Richard Green Scholar Award

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.

Each winter, MASA members are invited to submit summary proposals for papers. A subcommittee of the MASA Executive Development Committee will select the Richard Green Scholar based on the submitted paper proposals.

The scholarship recipient will be announced at the MASA Spring Conference, and the recipient will present his or her paper at the MASA Fall Conference. The Richard Green Scholar will receive a recognition plaque, a $1,000 award,
and conference tuition and lodging for the Fall Conference.

The Richard Green Scholars Program was named to honor former Minneapolis Superintendent Richard R. Green, who modeled innovation and distinction in the child-centered practice of exemplary school leadership.

Recognition and Presentation at the MASA Fall Conference!

This award is sponsored by Cuningham. This program is designed to recognize the research, writing, and presentation of one paper reflecting the practice of excellent school leadership.

Stay Tuned for Nomination Info!


Recipients of the Richard Green Scholars Award

2025 ​• Dr. Kristin Dehmer, Assistant Superintendent, Business and Administrative Services, Moorhead Area Public Schools
“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!

2024 ​• Dr. Jennifer Reichel, Director of Teaching and Learning, Mahtomedi Public Schools | ​News Release
Don’t Waste My Time: Characteristics of Professional Development that Mid-Career Teachers Say they Need​ | Dissertation

2023 • Dr. Amy LaDue, Associate Superintendent for Instruction, Minnetonka Public Schools | Dissertation
2023 • ​Dr. Peter Olson-Skog, Superintendent, West St. Paul - Mendota Heights - Eagan Area Schools | Dissertation
Leading Leaders: Helping Principals Grow | Press Release

2022 • Dr. Jeff Burgess, Superintendent, Mesabi East School District

Standard Specific Student Achievement Scores and the Impact on Teacher Incorporation of Standards, Knowledge of Standards, and Student Achievement

Dr. Burgess' ​Presentation Paper View Here
Dr. Burgess' ​News Release

2021 • Dr. Renee Corneille, Superintendent, St. Anthony-New Brighton School District​

Schooling and Education in a post COVID-19 world:  Using context to help understand this moment and provide a path for the future

     Dr. Corneille's Press Release View Here
​     Dr. Corneille's ​Presentation PPT View Here
     Dr. Corneille's ​Presentation Paper View Here

 

2020 • Dr. Kim Hiel, Superintendent, Fridley Public School District

The Influence of Society’s Perceptions and Stereotypes on African American Women Administrators’ Leadership Practices
​Dr. Hiels's Press Release View Here
​Dr. Hiels's ​Presentation PPT View Here
Dr. Hiels's ​Presentation Paper View Here

 

2019 • Dr. Michelle Mortensen, Superintendent, Renville County West School

Female Superintendent Perceptions of Challenges in Seeking and Serving in the Position of Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Mortensen's Press Release View Here
Dr. Mortensen's Presentation PPT View Here
Dr. Mortensen's Paper View Here


2018 • Dr. Kim Gibbons, Director of the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI), U of M

​Effective Universal Instruction: An Action-Oriented Approach to Improving Tier 1
Dr. Gibbon's Press Release View Here
Dr. Gibbon's Presentation PPT View Here
Dr. Gibbon's Paper ​View Here

2017 • Dr. Jeff Pesta, Superintendent, Kenyon-Wanamingo School District

​Focusing on the Wrong Gap: Achievement or Assimilation?
Dr. Pesta's Press Release View Here
Dr. Pesta's Presentation PPT View Here
Dr. Pesta's Paper View Here



2016 • Dr. James Johnson, Superintendent, Monticello School District

An Evaluation of Implementation and Effectiveness of Professional Learning Communities in Minnesota Public Schools
Dr. Johnson's Press Release View Here
Dr. Johnson's PPT View Here
Dr. Johnson's Paper View Here

2015 • Dr. Curt Tryggestad, Superintendent, Eden Prairie School District

The Role of the Minnesota Superintendent as a Technology Leader: A Delphi Study
Dr. Tryggestad's Press Release View Here
Dr. Tryggestad's PPT View Here
Dr. Tryggestad's Paper View Here

2014 • Dr. Heidi Hahn, Director of Special Education, Paul Bunyan Education Cooperative

​Leadership Practices and Their Impact on Teacher Job Satisfaction
Dr. Hahn's Press Release View Here
Dr. Hahn's PPT View Here
Dr. Hahn's Paper View Here

2013 • Mr. Aaron Ruhland, Director of Learning and Accountability, Orono School District

​Educational Adequacy: What do we expect from our schools, at what level, for whom, and at what cost?
Mr. Ruhland's Press Release View Here
Mr. Ruhland's PPT View Here
Mr. Ruhland's Paper View Here

2012 • Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak, Assistant Superintendent, Moorhead Area School District

Deep Visibility: Meaningful Absence and Presence in the Superintendency
Dr. Kazmierczak's Press Release View Here
Dr. Kazmierczak's PPT View Here
Dr. Kazmierczak's Diagram View Here
​Dr. Kazmierczak's Paper View Here

2011 • Dr. Candace Raskin, Department Chair, Department of Educational Leadership, MSU, Mankato

Barriers & Challenges to Implementing Educational Change
Dr. Raskin's Press Release View Here
Dr. Raskin's Paper View Here

 

 

2010 • Dr. Mary Ann Nelson, Consultant

An Exploration of School Board-Superintendent Relationships in Minnesota
Dr. Nelson's Press Release View Here
Dr. Nelson's 7 page Executive Summary View Here
Dr. Nelson's 42 page Executive Summary View Here
Dr. Nelson's PPT View Here

         Dr. Nelson's Zoomerang Survey View Here

 

2009 • Dr. Jay Haugen, Superintendent of the West Saint Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District

Clear Goals And Transparent Accountability: A Public Campaign For School Improvement
Dr. Haugen's Press Release View Here
Dr. Haugen's ppt View Here
Dr. Haugen's Paper View Here


2008 • Dr. Karen Orcutt, Superintendent of the Orono School District

Characteristics of Resiliency in Leadership: Implications for Personal and Organizational Coping and Adapting Abilities
Dr. Orcutt's Press Release View Here
Dr. Orcutt's PPT View Here
Dr. Orcutt's Paper View Here

2007 • Dr. Mark Wolak, Superintendent, Mahtomedi School District

Advancing Professional Practice for School Superintendents: Linking Effective Research with Effective Implementation
Dr. Wolak's Press Release View Here
Dr. Wolak's PPT View Here
Dr. Wolak's Paper View Here


2006 • ​Dr. Diane J. Rauschenfels, Superintendent, Proctor School District

Promoting Ethical Educational Leadership
Dr. Rauschenfels' Press Release View Here
Dr. Rauschenfels' PPT View Here
Dr. Rauschenfels' Paper View Here