2026 Award Nominations

People on our campuses and in our communities are amazingly committed to both Dakota County Technical College and Inver Hills Community College. Each year the college’s Recognition Awards Programs give you the opportunity to nominate your choices that honor people who have bettered society and our colleges through outstanding professional, philanthropic or volunteer accomplishments.

The Foundation staff will oversee the nomination and award process. An Awards Committee, composed of staff, faculty, board members, and alumni, will review nominations and select the winners for the DCTC Outstanding Staff, Inver Hills Outstanding Staff, and DCTC Outstanding Alumnus Awards. The Inver Hills Outstanding Alumnus nominations will be reviewed by an Alumni Association Award Committee and a recommendation will be forwarded to the Alumni Board for approval. The DCTC and Inver Hills Outstanding Educator Award will be determined through the Board of Trustees process. The 2026 award winners will be recognized at DCTC and Inver Hills celebration events in late Spring.

Awards

Outstanding Alumnus (Inver Hills and DCTC)

Recognizes a former student or graduate who has shown exceptional leadership, professional accomplishment, and/or distinguished service to the community.

Nominations closed on Feb. 27, 2026.

Outstanding Staff (Inver Hills AND DCTC)

Recognizes a staff person or administrator that goes the extra mile, who listens, seeks input, and encourages collaboration across campus, and contributes selflessly to the college mission while showing boundless support for student success.

Nominations closed on Feb. 27, 2026.

Outstanding Educator (Inver Hills and DCTC)

Note: not available for nominations. The Outstanding Educator Award is determined through the Board of Trustees process.

Previous Award Winners

Questions about awards? Please contact foundation@dctc.edu or foundation@inverhills.edu.

2025 Award Winners

Congratulations to all of the 2025 award recipients!

DCTC Outstanding Staff Member – Megan Peterson
DCTC Outstanding Alumnus- Sarah Vinson
DCTC Educator of the Year- Lisa Cline

Inver Hills Outstanding Staff Member – John Christian
Inver Hills Outstanding Alumnus- Elizer Darris
Inver Hills Educator of the Year- Kathryn Klopfleisch

2024 Award Winners

DCTC Outstanding Staff Member – Melissa Fletcher
DCTC Outstanding Alumnus- Michaela Holman-Schmidt
DCTC Educator of the Year- Matt Boudinot

Inver Hills Outstanding Staff Member – Allison Reeck
Inver Hills Outstanding Alumnus- Don Parker
Inver Hills Educator of the Year- Lisa Tracy

2023 Award Winners

Congratulations to all of the 2023 award recipients!

DCTC Outstanding Staff Member – Nicole Meulemans
DCTC Outstanding Alumnus- Ayuba Dansoho
DCTC Educator of the Year- Adrienne Zarn

Inver Hills Outstanding Staff Member – Jeremy Clark
Inver Hills Outstanding Alumnus- Connie Schmidt
Inver Hills Educator of the Year- Dr. Amy Zsohar