COLLEGE OF

Education and Human Development

Alumni Notes

Brian Lozenski (PhD ’14) selected as Bush Fellow

Brian Lozenski was named one of the 2021 Bush Fellows, a group of visionary leaders who will each receive a $100,000 fellowship to grow their leadership capacity and skills. Lozenski earned a PhD in curriculum and instruction from CEHD in 2014. Lozenski believes Minnesota must reimagine the fundamental assumptions of education if the state is to eliminate […]

Salma Hussein ( MA ’13) selected as Bush Fellow

Salma Hussein was named one of the 2021 Bush Fellows, a group of visionary leaders who will each receive a $100,000 fellowship to grow their leadership capacity and skills. Hussein earned a master’s in social work and a disability policy services certificate from CEHD in 2013. Hussein is a connector, educator, healer and passionate advocate […]

Jonathan Okstad (MEd ’16) awarded School of Education Service Leadership Excellence Award

Jonathan Okstad (MEd’16), graduate research assistant and PhD in higher education student at Loyola University Chicago, was recently awarded the School of Education Service Leadership Excellence Award. This award recognizes a School of Education graduate student that has shown significant leadership in service to their school, university, community, and field.

Soo-yong Byun (PhD ’07) obituary

Soo-yong Byun, Associate Professor of Education and Demography at Penn State University, received an Outstanding Senior Faculty Researcher Award from the Penn State College of Education. The award recognizes the overall impact of one’s research and is typically given to a faculty member who has achieved national and international recognition. Byun (PhD ’07) is affiliated […]

Don Lifto (PhD) published book on planning and executing school tax elections

Don Lifto (PhD, educational policy and administration) published his third book on planning and executing school tax elections in 2019. Lifto, a director with Baker Tilly, has 25 years of experience as a public-school superintendent and more than 13 years of experience serving primarily public-school clients.

Mitchell Rognrud (BS ’20)

Mitchell Rognrud (Business and Marketing Education BS’20) passed away on March 25, 2021. He died doing what he loved, rock climbing, at a place he loved, Interstate Park.

Manfred van Dulmen (PhD ’01) named associate provost of academic affairs and dean of Division of Graduate Studies at Kent State University

Manfred van Dulmen has accepted the position of associate provost of academic affairs and dean of the Division of Graduate Studies at Kent State University. In May 2020, he was named chair of the university’s Reopening Steering Committee, as well as leading the university’s Pandemic Leadership Committee. In his academic credentials, van Dulmen is one […]

Tacardra Rountree (MEd ’02) Publishes Children’s Book

Tacardra Rountree (MEd ’02) has published her second book and first children’s picture book, titled “Hello Queen.” This book is illustrated by Audrey “Sala Adenike” Jeter-Allen. Roundtree says, “It was at the University of Minnesota that I became exposed to great children’s books and authors.”Read more about her story. 

Gerald R. Schneck (PhD ’80) obituary

Dr. Gerald R. Schneck died on Dec. 8, 2020. He graduated in 1980 from the University of Minnesota with a Doctorate of Philosophy majoring in Vocational Education with supporting fields in Rehabilitation Counseling and Special Education.