Tom FlunkerStaff

Saludos everyone!  My name is Tom Flunker, and I am the Director in the Center for Inclusive Excellence here at Gustavus.  My family and I have been living in the Mankato community for 16+ years.  I returned to MN in 2007, after spending 14 years in WI.  After college, I first served as an elementary/middle school educator, coach, and principal in Milwaukee.  This was followed by teaching various levels of high school Spanish in Appleton, WI, as well as a coaching football and track.  Upon returning to Southern MN, I spent a little over 8 years serving as the Intercultural Center Coordinator and an Admissions Counselor at Bethany College.  During this time, I also spent time in the classroom as an adjunct in the Education department, as well as teaching Hispanic Outreach at Bethany's Theological Seminary a few blocks from the college.  Before joining the staff at Gustavus, I spend a quick 1-year stint as a Charter School Director in Mankato.  

The majority of my formative years were spent on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.  Even though I returned the mainland for high school (boarding school), I considered the island "home" until I began college and my family moved to South America.  I obtained a Bachelor of Education and Teaching from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, earned a Masters in Psychology of Culture from Walden University, and added a graduate certificate in DEI from Cornell.  I am married to Sandi - amazing wife, mom, and educator.  We have two adult boys who still live in Mankato, and the third is a high school senior. 

Throughout my years in the field of education, my endeavors have always included a respect and passion for mentoring, advising, and guiding underserved and underresourced students/families/communities.  Through ongoing collaborative efforts, the goal has been to discover the range of potential options and opportunities that are available, in efforts to successfully navigate the often complex but incredibly rewarding journey through education. 

"The time is always right...to do what is right."  ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"Not everthing that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."  ~ James Baldwin

"Spoke some things into the universe and they appeared. I say it's worth it, I won't say it's fair. Find your purpose or you're wastin' air."  ~ Nipsy Hustle