2022 Gala Program

Giselle is a first-generation college student born and raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota who graduated from South Saint Paul High School in June, 2021. She was regularly on the academic honor roll and began working at the age of 14 in order to help with her family’s living expenses. As her former teacher and coach, Christopher Bakken, described, “Giselle exemplifies excellence, demonstrating an incredible devotion to learning.” Giselle isn’t afraid of hard work — recently increasing her hours from 15hrs/week to 30hrs/week to full time at Target in Inver Grove Heights. She initially attended Inver Hills Community College as a PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options) student her sophomore year and is completing the first year as a full-time Dental Assistant student at DCTC. Carrie Erickson, Dental Assistant faculty indicated, “Giselle is a dynamic student. She is highly intelligent, determined, and shows compassion for the field of dentistry. It has truly been an honor having her in my classes.” Giselle aspires to work in a pediatric dental clinic and may continue her educational career in pursuit of a Dental Hygiene degree.

Kingsly Nde is a nursing student with a 3.78 GPA at Inver Hills Community College. Originally from Cameroon, Africa, Kingsly came to the U.S. in 2018 to live with his father in Minnesota. Kingsly is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Psi Beta, Volunteering Individuals Bring Empowerment (V.I.B.E.) Club and the Black Student Union at Inver Hills. In addition, he was a student ambassador on campus. Kingsly received multiple scholarships at Inver Hills, including the Dennis Anderson Memorial Endowed Scholarship, a Gala Scholarship, the Ruth and Art Gessner Memorial Endowed Scholarship, a Kopp Family Foundation Scholarship and a Minnesota Workforce Development Scholarship. Kingsly works as a behavior technician assisting individuals with mental disabilities. He will graduate from Inver Hills with his R.N. degree in December 2022, and his future plans including working as a hospital nurse and obtaining additional education including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Metropolitan State University and a master’s degree.

• Abdallah Candies
• Amanda Rydberg
• Ames Center
• Angela Amann
• Amy & Matt Eppen
• Angela Gallant
• Angela Liedke
• Angry Inch Brewing Co.
• Ann & Cullen Byre
• Anne & Tom Johnson
• Apple Valley Natural Soap
• Apple Valley Red’s Savoy Pizza
• BARR Engineering
• Bent Paddle Brewing Co.
• Branko Tambah
• Bruce Hartung
• Cafe Latte
• Chris Hinrichs
• Cindy Greenseth
• Connie Schmidt
• Continental Diamond
• Costco
• CynCity Tours
• Dakota Electric Association
• Dan Sjolseth
• David Anderson
• DCTC Bookstore
• DCTC Lions Club
• Elsbeth Howe

• Eric Becker
• Erica Wood
• Frost River Trading Co.
• Gertens
• Gold Country Seed
• Handley Advantage
• Heath Baumgard
• Hiway Credit Union
• Hope Fieldhouse
• House of Comedy
• Imminent Brewing
• Inver Hills Community College Bookstore
• Jake Sedlacek
• James Brown
• Jason Dean
• Jim Collins
• Kathy Funston
• Kim Shaff
• Kristin Plugge
• Kwik Trip
• License Plate Arts
• Lincoln Park Craft District Neighbors
• Lowell Stolte
• Mallards, Inver Grove Heights
• Michael Berndt
• Minnesota Renaissance Festival
• Minnesota Vikings
• Nautical Bowls, Apple Valley
• Nickie Carrigan Fitness

• Pat Powers
• Peggy Johnson
• Pine Bend Paving
• Porter Creek
• Pryes Brewing Company
• Rachel Hanson
• Raising Canes
• Reyne Branchaud-Linsk
• Ricki and Sons
• Run N Fun, Burnsville
• Scott Armitage
• Scott Glime, Audible Flame Photography
• Scott Kadrlik
• Shannon Williams
• Snap-on
• St. Paul Saints
• Stages Theatre Company
• Stephen Engel
• Steve Doody
• Susan Long
• Taurinskas Law Firm
• The Duluth Grill Family of Restaurants
• The Warehouse
• Three Rivers Park District
• Todd Jagerson
• Total Wine & More
• Treasure Island Resort & Casino
• Wag N Wash, Eagan
• Ziegler CAT

Kathy Bachman is the Minnesota Department of Veteran’s Affair Higher Education Regional Coordinator at Dakota County Technical College. She is a 2009 graduate of Inver Hills Community College.

