Minnesota Community Education Association

Search

Minnesota Community Education is Here for You!

Membership

Become an MCEA member and get access to everything you need to develop and sustain leading-edge Community Education programs and services

MCEA Membership

MCEA memberships are offered to school districts based on their size. A single fee will entitle the district to  unlimited individual memberships. It is our belief that allowing unlimited memberships through a district wide plan will bring more individuals into MCEA . This should make it easier to identify members of specialized fields within Community Education and it will also encourage greater participation among smaller districts.

Membership Types and Benefits

Member Benefits

  • Access to the MCEA HUB - Online Member Engagement Community
  • Lobbyist/Legislative Committee Works in Support of Children, Youth and Families
  • Professional Development Programs and Opportunities
  • MCEA Executive Office Support
  • Right to Vote
  • Right to Hold Office
  • Membership Directory
  • Annual Conference and Workshop Discounts
  • Listserv Postings of Job Vacancies ($50 fee)
  • Statewide CE Awards
  • Access to MCEA Legal Counsel

Non-District Member Types

  • Individual Community Educator not affiliated with a School District.
  • Current College Student Membership
  • Colleges & Universities (Who offer CE Licensure Programs)
  • Alumni Membership (One time fee for retired community educators)

    Non-District Member Benefits

    • Access to the MCEA HUB - Online Member Engagement Community
    • Lobbyist/Legislative Committee Works in Support of Children, Youth and Families
    • Professional Development Programs and Opportunities
    • MCEA Executive Office Support
    • Membership Directory
    • Annual Conference and Workshop Discounts
    • Listserv Postings of Job Vacancies ($50 fee)
    • Statewide CE Awards

MCEA membership is currently available to school districts and individual community educators who are not affiliated with a school district. At this time, businesses are not eligible for membership. However, we do offer exhibition and sponsorship opportunities that may provide a great way for your organization to connect with our members and engage with the community education field.

Why Become a Member of MCEA?

MCEA is a professional organization for anyone involved or interested in community education. No matter your role or title, if you are involved with leading, coordinating, promoting or working in community education programs, facilitating community outreach and partnerships, or a superintendent or district leader responsible for overseeing a community education program, MCEA can help. Connect with more community education professionals from across the state and have access to a wide variety of benefits to help you advance your programs and your career.

Please complete the online application form below:

  • PO Box 3, Paynesville, Mn 56362
Online Application Form
Pay membership with a credit card

MCEA Online Community

MCEA Members can connect with each other and amazing resources to enhance their programs and find amazing knowledge and support in The Hub!

Enter the MCEA Member HUB Here

Member Spotlight

Nominate an MCEA Member for the Member Spotlight Segment Today!

Online Application Form

Awards and Recognitions

Lifetime Achievement Award

The MCEA Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual with 20+ years of leadership in the field of Community Education who has made exemplary contributions to advance the goals and principles of Community Education locally and throughout Minnesota.

Nominations must include one (1) completed nomination form and up to three (3) letters of support addressing the candidate’s accomplishments in these areas locally and statewide:

    • Professional Achievements
    • Leadership Qualities.
    • Efforts to Foster Collaboration and maximize resources
    • Involvement in Local and Statewide Initiatives
    • Lasting Impact on the Field of Community Education

Complete the online nomination form and email letters of support, no later than Nov. 1:

Please be sure to indicate the candidate’s name on all support letters emailed .

Click here for Lifetime Achievement Award Online Application

1997   Jerry Hughes
1998   Verne M. Melberg, St. Paul
1999    No Award given
2000   Jim Stewart
2001   Marilyn Kerns
2002   Thomas Fish
2003   Dennis L. Carlson
2004   Bridget Gothberg
2005   No Award Given
2006   Dr. William Woods
2007   No Award Given
2008   Nancy Delin & Paul Boranian
2009   Don Kramlinger & Doug Spray
2010    Chuck Klaassen
2011    Mike Looby
2012    Marcia Provencher & Tom McMullen
2013    Duane Gates
2014    Hannah Puczko
2015    Ted Peterson & Tom Holton
2016    Sally Latimer & Harry Weilage
2017    Mary Hughes & Steve Kerr
2018   Pat Thomas & Heidi Cunningham
2019   Katie Williams & Steve Brisendine
2020   No Award Given
2021   Charlie Blesener & Karen Willers
2022   Bob Meyer & Bob Greeley
2023   Jackie Johnston
2024 Karen Schaub

Regional Community Educators of Excellence

MCEA recognizes, thanks and celebrates the outstanding contributions made by practitioners and supporters of community education from across Minnesota. Nominees represent the best of the best: persons committed to working together, creating opportunities, persisting through challenges and partnering with others.

