CEBAH Awards

Senior Merit: Graduating seniors who have maintained a 3.5 GPA for their last 60 honor credits will receive Senior Merit. 

• Anna Alikin
• Annie Allhiser
• Rachel Amoth
• Jo Ann Arnold
• Kelsey Baker
• Sydney Behrens
• Jared Blichfeldt
• Riley Bresette
• Cole Carpenter
• Olivia Cleary
• Lauren Coenen
• Bailey Davis
• Paige Donnelly
• Emma Eibon
• Beau Fair
• Lynnea Harms
• Jennifer Hauschildt
• Leif Iverson
• Haley James
• Adam Jenkinson
• Megan Johnson
• Ryan Jorke
• Kali Kasten
• Kendra Kern
• Kyla Kubera
• Yer Lee
• Maddie Leick
• Tori Letourneau
• Justin Malecha
• Sawyer Miller
• Brianna Nipper
• Alison Nutt
• Jude Oberdeck
• Anders Olafson
• Leah Pederson
• Jennifer Riley
• Caleb Royal
• Isabelle Sanders
• Andrew Schumacher
• Kayleen Siwicki
• Jacob Spindler
• Zack Thometz
• Andrew Thunborg
• Gage Timm
• Sarah Tronson
• MaKya Vandeberg
• Jewel Waupekenay
• Amberlee Wojcik
• Alex Wright
• Ben Wright 

Cum Laude: Graduating seniors with a minimum cumulative 3.7 GPA for their entire college career at all institutions will receive their diplomas cum laude. 

• Breanna Anderson
• Reese Benware
• Brooke Betley
• Aaron Borgerding
• Bobby Bruski
• Allisen Carothers
• Anya Christenson
• Gibb Coady
• Mackenzie Dunn
• Lily Griffin
• Jaya Hatlestad
• Cole Jannsen
• Emma Jensen
• Ruby Johnson
• Kara Lee
• Paige Pearson
• Regan Schweitzer
• Emily Skjonsberg
• Addie Smittkamp
• Kaylor Soiney
• Abby Tapanila
• Indy Walstrom
• Emmaline Weist 

Magna Cum Laude: Graduating seniors with a minimum cumulative 3.8 GPA for their entire college career at all institutions will receive their diplomas magna cum laude. 

• Jacob Alen
• Josh Anderson
• Jayda Anderson
• Krissandra Bulow
• Jack Craycroft
• Carolyn Decheine
• Tamara Dow
• Kendra Duren
• Sawyer Federation
• Joseph Foss
• Kayden Hersback
• Abigail Lo
• Emma Nawrocki
• Bradley Niekamp
• Madison O'Donnell
• Bailey Olson
• Max Person
• Sam Pirkl
• Alexis Rettig
• Alex Robarge
• Ellie Skuza
• Meg Starkey
• Evie Tiedemann
• Kelly Zschokke 

Summa Cum Laude: Graduating seniors with a minimum cumulative 3.9 GPA for their entire college career at all institutions will receive their diplomas summa cum laude. 

• Mason Anderson
• Ridley Bemis
• Ellie Brice
• Emily Curtis
• Olivia Dumond
• Natalia Ehnstrom
• Brendan Fernlund
• Kate Garbow
• Abigail Goodwin
• Mollee Gruszynski
• Ashley Guse
• Paige Heimerl
• Morgan Honstad
• Brooke Lemke
• Victoria Lindquist
• Lauren Lindstrom
• Norah Lynch
• Lauren Lyons
• Olivia Miron
• Brooke Putz
• Araya Rock
• Ethan Rumpel
• Lucy Thelen
• Averie Varsho
• Sophia Vogel
• Tom Watry

The Rochelle Junkman Seymour recognition is awarded to the graduate from each college at UWRF achieving the highest college cumulative grade point average. 

• Lauren Lindstrom  

Lydia is an exceptionally hardworking and capable student who has consistently demonstrated motivation and active participation in all she does. She has a deep understanding of the concepts discussed in class and a curiosity to learn more, which, in turn, motivates her instructors. 

Lydia completes her assignments with great attention to detail. In group projects, she is highly engaged and plays a significant role in enhancing the learning of her teammates. She has frequently been observed explaining concepts to her peers and genuinely caring about their learning process. What sets her apart is that she not only values her own learning but also positively influences the learning journey of her peers. 

Ridley is a dedicated and hardworking student who has excelled in our program despite facing many personal challenges. He is always looking to learn more so he can be the best social worker possible. He is doing the work for the right reasons and we are proud of all he has accomplished! 

