Student Highlights
These outstanding students and alumni offer a snapshot of our students in the Department of Educational Leadership, Higher Education and Student Development programs. Click on video or detail links to learn more about them.
Higher Education and Student Affairs
Dr. Kasey Uran-Linde
- Professor/Academic Support Services
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln
"What drew me to the program is the unique focus on Higher Education and applicability of the coursework ... to my administrative position."
Video testimonial
Anthony Goettl
- Career Development Program Manager
- Northwestern Health Sciences University
"Not many programs are 100% online and so catered to working professionals. Throw in no GRE and an award-winning faculty, there's really no reason to go anywhere else."
Britta Meints
- Guest Housing and Special Programming Coordinator
- Grinnell College
“I chose SCSU because of the online format, cost, and flexibility. They also offer online assistantships, which has allowed me to grow as a professional."
Robin Renucci
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- BetterHelp
"The asynchronous format enables me to participate from any location, giving me peace of mind to know that my progress in the program can continue uninterrupted no matter where I live."
Tracy Stokes
- Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Gateway Community and Technical College
"Choosing a graduate school is incredibly personal. And with each new skill I learn, I am glad I chose this one."
Charlotte Wahle
- Admissions Counselor
- Southwest Minnesota State University
"I was looking for a school with a fully online HIED program because that's what fit best with my professional and personal life."
Educational Administration & Leadership
Dr. Gwen Rosha Anderson
- Principal
- Stride Academy
"The support of the instructors truly help you grow as a leader"
Rochelle Dyer
- Social Studies Education Director
- St. Cloud State University
"The strength of the program is the discussions and real life experiences faculty bring"
Video Testimonial
Tracy Hare
- Instructional Coach
- St. Cloud Area Schools
"Not only was the program content thorough, but also succinct and efficient within the options of individualized plans of study. The flexibility of the program is a good fit for any family-centered lifestyle."
Molly Kensy
- Assistant Principal
- Tech High School in St. Cloud
"The professors care about their students"
Video Testimonial
Nathan Schwieters
- Assistant Principal and Activities Director
- Stride Academy
"Being able to go over ideas and thoughts on how we would solve situations and giving us a real life experience to go forward in our career"
Video Testimonial
Brittany Schoephoerster
- Assistant Principal
- Sartell - St. Stephen School District
"The program pushed me to grow as an educator, leader, and professional"
Graduate Award Recipients
Gaynard Brown
- Retired Director at Paul Bunyan Education Cooperative
2019 Recipient of the MASE Legacy Award
Dr. Reggie Engebritson
- Director of Special Education for 11 districts, Northland Special Education Cooperative, Virginia, MN
2011 New Leader of Excellence Award from the Minnesota Administrators of Special Education
Amy Ernst (f/k/a Green)
- Director of Special Education, Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools
2019 Recipient of the MASE New Special Education Leader Award
Tim Finn
- Special Education Director in St. Francis
2017 New Special Education Leader Award by Minnesota Administrators of Special Education.
Eunice Gyamerah
- English Language Learners (ELL)
- Athlos Academy of St. Cloud
- Ms. Gyamerah received the 2021 Athlos Distinguished Educator Award for her excellence in exemplifying the Athlos Pillars of Performance: Prepared Mind, Healthy Body, and Performance Character.
Dr. Kim Hiel
- Superintendent
- Fridley Public Schools
Dr. Hiel was named the 2020 Richard Green Scholar from the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) for her paper "The Influence of Society's Perceptions and Stereotypes on African American Women Administrators' Leadership Practices". In 2014, she was named Minnesota Elementary and Middle School Science and Mathematics Principal of the Year by the Minnesota Principal Association and the Science Museum of Minnesota
Jovana Jevremovic
2020 Outstanding Graduate Student Award from the Commission for Academic Support in Higher Education (CASHE), an entity group of ACPA.
Isabelle Joseph
- 2022 Excellence in Leadership Award Recipient
Valerie Knopp
2015 Inaugural Student Employment Administrator of the Year award by the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators
Abby Lyon
- Benton Stearns Ed District
2018 Stenswick Benson Scholarship Recipient
Dianne McCarron
- Director of Special Education serving 15 districts in the SW/WC Service Cooperative
2014 New Leader of Excellence Award from the Minnesota Administrators of Special Education
Michelle Mortensen
- Superintendent, Renville County West Schools
2019 Richard Green Scholar Award - Minnesota Association of School Administrators
Karen Orcutt
- Superintendent of Schools for the Orono Public Schools
2017 MASA Polaris Leadership Award
Ray Przekurat
- Director/Superintendent of the Wright Technical Center and Vice Chair of the Wright County Economic Development Partnership
2015 Member Investor of the Year from the Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Martha Smithson
- Brainerd
2018 Stenswick Benson Scholarship Recipient
Tammy Stahl
- Director of Special Education for 18 districts in the SW/WC Service Cooperative
2012 New Leader of Excellence Award from the Minnesota Administrators of Special Education
Dr. Curt Tryggestad
- Superintendent of Eden Prairie Schools
2017 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators
2015 Richard Green Scholars Program Award from the Minnesota Association of School Administrators
Dia Yang
- Assistant Director of Student Diversity and Inclusion Services at University of St. Thomas
2019 Outstanding Mid-Level Professional Award from NASPA Region IV-E