Jim Johnson named "College President of the Year" by statewide student association

We are thrilled to announce that Southeast Technical President Jim Johnson has been named the 2013-2014 "College President of the Year" by the Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA) at their Annual Awards Dinner. The ceremony took place Saturday night (April 12) at their Spring General Assembly in Breezy Point.

The "College President of the Year" honor is given to one college president annually by MSCSA. Johnson was nominated for the award by current and former students from Southeast Technical and was selected by the MSCSA statewide student leadership to receive the honor. 

In one of many letters of recognition submitted to MSCSA in support of Johnson's nomination, past Southeast Technical Winona Student Senate President Jenna Lubinski said that she was nominating President Johnson because, "His open door policy, approachability, and open mindedness have always made the students on these campuses feel like they are a priority and that they have a leader who genuinely cares about their wellbeing and success." 

"This award is very humbling and unexpected. I am honored to accept it on behalf of the faculty, staff and students of Southeast Technical. No president could succeed without their hard work and the positive relationships between them," said Jim Johnson, adding, "I will treasure this honor for the rest of my life." 

In 1981, Jim Johnson joined the staff of Southeast Technical (then known as Winona Technical Institute). He has remained in administration at the college over the last 33 years, growing through the positions of Trade and Industry Coordinator, Adult Extension Director, Associate Director, Vice President/CEO, and his current position of college president since 1995. Last fall, Johnson announced his retirement from the college effective June 30, 2014; he will be succeeded by Dr. Dorothy Duran in July. 

Photo by Chris Dang, Courtesy Minnesota State College Student Association