Kaitlyn Grenz is a third year graduate student, currently completing her practicum field experiences in school psychology. Her work ethic and curiosity have been evident since her first year in the program. Kaitlyn is an excellent example of a student going the extra mile in her preparation, all with a warm and confident interpersonal approach that will serve her well as a future school psychologist. Additionally, Kaitlyn has served as one of only two graduate assistants in the program this year, where she has supported the instruction and learning of other program students and offered her time and insights to prospective students; all while juggling other school and life obligations. Indeed, her classmates have often viewed her as a "go to" resource for her advanced knowledge and skillset. Thank you and congratulations, Kaitlyn!

It is an absolute joy to recognize Marissa Haglund for the incredible impact she has had on our class and the School of Education community. From the very start, she has been a leader, excelling academically while lifting others up along the way. She has a rare ability to connect learning to real-life experiences, making discussions richer and more meaningful for everyone. I’ve watched her go out of her way to help her peers find their own connections to the material, making learning feel more relevant and personal. in addition to her generous participation, she creates space for others to grow.  
 
Beyond her academic strengths, Marissa Haglund brings a warmth and professionalism that make her a natural educator. She values collaboration and approaches every conversation with openness and respect, always eager to learn from different perspectives. She challenges herself and others in a way that feels supportive and thoughtful, never losing sight of the bigger goal of excellence, inclusion and shared growth within our class and the larger field of education. While her work is consistently top-notch and on time, what truly sets her apart is the way she fosters community, critical self-reflection and connection in everything she does. Her presence has made a lasting impact on our class and I have no doubt she will do the same wherever she goes next.

Luke Heggestad is highly deserving of recognition for his exceptional achievements in both academic and entrepreneurial pursuits. As a senior double majoring in finance and marketing-professional sales, Luke has consistently demonstrated dedication, creativity and leadership. His critical contributions to the UW-River Falls Finance Team helped secure a historic first-place victory at the CFA Institute Research Challenge local finals, showcasing his excellence in financial analysis, ethical decision-making and teamwork. Beyond the classroom, Luke also earned second place in the UWRF Innovation Challenge with his GeoSki business concept, an innovative solution aimed at improving safety and reducing theft in the ski and snowboard industry. Luke’s commitment to his idea was evident through extensive research, including traveling to Colorado to interview industry professionals. His success in the Innovation Challenge and advancement to the WiSys Big Idea Tournament reflect willingness to go above and beyond, exemplifying the spirit of innovation and impact.  Luke’s participation in these high-level competitions, completed alongside a full academic workload, demonstrates his unwavering work ethic and desire to make meaningful contributions both within and beyond the university community.

Kayden Hersback is an outstanding student and member of the UWRF community. She shows exceptional dedication to her schoolwork and athletics, approaching both with a positive attitude and determination. Kayden is a member of the UWRF women’s lacrosse team and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, where she helps create and inform other peers of upcoming events. In the classroom she continues to excel in projects and groupwork and strives to help her classmates along the way. A consistent member of the honor roll, Kayden approaches her studies with a curiosity to learn, looking for opportunities to apply her knowledge outside the classroom. She is a leader among her peers and embodies what it means to be a UWRF student. 

Kaitlyn Julian is a strong student that is committed to this field and her studies. She entered the program in fall 2020, not letting COVID-19 impact her goals. She has continuously put in the time and energy to truly get everything out of each class she has taken. She is a student that enhances the experience of her classmates by her thoughtful comments and engagement in the class.  She is always looking for ways to improve the quality of life of those around her. Her capstone project, which conducted a needs analysis to examine opportunities for government service employees to have worksite wellness programming at the Naval Medical Center, embodies this passion. Kaitlyn leaves a positive impact wherever she goes. Congratulations, Kaitlyn.

This award is presented to Lacey in recognition of their exceptional dedication to their studies, academic achievements and unwavering commitment to excellence. Over the past year, Lacey has demonstrated remarkable leadership skills as one of the key leaders of the school counseling group, making valuable contributions to the well-being and growth of our school counseling community at UWRF. 

Lacey's academic accomplishments speak for themselves, reflecting intelligence, a relentless work ethic and a passion for learning. Their ability to balance academic rigor with their leadership role in the counseling group has been truly inspiring. They have consistently shown initiative, empathy and dedication, helping create a positive and supportive environment for their peers and the wider school community. 

We honor Lacey with great pride for their outstanding contributions, leadership and commitment to academic excellence. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.

Jennie King has worked so hard to get to where she is today!  She has been an active part of the Burlington Montessori community as a parent, assistant and now a teacher.   

