ASCENSION CATHOLIC SCHOOL - Key Persons


Alicia LaCroix


Angelica Sanchez


Asha Karim


Ben Justin

Job Titles:
  • Data and Assessment Coordinator

Benito Matias

Job Titles:
  • Principal
Benito Matias has worked in the field of education for nearly 25 years, the last eight of which have been as a school administrator. Benito's educational work has included being a Dunwoody College of Technology Instructor, a Minneapolis Public School District teacher, the Manager of the Youth Career Awareness Program (YCAP), and the Executive Director of MetroTech Career Academy. Benito was born and raised in Minneapolis; he's a graduate of Patrick Henry high school, Dunwoody College of Technology, and Bemidji State University, where he earned a BA in Industrial Technology. Benito came to Ascension Catholic School in 2013 to serve as the Dean of Students, and was named Principal of Ascension Catholic School in January of 2016.

Billy Lay


Brittany Finley

Job Titles:
  • City Connects Coordinator

Cathy Minear

Job Titles:
  • Title 1st - 4th Grade / 612 - 521 - 3609, Ext. 144

Christine Linde

Job Titles:
  • School Counselor

Crosley Schultz


David Hoffmann

Bemidji State University - Bachelor of Science in Elementary K-6 Education. I love helping scholars explore and develop their creative skills.

Dennis Schildgen


Etosha Kemp

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Principal of Culture

Faith Cephus


Fr. Dale Korogi

Job Titles:
  • Pastor
Dale Korogi was born and raised in North Minneapolis, the youngest of four sons of Joseph and Mary Korogi. He grew up in St. Philip's parish, where he attended grade school. He graduated from Minneapolis Central High School and the University of Saint Thomas, where he earned a BA in Theology. His seminary studies took him to the North American College in Rome. There he received an STB (Baccalaureate in Theology) from the Gregorian University and an STL (Licentiate in Sacramental Theology) from the Athenaeum of Saint Anselm. In 1983, he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. His work there has included posts as Vocation Director, Rector of Saint John Vianney Seminary, Parochial Vicar of the Basilica of Saint Mary, and Chaplain at North Memorial Medical Center. He served as Pastor of the Church of Christ the King in Southwest Minneapolis for 12 years, and became the eighth Pastor of the Church of the Ascension in North Minneapolis in 2015.

Grace Pfeifer


Haley Velez

Graduated from Marquette University B.A. in Public Relations with a double minor in Digital Media and Political Science. I am currently pursuing my Masters in Teaching (K-6) from St. Mary's Twin Cities.

Hannah Baker


Holly Stene


Jackie Carter

Job Titles:
  • Coach

Jean Hodge


Jill Miller


Joy Moeller

Job Titles:
  • Music
BA, Education and Language Arts, Ottawa University, Ottawa KS Graduate Studies, Child Development, Language Arts, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Suzuki Talent Education Violin Pedagogy Training, registered with Suzuki Association of the Americas I love being part of a community that embraces diversity - not just of ethnicity, but of culture, gender, age, life experience, education, spiritual gifts - all within the strong arms of the Christian faith.

Kameron Briscoe

Job Titles:
  • Educational Assistant and Athletic Director

Kang Guot


Lakeshiah Howard


Liz Sherod


Matt Oberdalhoff


Mecca Moore


Meg Hoye


Michael Depass

Job Titles:
  • School Secretary / Latino Family Liaison

Natalie Major

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction

Nichole Haselhuhn

Master of Science in Teaching from the College of St. Scholastica, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Rasmussen University. I am excited to help students discover their passion for learning through grit & determination. I am especially passionate about reading and science education.

Noah Emmes

Job Titles:
  • Physical Education

Patrice DeRosier - CIO

Job Titles:
  • IT Director

Patricia Stromen

Job Titles:
  • Ascension Catholic Academy President / Parish Administrator
  • President of Ascension Catholic Academy and Parish Administrator at Church
Patricia serves as the President of Ascension Catholic Academy and Parish Administrator at Church of the Ascension. She led the team that developed and launched Ascension Catholic Academy in 2016 and serves as its president. She has served as the Parish Administrator at Church of the Ascension since 2001. In that role she has overseen the business administration and pastoral ministry of the parish. She has been in parish work in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis for 36 years and has worked in all areas of parish life, including school and parish administration, staff development, parish development, faith formation, outreach, pastoral care and liturgy. Patricia's career has included ministry at St. Michael's in Prior Lake and at St. Thomas the Apostle in Minneapolis. Before coming to Church of the Ascension, Patricia worked at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Pastoral Care and Staff Development. During her time at Ascension, she has worked to ensure the excellence and sustainability of Ascension Catholic School, strengthen neighborhood outreach of the parish, build the vision of an inter-cultural parish, and update the infrastructure in terms of all areas of business administration. She serves on the Catholic Cemeteries Board.

Peggy White


Qamari Kamose


Rachael Fleming


Richard Eddy

Education: Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education from Marquette University Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Thomas. I appreciate the opportunity I have to interact and get to know eighty scholars and their families every year.

Rylee Kulka


Sofia Tukhvatulina


Stephanie Isola

Job Titles:
  • Music
Education: Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Minnesota I love working with the talented and creative students at Ascension School.

Tamara Stoll


Theresa Culpert

Education: Michigan State University, bachelor's degree in International Relations with a specialization certificate in African Studies. 1 year overseas studies at the University of Zimbabwe. Currently in the Advanced Pastoral Spanish program at the University of St. Thomas. I am grateful for the opportunity to pray with my students! I value the diversity we have at Ascension, which allows us to learn from one another and prepares our scholars to compete in our global economy.

Thomas Johnson

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Principal of Culture

Tracy Carpenter

Job Titles:
  • Administrative Assistant