Alumni society
The CEHD Alumni Society was established in 1956, and continues to engage alumni with the college and university through programs and outreach.
As a graduate of CEHD, all alumni are automatically a part of the CEHD Alumni Society. There’s no need to sign up or fill out a form.
We invite you to connect with this amazing network. The CEHD Alumni Society is a place where you can both give and get back.
Dear Fellow Alumni,
Connecting with others can be such a source of joy. Because of that, I’m grateful to all those who joined us for our much-anticipated homecoming events at the end of September. Hundreds of CEHD faculty and staff, alumni, and their families took part, including walking in the homecoming parade on a beautiful Friday evening. Events like these are such a celebration of community.
And we are a remarkable community. CEHD is one of the largest colleges at the University of Minnesota, with over 75,000 graduates. Every year, we recognize several of them for their accomplishments and outstanding contributions. Please consider nominating someone you know for one of these awards at cehd.umn.edu/alumni/awards.
I’d also like to invite you to join us and connect with the community at an upcoming event.Our calendar is brimming with exciting opportunities to meet fellow CEHD alumni, share your experiences, and learn from others, and you can find them listed at cehd.umn.edu/events. Let’s continue to foster a sense of community and belonging.
Wishing you joy,
Dr. Jenna Mitchler
CEHD Alumni Society President
PhD '15, curriculum & instruction
Assistant Superintendent, Bloomington Public Schools
cehdas@umn.edu
Get involved
The CEHD Alumni Society is seeking interested candidates for open board positions. Applicants should be a CEHD graduate, faculty, former student, or friend of CEHD. Applications to join the board for 2025 will open in early spring in 2025. Terms last three years, starting July 1. Please fill out this form to be notified when applications open.
The CEHD Alumni Society Board of Directors is composed of dynamic leaders from around the world. Directors promote the ongoing excellence of CEHD by enlisting the support and participation of CEHD alumni. Board members volunteer their time, talent, and resources to assist in building an alumni-centered culture within the College.
If you have questions or are interested in learning more, please contact Sara Pennebecker at penne048@umn.edu.
- Network with alumni, students, faculty/staff, community members, and board members.
- Increase involvement and awareness of education and human development related issues.
- Help increase the visibility of the CEHD Alumni Society among alumni and the greater community.
- Greater connection with the college and the university.
- Complimentary admission to various educational and social events, including the Annual Alumni Association celebration.
In general, the time commitment is approximately 3-5 hours a month. All board members are expected to serve on a committee (engagement, international relations, student relations, or university relations) in addition to their board service. Board meetings take place (hybrid format) on the second Wednesday every other month in the evening, and committees are expected to meet separately. Board members are encouraged to attend the board’s annual planning retreat held in the late summer, as well as other CEHD events throughout the year. Members serve a three-year term (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027) and are eligible to serve two consecutive terms. Board members do not need to live locally to participate.
- Interest in education, human development, community engagement, leadership opportunities, and giving back to CEHD.
- Team-oriented work style and strong interpersonal skills.
- Willingness to ask questions and receive feedback.
- UMAA membership is encouraged.
- Deepen and foster engagement among fellow alumni and friends in CEHD Alumni Society sponsored activities including events
- Work to increase visibility of the CEHD Alumni Society to encourage engagement and elevate the prominence of CEHD alumni
- Support CEHD and its students through Give to the Max Day activities
- Advocate for legislation and state support for the U of M and CEHD
Consider nominating an alum to apply for the CEHD Alumni Society Board of Directors. CEHD Alumni Relations staff will follow up with them directly to ask them to apply.
Alumni society board
The CEHD Alumni Society Board is made up of volunteers who create lifelong connections with alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the college; enhance the student experience and advocate for the college and University.
Board members
- Ron Anderson (MA ’90, education, PhD ’94, educational psychology)
- Emily DePalma Mance (BS ’12 and MEd ’13, elementary education)
- Sousada Grande (PhD ’16, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education)
- Danielle Hegseth (MSW ’11, social work)
- Kim Jenkins (BS ’99, family social science)
- Lisa Kaler (MA ’17 and PhD ’21, organizational leadership, policy, and development)
- Kristin Morris (BS ’05 and MEd ’08, human resource development)
- Jenni Norlin-Weaver (MEd ’89, curriculum and instruction; EdD ’99, educational administration)
- Jonathan J. Okstad (MEd ’16, youth development leadership)
- Jónína Ólafsdóttir Kárdal (MA ’99, educational psychology)
- Charlie Potts (EdD ’17, organizational leadership, policy & development)
- Carlos Reyes (BS ’13, business marketing and education)
- Allen Shen (BS ’11, business marketing and education)
- Antwoin Stephens (MEd ’05, applied kinesiology)
- Marina Uehara (MA ’15, organizational leadership, policy, and development; MSW ’12, social work)
Officers
- Jenna Mitchler (PhD ’15, curriculum & instruction), president
- Julio Caésar (PhD ’20, educational psychology), vice-president
- La Tasha Shevlin (BS '08, human resource development; MEd '13, family education), past-president
- Louellen Essex (BS ’70, speech; PhD ’79, educational administration), secretary
Dean's designee
- Professor Stephanie Sisco (PhD '19, human resource development)
Student representatives
- Graduate student representative: Cody Freeman (PhD student, comparative & international development education)
- Undergraduate Student Board representative: open