Leadership Council

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.

Dean of Adult and Professional Studies, Dakota Wesleyan University, 2015-present; Associate Dean of Digital Learning, Dakota Wesleyan University, 2013-2015; English Professor, Dakota Wesleyan University, 2007-2013

Her research focuses on the causes, treatment and prevention of suicide. She is also a certified psychology autopsy investigator for the state of South Dakota and through her work as a certified QPR trainer. Her efforts in education have been recognized many times at DWU, most recently with the Clarke Award for Teaching Excellence in 2013. Kelly advises DWU’s Psi Chi chapter and chairs both the State Advisory Committee for South Dakota Youth Suicide Prevention and the Mitchell Area Suicide Prevention Coalition.

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.

Dr. Bethany Melroe Lehrman is a professor of chemistry; dean of the Donna Starr Christen College of Healthcare, Fitness and Sciences; and CHAOS club’s faculty adviser at DWU. In fall 2015, she received a HOPES grant, which allowed DWU students the opportunity to work with and teach science to fifth-graders from L.B. Williams Elementary in Mitchell. She is also a member of many professional affiliations: American Chemical Society (ACS), ACS Division of Chemical Education, Phi Lambda Upsilon (National Honorary Chemical Society), Phi Kappa Phi (Multidisciplinary Honor Society) and Gamma Sigma Delta (Honor Society of Agriculture). Awards: DWU Clarke Award for Teaching Excellence in 2021, DWU Exemplary Teacher Award in 2017, and DWU Faculty Professional Excellence Award in 2015

Dakota Wesleyan University (Dean and Professor), Wichita County, Texas (Adult Probation Department: Probation Officer and Court Services Officer), Wichita Falls, Texas (ISD: Certified Secondary English Teacher), Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas (Associate Pastor)

Auto/diesel mechanic, dairy farmer

Worked 12 years in the telecom technology industry as Programmer, Quality Assurance Officer, Project Manager, and Director of Product Management. Thomas began as the director for the Kelley Center for Entrepreneurship on campus, teaching entrepreneurial leadership courses and serving as a resource for regional businesses in South Dakota. She was named dean of admissions in 2015 and vice president of both admissions and marketing in 2018.

I taught Nursing for SDSU for 5 years prior to coming to DWU.

Martin Group/CHR Solutions, Ethos/Navigant/Guidehouse