She has worked for Burlington Area School District for the past four years. She has been the lead Montessori Children's House teacher for the last two. Prior to moving to the public school, Jennie worked at the CATHE center, which is a community arts center that also provided childcare through their Children's House Montessori Program. There, she was an assistant teacher for a number of years. After many years of dedicating time to her family and work, she returned to school and began her master's and AMS Montessori credentialing program with UWRF.  

Currently a Lead Montessori teacher at a public Montessori school in Burlington, she is the voice of strength for her community. She advocates for children's rights and the school's needs. Her firm grounding in Montessori philosophy has contributed to the success of her advocacy efforts and the extent of her impact. 

Kyrie Kons is an exceptional student in the School of Business and Economics. Kyrie is passionate about giving back to the UWRF community, serving in several leadership positions, including as Finance Director for the SGA this year and Treasurer for the IHSA Western Equestrian Team. She displays a strong enthusiasm for student involvement and strives to find ways to improve the student experience for others.  Alongside her many extracurricular activities, Kyrie is an outstanding student, excelling in her courses, as a member of the Honors Program and Dean’s List. Kyrie shows a passion for her studies, asking questions and relating her learning to many of the experiences she has had throughout her internships. She exemplifies what it is to be a student leader, thriving in all areas of student life. 

Nancy Lindeman has been in education for nearly 50 years! She started teaching upon graduating from college the year the first law for special education came into being! From that day forward her dedication to working with all children, families, teachers and specialists has never waned. 

Nancy took a particularly creative and innovative path in her doctoral work that has earned her an award of outstanding student for academic and humanitarian reasons. Nancy’s dissertation research is on Intergenerational Montessori-Based Instruction to Mitigate Ageist Attitudes Among Children Ages 3-5. Her research design deserves recognition as well as her husband, Jeff who traveled with her for the five-week stay in Albuquerque, N.M. for the site research at the Intergenerational Montessori community where older adults and young children spent time laughing, crying, playing, giving to and learning from each other! 

Nancy also accomplished several amazing things during her doctoral program. She is a recipient of the Age & Community Scholarship from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Helen Bader School of Social Welfare and she completed a certificate in Applied Gerontology while also completing her doctorate. Just as a Montessori student plans and executes a ‘going-out’ to satisfy a thirst for knowledge that the immediate classroom environment cannot feed, Nancy sought out courses for her specific research interest and did all the logistical and academic leg work in order to integrate this knowledge into UWRF doctoral work and research. Nancy was just honored at the UWM’s Helen Daniels Bader Legacy Reception on Wednesday night for her terrific contributions to their program as well. 

Finally, Nancy’s nomination for this award is in recognition of the academic networking and Montessori connections she has been creating and maintaining since she started this program. Throughout her program and research, Nancy has been working with AMI and AMS teachers, schools and professionals, has stayed connected to Generations Working Together, a UK-based international academic group, has attended non-Montessori conferences such as Generations United in order to bring Montessori to other fields in the academy, specifically that of the Aging and Older Adults. 

And lastly, as if her dissertation was not enough to do, she recently presented at the Hope Montessori Conference, St Louis, Mo. in February on "Developing a Community of Belonging With Adults and Children" and "Equity-Based Trauma-Informed Practice" at the AMS Conference in March.

I am pleased to nominate Derek Marquardt for the Most Outstanding Clinical Exercise Physiology Master’s Student Award in recognition of his exceptional academic performance, research contributions and dedication to the field. Derek excels in his coursework, consistently demonstrating a deep understanding of clinical exercise physiology and applying this knowledge to both his studies and clinical settings. His upcoming internship at Hospital Sisters Health System in Green Bay will further enhance his practical experience and prepare him for a successful career in the field. Transitioning from a physical education teacher, Derek brings a unique perspective and a strong passion for helping individuals improve their health through exercise. His work ethic, leadership abilities and commitment to his professional growth make him an ideal candidate for this prestigious recognition.

Bri is our HPE Major of the Year award winner because of her service to the program, GPA, leadership and her potential to be a great health and physical education teacher. Bri produces outstanding work in the classroom. She plans for lessons and units in ways that consider all her students’ needs and address the standards and content in creative and engaging ways. She is passionate about health and physical education. She shares her passion with her students, her peers and colleagues and inspires them to feel the same.

Jared Organ is deserving of recognition for his outstanding contribution to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Finance Team, which earned first place in the CFA Institute Research Challenge local finals. This achievement marked the university’s first-ever win in the prestigious competition. As a junior double majoring in finance and economics, Jared demonstrated exceptional analytical skills, professionalism and ethical judgment throughout the challenge. His thoughtful contributions and poise under pressure were instrumental in the team's ability to craft and defend a compelling investment thesis. Jared’s reflection on the experience, citing both the deepening of his understanding of equity research and the discovery of new career pathways, illustrates his commitment to academic excellence and professional growth. His performance exemplifies the caliber of our students and the impact of our academic programs, making him a worthy candidate for this recognition.

