Team

The Team that enables MN GreenStep Schools to exist and improve over time includes funders, program leaders and staff, a steering committee, and an advisory network. In addition, the participation of districts, schools, individuals, and resource organizations make the program what it is - offering models of leadership to their peers and input to the leadership and design team to improve the program. The people and organizations involved as of Phase 2 are listed below.

Leadership Team

Current Funding: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Phase 3 of the project is funded by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

  • Kristin Mroz, Grant Manager, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Program Development Team: University of Minnesota

Minnesota Design Center

  • Jonee Kulman Brigham, Senior Research Fellow
    MN GreenStep Schools Program Leader, Research & Design

Institute on the Environment

  • Beth Mercer-Taylor, Sustainability Education Coordinator
    MN GreenStep Schools Strategic Cross-Sector Liaison

Steering Committee

The purpose of the Minnesota GreenStep Schools Steering Committee is to help shape the direction of the program at a high level – its governance, outreach strategy, financial model, and more. There are opportunities to engage in more detailed feedback as well, depending on interest. Members represent Minnesota state agencies (Pollution Control, Health, Education and Commerce), school leadership organizations (MASA, MSBA), environmental education entities (YES!) and the University of Minnesota's College of Education, Design Center and the Institute on the Environment (IonE).

MN GreenStep Schools Steering Committee Members

Ex-Officio

  • Jonee Kulman Brigham, Minnesota Design Center, University of Minnesota
    MN GreenStep Schools Program Leader

  • Beth Mercer-Taylor, Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota
    MN GreenStep Schools Strategic Cross-Sector Liaison

STEM Education, University of Minnesota

  • Bhaskar Upadhyay

MN Pollution Control Agency

  • Kristin Mroz (MN GreenStep Schools MPCA Grant Manager), Co-Director MN GreenStep Cities and Tribal Nations

  • (Retired) Karen Van Norman, Eco-Experience Coordinator, MPCA

Environmental Quality Board, State of Minnesota

  • TBD

MN Department of Commerce

  • New: Mandi Schienebeck, Solar for Schools Program Manager

MN Department of Education

  • Angela Kolonich

MN Department of Public Health

  • Dan Tranter

Minnesota Association of School Administrators

  • TBD

  • (Retired) Mia Urick

Minnesota School Boards Association

  • Kirk Schneidawind

  • Joel Stencel

Youth Eco Solutions (YES!)

  • Prior Shelli-Kae Foster

  • New: TBD

Minnesota Association of Environmental Education

  • Jenna Totz

Advisory Network

The Advisory Network represent a variety of sectors, roles, and specializations who contribute their experience and expertise to help inform the program.

Multi-sector Advisory Network Members (current listing to come)