Faculty and Staff

Here at Lake State, all classes at LSSU are taught by faculty, not teaching assistants. You will develop relationships with faculty and staff who will help you connect ideas, think creatively and develop a wellspring of knowledge from which you will draw your entire life.

Faculty Highlights

Dr. Gary Balfantz and his performance studies students, E.C. Solomon, Melissa Styes, and Stephanie Heath at the St. Cloud State University Perofrmance Festival in St. Cloud, MN.

Communication Professor Gary Balfantz is the creator of LSSU’s Superior Festival, a three-day performance event and colloquium which, each fall, is host to students, faculty, performers and lecturers from throughout the country. Balfantz, advisor for the Lake State Theatre Company, has taken his students to perform in the Petit Jean Performance Festival.

Professor Aaron Westrick, Professor Aaron Westrick, in addition to his duties with the Criminal Justice and Fire Science Dept. he has served as a Director of Research and Vice President of notable armor companies. Dr. Westrick is presently engaged in government research in the ballistic armor and criminal justice academic fields. He has served as a fully certified Michigan Police Officer since 1981.

Learn more about our faculty by watching this clip from our DVD

Nursing Professor MaryAnne Shannon is licensed as a registered nurse in Michigan and Ontario, as well as being a credentialed sexual assault nurse examiner and certified Red Cross nurse.

Marketing Professor Brian Zinser brings his background in the banking and financial services industry into the classroom. Zinser held positions with D&N Bank, First Michigan Bank Corp., Kemper Financial Services and Continental Illinois National Bank before coming to LSSU.

Political Science Professor Gary R. Johnson, former editor of the journal Politics and the Life Sciences, studies and writes about the origins of politics and government.

Chemistry Professor Barbara Keller welcomes students into the lab to help with a 10-year study of heavy metal sediments in the St. Mary's River.

Biology Professor Barbara Evans studies retina on flounder, research that contributes to scientists' understanding of how eyes develop.

LSSU Staff

Parents and Students will find that our staff will go the extra mile for our students. Since we are a small university, our staff get to know students on a first name basis and will work closely with them to ensure success here at Lake State.