Meet Laurie

Born and raised in Minnesota, Laurie feels a deep connection to people and culture that makes Minnesota such a special place to live. She was born at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, but her family soon moved to Western North Dakota, and then to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota when she was 8 years old. Growing up in a small town in northwest Minnesota, Laurie enjoyed the benefits of living in the heart of lake country. During high school and college, she spent summers working at the local chamber of commerce, giving advice to tourists and promoting local businesses.

After high school, Laurie paid her own way through college and graduate school through a combination of scholarships, loans, and part-time work. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Theology at the College of St. Benedict, in St. Joseph, MN, a Masters in School Psychology from Syracuse University and most recently a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University in Moorhead.

Laurie is a dedicated educator who has devoted much of her career to creating positive learning environments for students from a variety of backgrounds. She has taught Psychology for over 25 years and has been a professor at Anoka Ramsey Community college since 2005. She has served in various leadership positions, including department chairperson and faculty development chairperson. She is a proud member of the Minnesota State College Faculty union and previously served two terms as the president of her local chapter.

In addition to teaching psychology, Laurie is also a certified yoga and meditation instructor. Laurie lives in Maple Grove with her husband of 23 years, her mother, and their rescue dog, Joe. She has one son who is studying aviation at the University of North Dakota. Laurie is an avid traveler and enjoys learning about new cultures. Despite this, she is always happy to return home to the beauty of Minnesota.