Marguerite is a future elementary educator that makes visible efforts to connect students to each other and to resources. During the fall of 2023 when many UWRF students were grappling with the loss of classmates, Marguerite was a visible support to friends, shared a letter with the parents of a lost classmate and reached out to classmates for connection in class. Her genuine care is welcomed by others and deeply appreciated. Marguerite also shares her energy and interest in education with fellow future teachers. As the president of Aspiring Educators, she thoughtfully organizes meetings for future educators to talk directly to teachers, librarians and principals in the field. Further, she consistently excels across her coursework and runs the "all booked" book club. In the spring of 2025, she also completed her certification in youth mental health first aid. Marguerite is a hardworking individual, a valuable collaborator and an asset to the field of education.

Jake has been nominated based on his outstanding performance in the 2025 UW-River Falls Innovation Challenge. Jake demonstrated creativity, initiative and entrepreneurial skill through the development of his business concept, Screen Buddy, an innovative solution to improve the portability and storage of window screens. His first-place finish among a highly competitive field highlights not only the strength of his idea but also the depth of research, planning and presentation he brought to the competition. He engaged with mentors, refined his business model and delivered a professional presentation to a panel of judges and a large audience. His success in the Innovation Challenge and advancement to the WiSys Big Idea Tournament reflect both his potential as a future business leader and his commitment to personal and professional development. Jake’s contributions represent the values of innovation, hard work and excellence that we strive to instill in all our students.

Brian Rejman is a committed and passionate student. He is a student that really engages! He engages with the content, his peers, his instructors and his community. He values the opportunity to learn as well as the process of learning. But he never stopped there, he used his knowledge to enhance the lives of the people and communities around him. Throughout his program his has worked as a personal trainer and a wellness/life coach, often applying the things he was learning in the moment while working with his clients. He has balanced academics and work with starting a family and all of life’s happenings. He is truly deserving of this award.

As a math apprentice last year, Alex developed a strong understanding of best practices related to teaching mathematics. He knows how to use a variety of emerging technologies (through iPads) such as Desmos, CPM etools and virtual manipulatives in very purposeful ways to teach mathematics. He also has a great understanding for using vertical whiteboards to engage his students through active learning with rich mathematical tasks. He continued to grow during student teaching, as I have received strong reports from the teachers he works with.  Alex is very articulate and creative with the materials he prepares and is always willing to go the extra mile to assist students to better understand mathematical concepts. Alex has a great outlook on the teaching profession, a strong understanding of mathematical content and pedagogical content knowledge, works well with students, can use technology to successfully facilitate lessons and is a true professional with colleagues.

Kelsey is an outstanding student in the elementary education program. She is a leader and positive role model in her cohort, helping to foster a learning community that is supportive and willing to help one another learn. She exemplifies what it means to have a growth mindset, seeking feedback and seeing mistakes as an opportunity to learn. Kelsey effortlessly connects with her students and cooperating during her practicum experiences, creating learning experiences that demonstrate that she cares both about learning and also about her students' experiences in school and lives outside of school. We in the teacher education department have been lucky to work with Kelsey and are confident that she will be an exceptional teacher. 

Ethan Rumpel is pursuing a B.S. in business administration-finance and economics and is an excellent student. Following graduation, he will work towards becoming a financial adviser. On campus, he is involved in the UWRF Marching/Pep Band and serves as an officer of our Beta Gamma Sigma chapter at UWRF. He helped coordinate and implement the BGS Informational Session this spring, helping other students learn about the benefits of this honor society. Ethan has worked at WESTconsin Credit Union since he was in high school, almost six years and his current title is member service representative. Ethan serves both UWRF and the local community professionally and ethically.

Bailey Sauve, an excellent business administration major and military leadership minor, is our CFA Institute Research Challenge team captain for UWRF.  We won this very prestigious competition this year our team poured their hearts out in hours and creativity to do it - a huge deal for our school. Bailey also participates in the ROTC program at UWRF. CDT Sauve is Bravo Company's Executive Officer (XO), responsible for company staff, ensuring the commanders' intents are met and managing the company's weekly meetings. As a contracted cadet, he is learning how to conduct large-scale movement operations with the Wisconsin National Guard. Bailey serves as Treasurer of the UWRF Finance Club and is an entrepreneur who founded both an insightful financial newsletter and a very successful snow removal partnership. Bailey also works as the Finance and Administrative Assistant for the UWRF Foundation office, gaining experience in his field and serving the institution.

