Leadership
Associate Dean, Community Vitality and Public Engagement
Dick Senese
U of MN Extension
467 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108-6070
Email: dsenese@umn.edu
Phone: (612) 625-2811
Fax: (612) 625-1955
Special Projects
Extension Public Engagement Liaison
Education
- B.A.: Psychology and Political Science, University of Minnesota, Duluth
- Master of Arts, Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, Duluth Doctor of Philosophy: Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology, University of Minnesota
Work Experience
Dick Senese became the Center for Community Vitality’s Associate Dean in 2001, and has worked to build upon Extension’s rich history of tapping University research to strengthen Minnesota’s social, economic, civic and technological capacity. Dick is responsible for leadership, administrative oversight and management of community vitality programs, including trend analysis, program planning, finance, communications, marketing, and staff development. Before coming to Extension, Dick served in a number of positions, including Associate Dean at Capella University; Chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party; in research, instructional, and program development positions; and in grassroots and community organizing.
As Public Engagement liaison, Dick serves all of Extension by integrating Extension outreach into the University’s larger outreach mission through the Council on Public Engagement
Affiliations, Honors and Community Service
- Board of Directors President, National Association of Community Development Economic Professionals; Board of Directors, Resource Center of the Americas
- Member (selected): National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals, American Psychology Association, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Community Development Society
- Professional Certification and Licensure: Licensed Psychologist, Ph.D., MN Board of Psychology, St. Paul, MN, Certified Chemical Dependency Practitioner, 1989 - 1998 (voluntarily lapsed), Institute for Chemical Dependency Professionals, St. Paul, MN
Program Leader, Community Economics
Michael Darger
U of MN Extension
460 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108
Email: darger@umn.edu
Phone: 612-625-6246
Fax: 612-625-1955
Special Projects
Business Retention and Expansion Program Lead
Education
- B.A., Economics and Management, Albion College, Albion, MI
- Master of Business Administration, Marketing and Finance, University of Michigan
Work Experience
Michael directs regional Community Economics programming for the Center for Community Vitality. He acts as supervisor, coach and convener for nine Extension educators and serves as the liaison to campus specialists who are experts in community business and industry climate, public finance and tourism topics. He has managed Business Retention and Expansion Strategies Programs since 1999, leading award-winning BR&E programs in St. Paul’s Midway-University neighborhood, the City of Faribault and Swift County, as well as an award-winning program in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
Before coming to Extension, he spent ten years in local economic development positions with both inner-city nonprofits and county government. He also has experience in commercial banking, corporate finance and marketing.
Affiliations, Honors and Community Service
- Member: National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals, Community Development Society, Business Retention and Expansion International, Economic Development Association of Minnesota
- Awards and Affiliations: George Morse Award for major contributions, Business Retention and Expansion International (2007); Outstanding Extension Team (Retail Analysis and Development) (2005); Extension’s “Double Bottom Line” Team (Retail Analysis and Development) (2006)
Program Leader, Leadership & Civic Engagement
Mary Ann Hennen
U of MN Extension
456 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108-6070
Email: henne011@umn.edu
Phone: (612) 624-4226
Fax: (612) 625-1955
Education
- B.S. Individualized major in Personnel Services, Recreation minor, Moorhead State University, Moorhead, MN
- Master of Arts, Educational Psychology and Social Foundations, Counseling emphasis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Mini-MBA for Nonprofit Organizations, Management Center, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN.
Work Experience
As program leader for the Center for Community Vitality’s Leadership and Civic Engagement programs, Mary Ann provides direction to regional educators as they develop, design, deliver and evaluate leadership and civic engagement programming across the state. Mary Ann joined Extension in January of 2005 after leading, for six years, Community Leadership Initiatives for the Wilder Center for Communities. In that role, she created and managed a new unit offering leadership development programs and services to the St. Paul neighborhood its leaders, residents and partners. She also provided training, coaching, facilitation and consulting services to individuals, organizations and boards. This is Mary Ann’s second career with Extension. In the ‘90’s, she was an Extension Leadership Development State Specialist, co-creating leadership education programs around the state. Her earlier career focused on student services in several university settings.
Affiliations, Honors and Community Service
- Member: National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals, Community Development Society
- Certified Trainer: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Dimensions of Leadership Profile
Evaluation and Research Coordinator
Scott Chazdon
U of MN Extension
466 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108-6070
Email: schazdon@umn.edu
Phone: (612) 624-0982
Fax: (612) 625-1955
Special Projects
Principal Investigator, U-Connect Social Capital survey project.
Education
- B.A., Urban Studies, Macalester College, St. Paul, MN
- Master of Arts, Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville
- Ph.D., Sociology, University of Denver, Denver, CO
Work Experience
Scott joined Extension in 2007 to develop new and strengthen existing performance management and evaluation efforts for Community Vitality’s programs and initiatives. Scott brings experience in evaluation project management, grant writing, research, public policy analysis, database management; and community development and organizing.
