Meet Your Success Express Instructors
Kristen Diehl, M.Ed., is Montcalm Community College’s Computer Information Systems Lab Coordinator and also teaches within our business and computer departments, starting with MCC in 2006. She serves as the Computer Science Department Chair and the Co-Chair of the Assessment committee. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Small Business Management from Ferris State University, a Master’s in Education from Aquinas College and has MBA coursework completed with Walsh Collage. Diehl married her husband, Vern, in 2011. Their blended family of five children (one boy and four girls) range in age from 13-26. They also had their first grandchild, a girl, born in 2020. In her free times she loves spending time with her family - traveling, playing games, attending sporting events. Travel is something Kristen loves to do. At 16 years old, she participated in an exchange program through Michigan’s 4-H program. Her family hosted a young lady from Jamaica, while Kristen got to go to Jamaica for a month. This was an eye-opening experience for her. “As a ‘born and raised’ resident of Montcalm County, this was the first time I was in a situation where the color of my skin made me the minority and it really opened my eyes to the world,” she said. “This experience helped shaped my thoughts, actions, and belief system.” Diehl said that if she could choose any career it would be a great travel, food, and/or hotel critic. She did seriously consider majoring in sports management because she thought that managing the careers of professional athletes would be very exciting. One thing on her bucket list is to visit all the MLB parks for a baseball game.
Britney Dillon, M.A., grew up on a farm in Montcalm County. She has her BA in English/History from Cornerstone University, her B.S. in English from Central Michigan University, and her M.A. from Central Michigan University. In addition to starting her 10th year as an instructor at MCC, she is the director of the Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library. She loves horses, reading, writing, and traveling. She lives in Greenville with her husband, kids, dogs, and many, many horses.
Michael Hatch, B.S., is a Math Center Coach and Professional Tutor at Montcalm Community College. He began his relationship with MCC in 2010 as a student and began working as a student tutor shortly thereafter.
After graduating from MCC in 2012, Michael transferred to Ferris State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics, a Minor in Computer Science, and a certificate in Data Mining. After completing his bachelor's degree, he worked in the Logistics Industry as a Software Service Engineer, where he focused on management and support of Customer Logistic Solutions.
When Michael is not helping students at MCC, he can often be found working on the family Dairy Farm. In his free time, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife and two Golden Retrievers (Jackson and Georgia). In addition to rest, relaxation, and family time, Michael also enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and tinkering with just about anything.
Greta Skogseth, M.A., has been a Language Arts Instructor at Montcalm Community College (MCC) for more than 20 years and feels that MCC is the perfect fit for her.Greta graduated from CMU with a Bachelor of Science in English and a master’s degree in English Language and Literature. She was a graduate assistant and adjunct faculty member at CMU, in addition to Delta Community College and Saginaw Valley State University. In 2001, Greta returned to Michigan after leaving a tenured position at Lincoln Trail College in Illinois.Greta has two daughters, Emma and Alison, who are her greatest accomplishments, she says. She also has two pugs, Tulip and Sherman, in addition to her grand dog, Margo. In Greta’s free time she loves crafting and trying recipes on Pinterest. One of Greta’s most memorable travel experiences was visiting the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. She has traveled to Germany seven times in her life. She said that even though she had to hobble up the steep mountain and limp up the stairs of the castle, it still causes her to have goose bumps decades later.
Tore Skogseth, M.A., is a Student Success Counselor at Montcalm Community College.
Hailing from the foothills of the Norwegian mountains, this thunderous bearded Norwegian left the fjords of Norway for the cornfields of Michigan (following a brief interlude between soybean fields and refineries in Southern Illinois). When he packed his suitcase for his big move, it was filled with CDs, with just a few clothes used as padding. In a life filled with detours, he finally found his destination here at MCC, where he started as a Student Services Assistant in 2001 and returned as a counselor in 2010. In between these stints at MCC, he also spent time at Alma College and GRCC, but it is here that he now feels at home.
In an educational career marked by false starts, he still holds his Associate in Arts, which he earned at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Ill., in 2001 as his greatest educational accomplishment. He earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Family Life Education in 2004 and his Master of Arts in Counseling in 2007 from Spring Arbor University. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Michigan.
When the urges overcome him, he can be found noodling on one of his guitars or his keyboard – or exploring one of his music authoring apps on his iPad. His favorite meditative state is going full-on zen with a LEGO set, completely tuning everything else out to focus on the bricks in front of him. He also makes a point to solve the New York Times daily crossword puzzle every day.
Tore also loves reading and movies, and if he feels extra social, you might find him playing card and board games. He is also starting to own up to being an avid RPGer in the past. While he hasn’t picked that back up yet, you should never say never – if you feel adventurous, ask him if he still can hear the Call of Cthulhu.
Amy Zdanowski, M.A., is a full-time Career Advisor at Montcalm Community College. She lives by her career advising motto “Explore. Plan. Do!”
Amy joined MCC in 2018 as a full-time career advisor.
She says her passion for career advising grew out of 21 years of school counseling, and it is fueled by the resilience, motivation and persistence that the career planning process can provide to individuals of all ages.
Most recently, Amy says she added the word “repeat” to her motto to indicate the need to keep moving forward and keep growing.
Amy’s education includes a Global Career Development Credential, a Master of Arts in Professional and School Counseling from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Saginaw Valley State University. To stay informed, she serves on the board of the Michigan Career Development Association and the National Career Development Association’s Global Connections Committee.
On a personal note, Amy and her husband love to travel. Much of their travel includes attending multiple sporting events for their son, who is an only child and a privilege to parent. He is currently in college and has graciously humored Amy over the years by testing out and offering feedback on her career planning strategies for students.