M State Presidents, Past and Present
Ken Peeders
2003-2005
Peeders was M State’s first president, appointed at the beginning of the college’s creation in July 2003 and thus leading the four campuses through the merger and initial transition.
For five years prior to his M State appointment, he served as president of Fergus Falls Community College, and before that, from 1992 to 1998, he was the college’s academic vice president. For 26 years starting in 1966, he taught English at the college.
Upon his retirement from M State in 2005, Peeders was awarded president emeritus status by the Minnesota State system Board of Trustees. He was noted by the Board as “second to none in knowing how to deliver high-quality programs at a public institution of higher education” and as being driven by “the difference this institution makes for the economic vitality and the quality of life in this region.”
Peeders held a master’s degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a doctorate degree from the University of North Dakota.
Ann Valentine
2005-2011
Valentine was appointed president of M State on March 2, 2005 and began her presidency July 1 of that year. She had previously served as vice president and provost at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, Wisconsin and held an associate of arts degree from Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
“I saw energy and a readiness to take on the presidency,” said the Chancellor at the time, James McCormick, who noted Valentine’s passion and commitment to community and technical colleges.
Valentine took the reins at M State at a time when the college was still evolving after the 2003 merger. She helped unify the college while still giving the four campuses flexibility, prioritizing fiscal growth through creativity and community partnerships and collaboration.
She left in June 2011 to take on a new position, saying, “It was a difficult decision because M State has done amazing things in the last six years,” including increasing enrollment and improving quality, even in times of budget cuts.
Peggy Kennedy
2011-2018
Kennedy came to M State with 25 years of experience in higher education, having most recently served as the senior vice president of academic affairs and student development at Saint Paul College.
With her well-established commitment to learner achievement, college success and accountability, Kennedy was appointed to “bring a fresh dynamic to the college and continue to advance the college’s mission,” according to then-Chancellor Steven Rosenstone.
In her years at M State, Kennedy earned a reputation as an engaged and committed leader who prioritized innovation, flexibility and meeting community needs. A highlight of her time at the college came in January 2015, when she was invited to accompany Sen. Amy Klobuchar as her guest at the State of the Union address.
Kennedy held a master’s degree in business education and an Ed.D. in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota. She was first appointed interim president of M State in 2011, and then president in 2012. She retired the summer of 2018.
Carrie Brimhall
2018-present
A first-generation student and graduate of M State, Brimhall served the college in various leadership roles for 20 years prior to becoming president in July 2018.
A strategic and caring academic leader, her commitment to student success has been proven many times over the years, and she has a demonstrated passion for advancing equity and inclusion as well as for fostering partnerships between education and industry.
“Carrie Brimhall will bring energy, enthusiasm, and excitement to her role as M State president,” said Devinder Malhotra, chancellor of Minnesota State at the time of Brimhall’s appointment. “She knows that multi-campus leaders must be enterprise thinkers because they must navigate the needs of distinct academic communities on a daily basis. She will work with students, faculty, staff, and community leaders to continue building a unifying vision for the college, leveraging the strengths and unique characteristics of the four individual campuses.”
Brimhall holds an associate degree from M State, a bachelor’s degree from Concordia College, and a master’s and doctorate from Capella University.