Leadership & Governance

As we begin our journey into 2024 MCEA is poised to provide our members with a phenomenal year. 2023 was an outstanding year for MCEA and Community Education as a whole. Internally, MCEA made great strides following the hire of Matt Dickhausen as our new Executive Director; significant growth in our commitment to School Aged Care and Equity; the launch of MCEA’s exclusive membership site The Hub; and continued dedication to professional development for our practitioners. Externally, our efforts in the legislature paid off with funding increases; many valuable connections were made with other membership organizations; and after years of dedicated effort by our Marketing Committee, the roll out of a new public facing website. 

I am honored and humbled to serve as your 2024 MCEA President. MCEA is filled with dedicated members that continually strive for excellence in all aspects of their professional lives, and my goal is to represent them with the same level of dedication to excellence. As new board members and committee chairs transition into their roles, I want to take time to thank those that served previously or continue to serve. All of our volunteer board members, committee members, and committee chairs are invaluable to MCEA! Without these volunteer leaders, our organization would not be as strong as it is today. 

During our annual retreat, the board made the decision to embrace a three year strategic priority framework. Our priorities over this three year period are Engagement, Sustainability, and Professional Development/Growth. The adoption of a three year model will allow the board to have continuous focus on key priorities that will have lasting impacts on MCEA. Our board used feedback from you, our members to establish these priorities and their respective focus areas.. 

The success of MCEA would not be possible without the commitment and dedication of its members! I will strive to demonstrate the same commitment and dedication to you, our members, throughout 2024. The entire MCEA Board and MCEA Office are grateful for your continued support and engagement as we strive to serve each of you and all of Minnesota’s lifelong learners! Thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to excellence.

With humble honor,
Robert Sumner
MCEA President 2024
Director of Community Education, Milaca Public Schools