Board of Trustees Awards
The Board of Trustees Awards for Excellence acknowledge and provide systemwide recognition for consistently superior commitment to student learning and to encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence at the colleges and universities of Minnesota State.
2026 Board of Trustees Awards
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 Board of Trustees Awards for Excellence. This year's Board of Trustees Awards will be honored at an in-person luncheon on April 22, 2026.
2026 Service Faculty of the Year
Jean Clarke
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Director of Learning Communities
Clarke's dedication to all students and her innovative approaches have transformed student success. She monitors trends, evaluates potential changes, and responds by creating new learning communities as needed.
2026 Educator of the Year
Jason Cussler
Minneapolis College
Business Management
Cussler builds a bond with students by immersing them in experiences where they learn by doing, and from each other, in an environment where they feel comfortable and confident.
2026 Educator of the Year
Anita Gaul
Minnesota West Community & Technical College
History
As part of her success in engaging students in her history classes, Dr. Anita Gaul dresses in period costumes, plays period music, and offers historically relevant food, often prepared by her.
2026 Educator of the Year
Cheng Thao
Metro State University
Computer Science and Cybersecurity
Dr. Cheng Thao openly shares his journey as a refugee and first-generation college student, encouraging students to persist and succeed in their classes and careers while building trust and a sense of belonging.
Ania Antus
Central Lakes College
Economics
A teacher who inspires and supports her students, Dr. Antus takes a problem-based learning approach where students explore economic theory through real-world applications.
Scott Blankenbaker
Riverland Community College
Music
Whether enhancing course curriculum, pioneering a synchronous option for music theory classes, developing a liquid, interactive syllabus for students, or leading music-related student and community activities, Blankenbaker innovates and demonstrates teaching excellence.
Albert Brown
Century College
Addiction Counseling and Human Services
As a counselor, teacher, and director and chair of the Addiction Counseling Program and Human Services, Brown leverages his experiences to connect with students who learn through experiential, real-world assignments and in-class discussions.
Kami Burgess
St. Cloud Technical & Community College
Dental Hygiene
President-elect of the Minnesota Dental Hygiene Association and Minnesota Dental Hygiene Educators Association chair, Burgess opens opportunities for students in many ways whether through interactive classroom experiences, clinical rotations, or global service.
Jason Burrows
Hennepin Technical College
Philosophy
Making sure no student falls through the cracks, Burrows designs his courses for all students to succeed by engaging them in discussions and interactive activities that support the learning journey and promote critical thinking.
John Campfield-Huth
Minnesota State College Southeast
Band Instrument Repair
An accomplished trumpet player, nationally recognized within his field, Campfield-Huth has taught more than 1,500 students the art of instrument repair, sharing his passion for music and taking a hands-on approach.
Lisa Cline
Dakota County Technical College
Photography
To improve access, Cline transformed the photography program into a fully online offering, designing a curriculum that combines live virtual sessions, recorded demonstrations, and interactive discussion boards, resulting in substantially higher enrollment.
Kirstin Cronn-Mills
South Central College
English
Multiple Minnesota Book Award finalist Dr. Kristin Cronn-Mills turns classrooms into communities of belonging and challenge with a single-minded focus on students and a learning environment grounded in empathy, reflection, and growth.
Crystal Fashant
Metro State University
Public and Nonprofit Leadership
Dr. Fashant receives high student ratings for stimulating and relevant content, assignments that require creative thinking, inclusion of student ideas and experiences, and support that helps students set and achieve high goals.
Thomas Hillstead
Saint Paul College
Cabinetmaking
Whether advising and serving as a board member for SkillsUSA or finding the right mix of lectures, demonstrations, group learning, one-on-one guidance, and real-world projects, Hillstead prepares students to advance their careers.
Mara Iesalnieks
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Message Therapy
Invested in the journey of her students, Iesalnieks creates a supportive and inclusive learning environment that includes real-world experiences and a cutting-edge curriculum, all of which helps students reach their full potential.
Raquel Jarabek
Minneapolis College
Astronomy
Through her involvement in numerous national STEM initiatives, Jarabek brings the latest developments to the curriculum and classroom, incorporating materials and lessons from NASA in her courses and offering hands-on learning opportunities.
Joel Jensen
North Hennepin Community College
Philosophy
From writing a customized logic textbook to incorporating outdoor learning in Environmental Philosophy to supporting student community projects as advisor to the Student Environmental Association, Dr. Jensen has transformed the educational experience.
