Alumni notes

In the spring 2025, Peter Nordgren published a new book, A Place on Water, a natural history memoir of northwest Wisconsin. It's available through regional bookstores and at www.northbranch.info.

Ngawang Gonsar (PhD ’21) received the distinguished faculty of the year award from Normandale Community College. She received the award at the Commencement ceremony.

Brittany Strelow (BS ’08) has been elected as American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) Director at Large.

Jana Craft (PhD ’13) has been named dean of the School of Business and Management at SUNY Brockport. Located just west of Rochester, Brockport is part of the SUNY system and serves nearly 950 business students across undergraduate and graduate programs.

Amanda Thein (PhD ’05) has been appointed the dean of the School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder effective July 1, 2025. She is a nationally recognized scholar in English and literacy education with a passion for the work of educational democracy—work that is uniquely carried out through the research, teaching and service missions of schools and colleges of education. Read more.

Congratulations to Cole Schaefer (BS ’20, business & marketing education) for being named to the 2025 Forbes 30 under 30 list in the Food & Drink Category. Schaefer, along with his co-founder and fellow U of M alum, Brian Waddick, own Smackin’. Starting out of their dorm room in college, they created a sunflower seed […]

Alissa Partee (BS ’07), Chief People Officer (CPO) at Restaurant Technologies, has transitioned into a new role as the company’s Chief Operations Officer (COO). In her previous role, Partee led the human resources team at Restaurant Technologies and joined the company as CPO in 2020. During her tenure, the company grew from 1,000 employees to […]

Mary R. DeGrote Goering (PhD ’16) has been named a 2024 Provost’s Unit Service Award recipient at the University of Minnesota. This award was given in recognition of her exceptional service that has strengthened the functioning and climate of the School of Nursing where she works. Her work on creating an online Prelicensure Preceptor Resource […]

On September 18, 2024 Sara K. Sterner was honored with the Cal Poly Humboldt Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, Tenure Line. She is a teacher education scholar who is passionate about teaching and has created a welcoming and safe classroom environment. Sterner uses technology and various teaching methods intentionally and seamlessly, demonstrating strong […]

Congratulations to Domonique Gilmer (K-12 administrative licensure certificate) for being honored with 2 awards earlier this year. In July, he received the Mentor Award from Sons of Bransford. This award recognizes Black men who exemplify redemption, responsibility, and resilience in overcoming life’s challenges. It celebrates those who provide extraordinary service to their communities, inspiring others […]

Joann O’Leary recently published her new book with co-author Sarah Vollman, Born Into Loss: Shadows of a Deceased Sibling and Family Journeys of Grief. Subsequent siblings, who are sometimes referred to as replacement children, are people who were born after the death of a brother or sister. This non-fiction, self-help, psychology book breaks new ground […]

Britta Babel (BS ’17, youth studies) was awarded Grassroots Professional of the Year by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) for her outstanding work in grassroots organizing in support of our mission to make cancer a national priority. This annual award is given to an ACS CAN staff member whose strong dedication […]

Each year, the University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) honors award recipients from around the globe who are shaping their industries and strengthening the University community. Congratulations to Randy Griffith (MEd ’84, physical education), Kelsey Joson (BS ’13, kinesiology), and Kyle Whipple (PhD ’18, STEM education) for being named 2024 alumni award recipients! They will […]

Jens Omli (PhD ’08) publishes the book, How Heroes Hero. Jens Omli is an author, speaker, and consultant who has helped mobilize and equip hundreds of heroes in North America, Africa, and Asia. He studied Psychology and Philosophy at Westmont College, earned a PhD in Sport & Exercise Psychology at the University of Minnesota, and […]

Congratulations to Hannah Boldt (MA ’18) for receiving the Goldy Triumph award for outstanding mid-range professional from the University of Minnesota Academic Advising Network (AAN). The recipient of this award is committed to student success by establishing advising practices that are culturally relevant, adaptive to individual student identities, and effective at addressing systemic barriers. Hannah […]

The U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board are pleased to announce that Jennifer Hairrell (MEd ’07) of Maple Grove Middle School in Minnesota has received a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program award. As a Fulbright recipient, Hairrell will share knowledge and foster meaningful connections across communities in the United States […]

Congratulations to Dr. Larry Guggisberg for being named the recipient of the 2023 MASA Polaris Leadership Award by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA). Dr. Guggisberg was honored for his exemplary school leadership and a lifetime of achievement in education and the wider community at a statewide recognition ceremony at the 2023 MASA Fall […]

Congratulations to Elizabeth Welfel (PhD ’79, educational psychology), who was given the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award in Ethics Education by the American Psychological Association for her teaching and research while on the faculties of Boston College and Cleveland State University.

The Minnesota Institute for Trauma-Informed Education (MITIE), a joint partnership of the University of St. Thomas School of Education and Morrison Family College of Health, has named Eyenga Bokamba as its new director. Bokamba is a leader in education and the arts with over 20 years of experience advocating for healthy, creative communities. Ms. Bokamba […]

Joshua Mann (MEd ’14) was named a 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year finalist. He was one of eleven selected in the state. Mann was honored at a banquet with the other finalists on May 7, 2023. Learn more.