News and Events

Honorees:

• Jen Olson - Human Resources- I want to recognize the exceptional qualities Jen brings to her role as our Chief Human Resources Officer. Her leadership is marked by a unique blend of strength, compassion, and strategic vision that elevates our team and our organization. Jen listens deeply, supports wholeheartedly, and communicates with clarity and purpose. Her ability to balance the human side of HR with the complexities of organizational needs is remarkable. What stands out most to me is the way Jen invests in people. She creates an environment where individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to do their best work. Her commitment to fairness, growth, and a positive workplace culture makes everyday easy to come to work.
• Renae Kasper - President's Office/Human Resources - I want to recognize Renae for the incredible value she brings to our team. She is truly someone who makes work better simply by the way she shows up—reliable, thoughtful, and consistently supportive. Renae is perfect in her role as the President’s Assistant. She has a talent for staying organized, anticipating needs before they surface, and keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Her calmness and attention to detail allow others to focus on their work with confidence. What makes Renae stand out even more is the way she balances that demanding role with her Human Resources responsibilities. She approaches HR with empathy, fairness, and a genuine desire to help people. Renae is kind, approachable, dependable, and always willing to step in and help and for that I am grateful.
• Yvette Halvorson - EDGE - Yvette is always positive, upbeat, and kind. I enjoy working with her-she makes my days brighter!
• Linda Muchow - EDGE - Linda consistently goes above and beyond for both students and her colleagues. Everything she does reflects a deeply student-centered approach, and she is a strong advocate for ensuring their needs remain at the forefront. With her extensive knowledge and experience, Linda is always willing to support her coworkers, offering guidance with patience and positivity. Her genuine love for helping others and the kindness she brings to every interaction is truly inspiring every day.
• Mary Yutrzenka - EDGE - Mary brings dedication and excellence to her work every day, constantly striving to improve efficiencies and better meet student needs. Her attention to detail is exceptional, and her customer service is consistently warm, professional, and student-focused. Mary also has a remarkable talent for identifying opportunities for improvement and offering creative, practical ideas. She is always the first to offer support and solutions to her teammates, and she approaches each day with a positive attitude that lifts the entire department. Mary's commitment to collaboration and continuous improvement is truly inspiring.
• Karen Anderson - EDGE - Karen consistently demonstrates strong leadership qualities through her actions, approach, and the way she uplifts those around her. She approaches every project with intention, beginning with the end in mind and taking the time to understand the purpose, process, and “why” behind the work. Her thoughtful, steady approach helps bring clarity and direction to the team.Karen treats every colleague with genuine respect and recognizes the importance of each person’s role on the team, something that truly sets her apart. She listens openly, values diverse perspectives, and contributes creative insights with calmness and collaboration. Her kindness, thoughtfulness, and commitment to helping the team succeed together make her a joy to work with and a positive influence across the department.
• Cheryl Grammentz - Advising - There are few people I've come in contact with that care more about the success of our students than Cheryl. She never fails to drop what she's doing in order to help those around her. 
• Carly Erickson - Athletics Department - Carly strives towards the improvement of the athletic department on the daily. When something needs to be done, she's the person to ask. 
• Sara Homelvig, Nursing - Sara is always a positive light at ATCC. She is smart, supportive, and an inspiration to me. I always have felt like I can go to her with questions about work or life. She is a wonderful person!
• Wendi McCrory - Nursing - Every time I see Wendi, usually bright and early, she is always smiling, walking quickly because she's on a mission, but doesn't hesitate to stop for a quick chat. She is always very professional and I can tell she has a good relationship with the nursing students, who seem to really look up to her. She's been a valued addition to ATCC and we are really lucky to have her! Keep up the great work, Wendi!
• Cheryl Grammentz - Advising - Cheryl is an includer, she knows everyone, talks to everyone, and makes sure everyone feels seen and welcome. She is always up for a challenge and eager to help. She's very involved in what's going on around campus, beyond her role, which reflects her dedication. As a fellow woman, it's refreshing to be around someone who isn't putting others down, especially other women. She likes to lift people up and it shows. 
• Kerri Barnstuble - Student Services/Engagement - Kerri has made a big impact in her short time here. As a new supervisor over a larger area, she has really dug right in and is working on making it her own. She doesn't shy away from working on all sorts of things within and across her department. She's a big advocator for everyone within her department, helping mentor them and showing them they can grow within their roles and be leaders in their own way. She loves making connections and has an ability to be vulnerable to others in a way that shows them they can trust her and lean on her. She wants to create a space where people feel heard. Keep up the great work, Kerri!
• Lynn Arnquist - EDGE Center of Innovation - Lynn is such a caring and thoughtful person. Every time I've worked with Lynn, across the years, she practices very good listening skills and supports those around her, helping their visions come to life. She makes it clear that she's a safe space for anyone and I believe a lot of people go to her for an understanding and empathetic ear and then she becomes a confidential advocate for those who don't want to speak up. She doesn't put others down, which is a great characteristic to have.
•  Sarah Rach - Liberal Arts - Time and time again, Sarah Rach has stepped up for our Liberal Arts department. She graciously became our department chair this semester, works on assessment teams, represents us at countless meetings, volunteers for committees, supervises Student Senate, and rocks it in the classroom. I appreciate her positive attitude and time management skills. Thank you, Sarah!!
• Rondi Wussow - Early Childhood Education - Our Early Childhood Education program remains strong due in part to Rondi's dedication and insightfulness.  Because of her commitment and high standards, our students leave better prepared and confident as they enter the workforce.  So many young children benefit from her efforts!
• Joni Jacobson - Early Childhood Education - Joni provides incredible leadership and puts in a lot of extra effort into our Early Childhood Education program.  Her commitment to our students is evident in everything she does - from the thoughtful ways in guiding them to the steady support she offers behind the scenes.  Her passion for Early Childhood Education is making a lasting difference for students.
• Cindy Harstaad - Student Activities - Cindy works so hard to plan activities that will engage students and help them have the best college experience they possibly can.  She always has a smile on her face and I appreciate her positive attitude, even when things are likely stressful. She exudes warmth & caring to everyone she interacts with daily. We could all be a little (or a lot) more like Cindy!
• Cami Pexsa - Admissions - Cami inspires me because she is a natural mentor. She genuinely wants every student and colleague to find their purpose and their place. She leads with thoughtfulness and is always looking for ways to grow, improve, and serve better.This fall she was both teaching and recruiting for the college, which gave her a full circle view of the student experience. She carried both responsibilities with grace and raised her program area headcount at the same time. She did it without ego, without complaint, and with a steady commitment to students. This spring she was asked to mentor at Alexandria High School, which says a lot about the trust people place in her. She is simply a good human. She treats people as humans. She is fair, grounded, and steady. Working alongside her is a privilege, and I am incredibly proud of the leader she is. 
• April Adickes - I.T. - In all my years at ATCC, April has been the person I’ve always had on "speed dial." She is incredibly knowledgeable and consistently answers my questions, and my students’ questions, with clarity, kindness, and genuine respect. She is a gem, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her on our campus. Thank you, April. You truly are magical.
  
  

To our nominees and to all women across our campus—faculty, staff, administrators, and students alike—your dedication, expertise, and passion enrich our college in countless ways. You inspire through your leadership, nurture through your mentorship, and transform through your innovative approaches to education and service.