WINONA, Minn. –A search committee has whittled the candidates for a new education at Winona State University to four. These include an internal candidate and a candidate from cross-town Saint Mary’s University. On-campus interviews begin Monday. The position has been vacant since Dan Kirk, who left in 2021 after two years. The finalists:
> Dawnette Cigrand. Counselor Ed Department chair at Winona State since 2017. Doctorate in counselor education from University of Iowa. Bachelor’s in English and education and master’s in school counseling from Cornell College.
> Sarah Tahtinen-Pacheco. Languages and Cultures Department chair for the Languages and Cultures Department at Bethel University of and on since 2008. Doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Minnesota. Master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Bachelor in education from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
> Scott Sorvaag. Undergraduate teacher education professor at Saint Mary’s University and earlier director of general education and dean of education. Doctorate in educational leadership from Saint Mary’s. Master’s in educational administration from University of South Dakota. Bachelor’s in history and international affairs and from Augustana College.
> Kent Willis. Assistant vice ppesident for research and associate graduate sean at University of Texas-Tyler since 2021. Doctorate in higher-ed management from Hampton University. Master’s in secondary education from Easter Central University. Bachelor’s in communication studies from the Austin State University.