Where Are Our Alumni Now...

New Ulm Park and Rec Director and MSU RPLS Alumni Joey Schugel was given the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) Nelson-Niles Award. Schugel receives Park and Rec award | News, Sports, Jobs - The Journal (nujournal.com)
Carter Duerkop (RPLS Class of 2022) is the new Park and Recreation Director of the City of Waukon, IA. https://www.waukonstandard.com/articles/2022/09/28/carter-duerkop-begins-new-position-city-waukon-park-and-recreation-director
Sierra Hietala (RPLS Class of 2021) is quoted in the Mentorship article (p.36) of the MRPA Magazine. https://issuu.com/designertp/docs/mrpa_magazine_summer_2023_web
Tara O'Brien, RPLS Alumni, is featured a article of the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources. "Watershed prioritizes outreach to connect landowners, resources" – Board of Water and Soil Resources, August 2023
Congratulations to RPLS Alumnus Craig Hansen on his promotion to Superintendent of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway! https://www.twincities.com/2022/01/11/grand-portage-superintendent-to-head-st-croix-national-scenic-riverway/
Further congrats to Tom Schmitz, who in addition to the recent MRPA award, has now also been recognized as the namesake for Tom Schmitz Appreciation Day this Friday 1/14. https://www.nujournal.com/news/local-news/2022/01/11/schmitz-to-have-his-own-day-on-jan-14/
Amber Moon Peterson has become Nisswa’s Parks and Recreation Director. https://www.pineandlakes.com/community/lake-country-faces-nisswa-womans-career-path-was-set-as-a-toddler
Washington County Parks selected the Lake Elmo Park Reserve Wayfinding project as a MRPA Award of Excellence which Tori Slawik (RPLS, 2020) made significant contributions to.
Zach Larson is the newest Department of Natural Resources Division of Enforcement officer in the Hutchinson area. https://www.crowrivermedia.com/hutchinsonleader/news/local/hutchinson-areas-new-dnr-officer-answered-natures-call/article_185bd74f-bb83-5fed-bdf9-6b2addc9f685.html
Rebecca Peterson has been hired as recreation director and volunteer coordinator by Bethesda in Willmar.
Brandon Carlson has been named the Interim Program Director at the Mankato Youth Place.
Congratulations to Chelsey Bechel (RPLS, 2017) on being among the 14 trainees of the MnDNR Conservation Officer Academy this year! http://aapress.com/ethnicity/hmong/14-conservation-officers-candidates-now-training-with-minnesota-dnr/
Congratulations to RPLS Alum Jennifer Pinske who was named Chief Development Officer of One Vision in Clear Lake, IA. https://globegazette.com/news/local/longtime-one-vision-employee-receives-promotion/article_09b4cc36-2e33-5789-8c0c-fa3ee3077a5b.html
Hannah Behr has accepted the position of Activities Coordinator with White Pine Senior Living.
Alexandra Grejtak has accepted a position as a Recreation Therapist in Anoka.
Haley Blank has accepted a position as a Adjunctive Therapist with Mille Lacs Health System.
Sola Stephenson is teaching Physical Education in West Africa.
Hannah Hanson has accepted a CTRS position at Roger's Behavioral Health.
Rachel Murphy is the new Activities Director with Traditions of Owatonna.
Sarah Lawson, CTRS, is the new Life Engagement Coach at New Perspective Senior Living in Prior Lake.
Sarah Peters is the Executive Director of Hills Crossing Senior Living in Nisswa.
Alumni Briana Spicer was featured in a news segment for the YMCA collaborates with the North American Squirrel Association (NASA) to offer people with physical or cognitive disabilities a day of skiing at Mt. La Crosse.
Alumni Stephanie Busiahn is currently employed at the Fairmont Convention & Visitors Bureau and has recently been appointed to the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council, representing the southern Minnesota regional group.
Tammy Domonoske is the State Park Manager for Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Riley Donovan is the Recreation Supervisor for the City of Austin.
Ben Schueller has accepted a position as a Facilities Coordinator for Austin Public Schools.
Briana Spicer has accepted a position at the La Crosse YMCA as the Inclusion Specialist for their adaptive programming.
Hannah Logue has accepted an offer as the Life Enrichment Director at the Rivers in Burnsville.
Jennifer Davis is the Albert Lea Recreation Program Supervisor.
Adam Ellanson has accepted a position as Park Ranger for the Bureau of Reclamation at new Melones Lake in Sonora, CA.
Jessica Christensen Buck is the new Recreation Coordinator for the City of Corcoran.
Eric Edhlund is the Ice Arena, Property and Events Manager for St. Paul Academy and Summit School in St. Paul, MN.
Kaitlyn Sturdy has accepted the position of Community Life Director at St. Therese Senior Living Center.
Ryan Trench has accepted a position as a Program Coordinator in the sports and recreation department at Courage Kenny.
Katie Murphy is working full time as the Wellness Manager at the Lake Crystal Area Recreation Center
Marsia Smith is working as a Recreational Therapist at Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter.
Cody Buechner works as Student Clubs and Greek Life Coordinator at University of Alaska, Anchorage.
Dan Ryan works as a Senior Environmental Educator and Employee Recruitment Specialist at Deep Portage Learning Center in Hackensack, MN.
Taylor Naatz has accepted a permanent position in Watersmeet, MI in the upper peninsula with the U.S. Forest Service.
William Niska has recently accepted a position from Idaho Parks and recreation and will be a park ranger at Old Mission State Park.
Eric Lucas, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Culture, Windsor, CO.
Mike Pflaum, Park Superintendent of Badlands National Park.