Faculty Director
The Thompson Scholars Learning Community Faculty Director serves the Scholars by setting up the Scholars' classes with UNK faculty, organizing additional programming, overseeing their research projects, and providing additional support and resources as the students progress towards their degrees.
Robert Luscher, Faculty Director luscherr@unk.edu
I'm a native of San Diego, CA, where I grew up enjoying the even but seasonless climate of southern California. I earned my B.A. in Literature from the University of California at San Diego before heading to graduate school at Duke University in Durham, NC, where I earned my M.A. and Ph.D. in English while experiencing all four seasons for the first time. My first teaching job was at LSU in Baton Rouge, followed by nine years at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC, where I served as Honors Program Director and English Department Chair and taught in Catawba’s Freshman Program.
I came to UNK as English Department Chair in 1995; I now serve as the department’s Graduate Program Director. I teach classes at all levels, ranging from freshman composition to survey courses in the major to graduate seminars. My specialty is American literature, particularly the short story, in which I regularly teach courses for General Studies students as well as for English majors and graduate students.
I have two daughters, both of whom have graduated college and are now gainfully employed and married. The eldest, who received her Ph.D., is a civil engineer who works for the Green Building Alliance in Pittsburgh, carrying forward her father’s green inclinations in new directions. The youngest is digital editor for the Des Moines Register bringing her father’s passion for precision in language to her newspaper work. My wife, Diana, recently retired from a position as Energy Educator for Nebraska Public Power, traveling across the state to educate students and community groups on public power and various energy matters; she now substitues in the public schools and engages in volunteer work.
I was appointed Director of the William H. Thompson Learning Community in June 2008 and I’m glad to have the opportunity to work with students in enhancing their educational opportunity. I’ve learned over the years that students who become engaged fully as learners and as participants in all that college has to offer beyond the classroom are most successful as scholars, workers, and as human beings who live life fully.
The Thompson Scholars Learning Community Associate Director serves the Scholars by organizing Thompson Scholars programming, supervising the mentoring process, advising students, assisting with the research project process, and providing addtional support and resources as the students progress toward their degrees.
Jennifer Harvey, Associate Director harveyjj@unk.edu
Hometown: Minden
Years of service at UNK/ TSLC office: Started in 2008
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Education from UNK and Master of
Arts in Education from UNK
Interests/
hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, reading, studying family
genealogy, traveling, and attending NKOTB concerts
The Thompson Scholare Learning Community Academic Advisors serves the scholars by supervising the mentoring process, advising students, assisting with TSLC programming, and providing additional support and resources as the students progress toward their degrees.
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Scott Seeba, Academic Advisor seebash@unk.edu
Hometown: Bellevue
Years of service at UNK/ TSLC office: UNK:
4 TSLC: 2.5
Degree: Bachelor’s in Political Science and Criminal
Justice Master’s in Counseling – Emphasis Student
Affairs
Interests/ hobbies: I enjoy working on different projects
(house, motorcycle, car, etc) or relaxing in front of the TV with my wife and
cat.
Makayla Stewart, Academic Advisor stewartmr@unk.edu
Hometown: Buffalo, WY
Years of service at UNK/TSLC office: Started August 2012.
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Wyoming and Master of Science in Counseling with a Student Affairs emphasis from the University of Wyoming.
Interests/hobbies: Spending time with my family and friends, reading, watching television and movies, playing with my cat, and exploring the state of Nebraska.
The Thompson Scholars Learning Community Office Associate serves the scholars by assisting with Thompson Scholars programming, aiding the mentoring process, organizing the research project paperwork and providing additional support and resources as the students progress toward their degrees.
Tiffany Tarvestad, Office Associate tarvestadtp@unk.edu
Hometown: Springfield, Missouri
Years of service at UNK/ TSLC office: UNK: 6 TSLC: 3
Degree: Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Restaurant Administration
Interests/ hobbies: I enjoy spending time with family and traveling.
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