Kaylor excels in her academic performance, campus involvement and is a role model in the exercise and sport science major. She is thoughtful, dedicated, reliable and motivated in her career aspirations in the field of pediatric physical therapy. On behalf of the Health and Human Performance Department, we congratulate Kaylor on an outstanding undergraduate career and wish her the best in her future endeavors. 

Camille is a consistently strong performer in coursework and clinical practice. She is actively engaged, contributes meaningfully during class discussions and is well-respected by her cohort. Camille demonstrates a consistent desire to improve her clinical practice and her supervisors praise her for her willingness to try new approaches with clients and take constructive feedback. She is a grounded student who is extremely likeable and is appreciated by faculty, clinical supervisors and clients. 

I am honored to nominate Abby for the Outstanding Student Award. Her dedication to academic excellence is evident in her impressive 3.85 GPA in her major and her commitment to professional growth through presenting at state conferences. Beyond the classroom, Abby has taken the initiative to foster a sense of community among her HPE peers by organizing social activities that strengthen connections and collaboration. Her passion for teaching is reflected in the engaging, student-centered PE lessons she creates, ensuring meaningful learning experiences for all students. Through leadership, innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Abby has made a lasting impact on her peers, her field and the campus community, making her truly deserving of this recognition. 

I nominate Sophia Vogel, a broadfield social studies student, to be recognized for her outstanding accomplishments as she works toward graduating from UWRF and moves into her future profession as an exemplary social studies teacher. 

A first of Sophie’s outstanding accomplishments involves her stellar classroom performance. The social studies teacher education courses require students to complete a rather difficult end-of-semester assignment. That assignment is to develop a Unit Plan and is to be taught in a classroom. This Unit Plan is massive. It contains several sections and sub-sections and these unit plans end up being an 80–90-page document. Last fall, while practice teaching at Prescott High School, Sophie produced a Unit Plan focused on U.S. Foreign Policy during World War II. Sophie’s Unit Plan was top in its class. This 92-page document was far superior to the other plans produced by her peers. 

Moreover, Sophie’s classroom performance extends to her outstanding performance as a future teacher. The cooperating teacher at Prescott High School described Sophie’s commitment to sound teaching as reflecting someone who “wanted to know the best way to work with students and staff” and noted that Sophie “[w]orked well as a team seeking advice and making connections” with students. 

A second of Sophie’s outstanding accomplishments is based on her service to the department. Last summer, Sophie served as a student representative on the Teacher Education Department’s Search Committee. She helped interview teaching candidates, interacted as a consummate professional with faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences and she volunteered her time observing multiple teaching demonstrations by potential teaching candidates. Sophie has also helped the Teacher Education Department with retention and recruitment efforts. She volunteered last fall to sit on a Student Panel for UWRF's Nesting Day for incoming First Year Teacher Education Students. She also volunteered this year to help with student recruitment by presenting UWRF’s best face to hundreds of potential high school students on Future Teacher Day. 

These accomplishments are not exhaustive. Indeed, there is more to say about Sophie: her positive personality, her presentation last fall in Boston at the National Council for Social Studies conference, her ability to model high quality teaching to her younger peers. In the meantime, however, it is because of her accomplishments that I believe Sophie Vogel should be recognized as an Outstanding Student by the College of Business, Education and Allied Health.

Tom Watry is an excellent accounting student and helped get the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society UWRF chapter relaunched over the last year. Tom is highly ethical, always has a positive attitude and helps others to learn and grow. He has worked as a sales professional at Schuler Shoes for four years while furthering his education and has interned in Tax at EY in summer 2024 and spring 2025.  After graduation, he'll join the EY Financial Services Organization Tax team in Minneapolis, where he will continue to build his professional, analytical and collaborative skills. 

Lindsey Wildberg, a double major in management and accounting, is an excellent student and has provided outstanding service and leadership both on-campus and off-campus. Lindsey has served as the Senior President of the Accounting Society student organization at UWRF since September 2023. In this role, she plans meetings and events, including inviting and hosting guest speakers from the field of accounting, mock interview Career Fair preparation, internship panels and the culminating de-stress event at the end of each semester. Lindsey is also the treasurer and a small group leader for Intervarsity and she develops and maintains the budget for that UWRF student organization. Wildberg has also been a member of the Women in Business student organization since September 2022 and has helped plan workshops, seminars and panel discussions on professional topics. 

