and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

A.A.S. in Agricultural Sciences at South Dakota State University

B.S. in Agriculture at New Mexico State University

B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing at Slippery Rock University

M.B.A. in Business Administration at National American University

John Geiman is the Computer Science Program Director. He started in February 2016 at WDT. He has a Bachelor’s degree, Composite Major in Industrial Arts with an emphasis in Teaching Methods, Electronics and Drafting, from Chadron State College. Geiman has 22 years of experience in the Computer Science field.

Mary Grassrope has worked at Western Dakota Tech since 2015 and is the Paramedic Program Director. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Physics at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and a Master’s degree in Instructional Design at Western Governors University. Grassrope is a certified Paramedic and has additional certifications in Advanced Medical Life Support, Prehospital and Trauma Life Support. She is also a certified PALS/ACLS provider. 

B.A. in General Studies at Southern New Hampshire University

A.A.S. in Pharmacy Technician Program at San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersville, CA

A.A.S. in Dental Assisting Program at San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersville, CA

B.S. in Education at University of South Dakota

M.S. in Education Technology at Dakota State University

Jodi Kor began working for Western Dakota Tech (WDT) in the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Program in 2017 and transitioned into the Program Director and Team Leader positions in 2018. Prior to working at WDT, Kor was a Laboratory Manager, Supervisor, and Medical Technologist with Regional Health for more than 20 years. She has a Medical Technologist Certification, ASCP, a Bachelor’s degree in Arts & Science from South Dakota State University, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration at Baker College. In her free time, Kor enjoys spending time with her family, trail riding, and skiing.

Charles Leeper received a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture at Illinois State University. Leeper has more than 38 years of industry expertise from many years with Caterpillar and other business roles. While at Caterpillar Inc, he helped move Motor Grader Welding and Fabrication production to North Little Rock, Ark. While at Caterpillar Reman, West Fargo, N.D., as their weld engineer, he designed and implemented a new weld shop and oversaw the installation of three new robotic weld cells with their specialized processes. He was on the North Dakota State College of Science Mechatronics Advisory Board. He is an AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI). In 2020, WDT’s Welding and Fabrication program earned the national American Technical Education Association’s Outstanding Technical Program Award.

James S. Loverich is Computer-Aided Design Program Director and a Mechanical Computer-Aided design instructor. He teaches PTC Creo, Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Fusion 360 software in addition to mechanical design and CNC machining. He graduated from Northern Arizona University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and continued his education at Virginia Tech where he received a M.S. in Engineering Science and Mechanics.  He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of South Dakota. Loverich worked at as a mechanical engineer for 10 years before making the transition to teaching in 2008. His engineering work experience includes: Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, Wellstream, Inc.; Sanmina-SCI; and RPM and Associates.

B.A. History Plattsburgh State University of New York

B.S. in Interdisciplinary Sciences at South Dakota School Mines and Technology

M.A. in Interdisciplinary Sciences at The University of South Dakota

Christine Ousley started at Western Dakota Tech (WDT) nine years ago transitioning to the Phlebotomy/Medical Laboratory Assistant Program Director position in 2013. She instructs the first semester of the Medical Laboratory Technician program in which students can earn a Phlebotomy Certificate. Ousley came to WDT with more than 15 years of industry experience as a Patient Service Center Manager for Regional West Medical Center in Rapid City and as a Medical Laboratory Technician and Phlebotomist/Outpatient Services Coordinator in Minnesota. She received her A.A.S. in Medical Lab Technology from Hibbing Community and Technical College. She is Medical Laboratory Technician certified, ASCP. In her free time, Ousley enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and traveling to see sloths.

Michael Prugh is the Welding and Fabrication Program Director and has been a full-time faculty member for Western Dakota Tech (WDT) for six years. Prugh has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design. He  serves as a Team Leader and is a member of WDT’s Persistence and Completion Committee. Prugh has more than 20 years of welding and fabrication experience to include being a successful business owner. In 2020, WDT’s Welding and Fabrication program earned the American Technical Education’s Association Outstanding technical Program Award.

