About University of Minnesota

Dr. Alan Benson serves as Associate Professor in the Work and Organizations Group at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. from MIT Sloan School of Management and a B.S. from Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Through his Coursera courses "Managing Employee Compensation" and "Human Resources Management Capstone: HR for People Managers," he helps students understand modern compensation strategies and HR management principles. His research focuses on people analytics and personnel economics, analyzing HR data to improve organizational decisions about hiring, promotions, and compensation. His work has been published in prestigious journals including the Quarterly Journal of Economics and Academy of Management Journal, and featured in major media outlets like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. As Academic Director of Minnesota's Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations program, he combines academic excellence with practical business applications. His expertise spans compensation strategy, negotiations, and HR analytics, making complex organizational concepts accessible to students while maintaining rigorous academic standards.

Dr. Alex Haley serves as Assistant Professor and Mindfulness Program Lead at the University of Minnesota's Center for Spirituality & Healing. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Cognitive Science, JD, MBA, and MS from the University of Minnesota, and a BA from Carleton College. His expertise spans mindfulness practices, embodiment, behavior change, and virtual reality learning environments. Through his Coursera course "Mindfulness in Integrative Healthcare," he helps healthcare professionals understand and implement mindfulness-based interventions. His training includes completion of a four-year program through the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock Meditation Center under mentors Joseph Goldstein and Guy Armstrong. With over 15 years of meditation practice and extensive training from institutions including the Center for Mindfulness and the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute, he combines academic research with practical application. As a founding member of the Mindfulness for Students network and retreat leader, he continues to advance mindfulness education while maintaining active research in clinical applications and virtual reality learning environments

Dr. Alok Gupta serves as Associate Dean of Faculty and Research and holds the Curtis L. Carlson Schoolwide Chair in Information Management at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Management Science and Information Systems from the University of Texas-Austin, an MS in Mine Electrical Systems from Pennsylvania State University, and a BS in Mining Engineering from Banaras Hindu University. Through his Coursera course "Simulation Models for Decision Making," he helps students understand complex decision-making processes using simulation techniques. His research focuses on economic engineering of systems, particularly examining participant incentives in various transactional contexts from internet platforms to human-AI collaboration. His work has earned numerous accolades, including three INFORMS Design Science Awards, the AIS Impact Award, and the prestigious LEO Award for lifetime achievement. As Editor-in-Chief of Information Systems Research (2017-2022) and Publisher of MIS Quarterly since 2004, he has significantly influenced the field of information systems. He teaches courses in human-AI collaboration, computer networking, electronic commerce, and IT infrastructure at undergraduate, MBA, and Ph.D. levels.

Dr. Amy Taylor serves as Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota, combining expertise in emergency medicine with integrative health approaches. Her academic credentials include a Medical Degree, a Master's in Public Health from the University of Iowa focusing on nutrition and exercise, and completion of Dr. Andrew Weil's Integrative Medicine Fellowship at the University of Arizona. Through her Coursera courses in integrative medicine, she helps healthcare professionals understand holistic approaches to patient care. Her expertise spans emergency medicine, lifestyle medicine, clinical hypnosis, and workplace wellness, with particular emphasis on nutrition, exercise, botanical medicines, and mind-body therapies. As a member of the Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis, she applies clinical hypnosis techniques for relaxation, pain control, and behavior modification. Her commitment to workplace wellness is evidenced by her Global Healthy Workplace Certificate from the University of Arizona, focusing on WHO-based workplace wellness interventions. She contributes to medical education as a co-facilitator for The Healer's Art while maintaining active practice in emergency and integrative medicine

Dr. Amy Simon serves as Senior Lecturer at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. Her academic credentials include degrees in legal studies, human resource development, and organizational communication. Through her Coursera courses "Recruiting, Hiring, and Onboarding Employees" and "Human Resources Management Capstone," she helps students understand practical HR management principles. Her professional experience spans 13 years as an HR generalist across various industries including publishing, manufacturing, construction, and consulting, working in both union and non-union environments. As founding board member and former president of the Southern Minnesota Area Human Resource Association (SMAHRA), she has demonstrated leadership in the HR community. Since joining the University of Minnesota full-time in 2012, she has taught various management courses, bringing practical industry experience to the classroom. Her expertise particularly focuses on employee recruitment, selection, and onboarding processes, combining theoretical knowledge with real-world applications in human resource management.

Dr. Ann S. Masten serves as Regents Professor and Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Development at the University of Minnesota's Institute of Child Development. Her academic credentials include a B.A. in Psychology and English from Smith College (1973) and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Minnesota (1982). Through her Coursera course "Resilience in Children Exposed to Trauma, Disaster and War: Global Perspectives," she helps professionals understand childhood resilience in challenging circumstances. Her research focuses on competence, risk, and resilience in human development, particularly studying children facing adversities including homelessness, war, migration, disaster, and poverty. As Past-President of the Society for Research in Child Development and recipient of the 2014 Bronfenbrenner Award for Lifetime Contributions to Developmental Psychology, she has significantly influenced the field of child development. Her highly-cited work, including her book "Ordinary Magic: Resilience in Development" (2014), demonstrates her lasting impact on understanding childhood resilience. Her research combines behavioral-psychosocial and neurobiological approaches to studying resilience, emphasizing that competence and resilience are present in all children given proper support and opportunities.

