Staff and Board of Directors
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Paula Sundet-Wolf Executive Director Paula is a PhD candidate at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. Her degree will be in Education, Teaching and Learning,with an emphasis in Higher Education. She has an M.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Vermont College of Norwich University, online, a Non-profit Management Certificate from the University of Wisconsin, Superior (UWS), and Evaluation Training from the College of St. Scholastica’s Evaluation Institute. Ms. Sundet Wolf has worked with CCHE since 1997, and her personal experiences with distance learning make her a valuable advocate for CCHE students. |
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Kirstin van den Berg Director of Education Kirstin has a Mini-MBA in Non-Profit Management from the University St. Thomas, and a B.S. in Biology & Business from Northland College, WI. She has worked with CCHE since 2005; prior to CCHE she implemented several education-related programs for the area high school. She also owns her own business, so she serves as a valuable liaison with the business community. |
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Kelsey Rogers Kennedy Educational Assistant Kelsey is a recent graduate from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Her M.A. degree is in Organizational Leadership. The focus of her final paper was on improving online adjunct instructors’ connection to the institutions where they instruct. Her B.S. degree is in Social Marketing from Northern Michigan University. She is passionate about lifelong learning and assisting others in their educational journey. |
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Jim Boyd Business Training Coordinator Jim Boyd retired in 2007 after 27 years as deputy editorial page editor at the Star Tribune in Minneapolis, after which he and his wife, Jetty St. John, moved expeditiously to Cook County, where they have since been joined by Miss Scarlett, a Norwegian Elkhound. Jim has a B.S. in secondary education from Oregon College of Education, an M.A. in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia and in 1979-80 was a Nieman Fellow in Journalism at Harvard University. He is a veteran of Vietnam, a so-so gardener and an occasional fisherman. |
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Dr. Robert Pratt Board Member Bob is a retired counselor and professor of Minnesota State University where he developed and implemented the “Academic Fitness” program. He is the author of "The Academic Warrior: Becoming a Purposeful Learner" and he serves as Academic Skills Mentor at CCHE. Bob has a B.S. in Elementary Education from UMD, an M.S. Counselor Ed from Arizona State U, and a Ph.D. Counselor Ed and Gifted Ed from the University of Connecticut. Bob is currently the board Secretary. |
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Bill Hansen Board Member Bill is president of Sawbill Canoe Outfitters, is a Blandin Leadership alumni, is an active community volunteer for non-profit foundations and organizations, and a long-time advocate for higher education. |
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Gwen Carman Board Member. Gwen is the K-12 Principal at Cook County Schools ISD 166. she has an M.S. in Child Development from Iowa State University, and K-12 Education Administration Licensure from St. Mary’s U of MN via distance learning. She is currently the board Vice President. |
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Janet Ditmanson Board Member Janet is a community volunteer and academic mentor for CCHE. She was formerly an instructor and academic administrator at the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN. she has a B.A. in Biology and Philosophy from Gustavus Adolphus College, and an M.A. inOrganizational Leadership from the College of St. Catherine. Janet is currently our board President. |
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Donna Gestel Board Member Donna is currently enrolled part time in the University of Wisconsin Platteville’s Bachelor of Science Business Administration distance education program. She has an Accounting Clerk diploma from Lake Superior College and is currently employed at the Grand Marais State Bank as a customer service representative. Donna is also Treasurer of the Cook County Salvation Army Service Unit. |
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Rena Rogers Board Member Rena works with Organizational Development at the Office of Enterprise Technology for the State of Minnesota. She is a former educator, software designer, and technical writer. She has a B.A. in Elementary Ed from Arizona State University, a B.A. in Computer Science from Southern Illinois U., and an M.S. in Elementary Ed/Math Ed., from Southern Illinois U. She currently lives in the twin cities, and hopes to make her home here in Cook County. |
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Douglas Bruce Board Member Doug was formerly the Continuing Education & Contract Training Program Director at Normandale College, Bloomington, MN. He has a BA. from the University of Minnesota, and an MA from the University of Wisconsin. His board experience includes Izaak Walton League MN, Planning Commission City of Bloomington, Minnesota Brain Injury Association of Minnesota, and serving on the Traumatic Brain Injury advisory committee for the Minnesota Department of Human Services. |
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Beth Rogers Kennedy Board Member Beth is the owner-operator of four area retail, rental, and investment businesses in Grand Marais. She has a B.S. in Education from St. Cloud State College. Beth is a founding member of Parents Are Teachers, Literacy Scholarship, Great Expectations Foundation, and the Cook County Community Fund, and has served on many other organizations. |
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Margaret (Maggie) Barnard Board Member Maggie has a B.A. in Communications from the College of St. Catherine. She is the Events Director at the Cook County Visitors Bureau. Her past business experience includes a 28 year career with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, and Executive Committee member Director of Catering and Convention services. Maggie also does other community projects, and currently serves on the steering committee member for the Cook County Community Center and Pool project. |
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Roger Opp Board Member Roger received his B. S. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Minnesota. After retiring in 2011 from CoBank ACB, a part of the Federal Farm Credit System, he managed a $350 million portfolio of loans to a number of telecommunications cooperatives and companies serving rural areas. He has instructed numerous classes and workshops on director responsibility and corporate governance. He is currently chairman of Hamm Clinic, Community Learning International, and serves on the board and executive committee of Art Space Projects, Inc.. He and his wife Patricia Hvidston divide their time between St. Paul and Hovland. Roger is currently our board treasurer. |