Before joining Extension, he spent ten years with Minnesota’s Department of Human Services where he designed, conducted and reported on the evaluation of programs, including the state’s welfare reform programs. He has demonstrated experience in both qualitative and quantitative methodology and analysis; participatory evaluation strategies, and in conducting evaluation and research in diverse settings – from the squatter settlements of Arequipa, Peru to the offices of bank community reinvestment officials. He is fluent in Spanish conversation and reading.
Affiliations, Honors and Community Service
- Member: National Association of Community Economic Development Professionals, American Sociological Association, and the American Evaluation Association. 2001-2002 Humphrey Institute Policy Fellow
- Faculty: Metropolitan State University, courses in sociology and urban studies
Assistant Director
Joyce Hoelting
U of MN Extension
464 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108
Email: jhoeltin@umn.edu
Phone: 612-625-8233
Fax: 612-625-1955
Special Projects
Community-based Regional Economies Initiative Development
Education
- B.S., English and Speech Communications, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
- Master of Public Affairs, Nonprofit Management Area of Concentration, University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
Work Experience
Joyce came to Extension in 2001 after more than fifteen years in the non-profit sector. She conducted national outreach and development activities for MELD, a national non-profit parenting education program. There, she was responsible for developing partnerships and attracting resources, resulting in the replication of parenting education programs in communities and state networks throughout the country. As part of Extension’s staff, she guides communications and marketing, and supports the capacity area through special project work.
Joyce also serves all of Extension as federal reporting specialist.
Affiliations, Honors and Community Service
- Member: National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals, Community Development Society
- Awards and Affiliations: Co-winner, Outstanding Extension Team (Retail Analysis and Development); Outstanding Team (U-Lead), National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals; Participant, National Extension Leadership Development Program, 2003
Leadership Development Specialist
Donna Rae Scheffert
U of MN Extension
458 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108
Email: schef001@umn.edu
Phone: 612-625-3334
Fax: 612-625-1955
Special Projects
Principal Investigator for Horizons: Community Leadership for Poverty Reduction
Education
- B.S. Mankato State University
- Master of Science; Continuing Studies – Interdisciplinary Degree with a focus on Public Leadership, Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Ph.D. coursework complete; Adult Development and Education, focus on Leadership Development and Education, College of Human Development and Education, University of Minnesota
Work Experience
Donna Rae supports Extension educators who deliver Leadership & Civic Engagement programs, providing expertise in leadership education. She is a highly valued coach to these educators, and to all of Extension’s leadership. She joined Extension in 1981. As a teaching specialist at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Scheffert teaches a graduate course in group process facilitation. She has been a guest instructor for Extension Services nationally, including Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Washington, and Wisconsin. Major programs have been funded by the W.K. Kellogg and Northwest Area foundations.
Scheffert is nationally known for writing and teaching about ethical leadership and authentic leadership. Co-authored products include: Leadership for Sustaining Action on Community & Organizational Issues field book by the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, Enhancing Ethical Leadership curricula by the National Association for Family and Community Education, and Facilitation Resources, by the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
Affiliations, Honors and Community Service
- Faculty: Teaching specialist for Group Process Facilitation Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs; Faculty Member, Center for Integrative Leadership
- Awards and Affiliations (selected): Distinguished Extension Campus Faculty Award, 2002, University of Minnesota Extension; FUTURES award, Minnesota Rural Futures, Inc. 2006.
Technology Literacy Coordinator
Rae Montgomery
U of MN Extension
448 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108-6070
Email: rae@umn.edu
Phone: (612) 624-2773
Fax: (612) 625-1955
Special Projects
Developer of AccessE.info web sites, including an on-line guide to finding global markets (in development)
Education
- B.S., Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, University of Minnesota
- Master of Arts, Adult Education, University of Minnesota
Work Experience
Rae Montgomery is Extension’s Technology Literacy Coordinator. She coordinates the AccessE.Info suite of technology outreach programs that help community and business leaders, residents, small businesses, local governments and nonprofit agencies make informed decisions about using the Internet. She also collaborates with Extension Technology Literacy efforts nationwide to tap current needs and work for full utilization of technology nationwide. She is in demand nationally as a speaker and trainer on access issues.
Affiliations, Honors and Community Service
- Awards: 2007 Educational Technology Award – Individual, National and North Central Regional Winner, National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals; 2001 Innovative Program Award – International Community Development Society; 1997 John R. Finnegan Freedom of Information Award, Minnesota Coalition on Government Information
- Member: Community Development Society; National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals
- Advisory Committee: National Extension E-Commerce; National Extension; Wireless Minneapolis Digital Inclusion Task Force