Robert Reagan is the Director of the Western Dakota Tech Business programs. The programs include Business and Technology, Entrepreneurship, Office Professional, Social Media Marketing and Hospitality. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Black Hills State University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Webster University. Reagan has been teaching in the Business programs for more than 10 years and brings 20 years of work experience in investments, real estate and entrepreneurship. Reagan has worked as a manager, financial advisor, small business owner (hotel, auto dealership, rental real estate), librarian and soccer coach.

A.A.S., Instructor of Technology & Military Science / Mechanical & Electrical Instructor, Community College of the Air Force

B.S. in Occupational Education at Wayland Baptist University

A.A.S. in Welding at Lake Area Technical College

A.A.S. in Sociology at Gainesville State College

A.A.S. in Intelligence Operations Support at Cochise College

B.A. in Sociology at University of Georgia

M.A. in Theological Studies at Liberty University

CompTIA Security+ Certified

NASFAA Federal Pell Grant Credential

NASFAA Cost of Attendance Credential

NASFAA Federal Pell Grant Credential

NASFAA Cost of Attendance Credential

NASFAA Federal Pell Grant Credential

Todd Anderson is a Computer-Aided Design Program Director. He received his A.A.S. in Computer-Aided Drafting at Western Dakota Technical Institute and a B.S. in Technical Occupations at Chadron State College. Anderson has worked in Architectural Design and Drafting since 1996. His experience spans multiple disciplines, including work in the casino industry, and in both residential and commercial building design. His experience includes design work on over 100 casinos across the US, Canada and Mexico. He has also worked on several local design projects in and around Rapid City including Black Hills Community Bank, Deadwood Mountain Grand Casino, The Lodge at Deadwood, and many others. In addition to teaching Architectural CAD at Western Dakota Tech, Todd continues to work part time as a design consultant for several casinos in the state of California.

Troy Barry, a 2005 graduate of Western Dakota Tech’s (WDT) Welding Program, brings 14+ years of industry experience to classroom instruction. While a student, Barry was a S.D. State SkillsUSA Champion and now currently serves as the Vice President of the S.D. SkillsUSA Board of Directors. Additionally, Barry was recently named as one of five 2019 SkillsUSA Outstanding Career and Technical Educators and was honored at their national conference. In 2020, WDT’s Welding and Fabrication program earned the American Technical Education’s Association (ATEA) Outstanding Technical Program Award. Barry was a 2020 finalist for the ATEA Outstanding Faculty Award.

Bret Clark is the Construction Technology Program Director. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Education at Black Hills State University. He taught in the Rapid City School District for five years. Clark then began his own construction company working primarily in western South Dakota, Wyoming and North Dakota. The main focus of his company was commercial construction and post frame construction, but it also branched out into the residential homes and concrete. After 15 years in construction, Clark began teaching the Construction Tech program at Western Dakota Tech in the Fall of 2018.

Janna Cowling initiated the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program at Western Dakota Tech (WDT) in 2016. She currently instructs Immunology, Immunohematology, and Microbiology MLT courses. Prior to joining WDT, Cowling was a Supervisor and Medical Technologist at Regional Health specializing in Microbiology, Blood Bank, and Serology for almost 15 years. She has a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Certification, ASCP, Bachelor’s degree in Biology at University of Mary, and a Master’s degree in Health Service Administration at University of South Dakota. In her free time, Cowling enjoys spending time with her family, running, skiing, and soccer.

A.A.S. in Agricultural Sciences at South Dakota State University

B.S. in Agriculture at New Mexico State University

John Geiman is the Computer Science Program Director. He started in February 2016 at WDT. He has a Bachelor’s degree, Composite Major in Industrial Arts with an emphasis in Teaching Methods, Electronics and Drafting, from Chadron State College. Geiman has 22 years of experience in the Computer Science field.

Mary Grassrope has worked at Western Dakota Tech since 2015 and is the Paramedic Program Director. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Physics at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and a Master’s degree in Instructional Design at Western Governors University. Grassrope is a certified Paramedic and has additional certifications in Advanced Medical Life Support, Prehospital and Trauma Life Support. She is also a certified PALS/ACLS provider. 