It is our honor to nominate Kathy Bachman for Inver Hills Community College Alumni of the Year. Kathy graduated from IHCC in 2009 with an associate’s degree in Human Resources and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She later attended Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota where she received her bachelor’s degree in 2012 in Human Resources Management.

In our work with Kathy, she demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to serving student-veterans above all else. She is a collaborator who works well with others and always focuses on what is best for our student-veterans when it comes to their school, career, mental health, and overall wellbeing.

Kathy has been an active member of the Hasting Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, and has supported the Rosemount, Inver Grove Heights, Dakota County, and other city’s with BTYR designations. Kathy regularly works weekends to support re-integration events for service members and their families. At Dakota County Technical College, Kathy’s support, insights, and guidance have been instrumental in improving our service to our student-veteran community. Kathy helped DCTC go from being unranked in Military Time’s Best for Vets college survey, to being to being ranked #5 in the most recent rankings. Kathy also helped coordinate a speaker on veterans benefits for the Adult Learner Institute to help colleges across the country learn best practices for support our veteran-student community.

Shannon Williams is the Community-Based Learning Coordinator at Inver Hills Community College.

This year, Inver Hills was recognized as the two-year college with the highest student voter rate of the entire country, and I believe whole heartedly that this distinction was due entirely to Shannon’s natural ability to build relationships across campus. Shannon has a kind heart and an incredible work ethic. She uses her position on campus to build connections between the classroom and student affairs, and is always excited about any opportunity where a student can learn more, a relationship can be built, or where students will be able to learn skills related to civic engagement.

Shannon even took on additional hours to help me out during this year as I tried to absorb the additional work to run the department, and I don’t know how I would have managed without her. She is capable and eager to take on more work to help out others, but more importantly, she is a kind and understanding presence which has helped me to feel less alone in my work. I think that Shannon should be given this award every single year, but this year in particular. She has stepped up in so many ways, right when the entire campus needed her most, and her work has created national recognition for Inver Hills students!

Kimberly Scanlon completed DCTC’s Interior Design program in May of 2013 and earned a B.S. degree from the University of Minnesota.

Kimberly was nominated by Amy Behrendsen who indicated she has done an amazing job establishing herself in the Twin Cities design community (and beyond) while promoting human-centered design and sustainability. Kimberly established her own firm, Vela Creative, and has produced incredibly designed commercial and residential projects. She’s an inspiration to the entire community. She was named ASID’s Emerging Talent in 2018 and is NCIDQ certified. Kimberly’s work has been published numerous times in Minneapolis St. Paul Home & Design, MSP Business Journal, and Midwest Home to name just a few and she has received many awards including ASID’s Best in Show Residential, ASID’s Best in Show Commercial, and first place at the Midwest Home Design Awards – Office Design.

Susan was nominated as the 2022 DCTC Employee of the Year by numerous individuals including past students, colleagues, and long-time friends. As a veteran faculty member, she worked tirelessly and selflessly for nearly twenty years as an instructor of ESL, developmental English courses, and Individual Studies. She was as loved by her students as she was respected by her colleagues. Susan also served in leadership roles including chairing the General Education Department. Her nominators indicated:

“Ms. Farmer was always so encouraging and generous of her time. She was full of encouragement and taught me the skills to not only be successful in her class, but in my other classes and in life as well!”

“Susan fought for better opportunities and support for her developmental education students, for improved treatment for the adjunct faculty, and for anyone whose voice wasn’t as strong as hers.”

“Susan encompassed the heart, soul, passion, and love of what DCTC is about. Susan is dearly missed, but never ever forgotten.”

Susan’s unexpected passing last fall was truly heart-breaking. Her husband, Randy, and daughter, Sarah, will accept this award on her behalf.

Allina Health is not-for-profit health care system that serve our communities by providing exceptional care, as we prevent illness, restore health and provide comfort to all who entrust us with their care.

Allina Health is a valued partner at both of the colleges and their extraordinary support significantly advances student success.

Allina Health is dedicated to supporting the community and in that helping DCTC and Inver Hills students with financial assistance and the necessary clinical training for students. We are grateful for Allina Health’s emphasis on the development and success of DCTC and Inver Hills students and are proud to recognize that as the 2022 DCTC & Inver Hills Community Partner of the Year.