  • Nominees must be a practicing Community Educator and a member of MCEA.
  • Nominees must have demonstrated professional and organizational leadership within their MCEA region.
  • Nominees must have provided service to MCEA through their active participation in an MCEA district, regional and state organizational and/or leadership functions and activities.
  • Nominees must have demonstrated active involvement in educational and community affairs.
  • Nominee must be regarded as a role model by MCEA colleagues.



Regional Community Educators of Excellence nominations should be completed by August 1st.

Click here for the online nomination form.

2023 Award Winners:

Region 1 Jennifer Lawhead - Austin Community Education
Community Education Director Austin Community Education

Region 2- Crystal Fleck - New Ulm Community Education
Program coordinator New Ulm Community Education.

Region 3 - Emily Watts - Osseo Area Community Education
Adult Basic Education Program Coordinator at Osseo Area Schools

Region 4 - Jenny Nagy - Prior Lake-Savage Area Community Education
Adult and Community Engagement Coordinator at Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools.

Region 5 - Laurie Thrush - Hastings Community Education
Hastings Senior Center & AWD Coordinator.

Region 6 - Stephen Keeler - Fridley Community Education
Community Education Director - Fridley Public Schools

Region 7 - Tricia Jessen - Bemidji Community Education
School Age Child Care Facilitator at Bemidji Area Schools Community Education.

Region 8 - Kristal Berg - Proctor/Hermantown
Director of Community Education for both Proctor Public Schools and Hermantown Community Schools.

Region 9 Sarah Funk - Pierz
Director of Community Education at Pierz Schools.

Project Award Recipients

Presented to outstanding projects that have exemplified the concept of Community Education.  A project is either a one-time event or an ongoing activity that is associated with a Community Education program. A member of the Board of Directors will present project Awards, at a local school board or advisory council meeting. This creates an opportunity for our members to receive local attention, while providing MCEA the ability to present itself as a statewide organization.

The Awards Committee will be judging your nomination using the following criteria:

  • Cooperation and Teamwork (among people, agencies, institutions and /or organizations)
  • Use of Resources (include people, facilities, funding)
  • Achievement (illustrate the principles of Community Education)
  • Community Impact (how is the community better because of this project?)
  •  

Project Award nominations should be to the MCEA Office no later than Aug. 1

Click here for the Project Award online nomination form.

MCEA Supportive Administrator of the Year Award

Presented to a current superintendent, principal or district-level administrator of schools who has provided invaluable support to community education in his/her own district. Nominees should have a track record of strong community education advocacy and leadership and be well respected amongst their peers.

The Awards Committee will be judging your nomination using the following criteria:

  • Cooperation and Teamwork among community education program and overall school district.
  • Use of Resources (include people, facilities, funding)
  • Examples of how the individual supports the local community education department.
  • District Impact (how is the community education program better because of the support of this individual)
  •  

Please complete the online application form to start the nomination process for the Administrative Partner of the Year Award. Nominations are due by August 1.

MCEA Community Education Partner of the Year Award

 Presented to a current custodian, secretary, school board member, community education instructor, outstanding youth, advisory council member, or civic member/organization supporting or working in any community education program area. 

The Awards Committee will be judging your nomination using the following criteria:

  • Cooperation and Teamwork among community education program and overall school district.
  • Use of Resources (include people, facilities, funding)
  • Examples of how the individual supports the local community education department.
  • District Impact (how is the community education program better because of the support of this individual)
  •  

Please complete the online nomination form to start the nomination process for the Community Education Partner of the Year Award. Nominations are due by August 1.

Membership

Become a member to get access to amazing resources and grow your community education program!

Sign up today

Leadership & Governance

MCEA Leadership is focused on leading lifelong learning throughout Minnesota.

Join us

Professional Development

Grow your knowledge, expand your horizons and connect with others through various sessions!

Explore sessions

Contact Us

We want to hear from you! Get in touch to start your journey with MCEA.

Get Started
Scroll to Top