The academy is an 18-month program designed to nurture leadership talent for the MnSCU system. Niebuhr is one of only 54 individuals chosen statewide for the program.

The academy helps participants develop leadership skills, gain an appreciation of different perspectives in the system and create a network of colleagues committed to transformational leadership. The leadership development program was named in honor of Jim Luoma, a trustee emeritus of the system’s board.

“We are proud that we have such a rich pool of up-and-coming leaders,” said James H. McCormick, Chancellor of MnSCU, when announcing this year’s participants. “By investing in these promising individuals now, we ensure that we will have strong leaders for the system in the challenging years ahead.”

Niebuhr has worked in ARCC’s Continuing Education and Customized Training division for five years. As a director, she handles grant development, grant management, initiation of business and industry partnerships, new program development, coordination of the College on Your Corner program, and account management for nursing training and other areas. Niebuhr came to ARCC after 13 years in public service and five years in private industry. Her background includes adult education and training, curriculum development, grant development, and business partnership development work. She holds a Master of Public Affairs from the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, and a B.A. in Political Science from Augsburg College.