Alumna Geraldine “Jerri” Evans received the University of Minnesota Board of Regents Outstanding Achievement Award for her lifetime of work in higher education on Aug. 2 in a ceremony at Eastcliff. This award, bestowed by regents and President Kaler at the ceremony, is conferred only on graduates, or former students of the University, who have attained unusual distinction in their chosen fields or professions or in public service, and who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership on a community, state, national, or international level.
Evans received three degrees from the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), including her Ph.D. in educational administration (’68), M.A. in educational psychology (’65), and B.A. in social science education (’60).
Over the course of her distinguished career, Evans served as president of Rochester Community College, was the first female chancellor of the Minnesota State Community College system (a predecessor to the MnSCU system), state executive director for the Illinois Community College System, and chancellor of the San Jose Evergreen State Community College System in California.
Among her many accomplishments, Evans created unique educational partnerships in Minnesota, earned the highest national leadership positions and awards from the American Association of Community Colleges, and transformed higher education systems and opportunities for students in Minnesota, Illinois, and California.
Photo caption: (left to right) Rebecca Ropers-Huilman, chair, Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development; John Evans, Jerri’s husband; Jerri Evans; Jean Quam, CEHD dean; Regent Maureen Ramirez; President Eric Kaler.