The college’s Department of Educational Policy and Administration is home to the administrative licensure and graduate programs that have produced a majority of the state’s educational leaders, recognized by their professional organizations as premier leaders. Below we list college alumni who have received Minnesota Principal and Superintendent of the Year awards.

Minnesota Superintendent of the Year

Established in 1988 and cosponsored by the American Association of School Administrators and ARAMARK Education, this award recognizes outstanding leadership among the ranks of superintendents. State selection committees (Minnesota Association of School Administrators) choose the state-level superintendents of the year, who are then eligible for the national award.

• 2006: Gary Prest, Bloomington Schools
• 2005: Benjamin Kanninen, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools
• 2003: Kenneth Dragseth, Edina Schools (also received National Superintendent of the Year)
• 2002: Carol Johnson, Minneapolis Schools
• 1998: Gregory Vandal, Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools
• 1997: Chris Huber, Spring Lake Park Schools
• 1994: Lowell Larson, Richfield Schools
• 1990: Donald Draayer, Minnetonka Schools
• 1989: Gerald McCoy, Eden Prairie Schools

Minnesota Principal of the Year (middle and high school)

Each year since 2000 two principals—a high school and a middle school principal—have been selected by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals (previously, one principal was recognized annually) as Minnesota Principals of the Year. State winners are then eligible for National Principal of the Year. The program is funded by the MetLife Corporation and cosponsored by MetLife and National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP); formerly sponsored by the Burger King Corporation.

MetLife/NASSP High School Principal of the Year

• 2002: Randy Paulson

MetLife/NASSP Principal of the Year

• 1998: Bernice Berns
• 1997: Julian Stafford
• 1995: Thomas Blair

Burger King/NASSP Principal of the Year

• 1992: Elizabeth Pawlitschek
• 1991: Judith Lamp

Minnesota National Distinguished Principal (elementary school)

This award was established in 1984 as an annual event to honor exemplary elementary and middle school principals who set the pace, character, and quality of the education children receive during their early school years. They are selected by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association; the recognition is cosponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) in corporate sponsorship with AIG/VALIC.

• 2002: Gloria Kumagai, St. Paul
• 2001: Byron Schwab, Eagan
• 2000: Jean Clark, Sauk Rapids
• 1999: Mary Endorf, Orono
• 1996: Jeffrey Raison, Minneapolis
• 1994: Teresa (Teri) Edwards, Minneapolis
• 1991: Delores Henderson, Saint Paul
• 1990: Lynn Street, Westonka
• 1988: Kay Douglass, Monticello
• 1987: Robert Sande, Rochester
• 1986: Roger Gordon, Duluth