New Face on Campus: Rachel Youngblom

Dr. Rachel Youngblom (special education) is originally from New Ulm, and in 2022, she left the Phoenix sunshine to return to her hometown. She serves MLC as a professor of special education in both the undergraduate and graduate programs.

After attending Minnesota Valley LHS, Dr. Youngblom pursued post-secondary education at Minnesota State University Mankato, obtaining a BS in psychology, an MS in special education, and a PsyD in school psychology.

She then practiced as a licensed psychologist, a certified school psychologist, a paraprofessional, and a braille transcriptionist. Dr. Youngblom is a blessing to MLC’s special education program because she brings expertise on how WELS ministries can serve children with disabilities and their families.

“I have had the opportunity to evaluate, assess, diagnose, and support children with a wide range of disabilities and disorders,” says Dr. Youngblom. “In addition to working with children, I have been blessed to collaborate with various other professionals and providers who support students with disabilities, and learn from them.”

Now she’s sharing her knowledge with her students at MLC. Foundations of Special Education, Developmental Disabilities, and Learning Disabilities and Emotional Behavioral Disorders are just a few of the courses in which Dr. Youngblom has the opportunity to work with future teachers on supporting students with various disabilities.

“I am excited for our graduates from the special education program to be prepared to serve students with disabilities in our WELS schools,” says Dr. Youngblom. “Knowing that we can extend the reach of God’s Word by including exceptional students in our schools and providing them with specialized instruction is such an amazing opportunity and blessing.”