Dr. Bruce Jensen to Receive MASA Polaris Leadership Award
MASA is grateful to Ehlers for their ongoing support of the Polaris Award. Ehlers is an independent municipal financial advisory company that has served public sector clients since 1955.
MEDFORD, MN — The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) has named Dr. Bruce Jensen, Director of School Administrative Services of the Northwest Service Cooperative (NWSC), recipient of the 2024 MASA Polaris Leadership Award. Dr. Jensen will be recognized for his exemplary school leadership and achievements at a recognition ceremony during the 2024 MASA Fall Conference, September 29–October 1, in Brainerd, MN.
The Polaris Leadership Award is named for the North Star because, just as Polaris remains constant and unmoving in the sky, so too do exemplary administrators remain steadfast as definitive leaders. Polaris Leadership Award winners are recognized for their many attributes, including their professional courage, legacy of excellent leadership, fostering of innovation, contribution through example and mentoring, exemplary conduct reflecting integrity and bearing emulation, and significant tenure in each position, all of which support district vision and affect positive change. The award is sponsored by Ehlers, Inc.
“It is an honor to present Dr. Bruce Jensen with the Polaris Leadership Award in recognition of his unwavering commitment to public education and leadership excellence,” said Dr. Deb Henton, MASA Executive Director. “Dr. Jensen embodies the qualities of a true leader, consistently guiding and inspiring those around him. His decades of service to Minnesota’s schools and his dedication to improving educational outcomes for students are a testament to his lifelong commitment to public education.”
Dr. Jensen has served Minnesota students and public schools for more than 40 years. He has served as an Elementary Principal, Superintendent, Executive Director, and Director of School Administrative Services. During his 17 years as Superintendent of Kittson Central School District, Dr. Jensen helped the district overcome numerous challenges, including multiple budget and facilities struggles. As Superintendent, Dr. Jensen created a finance workshop for new superintendents and aspiring superintendents. This workshop has grown significantly and has been offered at four Minnesota service co-ops and in administrative licensing programs at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and Minnesota State University-Moorhead. After 13 years as Executive Director of NWSC, Dr. Jensen transitioned to his current role as Director of School Administrative Services in 2024.
Dr. Jensen has been an active member of MASA since 1994. During this time, he is credited with mentoring and guiding hundreds of MASA superintendents through the complicated Minnesota school finance arena, and he fields many phone calls, emails, and text messages from administrators needing assistance with school finances and administrative guidance. Dr. Jensen served four terms on the MASA Board of Directors and has led the education policy, legislative, and membership committees.
Dr. Jensen received his doctorate in Education in Education Administration from the University of South Dakota, a master’s degree in Elementary Education Administration from Winona State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Moorhead State University.
MASA is grateful to Ehlers for their ongoing support of the Polaris Award. Ehlers is an independent municipal financial advisory company that has served public sector clients since 1955.
MASA is a professional organization of Minnesota’s school leaders. Its membership includes superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of special education, and other central office administrators, as well as state department administrators, college and university professors, and other educators throughout Minnesota. MASA members are dedicated to providing educational leadership for all Minnesota students.
The Polaris Leadership Award is named for the North Star because, just as Polaris remains constant and unmoving in the sky, so too do exemplary administrators remain steadfast as definitive leaders. Polaris Leadership Award winners are recognized for their many attributes, including their professional courage, legacy of excellent leadership, fostering of innovation, contribution through example and mentoring, exemplary conduct reflecting integrity and bearing emulation, and significant tenure in each position, all of which support district vision and affect positive change. The award is sponsored by Ehlers, Inc.
“It is an honor to present Dr. Bruce Jensen with the Polaris Leadership Award in recognition of his unwavering commitment to public education and leadership excellence,” said Dr. Deb Henton, MASA Executive Director. “Dr. Jensen embodies the qualities of a true leader, consistently guiding and inspiring those around him. His decades of service to Minnesota’s schools and his dedication to improving educational outcomes for students are a testament to his lifelong commitment to public education.”
Dr. Jensen has served Minnesota students and public schools for more than 40 years. He has served as an Elementary Principal, Superintendent, Executive Director, and Director of School Administrative Services. During his 17 years as Superintendent of Kittson Central School District, Dr. Jensen helped the district overcome numerous challenges, including multiple budget and facilities struggles. As Superintendent, Dr. Jensen created a finance workshop for new superintendents and aspiring superintendents. This workshop has grown significantly and has been offered at four Minnesota service co-ops and in administrative licensing programs at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and Minnesota State University-Moorhead. After 13 years as Executive Director of NWSC, Dr. Jensen transitioned to his current role as Director of School Administrative Services in 2024.
Dr. Jensen has been an active member of MASA since 1994. During this time, he is credited with mentoring and guiding hundreds of MASA superintendents through the complicated Minnesota school finance arena, and he fields many phone calls, emails, and text messages from administrators needing assistance with school finances and administrative guidance. Dr. Jensen served four terms on the MASA Board of Directors and has led the education policy, legislative, and membership committees.
Dr. Jensen received his doctorate in Education in Education Administration from the University of South Dakota, a master’s degree in Elementary Education Administration from Winona State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Moorhead State University.
MASA is grateful to Ehlers for their ongoing support of the Polaris Award. Ehlers is an independent municipal financial advisory company that has served public sector clients since 1955.
MASA is a professional organization of Minnesota’s school leaders. Its membership includes superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of special education, and other central office administrators, as well as state department administrators, college and university professors, and other educators throughout Minnesota. MASA members are dedicated to providing educational leadership for all Minnesota students.