She also worked as an accounting tutor at UWRF in spring 2024. Lindsey worked as a Title Processor at Gowey Title in Medford in summer 2024, helping with tax and budget analysis and processing detailed real estate title documents. Wildberg also worked as a mentorship student at the Hawkins Ash CPAs accounting firm in Medford in spring 2022. Lindsey is very professional and ethical in all of her activities. 

Tyler has excelled both in the classroom and at his internship where he puts into practice the principles that he is learning in the STAC program. He is consistent and excellent in his work. He engages with his classmates and helps to multiply their efforts in the classroom. 

I am honored to nominate Hayley for the Distinguished Collaborator Award. For many years, she has consistently provided our education students with valuable special education field experience opportunities. Hayley exemplifies how to support middle school students in becoming independent, which significantly influences our students' future aspirations. Additionally, she participated in a research project funded by UWRF five years ago and has been an advocate for enhancing students' self-determination. 

Dr. Bill Hudson is currently the Head of School at Mounds Park Academy, an independent pre-k through 12 school in Maplewood, Minn. Dr. Hudson is the consummate exemplar of what it means to be a servant leader. He operates first and foremost in the best interest of students, creating safe, welcoming and inclusive communities of learning for all children, youth, families and staff members.  
 
In 2017, as a result of national conversations about youth suicide and a spate of adolescent deaths by suicide locally, Dr. Hudson reached out to the faculty of the UWRF school psychology program to inquire about youth suicide prevention initiatives. Through ongoing conversations and planning, MPA instituted the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program, a research-based youth suicide prevention curriculum. Each year since 2018, with the support of graduate students and faculty of the UWRF school psychology program, all 7th, 9th and 11th graders at MPA have received suicide prevention education and mental health screenings through the SOS program. To date, over 1,000 MPA students have benefited from this initiative; furthermore, nearly 100 UWRF school psychology graduate students have grown in their own professional identities and effectiveness as a result of supporting the SOS initiative at MPA.  
 
So, as Dr. Hudson prepares to retire at the end of the current school year, the UWRF school psychology program wishes to honor and to thank him for all he has done in the support of student development, both at MPA and at UWRF, the lasting impact of which will be felt for years to come.  

It is with great enthusiasm that we recognize Highwood Hills Elementary (all faculty and staff) as an outstanding collaborator with our teacher education program, specifically Block II. Their unwavering commitment to fostering the growth and development of pre-service teachers has made an invaluable impact on our students, our faculty and the broader educational community. 

Each semester, Highwood Hills Elementary welcomes our pre-service teachers with open arms, providing them with a nurturing and immersive learning environment. Our pre-service teachers are actively included in opportunities and field trips, allowing them to gain hands-on experience that extends far beyond traditional observations. This holistic approach ensures that our students are well-prepared for the complexities and responsibilities of teaching in diverse educational settings.  

Over 80% of their dedicated classroom teachers serve as mentor educators (with many others within the building supporting and guiding our UWRF students), guiding, supporting and shaping the next generation of educators. This remarkable level of participation demonstrates not only the school's commitment to teacher development but also its belief in the power of experiential learning. Their dedication to mentorship and their willingness to invest in future educators set a standard that is both commendable and inspiring. For these reasons, we wholeheartedly recommend Highwood Hills Elementary for recognition as an outstanding collaborator. We look forward to continuing this invaluable partnership and witnessing the continued success of the educators they so passionately support. 

This award is presented to Dr. Courtland Lee, an internationally renowned scholar and retired counselor educator, for his exceptional contributions to multicultural counseling. Dr. Lee is the author of seven books on multicultural counseling, three on counseling and social justice and three on counseling African American males. He has also published numerous articles and book chapters and his leadership includes serving as Past President of the American Counseling Association and former editor of the Journal of African American Men. 

Dr. Lee's dedication to supporting the school counseling program, especially during challenging times, has been invaluable. His multicultural, social justice and ethical counseling expertise has dramatically enriched the program and his commitment to advancing the field inspires students and faculty alike. This award honors his outstanding collaboration and lasting impact on the school counseling community. 

Erica Matson is a science teacher at Hudson Middle School, where she has been supporting UWRF teacher candidates in various mentorship roles for well over a decade. Erica is an outstanding collaborator who has always been open and, along with the other teachers in the Avalon House in the middle school, Erica has always helped, ”since the beginning, in fact,” with our Teacher Education Programs shadow and teaching days. Most recently, Erica has been serving as the lead teacher and mentor for pre-service teachers' field experience in our middle level course. Under her guidance, our candidates are partnered with teachers in 7th grade Avalon House for observation of teaching, exploration of curriculum and one-on-one co-coaching alongside UWRF faculty. Serving as a professional development site is heavy lifting for our partner teachers, as they help our pre-service teachers gain valuable hands-on experience designing and facilitating lessons that merge with the school's regular curriculum. Our teaching candidates are also able to see principles of classroom management, motivation and adolescent development as eyewitnesses to models and first-hand practice under the supervision of seasoned master teachers. It is the planning, coordination and direct participation of teacher leaders like Erica Matson that makes UWRF among the very best at preparing the next generation of teachers. 

