Leadership Council

Menards department manager 18 years

I am a member of the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), Rocky Mountain Association of Financial Aid Administrators (RMASFAA), and the South Dakota Association of Financial Aid Administrators (SDASFAA). I am also a member of the board of directors with the Mitchell Heart & Sole cancer assistance program.

Kitty is responsible for oversight and implementation of strategic initiatives for university fundraising and alumni relations. She is also a key contact for DWU’s United Methodist constituency. Before coming to Mitchell, Allen served as the director of the Appalachian Local Pastors School a United Methodist Course of Study School located in Barbourville, Ken., for nine years, and she worked in advancement at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ken., for several years prior.

(2007-2010) Assistant Football Coach at University of Sioux Falls, (2010-2012) Assistant Football Coach at Dakota Wesleyan University, (2012-2024) Head Football Coach at Dakota Wesleyan University

7th-grade math/science teacher at Hopson Middle School in Barrow, AK. High School math teacher at Aberdeen Central HS in Aberdeen, S.D. She was awarded the Exemplary Teaching Award from DWU in 2015 and the Clarke Award for Teaching Excellence in 2016. She is a member of the South Dakota Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Council of Teachers in Mathematics, Sigma Zeta honor society, and is a local Phi Kappa Phi honor society member. She is also the chair of the IRB committee.

User Experience Designer (Current), Software Designer, Web Designer, Graphic Designer, Entrepreneur

Served in Student Affairs at Michigan State University, 16 years at Wartburg College; served in faculty development, community engagement, service-learning, as well as served as the Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives and as the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students. 

Worked 20 years in corporate and private industries. Landgaard worked for 16 years at a public community college in Minnesota. She began her role as VP of Finance & Administration in August 2023.

Larson was previously employed at TrioTel Communications, Inc., a broadband provider based in Salem, for more than 10 years while holding positions as director of internal operations and as marketing supervisor. She worked for local and statewide political campaigns and as an intern for Sen. John Thune in Washington, D.C. She previously served as a board member of Mitchell’s First Circuit CASA, and currently serves as a board member for the Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota. She is a member of Mitchell’s Downtown First United Methodist Church.

University of Saint Mary, Provost (2017 - 2026) | Presentation College, Vice President for Academics (1999 - 2017) | Cresbard School District, Business Teacher (1996-1999) | Van Meter School District, K-6 Computer Teacher, (1994-1995)

Heather brings 35 years of experience in education, including 14 years as a choral music educator and 21 years in high school administration. She spent nearly three decades of her career in Osseo Area Schools, a diverse district just north of Minneapolis. Her work has centered on collaborative leadership, fostering a positive school culture, and promoting equitable student achievement.

Senior Pastor at Lake Gibson United Methodist Church, Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion at Florida Southern College, Teaching Associate and Adjunct Professor at Emory University, Youth Minister at Lithia Springs United Methodist Church

Fredel started her career at DWU as director of the Kelly Center for Entrepreneurship, where she taught entrepreneurial leadership courses and served as a resource for regional businesses in South Dakota. She was named dean of admissions in 2015 and was promoted to vice president of admissions and marketing in 2018. As an extension to her work at DWU, Fredel served as chair of the Council on College Admissions in South Dakota, is a board member of the Dakota Association for College Admission Counseling, serves on the South Dakota Freedom Scholarship Advisory Council, is an affiliate for Credo, a higher education consulting firm, and a frequent speaker for the National Small College Enrollment Conference. Prior to DWU, Fredel worked 12 years in the telecommunications and technology industry as a programmer, quality assurance officer, project manager and director of product management. She has served as a board member for the Weekend Snack Pack, the Abbott House, the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce, the Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota, and Avera Queen of Peace. She is active in her church where she leads youth group.

Before coming to Dakota Wesleyan University, I taught nursing at SDSU for 6 years.

Canistota School District (ELA Teacher, Librarian, Assistant Principal, Curriculum Director) from 2007-2018; Bridgewater School District (ELA Teacher) from 2005-2007