Alumni Leaders in the Classroom — Fine Arts

September 20, 2018

Len Mitsch ’63

Teaching Specialist at U of MN-Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Len started teaching Advertising Strategy and Creative Development as an Adjunct Professor in 2010. He became a full-time Teaching Specialist in 2016 and now teaches Advertising Portfolio Development. Len brings over 30 years of experience as a Twin Cities advertising agency art director, then creative director.

Kristi Battarbee ’07

Senior Copywriter at space150

After graduating college, Kristi briefly attended Miami Ad School before landing a full-time job in the advertising industry. For the past six years, she’s been a multidisciplinary creative at a number of agencies in Minneapolis and Chicago. She’s currently a Senior Copywriter at space150 and has worked on big brands, small brands, and all brands in between.

Aaron Cook '00

Improvisor/Actor/Software Project Manager

Aaron is a professional Actor/Improvisor. He holds degrees in Theater and Computer Information Systems from St. Olaf and Metro State, respectively. He also attended the British American Drama Academy in 2004, where he studied with actors Ben Kingsley and Alan Rickman. Aaron has performed at the Park Square Theater, Old Log Theater, the Paul Bunyan Playhouse, and numerous other Twin Cities theaters.

Janelle Walford Burrell ’96

Lab Technician, 3M-Healthcare Business Group and Vocalist

Janelle attended St. Kate's with an interest in healthcare. Janelle works at 3M in their Healthcare Business Group testing and developing new formulas to keep their products advancing. Janelle is also a vocalist performing in bands around the city. She recently formed a small six-piece band.

Bob Galligan ’06

Quality Sensory Coordinator

Bob graduated in 2010 with a B.F.A. in Acting from the University of Minnesota/ Guthrie Theater. He soon moved to Austin, TX, where he got a job manually canning craft beer at Hops & Grain Brewing. In 2014, he was named one of Zagat’s “30 Under 30” people revolutionizing the food and beverage world of Austin, and in 2017 he was awarded “Beer Personality of the Year” by the editors of the Austin Beer Guide.

Anne Romens ’02

Program Director, Arts Midwest

Anne oversees strategic planning, fundraising, grant-making, and operations for a national social change initiative that leverages the relationship between existing public values, and arts, and culture. Her work includes conducting and analyzing national research on the role and value of arts and creativity as well as creating new messaging strategies, programming approaches, and audience development initiatives for arts organizations across the United States.