I am honored to nominate Morgan Wilson for the Outstanding Collaborating Teacher award. She consistently goes above and beyond to create a welcoming and supportive environment for teacher candidates, ensuring they feel valued and included. With clear and constructive feedback, Morgan fosters professional growth by identifying strengths and providing guidance for improvement. She actively involves teacher candidates in lesson delivery, encouraging them to take on responsibilities while offering mentorship along the way. Through expert modeling of best teaching practices, engaging instruction, effective classroom management and student-centered learning, Morgan equips future educators with the skills and confidence they need to succeed. Her dedication to collaboration not only enhances the experiences of teacher candidates but also strengthens the teaching profession as a whole. 

The Social Work Department has been collaborating with Red Wing High School for over a decade and working with Kaycee and Ashley since 2019. We are grateful for all the time and energy they have dedicated to supervising our students in their Field Placements and for their ongoing support of our program. They are excellent role models and our students have nothing but good things to say about their experiences with Kaycee and Ashley, year after year. Thank you for helping shape the future of our profession!  

Kai Rodgers has made a profound impact on the River Falls Montessori Community in the last year and half. The 2024-2025 academic year is Kai's second year as Principal at River Falls Public Montessori Elementary and she has improved the school community's lives in numerous ways. She has increased fidelity to the Montessori pedagogy at the school, she has increased scores and created many strong new relationships with the parents and teachers within the school community. River Falls Public Montessori serves as a teaching site for UWRF's Montessori Programs and we are grateful for her attentiveness to our instructional needs and thoughtful and hard working collaborator with UWRF. Thank you for all your dedication to quality Montessori and to UWRF's Montessori programs. 

Michaela is a speech-language pathologist and frequent supervisor of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) graduate practicum students at the River Falls and Hastings Allina/Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute locations and a favorite, at that. 

Her balance of being straight-forward and honest while also portraying kind intentions is appreciated by her students and patients alike. She never fails to find a way to connect with her patients and troubleshoot the most impossible clinical scenarios and her students say that they take much of what they learn from her into their subsequent experiences. Students comment that she is exactly the type of supervisor they would have wished for. "She is not in her line of work for the praise, but she certainly deserves it most of all." 

As a speech-language pathologist, Sasha consistently exhibits the qualities that make her an exceptional collaborator in the field. She is highly skilled in the profession and possesses an outstanding ability to work effectively with others. Her interpersonal skills enable her to foster strong, supportive relationships with the students she mentors. She creates an environment of trust and respect during the mentorship experience and her guidance and support are highly appreciated by the UW-River Falls graduate CSD students and supervisors. Her knowledge and experience help the students grow professionally and they gain invaluable insight into both the clinical and interpersonal aspects of the profession. Feedback from students consistently highlights the positive impact she has had on their learning and growth as clinicians. 

 I am honored to nominate Rachel for the Distinguished Collaborator Award. Rachel has been a dedicated cooperating teacher who has provided exceptional field experience opportunities to our education students over the years. Our students have learned a great deal from her teaching and her genuine care for their success. Additionally, Rachel participated in a research project funded by UWRF five years ago, where her vision for self-determination was evident through her support for students. 

I am honored to nominate Syndy for the Distinguished Collaborator Award. For over a decade, Syndy has exemplified the role of a dedicated cooperating teacher for our UWRF education students. Bridge View is a special school that serves only students with IEPs and Syndy has been exceptionally helpful in providing our education students with valuable field experience opportunities. She is caring and greatly impacts our students' learning through her teaching. 

Kevin Wold, Human Resources Director of Mahoney CPAs and Advisors, dropped by UWRF back in June 2023, offering to partner with the department and students. He has since become a regular guest speaker, initiated the Mahoney social hour after the last day of the fall semester Career Fair and continues to support the Mahoney CPAs and Advisors Accounting Scholarship. The students always enjoy hearing about the variety of opportunities that he experiences in his career and learning more about the job search process in general. 

