About Us
Bringing impactful learning to Minnesotans of all ages
About MCEA
The Minnesota Community Education Association (MCEA) is the professional association and premier resource for community education professionals in Minnesota and serves as the statewide voice of educators serving lifelong learners throughout the region.
A professional community of more than 1,900 educators, MCEA is committed to promoting the impact of community education for individuals, families and communities.
MCEA develops and supports community educators through the exchange of ideas; access to professional learning, publications and resources; forecasting of emerging trends to meet the evolving needs of participants; and opportunities to champion programs, services and initiatives that positively impact local school districts and communities.
Mission Statement:
MCEA provides the leadership, resources and support services needed to develop and sustain leading-edge Community Education programs and services.
Equity Statement:
MCEA believes purposeful engagement is the role of Community Education to ensure awareness and accessibility to quality opportunities and resources inclusive of the needs of ALL community members, in order to eliminate opportunity gaps, grow as individuals, and positively impact communities.
About Community Education
Community Education is a statewide initiative reaching every corner of Minnesota through local schools and school districts. For more than 50 years, community education programs have partnered with communities across the state to address local and statewide needs. Minnesota Community Education programs are funded through a combination of state aid, local levies and participant fees.
Community Education creates impactful programming for ALL participants to feel a sense of belonging in their community. We ensure access to quality opportunities and resources that are inclusive of the needs of ALL residents in order to eliminate opportunity gaps, positively impact communities, and encourage them to grow as individuals.
Learn about the different community education programs and services available.
Our History
Established in 1969, Community Education serves all of the 321 operating public school districts. Each district’s community education program recognizes that its community members are both learners within the system and resources to it. Minnesota Community Education is the unique connector that provides impact, creates belonging and builds partnership.
Community Education creates impactful programming for ALL participants to feel a sense of belonging in their community. We ensure access to quality opportunities and resources that are inclusive of the needs of ALL residents in order to eliminate opportunity gaps, positively impact communities, and encourage them to grow as individuals.
2023 – Carrie Cabe
2022 – Joel Dahl
2021 – Cory Franson
2020 – Kristine O’Brien
2019 – Jeremiah Mack
2018 – Lynn Jenc
2017 – Dave Maurer
2016 – Jackie Johnston
2015 – Brian Siverson-Hall
2014 – Wendy Webster
2013 – Scott Wallner
2012 – Laurie Denn
2011 – Katie Williams
2010 – Heidi Cunningham
2009 – Mary Hughes
2008 – Karen Schaub
2007 – Steve Kerr
2006 – Charlie Blesener
2005 – Tom Holton
2004 – Shawn Kasianov
2003 – Melanie DeLuca
2002 – Dan Kuzlik
2001 – Doug Spray
2000 – Bev Fritz
1999 – Hannah Puczko
1998 – Tom Lisec
1997 – Doug Johnson
1996 – Michelle Peacock (Reberg)
1995 – Jim Brandl
1994 – Ted Sauer
1993 – Diana Kasper
1992 – Bob Wittman
1991 – John Fredericksen
1990 – Mike Looby
1989 – Tom Larson
1988 – Bridget Gothberg
1987 – Chuck Klaassen
1986 – Nick Temali
1985 – Marilyn Kerns
1984 – Duane Gates
1983 – Martha Stanley
1982 – Jim Stewart
1981 – Art Ingersoll
1980 – Denny Carlson
1979 – Don Kramlinger
1978 – Dick Lennes
1977 – Jim Klassen
1976 – Tom McMullen
1975 – Tom Fish
1974 – Paul Boranian
1973 – Larry Decker
2023 – Carrie Cabe
2022 – Joel Dahl
2021 – Cory Franson
2020 – Kristine O’Brien
2019 – Jeremiah Mack
2018 – Lynn Jenc
2017 – Dave Maurer
2016 – Jackie Johnston
2015 – Brian Siverson-Hall
2014 – Wendy Webster
2013 – Scott Wallner
2012 – Laurie Denn
2011 – Katie Williams
2010 – Heidi Cunningham
2009 – Mary Hughes
2008 – Karen Schaub
2007 – Steve Kerr
2006 – Charlie Blesener
2005 – Tom Holton
2004 – Shawn Kasianov
2003 – Melanie DeLuca
2002 – Dan Kuzlik
2001 – Doug Spray
2000 – Bev Fritz
1999 – Hannah Puczko
1998 – Tom Lisec
1997 – Doug Johnson
1996 – Michelle Peacock (Reberg)
1995 – Jim Brandl
1994 – Ted Sauer
1993 – Diana Kasper
1992 – Bob Wittman
1991 – John Fredericksen
1990 – Mike Looby
1989 – Tom Larson
1988 – Bridget Gothberg
1987 – Chuck Klaassen
1986 – Nick Temali
1985 – Marilyn Kerns
1984 – Duane Gates
1983 – Martha Stanley
1982 – Jim Stewart
1981 – Art Ingersoll
1980 – Denny Carlson
1979 – Don Kramlinger
1978 – Dick Lennes
1977 – Jim Klassen
1976 – Tom McMullen
1975 – Tom Fish
1974 – Paul Boranian
1973 – Larry Decker
Membership
Become a member to get access to amazing resources and grow your community education program!
Leadership & Governance
MCEA Leadership is focused on leading lifelong learning throughout Minnesota.
Professional Development
Grow your knowledge, expand your horizons and connect with others through various sessions!
Contact Us
We want to hear from you! Get in touch to start your journey with MCEA.