Dr. Courtney Bruntz is
Southeast Community College’s new Associate Dean of Arts & Sciences. She
brings with her a wealth of higher education experience and a rich background
in East Asian culture.
“I’m very excited to be at SCC and to
be part of a dynamic community college,” Bruntz said. “What I love about
teaching is meeting each student where they are, and SCC is a remarkable
institution that supports learners at all stages.”
Bruntz received her bachelor’s degree
in Religious Studies and Speech Communications from Augustana College in Rock
Island, Illinois. During this time she studied abroad in Japan, China, Hong
Kong, and Taiwan.
“It was this experience that sparked
a love and passion for studying Chinese religions, language and cultures,” she
said.
After graduation, she moved
to Wuhan, China, to teach English at Central China Normal University. She then
moved to California where she attended the Graduate Theological Union in
Berkeley. She earned a master’s degree in Cultural and Historical Studies of
Religion, and a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies.
Prior to SCC, she was at
Doane University and established the Asian Studies program, led study abroad
trips to China, and helped direct the Honors Program. She also taught at the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University and Oregon State
University.
“I was
attracted to SCC because of its commitment to students, plus the passion
everyone at the College has for creating academic environments in which
students thrive,” she said. “I am excited to bring my enthusiasm and experience
to such an excellent college.”
Since
Bruntz had lived in Wuhan, where the COVID-19 strain was first detected, she
knew a lockdown in our country was imminent by hearing about her friends in
that region who begun the process in February.
“My friends in China and Taiwan have, however, returned to ‘normal’
life, and did so by July,” she said. “That also changes my perspective on
things, knowing that so many locations have been able to return back to life
pre-COVID.”
In her spare time, Bruntz is an avid runner and likes to
experiment with vegan cooking. Her husband Michael is a sportswriter covering
Nebraska football, and they have a 2-year old daughter, Daphne. Her office will
be located at the Lincoln Campus at 8800 O St.