Brenda Geraghty is a school psychologist and notable leader in the Shakopee Public School District. Among her many roles in Shakopee, she has served on the District Crisis Steering Committee, helping facilitate discussions about crisis planning. Additionally, Brenda promotes a positive public image of school psychologists by going into high school psychology classes and talking about her experiences as a school psychologist in a warm and welcoming manner. Moreover, she teaches an education-focused community education class outside of her day job. Finally, for numerous years, Brenda has taken on the supervision of practicum students or interns from the UWRF school psychology program. She is a great ambassador of UW-River Falls School Psychology! 

Laura Kropp holds both an undergraduate and graduate degree from UWRF, receiving her MBA in 2017. She is an Executive Recruiter and Account Manager on the Business Professional Team at Dahl Consulting. With over a decade of experience in recruitment, Laura is an expert in talent acquisition and has served in many roles including as adjunct faculty for Globe University teaching a capstone course focused on recruitment. 

In 2020 and 2021, she was recognized as the Highest New Business Recruiter. In addition to her many work achievements, Laura has never failed to give back to the UWRF community. She has supported students within the School of Business, dedicating time each term to share her expertise and experience with undergraduate students in SBE 300. Students share their excitement and appreciation for her insights and advice and she has become a friendly face in the hallways of South Hall. Laura continues to excel in her career and serve as a mentor within the UWRF community. She exemplifies what it means to be a Falcon and we are honored to be able to call her an UWRF alumni. 

Rachel graduated from the UWRF Communicative Disorders (previous program name) graduate program in 2007. She left the area to work elsewhere in the U.S. but returned several years later with a strong desire to start her own private practice. Since then, she has built a thriving and well-respected pediatric outpatient therapy practice, Therapy OPS, offering occupational, physical and speech therapy services to children and adolescents in two locations in the south metro area, Inver Grove Heights and Hastings. 

Rachel has strived to create a business that truly enriches the communities around it. Aside from rehabilitative therapies, they offer support groups, parent and community education through regular events and an active blog on their website, in addition to sensory-friendly entertainment events. Rachel and Therapy OPS have recently begun offering an annual $5000 scholarship for a local high school student entering fields of occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech therapy. Finally, Rachel has also hosted several CSD graduate students for practicum placements, giving back to UW-River Falls as a mentor to future speech-language pathologists. 

Amanda Linehan, CPA, is a partner at Guinn, Vinopal & Zahradka, LLP. Linehan works with small to mid-sized businesses and their owners in the areas of tax compliance, tax planning, accounting assistance and business strategy. Amanda has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from UW-River Falls and a master’s in business taxation from the University of Minnesota. 

She returns to UWRF regularly to guest speak to the Accounting Society and recruit interns and staff members. She presented training on "Accounting for Small Businesses with QuickBooks" at the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center in September 2024. In 2023, she served as the River Falls Chamber of Commerce board chair. She also shared her musical talent as a member of the St. Croix Valley Community Band for many years. 

Sarah graduated from the UWRF Communicative Disorders (previous program name) undergraduate program in 2004 and the graduate program in 2006. She is a speech-language pathologist working with the elderly in skilled nursing facilities (SNF), most recently at Christian Community Home in Hudson for the last nine years, where she also holds the leadership title of Director of Rehab Services. 

Sarah has provided expert adjunct instruction in the UWRF graduate program in the areas of Cognitive Disorders in Adults and Aphasia for more than 12 semesters. It is common for students who have taken her courses to request SNF practicum placements because of her inviting, calm and professional demeanor in explaining the disorders and patients she encounters there on a daily basis. This has been termed "The Soderberg Effect" by the program because SNF experiences are typically less sought after, but Sarah's approach gives them an allure they wouldn't otherwise have. 

Sarah continues to give back to the program and the profession as a mentor to future speech-language pathologists by hosting two UWRF graduate students for off-campus placements each semester. Students praise her empathetic demeanor, wisdom and calm problem-solving skills in evaluation and treatment. Her mentorship of students emphasizes self-reflection and two-way communication, resulting in a shared respect and excellent collaborative relationships with her students. 

Brandon Wait exemplifies the spirit of a Falcon through his unwavering service, dedication and impact on the UWRF School Counseling program and the broader community. A foundational member of the school counseling program who was instrumental in creating the practicum class and the approved practicum site list. 

He has also been a steadfast supporter during the CACREP accreditation process for the school counseling program. His contributions to the department have helped shape the school counseling program and its future. 

As an alumnus, Brandon’s work at Paladin School since 2008 has been marked by his extensive experience across various educational sectors, where he has championed social-emotional learning, trauma-responsive practices and restorative approaches. His leadership is grounded in collaboration, equity and empowering students to thrive. His dedication to both the field of school counseling and his community reflects the values of UWRF and what it means to be a Falcon.