Minnesota Community Education Association - MCEA

11/01/2026

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐌𝐂𝐄𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟒 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 — 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐡𝐧, 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬.

Lisa Rahn brings more than 25 years of Community Education experience and a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and statewide leadership. Through her work with RALLI, equity initiatives, and the MCEA Board, she has consistently advocated for more welcoming and accessible programs. Lisa generously shares her expertise, speaks up for perspectives that may be missing, and leads with humility and a willingness to keep learning.

💚 Congratulations, Lisa!

📗 Explore all honorees in the 2026 MCEA Awards & Recognition Booklet: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/2026-MCEA-Awards-Booklet

11/01/2026

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 — 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛, 𝐋𝐚 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐇𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐡 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬.

What began in 2021 as a safe way to stay active and connected during the pandemic has grown into a thriving community of outdoor enthusiasts. The Driftless Drifters Hiking Club has expanded from just nine members in its first season to 121 annual members in 2025–26. Led by dedicated volunteers, the club organizes weekly hikes that encourage physical activity, exploration of local nature, and meaningful social connections. More than just a hiking group, the Driftless Drifters has become a welcoming community where members build friendships, foster a sense of belonging, and stay connected through shared experiences.

💚 Congratulations, La Crescent-Hokah Public Schools!

📗 Explore all honorees in the 2026 MCEA Awards & Recognition Booklet https://heyzine.com/flip-book/2026-MCEA-Awards-Booklet

10/31/2026

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐌𝐂𝐄𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟑 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 — 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐬, 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐤𝐚 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬.

Lindsay Richins brings steadfast advocacy and statewide leadership to Adults with Disabilities programming across Minnesota. Through her service as CEND Chairperson, MCEA presentations, and collaborative work on the Adults with Disabilities Best Practices Guide, she has helped strengthen programs and support Community Education professionals statewide. Lindsay leads with clarity, compassion, and humility while elevating the voices and needs of adults with disabilities.

💚 Congratulations, Lindsay!

📗 Explore all honorees in the 2026 MCEA Awards & Recognition Booklet: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/2026-MCEA-Awards-Booklet

10/31/2026

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 — 𝐆𝐅𝐖 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐬, 𝐆𝐅𝐖 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬.

GFW Public Schools’ innovative Community Bus project transformed a traditional school bus into a mobile resource hub, bringing essential supplies directly to families and community members at no cost. Stocked with personal care products, household essentials, clothing, and more, the bus helps remove barriers by making resources accessible where they are needed most. Made possible through collaboration among students, staff, and community partners, along with grant funding and local donations, the project demonstrates a creative approach to meeting community needs, strengthening connections, and extending support beyond the classroom.

💚 Congratulations, GFW Public Schools!

📗 Explore all honorees in the 2026 MCEA Awards & Recognition Booklet https://heyzine.com/flip-book/2026-MCEA-Awards-Booklet

10/30/2026

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 — 𝐂-𝐈 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬: 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞-𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬.

Giving middle school students a voice in their experiences is at the heart of Cambridge-Isanti Community Education’s innovative year-round programming. Led by Melissa Lupinek, the program has served more than 600 students since 2022, offering a variety of activities, including clubs, recreation, field trips, theatre, and enrichment opportunities. Student feedback directly shapes programming, including the popular student-led Thanksgiving feast. Through strong district partnerships, creative use of resources, and a commitment to removing barriers, the program provides meaningful opportunities for middle school students to explore new interests, build relationships, and develop a stronger sense of belonging.

💚 Congratulations, Cambridge-Isanti Schools!

📗 Explore all honorees in the 2026 MCEA Awards & Recognition Booklet https://heyzine.com/flip-book/2026-MCEA-Awards-Booklet

10/30/2026

𝐀 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐫𝐮𝐱!

We're sending a big THANK YOU to 𝐀𝐫𝐮𝐱, our 2026 MCEA Fall Conference Premium Sponsor and Thursday Evening Social Event Sponsor!

Your generous support, continued partnership, and commitment to Community Education helped make this year's conference such a memorable experience!

A special thank you to the entire Arux team for sponsoring and helping bring Thursday evening's social event at the Rochester Art Center to life! From the live music and photo booth to the welcoming atmosphere and opportunities to connect, it was a fantastic way to bring our Community Education community together for an evening of fun and celebration! The thoughtful details and special touches your team included made the evening even more memorable.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐀𝐫𝐮𝐱, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫'𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐂𝐄𝐀, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞! We're so grateful to have you as a partner!

10/30/2026

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 — 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬, 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Austin Aspires is a valued partner of Austin Public Schools Community Education, helping remove barriers and connect local families with essential resources and opportunities. From supporting Early Childhood Screening and kindergarten readiness to helping families access preschool, childcare, and summer tutoring, their involvement makes a meaningful difference for children and families. Through hands-on collaboration, shared resources, and active participation in Community Education leadership, Austin Aspires demonstrates the power of community partnerships in meeting local needs and strengthening the Austin community.

💚 Congratulations, Austin Public Schools!

📗 Explore all honorees in the 2026 MCEA Awards & Recognition Booklet https://heyzine.com/flip-book/2026-MCEA-Awards-Booklet

10/30/2026

10/30/2026

10/30/2026

𝐀 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐞!

We want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to Enovie Software, our 2026 MCEA Fall Conference Premium Plus Sponsor and Wednesday Evening Social Event Sponsor!

Your generous support, continued partnership, and commitment to Community Education helped make this year's conference such a memorable experience!

A special thank you to the entire Enovie team for going above and beyond to make Wednesday evening's social gatherings at Bitter & Pour Rooftop and The Tap House such a wonderful experience! These events provided a great opportunity for attendees to unwind, reconnect with familiar faces, make new connections, and strengthen the relationships that make our Community Education network so special. The time, energy, and thoughtfulness your team put into bringing these gatherings together truly made a difference!

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐄𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐞, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫'𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐂𝐄𝐀, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧! We're incredibly grateful for your partnership and for helping make From Nest to Network a conference to remember!