Dr. Bonnie L. Westra serves as Associate Professor Emerita at the University of Minnesota's School of Nursing and former Director of the Center for Nursing Informatics. Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Gerontology and Chronic Illness from the University of Wisconsin (1991), an MS in Community Health Nursing from the University of Colorado (1979), and a BS in Nursing from the College of St. Teresa (1975). Through her Coursera course "Nursing Informatics Leaders," she helps healthcare professionals understand the intersection of nursing and information technology. Her expertise spans nursing informatics, terminology development, predictive analytics, and electronic health record systems. As a former software company owner developing integrated healthcare records, she brings practical experience to academic research. Her work leading the Nursing Knowledge: Big Data Science initiative has advanced the field of nursing informatics through developing shareable nurse-sensitive data. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including fellowships in both the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) and the American College of Medical Informatics (FACMI), and the 2014 AMIA Leadership Award

Dr. Brad Hokanson serves as Professor of Graphic Design, Design Graduate Program Director, and Mertie Buckman Professor of Design at the University of Minnesota's College of Design. His diverse academic background includes degrees in art from Carleton College, architecture from Minnesota, urban design from Harvard, and a Ph.D. in Instructional Technology from the University of Minnesota. Through his Coursera course "Creative Problem Solving," he has taught creative thinking skills since 2000, demonstrating remarkable results with students showing 50-70% increases in measured creativity

Dr. Daniel Boley serves as Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota, where he specializes in matrix computation methods, data mining, and machine learning algorithms. Through his Coursera course "Matrix Methods," which has enrolled over 12,900 students, he helps learners understand fundamental matrix operations, linear equations, orthogonality, and singular value decomposition. His research contributions include pioneering work in principal direction divisive partitioning, document categorization, and clustering algorithms. His expertise spans mathematical computing, control systems, and data analysis, with significant publications in prestigious journals including IEEE Transactions and SIAM Journal on Optimization. His course combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, particularly focusing on matrix methods' applications in machine learning and data analysis. The course includes optional Python examples to help students experiment with algorithms while maintaining mathematical rigor

Dr. Daniel J. Pesut serves as Emeritus Professor and Past Director of the Katharine J. Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Michigan, an MS in psychiatric mental health nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center, and a BS in nursing from Northern Illinois University. His pioneering work includes the development of the Outcome-Present State-Test (OPT) model of reflective clinical reasoning, which has transformed nursing education. Through his Coursera courses in Social Determinants of Health and Nursing Informatics Leadership, he helps healthcare professionals understand complex healthcare systems and leadership principles. As the Emeritus Katherine R. and C. Walton Lillehei Nursing Leadership Chair, he has influenced nursing education through creative teaching strategies and innovative solutions. His contributions have earned numerous accolades, including the Army Commendation Award, the Edith Moore Copeland Founder's Award for Creativity, and the Luther Christman Award. The Daniel J. Pesut Spirit of Renewal Award, established in 2005, honors his lasting impact on the nursing profession

Dr. De Liu serves as Xian Dong Eric Jing Professor of Information and Decision Sciences at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Management Science and Information Systems from the University of Texas at Austin, and both Master's and Bachelor's degrees from Tsinghua University. Through his Coursera courses in business analytics and digital economics, he helps students understand complex market mechanisms and data analysis. His research focuses on digital economics, particularly examining mechanism design in auctions, gamification, crowdsourcing, crowdfunding, and social commerce. As Academic Director of the Master of Science in Business Analytics program, he shapes the next generation of business analytics professionals. His work has appeared in leading journals including MIS Quarterly, Management Science, and Information Systems Research. His expertise spans artificial intelligence applications, digital engagement strategies, and platform economics, combining theoretical frameworks with practical business applications

Dr. Deborah Ringdahl serves as Clinical Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Integrative Health and Healing DNP Program at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. Her academic credentials include a DNP from the University of Minnesota, focusing on integrative healthcare models. She began teaching Reiki at the Center for Spirituality and Healing in 2003, pioneering integrative health scholarship in nursing education. Through her Coursera course "Introduction to Integrative Nursing," she helps healthcare professionals understand holistic approaches to patient care. Her expertise combines nurse midwifery with Reiki practice, focusing on integrative nursing leadership and symptom management through alternative therapies. Her DNP project investigated hospital-based Reiki programs for chemotherapy patients, and she received a 2013-2014 University of Minnesota School of Nursing Foundation grant to study Reiki implementation in pediatric blood and marrow transplant units. As a consultant for long-term care facilities, she continues to advance integrative therapies for symptom management and quality of life improvement while maintaining active teaching roles in both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.

