MSC Southeast welcomes its ninth president, Dr. Marsha A. Danielson

On July 1, 2021, Minnesota State College Southeast welcomed its ninth president, Dr. Marsha A. Danielson. She comes to the college with 25 years of higher education experience in the Minnesota State system at South Central College and Minnesota State University, Mankato.  

"I have been waiting for the opportunity to become the president of Minnesota State College Southeast. I am not just looking to be a college president, I want to be your president," Dr. Danielson said.  

President Danielson succeeds Dr. Larry A. Lundblad, who served as interim president of Minnesota State College Southeast from February 2018 to June 2021. 

"The college has done great work under Larry Lundblad's leadership. It is poised for growth, and I am a builder," said President Danielson.

From 2015-2021, Dr. Danielson served South Central College in Mankato and Faribault as vice president of economic development, advising the president on corporate education, economic development, and growth opportunities for the college, and providing leadership in many functional areas including government and international relations, grants, communications, and comprehensive workforce solutions.

Previously, she was senior associate to the president and dean of economic development at South Central College. At Minnesota State University, Mankato she worked in several areas including development, alumni relations, external relations, and marketing and communications from 1996 to 2007. 

Dr. Danielson attended North Hennepin Community College, then earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management at and a master's degree in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She holds an Ed.D. in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University (MI). 

MSC Southeast is an ideal fit for Dr. Danielson both professionally and personally.  

"The small size of the college, its rural location, entrepreneurial spirit, and its ability to keep up with the rapid pace of change are important to me," said Dr. Danielson. "Personally, I am excited to be here and appreciate the beauty of the bluff country. We are outdoor enthusiasts and love the lakes, river, biking, arts, and festivals."  

Student Success and Workforce Development 

President Danielson is ready to lead a group of dedicated faculty and staff in helping students reach their full potential.   

"The faculty are at the core in helping students attain their personal and professional goals," she stated. "We need to be student-ready, and there is a culture of caring and wraparound services here. The college is driven by the goal of student success."  

Moreover, she added, "The region's economic engines -- manufacturing, health care, transportation, and tourism --need employees, and our students must graduate ready for a career or prepared to succeed in 4-year college or university environment." 

While her focus this summer is on getting to know community leaders in business, industry and education throughout Southeast Minnesota and nearby Wisconsin, President Danielson is also looking forward to enjoying outdoor activities with her family. "Every year we bike the Cannon Valley Trail and the Root River Trail, and we kayak from Cannon Falls to Welsh on the Cannon River." 

This year, she won't have to travel as far to enjoy the regions bluff's and rivers -- and she is likely to encounter MSC Southeast students, faculty, staff, and alumni along the way! 

Welcome Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of Minnesota State College Southeast! 

MSC Southeast announces $50,000 Otto Bremer Trust grant to support college students' basic needs   

Minnesota State College Southeast is grateful to announce the award of a $50,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Trust. The purpose of the grant is to help the college meet basic needs and provide wraparound support to low-income students pursuing post-secondary education in southeastern Minnesota. 

On June 30, 2021, the Otto Bremer Trust announced $12,125,516 in grants and program-related investments to 210 organizations as part of its most recent grantmaking cycle. Organizations across Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin received awards. 

"We are pleased and grateful to be among the organizations that are recognized by the Otto Bremer Trust for making a positive impact on their communities," said Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of Minnesota State College Southeast. "As a technical and community college, students come to MSC Southeast seeking new credentials, retraining, and career advancement. This grant will help them attain their educational goals and find stable employment in high-demand jobs that pay sustainable living wages."

The grant from the Otto Bremer Trust will provide a significant boost to the college's efforts to be more holistic in serving students. In the past year, 77% of MSC Southeast students were eligible for federal Pell grants, indicating the high level of need among the college's student population. The college has greatly increased its capacity to serve students with on-campus Food Pantries and social services provided by Basic Needs Outreach Specialists and a Student Success Advisor.   

"As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, access to basic needs such as housing, food, and transportation is more challenging than ever for many of our students," said Josiah Litant, MSC Southeast Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students. "This grant will allow us to augment our level of support for students and will be critical to helping them on their pathway towards graduation. We are deeply appreciative to the Otto Bremer Trust for being a partner with us in this work." 

Amanda Griffin named Outstanding New Educator of the Year by Transportation Center of Excellence 

Minnesota State College Southeast Automotive Technology Instructor Amanda Griffin has been named the Outstanding New Educator of the Year by the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence. 

Amanda Griffin is not only the lead instructor in MSC Southeast's Automotive Technology program, but she is also a graduate of the college. In 2006-2008, she obtained a diploma in Automotive Technology and an associate degree in Individualized studies. While taking general education courses she served as a lab assistant in the program. That's when Amanda first realized how much she enjoyed working with students.  

Amanda gained experience in the automotive industry as an automotive technician for almost fourteen years, but always hoped that one day she would be able to come back to teaching. That opportunity presented itself in 2019 when she joined the faculty of Minnesota State College Southeast.

Having served as an auto center service writer and technician, driver's education instructor, and as a technician, Amanda has seen first-hand the challenges and opportunities that come with working in the industry. Her main goal in the program is to prepare students with the knowledge to make repairs correctly and efficiently, but more importantly to teach them the confidence to return cars that can be driven safely -- that every car represents a customer's life in their hands. 

Additional awards presented for 2021 by the Transportation Center of Excellence included: 

• Academic Professional of the Year: Leanne Pearson, St. Cloud Technical and Community College
• Exemplary College Program of the Year: Kevin Hyduke and Wayne Trenholm, Hibbing Community College, Automotive Technology Program
• Hall of Fame: Dale Derung, St. Cloud Technical and Community College
• Outstanding Educator of the Year; Jeff Schneider, Moorhead High School
• Program Supporter of the Year - Individual: Judell Anderson, AASP-MN 
• Program Supporter of the Year - Business: Brenny Transportation

"Congratulations to all of these well deserving individuals! We are proud to sponsor these awards to showcase all of the wonderful work happening across our state," said Cassidy Jelen, TCOE Project Coordinator.

A formal presentation of the awards will take place at the Midwest Teachers of Transportation and Industrial Areas conference in August.