Kathryn Klopfleisch
Inver Hills Community College
English and Reading
Klopfleisch’s focus on study skills—including writing two open educational resources, developing materials that strengthen notetaking, reading, and test preparation abilities, and leading other initiatives—has resulted in measurable student success outcomes.
Marcus Lacher
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Sales, Marketing, and Management
Lacher infuses his courses with human and real-world relevance, supporting the student classroom experience with two self-published open educational resources that help reduce textbook costs for students, increase engagement, and enhance accessibility.
Josh Marell
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Chemistry
Dr. Marell makes innovative use of technology for activities and assessments, developing a searchable, topic-linked exam question database for students, while leading with empathy, fostering classroom collaboration, and incorporating reflective practices.
Maxwell Minor Smith
Lake Superior College
Biology
To foster a relevant, fun, and immersive classroom, Minor Smith incorporates collaborative games such as Jeopardy and charades that promote discussion, and hands-on demonstrations, using carrots, for example, to simulate bone fractures.
Corinne Morrow
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Mathematics
Drawing from her own experience as a first-generation college student, Morrow mentors students and designs courses to demystify mathematics and foster confidence, integrating active learning strategies and technology to support her teaching.
Mike Mutschelknaus
Rochester Community and Technical College
English
By applying technology in courses and guiding faculty in open educational resources development and as Center for Teaching and Learning Coordinator, Dr. Mutschelknaus elevates the educational experience and reduces barriers for students.
Deann Ober
Ridgewater College
Nursing
In the classroom, Ober brings nursing education to life with case studies and simulation experiences that engage students in clinical decision making and supports student success as nursing advisor and department chair.
Gwen Oster
Northwest Technical College
Electrical Construction
Bringing her own experience to the classroom, Oster focuses on hands-on, practical learning, spearheading innovations such as an indoor sandbox for students to practice running electrical lines underground and custom panel modules.
Jennifer Robey
Century College
Psychology
Viewing students as partners in learning, Dr. Robey uses innovative strategies that are rooted in exploration, engagement, experimentation, empowerment, and encouragement to enhance student learning outcomes and create challenging and supportive classrooms.
Monica Roth Day
Metro State University
Social Work
Dr. Roth Day connects learning to real-world work through case studies and assignments, compatible internship placements, and career-readiness activities in the capstone course, helping also embed career competencies across the university curriculum.
Jody Sandberg
Anoka Technical College
Health Information Technology
Sandberg makes her courses practical, flexible, and inclusive, preparing students for careers in medical coding, electronic health records, and healthcare data management through personalized advising, case studies, simulation tools, and other assignments.
Emil Towner
St. Cloud State University
Marketing; Director, Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education
With a strong commitment to international education and culturally responsive teaching, Dr. Towner leads study abroad programs, supports students with different learning styles and language backgrounds, and integrates AI in his courses.
Mindy Travers
Saint Paul College
Human Resources
Travers designs learning activities that mirror real world human resources, from policy audits to performance coaching plans, as well as encouraging peer-to-peer sharing, leading curriculum development, facilitating employer engagement, and incorporating technology.
Ron Ulseth
Minnesota North College
Engineering
Dr. Ulseth redefined engineering education by pioneering project- and work-based learning, securing funding, and launching Iron Range Engineering, an award-winning educational model, where students learn engineering by doing with professionals.
Bev Hodgson
Bemidji State University
Registrar
Whether orchestrating commencement ceremonies for graduates and families, leading the transition from paper-based records to a digital system, or serving on key campus committees, student success remains the foundation of Hodgson’s work.
Julie Jaszkowiak
Metro State University
Credentials Evaluator
Jaszkowiak ensures accurate evaluations for the university’s 7,500 annual undergraduate applicants, teaches two courses that support student success, and helped develop admissions manuals that increase efficiency and positively impact the student experience.
Michael Kurowski
Southwest Minnesota State University
Assistant Director of the Center for International Education
Widely recognized on campus as a resource for international admissions, student visa compliance, and academic policy, Kurowski advocates for international students, supporting them also as an advisor to the International Student Organization.
Elizabeth Schwanke
Winona State University
Academic Advising Coordinator
Whether organizing events and student programming or supporting faculty and students in numerous other ways, Schwanke maintains a clear focus on improving the student experience and creating a welcoming environment.
Matt Trombley
St. Cloud State University
Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs
A visionary and innovative leader, Trombley led the development and launch of a successful and award-winning online MBA program that increased enrollment from 50 to more than 350 students in three years.
Contact
Catherine Ford
651-583-5901
BOTawards@MinnState.edu