2008-2009 Coaching Staff

Dr. Leah White, Director of Forensics

Leah White received her BA degree in Communication from Concordia College, her MA in Speech from Kansas State University, and her Ph.D. in Communication from Arizona State University. As an undergraduate competitor she was an AFA national finalist in Communication Analysis and quarter-finalist in Impromptu Speaking. As a coach she has been honored to work with several national champions. Leah's academic interests include performance studies, feminist theory and autobiography.

Jim Dimock, Assistant Director of Forensics

Jim Dimock received his BA degree in Speech Communication and History from Black Hills State University in South Dakota, his MA in Communication Studies from the University of South Dakota and his MFA in Forensics from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Jim began his forensic career competing for Rapid City Stevens High School and continued while an undergraduate at Black Hills State. He actively competed in extemporaneous speaking, impromptu, persuasion and debate. He was not so successful at duo and prose. His academic interests include ethics and rhetoric.

Sarah Jones, Graduate Assistant Coach

Sarah Jones competed in Speech and Debate for three years in High School and Individual Events for four years at Hastings College in Hastings, NE. Sarah competed in 9 of 11 individual events, qualifying 8 of them for the AFA National Individual Events Tournament. Sarah's favorite event is Dramatic Interpretation for which she earned a quarterfinal at AFA. She was also recognized in 2007as a member of the AFA-NIET All-American Team. Her other academic interests include: cultural and women's studies.

Chad Kuyper, Graduate Assistant Coach

Chad Kuyper received his BST in French Education and his MA in English Studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He was a competitor on the Maverick Forensics Team, where he was an AFA national semifinalist in Dramatic Interpretation, and a quarterfinalist in both After-Dinner Speaking and Prose Interpretation. He has also served as an assistant coach for the Owatonna High School Speech Team, where he competed as a high school student in Humorous Interpretation. Chad loves coaching all events, and encourages students to branch out into events with which they have little experience.

Michael Chouinard, Graduate Assistant Coach

Michael Chouinard received his BA degree in Communication from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. His competitive speech career began as a seventh grader in Aitkin, MN, and culminated in a successful run with the Concordia team. He advanced to multiple elimination rounds at the AFA-NIET. An interper at heart, he is thankful to still have a place in the forensics community and is excited to make the shift from competitor to coach.

Megan Orcholski, Graduate Assistant Coach

Megan Orcholski received her BA degree in Speech Communication and Theatre Arts from North Central College in Naperville, IL. Her competitive success, community service commitments and strong academic standing resulted in her membership on the 2005 AFA-NIET All-American Team. She was a national quarterfinalist in poetry interpretation at the NFA National Tournament that same year.