Faculty


Bio
MaEd, Masters of Education, Hamline University, 2010
BA, Biology, Metropolitan State University, 2006
BS, Mortuary Science, University of Minnesota, 1998
Research Summary
Awards & Recognition
- Certified Crematory Operator CANA 2023
- Service Excellence Market Leadership Award, Service Corporation International 2017
- Fountain National Academy Distinguished Professional Service Medallion Honoree 2016
- NFDA Panel Embalming Expert for a cutting edge embalming study 2015
- Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (Certified Funeral Service Professional, CFSP certification) 2015
- Fountain National Academy of Professional Embalming Skills Certification 2013
- Service Excellence Living the Brand Award, Service Corporation International 2012
- Preceptor of the Year Award, University of Minnesota Mortuary Science 2003
Teaching Summary
Courses
- MORT 3161 Embalming Laboratory
Service Summary
Professional Associations
- Minnesota Funeral Directors Association
- National Funeral Directors Association
- Academy of Professional Funeral Service
- Funeral Ethics Organization
- DMERT Disaster Mortuary Emergency Response Team
- University of Minnesota Program of Mortuary Science Advisory Board Member
Clinical Summary
Board Certifications
- Mortician, State of Minnesota #3507 (1998-present)
- Mortician, State of Wisconsin #5357 (1999-present)
- Certified Cremation Operator (CCO), NFDA 2017


Clinical Summary
Certified Preplanning Consultant; National Funeral Directors Association, 11/2013 Respecting Choices Advance Care Planning Facilitator, 1/2013 Crematory Operator; Cremation Association of North America, 10/2011 Certified Eye Enucleation Technician; MN Lions Eye Bank, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2/1999
Media Appearances
Contact
Address
A275-7 Mayo420 Delaware St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455


Contact
Address
A275 Mayo420 Delaware St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455


Bio
Janet McGee is an instructor at the Mortuary Science program at the University of Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Minnesota's School of Mortuary Science in 2002 and worked as a licensed mortician for six years. In 2008, she began working at one of the largest banks in the U.S. and while there, attained her MBA.
Teaching Summary
Courses: MORT 3009, 3016
Service Summary
When her 22-month-old son, Ted, died tragically in 2016 from a furniture tip-over incident, she left her corporate career behind to advocate for furniture tip-over prevention. She played an integral role in forming Parents Against Tip-overs in 2018, a 501(c)3 that advocates to end deadly TV and furniture tip-overs on children, and currently serves as their Director. Janet has served on the advisory council for Safe Kids Minnesota for several years and is the author of the children's book, "Visiting Ted in Heaven." She was instrumental in helping pass national legislation in 2022 that improved and made mandatory the safety standard for clothing storage units (CSUs) in the U.S.
Janet is an active member of the ASTM International sub-committee F15.42, an organization that sets the safety standard for CSUs. She is a Minnesota licensed mortician and a member of the National Funeral Directors Association.


Bio
JD, University of Minnesota Law School, 1984
BA, Political Science, St. Olaf College (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa), 1981
Professional Associations
- District Court Judge, Tenth Judicial District, Washington County, MN (2006-present)
- Chief Judge, Tenth Judicial District, MN (2016-2020)
- Speaker at numerous legal & mortuary science education seminars (1997-present)
- State Representative, Minnesota House of Representatives (2003-2006)
- Partner, Meslow & Olson Law Offices, White Bear Lake, MN (1995-2006)
- Prosecutor, City of White Bear Lake (1991-2006)
- Board Member, White Bear Lake Area School Board (1997-2002)
Teaching Summary
Courses
MORT 3025: Business dLaw
MORT 3031: Funeral Service Law


