Contact: Katryn Conlin, Director of Communications
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For Immediate Release
Southeast welcomes deans Jacob Griggs and Adam Potthast to academic leadership roles in trade and tech, liberal arts and transfer
Winona, MN (July 2, 2024) - This spring, Minnesota State College Southeast welcomed two new deans to serve in academic leadership roles at the college. Jacob Griggs became Dean of Trade of Technology at the end of February. Dr. Adam Potthast was named Dean of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Transfer in early June.
Jacob Griggs comes to Southeast from Rochester Community and Technical College, where he had served as Associate Dean of Liberal Arts and General Education since 2018. Previously, he was a digital media production instructor and program department chair at Western Technical College in La Crosse, WI, from 2003-2018. He earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication at Drake University in Des Moines, IA, and a master's degree in Career and Technical Education at University of Wisconsin-Stout. In 2026, he expects to complete an M.F.A. in Creative Writing with an emphasis on poetry from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
"Jake is excellent at building strategic relationships, and that is essential when he is connecting our technical programs with our regional business industry partners," said Mark Johnson, Southeast's Vice President of Student Success.
Dr. Adam Potthast is an award-winning teacher and published author. From 2010-2018, he was a philosophy professor at Park University in Parkville, MO, where he also served as Director of Liberal Education and Faculty Director of Design and Assessment. Since moving to the Winona area, he has served in leadership roles at Saint Mary's University and Western Technical College. Adam majored in Philosophy and English at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO, and earned a master's degree and PhD in Philosophy at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. He is also the co-author of Ethics for Dummies in Wiley's well-known "For Dummies" publication series.
"Adam leads our liberal arts and sciences, transfer pathways, musical instrument repair, and human services and education programs," said Mark Johnson. "He is highly skilled in instruction, instructional design, assessment, faculty development, accreditation, and educational technology."
Along with their unique accomplishments, both deans bring a passion for two-year colleges and a core belief that college is for everyone to their leadership roles at Minnesota State College Southeast.
"Two-year colleges like Southeast are going to go out of their way to meet you where you are, whether you've been preparing for a college degree since the second grade or struggled with school in the past," Adam Potthast said. "Everyone at Southeast comes to work thinking about what's best for our students. I've seen it in our leadership, in our faculty, and in our support staff who help students apply, register for courses, and connect to resources."
"Community and technical colleges are really the backbone of so many communities," Jake Griggs concluded. "I've seen firsthand how colleges like Southeast can change a family's future. At any point someone is in need, or ready for an educational path that can change their life for the better, we are here."
Photo: Jake Griggs (left), Dr. Adam Potthast (right)
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About Minnesota State College Southeast
Located in the historic river towns of Red Wing and Winona, Minnesota State College Southeast is a community and technical college that provides a flexible, affordable, inclusive, and equitable college environment and offers a clear sense of direction to all students. College faculty and staff genuinely care about students' end goals, whether that be earning an academic award, transferring to university to complete a bachelor's degree, or attaining career skills. Minnesota State College Southeast is a member of the Minnesota State system.