Debra Lawton serves as Faculty Member at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, bringing 20 years of design teaching experience to the classroom. Through her Coursera course "Introduction to UX Design MasterTrack Certificate Program," she helps students understand user experience design principles and practical applications. As a member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts, she maintains strong connections between education and the design industry while working with non-profit organizations to improve their design experiences. Her teaching methodology emphasizes discovery and analysis, combining experimental and practical projects to help students develop their unique style while adhering to formal theory. She encourages students to approach design through research, ideation, and refinement, focusing on both user needs and client objectives. Her commitment to "design for good" demonstrates her dedication to using design as a tool for positive social impact.

Dr. Christopher J. Cramer served as Vice President for Research at the University of Minnesota before becoming Senior Vice President and Chief Research Officer at Underwriters Laboratories in 2021. His academic credentials include an A.B. summa cum laude in Chemistry and Mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis (1983) and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1988). Through his Coursera course "Statistical Molecular Thermodynamics," he helped pioneer the university's e-learning initiatives.

Dr. Brent Hecht serves as Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota, focusing on the intersection of human-computer interaction, geography, and big data. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Northwestern University, an MS in Geography from UC Santa Barbara, and dual Bachelor's degrees in Computer Science and Geography from Macalester College. Through his Coursera courses "Evaluating User Interfaces," "Introduction to UI Design," and "User Research and Design," he helps students understand the principles of user interface design and evaluation. His research examines the relationship between big data and cultural factors, particularly focusing on volunteered geographic information and location-aware technologies. His collaborations with major tech companies including Google Research, Xerox PARC, and Microsoft Research demonstrate his influence in the field. His work has earned recognition at premier conferences in human-computer interaction and geography, including ACM CHI and COSIT, while receiving coverage in major media outlets including MIT Technology Review and New Scientist.

Dr. Rahul Koranne serves as Faculty at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management, specializing in healthcare delivery systems and provider operations. Through his Coursera course "Healthcare Delivery Providers," he helps students understand the complex U.S. healthcare delivery continuum, from hospitals and clinics to community-based providers. His course explores the unique value propositions of various healthcare providers, examining delivery sites, care providers, and payment systems while addressing industry challenges and innovations. The comprehensive five-week course covers topics including U.S. healthcare delivery introduction, acute care hospitals, post-acute care services, physician practices, and future healthcare delivery trends. His expertise spans healthcare value measurement, system organization, and population health management, combining academic insight with practical healthcare delivery experience to prepare current and future leaders for this rapidly evolving industry

Dr. James Fricton serves as Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, and Public Health, and Senior Researcher at HealthPartners Institute. His academic credentials include a DDS and MS, with specialized training in Medical Anesthesiology and Pain Management from UCLA School of Medicine. Through his highly successful Coursera course "Preventing Chronic Pain: A Human Systems Approach," which has attracted over 50,000 participants from 176 countries, he helps students understand comprehensive approaches to pain management and prevention. His expertise spans 40 years of patient care, university teaching, and NIH-sponsored research on chronic pain management and prevention. As former President of the International Myopain Society and the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, he has significantly influenced pain management practices. His contributions include over 150 publications and five books on topics ranging from TMJ and craniofacial pain to myofascial pain and fibromyalgia. At the Minnesota Head and Neck Pain Clinic, he continues to implement innovative patient-centered approaches to pain management while advancing research in health information technology applications for patient care.

Dr. Eric Barrette serves as Director of Global Health Policy, Reimbursement and Health Economics at Medtronic, following his role as Director of Research at the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI). His academic credentials include a Ph.D. and MS in Health Services Research, Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota and an MA in Economics from the University of Arizona. Through his Coursera course "Medical Technology and Evaluation," he helps students understand healthcare analytics and medical technology assessment methods. His research focuses on health information technology diffusion, geographic variation in medical resource utilization, and healthcare pricing. His experience includes economic consulting on hospital competition, insurer mergers, and pharmaceutical pricing. As a faculty member at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management, he combines academic expertise with practical industry experience in healthcare economics and policy analysis

Dr. Frances Trice serves as Senior Lecturer and Associate Department Head in the Department of Design Innovation at the University of Minnesota. Through her Coursera course "Introduction to UX Design MasterTrack Certificate Program," she helps students understand user experience design principles and methodologies. Her teaching emphasizes practical applications of design thinking, user research, and visual literacy. Based in McNeal Hall at the St. Paul campus, she combines academic leadership with hands-on design education. As Associate Department Head, she shapes curriculum development while maintaining active teaching roles. Her expertise spans user experience design, design research, and design innovation, focusing on developing students' practical skills in conducting and evaluating user experience design and research. Her teaching methodology emphasizes both the artistic and scientific aspects of UX design, preparing students for real-world applications in this highly in-demand field.

Dr. Gautam Ray serves as Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. from Ohio State University (2000), specializing in Information Systems. Through his Coursera course "IS/IT Governance," he helps students understand how information technology creates business value and impacts organizational structure. His research focuses on the strategic impact of IT on firm scope, structure, and performance. His work has been published in leading journals including Communications of the ACM, Information Systems Research, Management Science, Marketing Science, MIS Quarterly, Journal of Management Information Systems, and Strategic Management Journal. His expertise spans IT strategy, business process optimization, and competitive advantage through technology implementation. His teaching combines theoretical frameworks with practical applications, helping students understand how IT investments create business value and transform organizational structures.