Bio
Education Background:
- Bachelor of Science, Biology 1998 | Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
- Master of Biological Science 2010 | University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Research Summary
Research Scientist:
- Biology Department, University of Minnesota, 2003 - 2009
Publications in Peer Reviewed Scientific Journals:
- Chen Y1, Ye L, Zhong J, Li X, Yan C, Chandler MP, Calvin S, Xiao F, Negia M, Low WC, Zhang J, Yu X. The Structural Basis of Functional Improvement in Response to Human Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation in Hearts with Postinfarct LV Remodeling. Cell Transplantation 24 (6):971 - 83 (2015)
- Kassie F, Matise I, Negia M, Upadhyaya P, Hecht SS. Dose - Dependent Inhibition of Tobacco Smoke Carcinogen – Induced Lung Tumorigenesis in A/ J Mice by Indole - 3 - Carbinol. Cancer Prevention Research 1(7): 568 -576 (2008)
- Johnson TE, Kassie F, O'Sullivan MG, Negia M, Hanson TE, Upadhyaya P, Ruvolo PP, Hecht SS, Xing C. Chemopreventive Effect of Kava on 4 - (Methylnitrosamino) - 1 - (3 - Pyridyl) - 1Butanone Plus Benzo[a]Pyrene -Induced Lung Tumorigenesis in A/ J Mice. Cancer Prevention Research 1 (6): 430 - 438 (2008)
- Kassie F, Matise I, Negia M, Lahti D, Pan Y, Scherber R, Upadhyaya P, Hecht SS. Combinations of N - Acetyl -S -(N- 2 - Phenethylthiocarba moyl) - L - Cysteine and Myo - Inositol Inhibit Tobacco Smoke Carcinogen Induced Lung Adenocarcinoma in A/ J Mice. Cancer Prevention Research 1(4): 285 -297 (2008)
- Kassie F Anderson LB, Higgins L, Pan Y, Matise I, Negia M, Upadhyaya P, Wang M, Hecht SS. Chemo preventive Agents Modulate the Protein Expression Profile of 4(Methylnitrosamino) - 1 -(3 -Pyridyl) -1 - Butanone Plus Benzo[a]Pyrene Induced Lung Tumors in A/ J Mice. Carcinogenesis 29: 610 -619 (2008)
- Naylor MC, Negia M, Noetzel M, Burns TC, Demorest ZL, Low WC. Heparan Sulfate Mediates Neuroprotection from Degeneration in Experimental Glutaric Aciduria. Cell Transplantation 16(3):187 - 95 (2007)
Teaching Summary
University of Minnesota Courses:
- MORT 2171: Introductory Anatomy
- MORT 3171: Human Anatomy Laboratory
Other Institutions:
- North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, 2019-Present
- Anoka Ramsey Community College, Coon Rapids, Minnesota, 2019- 2020
- Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 2021
- Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2010-2018
- Saint Paul College, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 2017 – 2022
- Regions Hospital, Ophthalmic Medical Technology, St Paul Minnesota 2016-2019
- Saint Catherine University, Minneapolis, Minnesota 2011-2014
Service Summary
Professional Affiliations:
- American Association of Anatomist (Member) | United States of America
- Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (Member) | United States of America
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (Member) | United States of America
- Biological Society of Ethiopia (Member) | Addis Ababa University , Ethiopia
Volunteer Experiences:
- Vice President, Event Organizer, Board Member | Ethiopia Community in Minnesota
- Emergency Room Technician, Regions Hospital | Regions Hospital, St Paul, Minnesota
Languages


Bio
Following an Associates of Art degree, Kelley obtained her Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science degree from the University of Minnesota in 2001. She worked in Minnesota’s capital city for a family-owned funeral home for nearly 11 years prior to joining the team of an organ procurement organization. She connected with this organization to bring a funeral director’s perspective and voice to donation in caring for families. She is a licensed funeral director in Minnesota and is committed to serving her funeral director colleagues through on-site embalming and restoration assistance, education, and being a bridge between funeral service and the donation community. In the spring of 2020, Kelley signed on to become a Teaching Specialist with the program of Mortuary Science. She currently instructs Restorative Art, Microbiology and Pathology in which she advocates innovative learning opportunities for the students she is privileged to educate. Kelley became a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner in 2021 through the Academy of Funeral Service Practice and continues to identify educational opportunities to enhance her knowledge so she in turn may share that with her students. In addition to her work in donation, and the University of Minnesota Program of Mortuary Science, Kelley is a professional speaker at local, national and international funeral service education events, conferences, and conventions.
She is an active member of the Arrowhead Funeral Directors Association, North Dakota Funeral Directors Association, South Dakota Funeral Directors Association, Minnesota Funeral Directors Association, and the National Funeral Directors Association. Kelley is also a member of the Donate Life America Funeral Services Subcommittee and is a Certified Tissue Banking Specialist.
Teaching Summary
- MORT 3048: Microbiology and Pathology for Funeral Service
- MORT 3051: Restorative Art Lecture
- MORT 3151: Restorative Art Laboratory
Service Summary
Certifications
- Certified Tissue Banking Specialist, 2016 - Present
- Certified Funeral Service Practitioner, 2021 - Present
Speaking Engagements
- Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) podcast guest https://goldenrulefuneralhomes.podbean.com/e/what-s-your-edge-kelley-romanowski/
- Presenter - Minnesota Funeral Directors Convention, 2018, 2019, 2023
- Presenter - North Dakota Funeral Directors Convention, 2019, 2021
- Presenter - National Funeral Directors Convention, 2021, 2022
- Presenter - Arrowhead Funeral Directors Association, 2018, 2023
- Presenter- Nevada Funeral Directors Symposium, 2023
- Presenter - Aurora Arkansas Funeral Directors Symposium, 2022, 2023
- Presenter - American Association of Tissue Banking, 2021
Professional Associations
- Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice
- National Funeral Director Association
- Minnesota Funeral Director Association
- North Dakota Funeral Directors Association
- South Dakota Funeral Directors Association
- Arrowhead Funeral Directors Association
- American Association of Tissue Banking
- Donate Life America, Funeral Services Subcommittee
- American SIDS Association, SUID Consortium


