MACAC Awards

MACAC annually recognizes the work and achievement of the MACAC Members. Nominations begin in January and awards are given during the annual spring conference.

Rising Star Award | Distinguished Service Award | President's Service Recognition Award | Mentor Award | Student Service Award


Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award was developed by NACAC to recognize the achievements of individuals who have been MACAC members for five years or less. Candidates must be people who are striving to make a difference within their association through their work on committees. The recipient of this award is selected by the Member Relations committee via nominations received from MACAC members. The MACAC Rising Star honoree will be nominated by MACAC to NACAC for the national Rising Star Award.

2023 Recipient

Jordan Castilo


2022 Recipients

Rhemi Abrams-Fuller

TseChi "Chad" Yen

Sunet Rubalcava

2021: Kaia Sherburne, Hamline University

2020: Wendy Mamer, Augustana University

2019: Ben Dufault, Augsburg University

2018: Katie Asfeld, Augsburg University

2017: Cassie Nelson, St. Catherine University

2016: Steve Baker, University of Minnesota
2016: Ryan Blake, University of St. Thomas

2015: Colleen Neary, Anoka High School

2014: Samantha Savoie, St. Catherine University

2013: Laura Favreau, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

2012: Flannery Clark, Macalester College

2011: Brian Weber, University of St. Thomas

2010: Jennifer McCormack, St. Catherine University

2009: Desiree Keenan, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

2008: Bryan Karl, University of Minnesota Duluth

2007: Elyan Paz, College of Visual Arts
2007: Kristen Hatfield, University of St. Thomas
2007: Sabrina Thaldorf, Dunwoody College of Technology

2006: Brad Burnham, Hopkins High School
2006: Amy Desmond, Benilde-St. Margaret's School
2006: Jennifer Mayeron, Hamline University

2005: Norma Gutierrez, University of Minnesota - TC
2005: Ann Infante, Southwest High School
2005: Jennifer Swenson, Bemidji State University

2004: Debra Balzer-Plagemann, Brainerd High School
2004: Kerri Carlson, Inver Hills Community College
2004: Maureen Cisneros, University of Minnesota - TC
2004: Jennifer Hays, University of St. Thomas

2003: Craig Dodson, University of St. Thomas
2003: Chris Franken, Eastview High School
2003: Mary Hill, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
2003: Brenda Panger, College of St. Scholastica

2002: Jill Bisbee, Gustavus Adolphus College
2002: Denise Cochran, Rosemount High School
2002: Sue Hoff, Baker-Hoff Educational Consultants
2002: Jim Johnson, NEI College of Technology

Distinguished Service Award

Candidates must be veterans of MACAC with more than five years of service who have contributed to the MACAC organization, its programs, and have made a difference in the lives of the students we serve.

2023 Recipient

Amberly Cox

2022 Recipient

Jeron Schmidt

2021: Mai Nhia Xiong-Chan, Hamline University
2021: Norma Gutierrez, Saint Thomas Academy

2020: Amy Larson, Benilde-St.Margaret's School

2019: Aaron Salasek, Inver Hills Community College
2019: Margaret Wolfgram, National College Fair Committee

2018: Laura Horton, Holy Family Catholic High School

2017: Susan Hoff, Independent College Consultant

2016: Emily Mattran, Chanhassen High School

2015: Chad Terry, Rosemount High School

2014: Mike Vandenberg, University of Minnesota, Morris

2013: Ann Pabst, Convent of the Visitation

2012: Tina Proctor, Academy of Holy Angels

2011: Jeff Allen, Macalester College

2010: Elyan Paz, College of Visual Arts
2010: Lisa Burnham, Edina High School

2009: Jane Nordhorn, College of Saint Catherine
2009: Dan Tomhav, University of Minnesota Duluth

2008: Ann Kjorstad, Hamline University

2007: Mary Hill, St. Paul Academy and Summit School

2006: Leslie Zenk, University of Minnesota-Morris

2005: Kris Getting, University of St. Thomas

2004: D. Lynn Redmond, Shattuck-St. Mary's School
2004: Jeff Sheehan, Convent of Visitation School

2003: Jill Apple, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
2003: Dan Davidson, Central Lakes College

2002: Sally Daniels, Augsburg College
2002: Mary Docken, Mounds Park Academy
2002: Marlene Mohs, College of St. Catherine
2002: Joan O'Connell, Cretin-Derham Hall
2002: Phil Trout, Shattuck-St. Mary's School

MENTOR AWARD

Candidates must be MACAC members who have served in a mentor role and contributed significantly to the professional growth of a fellow MACAC member. We encourage nominations for individuals regardless of whether or not they have been part of the MACAC Mentorship Program.

2023 Recipient

Phil Trout

2021 Recipient

Tina Proctor

2020: Jamie Menne, Orono High School

2019: Brian Burgemeister, Visitation School

2018: Jennifer Landy, Wayzata High School

2017: Mike Vandenberg, Concordia College
2017: Jeron Schmidt, Northland College

2016: Bill Cleveland, University of Minnesota

President’s Service Recognition Award

The MACAC President's Service Recognition Award is presented in recognition of significant contributions to the organization, recognizing leadership, committee work, and selfless devotion to MACAC, its programs, and members for over a decade.  The recipient of this award is determined by the current President of MACAC, rather than through nominations.

2023 Recipient

Norma Gutierrez

2022 Recipient
Chad Terry

2021: Ninette Carlson, Michigan Technological University
2021: Jeff Polski, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
2021: Amy Harker, Iowa State University
2021: Beth Kreusch, College Guide
2021: Jeron Schmidt, OneGoal
2021: Liz Hayes, MACAC Executive Assistant

2020: Joe Herrera, University of St. Thomas

2019: Dan Tomhave, Bethany Lutheran College

2018: Amanda Anderson, Benilde-St. Margaret's School

2017: Tina Proctor, Academy of Holy Angels

2016: Chris Franken, Eastview High School

2015: Joy Rockwell, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

2014: Kerri Carlson, Minneapolis Community and Technical College

2013: Ann Kjorstad, Academy of Holy Angels

2012: Mary Hill, St. Paul Academy and Summit School

2011: Marlene Mohs, St. Catherine University

2010: Joan O'Connell, Cretin-Derham Hall

2009: Dan Davidson, Central Lakes College

2008: Sara Kyle, The Blake School

2007: Kris Getting, University of St. Thomas

2006: Sally Daniels, Augsburg College

2005: Phil Trout, Shattuck St. Mary's School

2004: Frank Sachs, The Blake School

2003: Mary Docken, Mounds Park Academy

2002: Brian Peterson, Hamline University

2001: Tony Piscitiello, Saint Mary's University

2000: Merna Smith, Minneapolis Public Schools

STUDENT SERVICE AWARD

Candidates must be MACAC members who have been instrumental in making post-secondary education opportunities available to historically underrepresented students.

2023 Recipient

Beth Kreusch

2022 Recipient

Jordan Appicelli

2021: Molly McAlister, St. Clouds University

2020: Toni Marie O'Daniel, Hmong College Prep Academy

2019: Rhemi Abrams-Fuller, Carleton College

2018: Teresa Hichens-Olson, Great River School

2017: Danielle Jastrow, Minneapolis Southwest High School

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