Roger & Alice Mangan Excellence in Teaching Award
About the Roger & Alice Mangan Excellence in Teaching Award
Annually UIU acknowledges the outstanding efforts of faculty members who go above and beyond in teaching. Named after Roger and Alice Mangan, The Roger & Alice Mangan Excellence in Teaching Award is presented to as many as three faculty members (one adjunct faculty; one tenure-track faculty, instructor, or lecturer, and one tenured faculty).
UIU Alumni, Roger and Alice Mangan established the fund to recognize the outstanding teaching of UIU faculty members. A native of Chicago, IL, Roger Mangan graduated from UIU in 1962, with a Bachelor’s Degree in History. He was a wrestler and a 2014 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, and currently serves on the UIU Board of Trustees. Alice (DeLong) originally from Maynard, IA, graduated from UIU in 1961, with a Physical Education degree in education; she helped organize UIU’s first drill team.
2025-2026 Roger & Alice Mangan Excellence in Teaching Award Honorees
Tenured Faculty - Rachel Majewski, Ed.D., Professor of Exercise Science
Since joining the faculty at Upper Iowa University in 2012, Dr. Rachel Majewski has been dedicated to helping students find their passion within the fields of health, fitness, and human performance. Known for her high standards and supportive teaching style, she challenges students to think critically, apply their knowledge, and grow both personally and professionally. By incorporating innovative teaching strategies, hands-on learning experiences, and real-world application into her courses, she helps students connect classroom concepts to professional practice.
Rachel is a licensed and certified athletic trainer who earned her doctorate in Allied Health, Recreation, and Community Service from the University of Northern Iowa.
Tenure-Track/Lecturer - Staci Kinzebach, Ed.D., Assistant Professor of Education
Dr. Staci Kinzebach holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Northern Iowa and has served at Upper Iowa University since 2024. She also holds a Master of Arts degree and is endorsed in English/Language Arts, Reading, ESL, and as a K–12 reading specialist. Dr. Kinzebach has also completed specialized training in Reading Recovery, CIM/CLM, and LETRS.
Prior to joining Upper Iowa University, Dr. Kinzebach dedicated 19 years to public education, where she served as a classroom teacher, literacy interventionist (Title One and Reading Recovery), and literacy coach.
Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to evidence-based literacy instruction and the development of effective teaching practices. Her professional experiences reflect a deep understanding of student learning, differentiated instruction, and the implementation of structured literacy approaches to support diverse learners. Kinzebach’s areas of expertise include structured literacy, the Science of Reading, and literacy instruction and interventions for all learners. She demonstrates a strong commitment to education through her teaching, the delivery of professional learning to area school districts, and her ongoing pursuit of knowledge to effectively equip both current and future educators with the skills needed to support all learners.
Adjunct/Online/Center Faculty - Lena Mae Johnson, Ph.D., Adjunct Instructor
Dr. Lena Mae Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, a Master’s Degree in Sociology, a Master’s Degree in History, and an Executive Ph.D. in Public Policy from Southern University A & M College. Since 2014, she has served as an adjunct instructor at Upper Iowa University–Baton Rouge Campus, where she teaches Social Science courses.
Prior to her employment at Upper Iowa University, Dr. Johnson serves as the Coordinator of Admission and Title IX Confidential Advisor at the Southern University Law Center. She has 21 years of experience characterized by professionalism, efficiency, and a strong commitment to student development. Her expertise in student recruitment aligns with her mission to educate, prepare lawyers and students to be equipped with the skills necessary to practice law, and skills needed for leadership roles in society.
A native of Bayou Goula, Louisiana, and a resident of Baton Rouge, Dr. Lena Mae Johnson adds to her academic and professional service as the owner of O’Shay Educational Counseling Services, LLC, and the co-owner of The Awe Experience (TAE).
Her long-term goal is to become a policy change advocate, lobbying for increased educational research and funding to support patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Louisiana. She has authored three journal articles:
- “Trends in Hospitalization, Treatment Costs, and Length of Stay for Sickle Cell Disease Patients in the United States: A Comprehensive Analysis,” published in the Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing (August 2024).
- “The Influence of Demographic and Insurance Factors on Hospitalization Rates, Treatment Costs, and Length of Stay for Sickle Cell Disease Patients Among African Americans,” published in the Journal of Public Policy and Administration Research (October 2024).
- “Public Policy and Healthcare Awareness: Addressing the Challenges of Sickle Cell Anemia,” published in the Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing (October 2025).