B.A. in General Studies at Southern New Hampshire University

A.A.S. in Pharmacy Technician Program at San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersville, CA

A.A.S. in Dental Assisting Program at San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersville, CA

Jodi Kor began working for Western Dakota Tech (WDT) in the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Program in 2017 and transitioned into the Program Director and Team Leader positions in 2018. Prior to working at WDT, Kor was a Laboratory Manager, Supervisor, and Medical Technologist with Regional Health for more than 20 years. She has a Medical Technologist Certification, ASCP, a Bachelor’s degree in Arts & Science from South Dakota State University, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration at Baker College. In her free time, Kor enjoys spending time with her family, trail riding, and skiing.

Charles Leeper received a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture at Illinois State University. Leeper has more than 38 years of industry expertise from many years with Caterpillar and other business roles. While at Caterpillar Inc, he helped move Motor Grader Welding and Fabrication production to North Little Rock, Ark. While at Caterpillar Reman, West Fargo, N.D., as their weld engineer, he designed and implemented a new weld shop and oversaw the installation of three new robotic weld cells with their specialized processes. He was on the North Dakota State College of Science Mechatronics Advisory Board. He is an AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI). In 2020, WDT’s Welding and Fabrication program earned the national American Technical Education Association’s Outstanding Technical Program Award.

James S. Loverich is Computer-Aided Design Program Director and a Mechanical Computer-Aided design instructor. He teaches PTC Creo, Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Fusion 360 software in addition to mechanical design and CNC machining. He graduated from Northern Arizona University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and continued his education at Virginia Tech where he received a M.S. in Engineering Science and Mechanics.  He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of South Dakota. Loverich worked at as a mechanical engineer for 10 years before making the transition to teaching in 2008. His engineering work experience includes: Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, Wellstream, Inc.; Sanmina-SCI; and RPM and Associates.

Christine Ousley started at Western Dakota Tech (WDT) nine years ago transitioning to the Phlebotomy/Medical Laboratory Assistant Program Director position in 2013. She instructs the first semester of the Medical Laboratory Technician program in which students can earn a Phlebotomy Certificate. Ousley came to WDT with more than 15 years of industry experience as a Patient Service Center Manager for Regional West Medical Center in Rapid City and as a Medical Laboratory Technician and Phlebotomist/Outpatient Services Coordinator in Minnesota. She received her A.A.S. in Medical Lab Technology from Hibbing Community and Technical College. She is Medical Laboratory Technician certified, ASCP. In her free time, Ousley enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and traveling to see sloths.

Michael Prugh is the Welding and Fabrication Program Director and has been a full-time faculty member for Western Dakota Tech (WDT) for six years. Prugh has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design. He  serves as a Team Leader and is a member of WDT’s Persistence and Completion Committee. Prugh has more than 20 years of welding and fabrication experience to include being a successful business owner. In 2020, WDT’s Welding and Fabrication program earned the American Technical Education’s Association Outstanding technical Program Award.

Robert Reagan is the Director of the Western Dakota Tech Business programs. The programs include Business and Technology, Entrepreneurship, Office Professional, Social Media Marketing and Hospitality. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Black Hills State University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Webster University. Reagan has been teaching in the Business programs for more than 10 years and brings 20 years of work experience in investments, real estate and entrepreneurship. Reagan has worked as a manager, financial advisor, small business owner (hotel, auto dealership, rental real estate), librarian and soccer coach.

NASFAA Federal Pell Grant Credential

NASFAA Cost of Attendance Credential

NASFAA Federal Pell Grant Credential

NASFAA Cost of Attendance Credential

B.S. in Nursing St. John Fisher College

B.A. in General Studies St. John Fisher College

Red Cross Certified Instructor Trainer in First Aid, CPR, AED, and Basic Life Support

A.A.S. in Engineering Technology Southwestern Illinois College – Benton LA

Essentials in Clinical Simulations Certificate -George Washington University