MICHELO MULEYA JOINS GSDC AS EPIC COORDINATOR
For the past few years the EPIC program – Exploring Potential Interests and Careers – has successfully introduced thousands of area students to hands-on and engaging career exploration, with the support of many local employers.
With EPIC poised for further growth, and with Expanding Talent being one of the GSDC’s four Strategic Imperatives, it was time to create a fulltime EPIC Coordinator position. Working with many organizations in this community collaborative, we are pleased to announce that Michelo Muleya has just joined the GSDC staff in that role.
A St. Cloud State University grad who has volunteered with previous EPIC activities, she is extremely qualified to take EPIC and our region’s talent development to new heights.
Welcome, Michelo!
LORI KLOOS NAMED SCTCC’S PERMANENT PRESIDENT
GSDC Board Member Lori Kloos, who had served as St. Cloud Technical and Community College’s interim president since July 2022, was named by the Minnesota State Board of Trustees last week as SCTCC’s permanent president.
“It is an honor and privilege to be appointed as permanent president of SCTCC,” says Lori. “Being a part of the college community for the past 24 years has shown me how much can be accomplished by our dedicated faculty and staff. That dedication to SCTCC students and Central Minnesota knows no limitations, and I’m excited to see what we do together in the future.”
So are we, Lori. Congratulations!
GSDC PRESIDENT GARTLAND TO SPEAK AT
BLACK EXCELLENCE LUNCHEON FEB. 17
Higher Works Collaborative’s 4th Annual Black Excellence Business Expo Feb. 17-19 will include a fundraiser luncheon at the Park Event Center on Feb. 17, with GSDC President Patti Gartland as guest speaker.
You’re invited to attend the expo, which brings together black businesses, organizations and individuals to showcase their excellence in industry and in our community, as well as attend the Feb. 17 luncheon and Feb. 18 gala by registering here.
JAN. 25 EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE ADDRESSED
MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE
Dr. Steven Loos interacts with Executive Roundtable participants.
“Managing Mental Health in the Workplace” was the topic of the first of the GSDC’s 2023 Executive Roundtable sessions on Jan. 25. Four mental health professionals and 20 corporate-level GSDC investors exchanged valuable information about a serious matter that touches us all.
We thank Microbiologics for hosting the session, and also thank these experts for their important messages, presented in this order: Dr. Steven Loos, Chief Medical Officer at the Central Minnesota Mental Health Center; Jen Holper, Health Partners Senior Wellbeing Account Operations Manager; Lisa Bershok, Centra Care Suicide Prevention Program Manager; and Jessica Brandon, Central Minnesota Mental Health Center CEO.
OUR REGION’S LABOR FORCE IN LATEST DEED UPDATE
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development recently published a piece titled, “The Rise and Fall of Central Minnesota’s Labor Force.”
DEED reported that our region saw “about 6,500 workers enter or come back into the labor force in 2022, averaging just over 392,000 workers through the first 11 months of the year. While this was a significant recovery, Central Minnesota is still down more than 9,000 workers compared to pre-pandemic levels.”
Read the entire piece here.
APPLY BY JAN. 31 FOR ILT ACADEMY’S PROGRAM
TO ASSIST LEAN STARTUPS
St. Cloud’s ILT Academy is offering a virtual, 10-week Lean Startup Program to coach, support and boost entrepreneurs and soon-to-be-entrepreneurs on their lean startup journeys.
The 2023 FastLane 94 Virtual Cohort will run February 15 – April 19, 2023. There’s no cost to participate, but applications are due TODAY.
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Contact Our Staff Team
Patti Gartland, President
pgartland@greaterstcloud.com | 320.260.2442
Leslie Dingmann, Business Development Director
ldingmann@greaterstcloud.com | 320.493.9003
Gail Cruikshank, Talent Director
gcruikshank@greaterstcloud.com | 320.260.6775
Tammy Campion, Communications & Program Specialist
tcampion@greaterstcloud.com | 320.252.5185