Updated February 20, 2025
Each year, MASA provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding members and colleagues who are dedicated leaders and advocates for children and Minnesota education. We are pleased to announce this year’s award recipients!
Kay E. Jacobs Memorial Award
Sponsored by PMA Financial Network | presented at the MASA/MASE Spring Conference
Recognized for excellent leadership and involvement in MASA and other educational organizations by an administrator who is a woman.
MASA Distinguished Service Award
presented at the MASA/MASE Spring Conference
Recognized for the support of the children of Minnesota and for the recipient’s contributions to activities that have improved Minnesota’s public education system.
Polaris Leadership Award
Sponsored by Ehlers, Inc. | presented at the MASA Fall Conference
Recognized for exemplary school leadership and a lifetime of achievement in education.
Outstanding Central Office Administrator Award
presented at the MASA/MASE Spring Conference
Recognized for a willingness to take risks, possessing strong communication skills, being a progressive change agent, and having high expectations for themself and others.
Greater Minnesota Recipient
Metro Recipient
Kay E. Jacobs Memorial Award
Sponsored by PMA Financial Network | presented at the MASA/MASE Spring Conference
Recognized for excellent leadership and involvement in MASA and other educational organizations by an administrator who is a woman.
- Dr. Emily McDonald, Assistant Superintendent, Lakeville Area Public Schools
News Release
MASA Distinguished Service Award
presented at the MASA/MASE Spring Conference
Recognized for the support of the children of Minnesota and for the recipient’s contributions to activities that have improved Minnesota’s public education system.
- Dr. Dan Bittman, Retired Superintendent, Elk River Area School District
News Release
Polaris Leadership Award
Sponsored by Ehlers, Inc. | presented at the MASA Fall Conference
Recognized for exemplary school leadership and a lifetime of achievement in education.
- Dr. Theresa Battle, Superintendent, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District
News Release Coming Soon!
Outstanding Central Office Administrator Award
presented at the MASA/MASE Spring Conference
Recognized for a willingness to take risks, possessing strong communication skills, being a progressive change agent, and having high expectations for themself and others.
Greater Minnesota Recipient
- Ms. Cindy Olson, Executive Director, Arrowhead Regional Computing Consortium
News Release
Metro Recipient
- Ms. Hope Fagerland, Executive Director of Academics, St. Anthony-New Brighton School District
News Release
Richard Green Scholar Award
Sponsored by Cuningham | presented at the 2025 MASA Fall Conference
MASA’s Richard Green Scholars Program honors the scholarly work and professional development of Minnesota school leaders through the award of an annual recognition for the research, writing, and presentation of one paper reflecting the practice of excellent school leadership.
Assistant Superintendent Dehmer’s dissertation is titled, “The Relationship Between Mentorship, Career Pathways and Success in the Superintendency: A Comparative Study of Men and Women Educational Leaders in Minnesota.” You can read it here!
Sponsored by Cuningham | presented at the 2025 MASA Fall Conference
MASA’s Richard Green Scholars Program honors the scholarly work and professional development of Minnesota school leaders through the award of an annual recognition for the research, writing, and presentation of one paper reflecting the practice of excellent school leadership.
- Dr. Kristin Dehmer, Assistant Superintendent, Business and Administrative Services, Moorhead Area Public School
News Release Coming Soon!
Assistant Superintendent Dehmer’s dissertation is titled, “The Relationship Between Mentorship, Career Pathways and Success in the Superintendency: A Comparative Study of Men and Women Educational Leaders in Minnesota.” You can read it here!
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Regional Administrators of Excellence Awards. Each recipient is recognized for their leadership, concern for students, and active involvement in professional and community affairs. The recipients will be honored during the MASA/MASE Spring Conference!
2025 Regional Administrators of Excellence Award Recipients
Region 1: Ms. Rachel Udstuen, Superintendent, Spring Grove Public Schools
Region 2: Ms. Ranae Case Evenson, Superintendent, Jordan Public Schools
Region 3: Mr. Joe Meyer, Superintendent, Murray County Central Schools
Region 4: Mr. Rick Sansted, Superintendent, Alexandria Public Schools
Region 5: Mr. Scott Vedbraaten, Superintendent, Browerville Public Schools
Region 6: Mr. Brad Bergstrom, Superintendent, Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools
Region 7: Mr. Pat Rendle, Superintendent, Deer River Schools
Region 8: Dr. Shawn Yates, Superintendent, Warroad School District
Region 9: Dr. Kim Hiel, Superintendent, Osseo Area Schools
Established in 1985, the purpose of the Region Administrator of Excellence Award is to honor an administrator each year from each of the nine MASA regions. The person selected is representative of the leadership excellence found in MASA members, exhibits a willingness to risk, possesses strong communications skills, is a progressive change agent, and has high expectations for themself and others. MASA members of each region determine the recipient of their local award.
2025 Regional Administrators of Excellence Award Recipients
Region 1: Ms. Rachel Udstuen, Superintendent, Spring Grove Public Schools
Region 2: Ms. Ranae Case Evenson, Superintendent, Jordan Public Schools
Region 3: Mr. Joe Meyer, Superintendent, Murray County Central Schools
Region 4: Mr. Rick Sansted, Superintendent, Alexandria Public Schools
Region 5: Mr. Scott Vedbraaten, Superintendent, Browerville Public Schools
Region 6: Mr. Brad Bergstrom, Superintendent, Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools
Region 7: Mr. Pat Rendle, Superintendent, Deer River Schools
Region 8: Dr. Shawn Yates, Superintendent, Warroad School District
Region 9: Dr. Kim Hiel, Superintendent, Osseo Area Schools
Established in 1985, the purpose of the Region Administrator of Excellence Award is to honor an administrator each year from each of the nine MASA regions. The person selected is representative of the leadership excellence found in MASA members, exhibits a willingness to risk, possesses strong communications skills, is a progressive change agent, and has high expectations for themself and others. MASA members of each region determine the recipient of their local award.