Alumni Notes

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 […]