Bio
My academic interests are all things funeral service especially funeral arrangements and the various business aspects of funerals. I like to focus on the value of customer service given throughout the time spent with a family both in pre-need and at-need situations. I also like to focus on how employees and funeral homeowners can run an ethical business and be valuable stakeholders in the communities they serve. By educating the consumer of the various choices they have to celebrate the life of their loved one, the consumer can make an informed decision that best meets their needs and wishes.
Awards & Recognition
- President, Minneapolis University Rotary Club 2022-2023
- President-Elect, Minneapolis University Rotary Club 2021-2022
- President, Rotary Club of Winona, 2020-2021
- Secretary, Rotary Club of Winona 2016-2020
- Presenter at the 2015 Ignite8 Minneapolis
- Co-Host of The Funeral Show 2017-2019 on KWNO Winona Radio
- "Work University with Analisa Felix" Podcast episode 30, 2020
Professional Associations
- Member of Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice
- National Funeral Director Association
- Minnesota Funeral Director Association
- University of Minnesota, Program of Mortuary Science Advisory Board
Teaching Summary
- MORT 3018: Funeral Practice I
- MORT 3019: Funeral Practice II
- MORT 3021w: Funeral Service Psychology and Arrangements Theory
- MORT 3022w: Funeral Service Psychology and Arrangements Laboratory
- MORT 3061: Embalming Lecture
- MORT 3161: Embalming Laboratory
Clinical Summary
MIM, University of St. Thomas, 2005
BS, Univeristy of MInnesota, 1990
Board Certifications
- Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, 2016
- Certified Crematory Operator (CC0), National Funeral Director Association, 2016
- Mortician, State of Minnesota, License M -3421
- Mortician Licensure, State of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Service: License W– 5916
- Resident Insurance Producer, State of Minnesota, Department of C

Bio
BS, Mortuary Science, University of Minnesota
BA, Psychology, St. Catherine University
Teaching Summary
MORT 3371: Death and Dying Across Cultures and Religions
Clinical Summary
- Mortician Licensure, State of Minnesota; Minnesota Department of Health (06/2000); License Number M-1419
- Insurance Licensure, State of Minnesota; Minnesota Department of Commerce, Resident Insurance Producer (09/2000); License Number 20252401
- Member, Minnesota Funeral Director's Association
- Member, National Funeral Director's Association

Bio
Ph.D., Religious Studies, Marquette University
J.D., St. Mary’s University of San Antonio, Texas
BA, Political Science, University of St. Thomas
Teaching Summary
Academic Interests and Focus
- Doctorate Dissertation: Justice and Human Need: An Investigation of Scriptural and Roman Catholic Sources
Courses
- MORT 3371: Death and Dying Across Cultures and Religions
- Previous Teaching:
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership; Ethics, History of Higher Education, Theory of Justice
- Cardinal Stritch University, Regional Administrator for Business Administration
- William Mitchell College of Law, Biomedical Ethics
- St. Catherine University, Theology
Service Summary
Community Engagement
- Director Social Justice Department, Minnesota Catholic Conference
- Lobbyist for Housing, Health Care and Employment Issues
- Wrote position papers for Bishops of the State of Minnesota on a number of subjects including Evangelization, Brain Death, ERA, Gambling