Joan Bloemendaal-Gruett named new Dean of Academic Affairs

On Feb. 9, Joan Bloemendaal-Gruett was selected by a six-member search committee to fill the position of Dean of Academic Affairs at Pine Technical College. The committee, comprised of three faculty members, three administrators and Ames Candice, Curriculum Coordinator, Pine City High School, initiated a nationwide search to fill the position in Nov. 2009.

"Dr. Bloemendaal-Gruett has been an outstanding leader in her previous role with the college as Executive Director of the Employment and Training Center," says Pine Technical College President Robert Musgrove. "She has worked with integrity and diligence and brings leadership and a sincere dedication to education and the PTC community to this role," Musgrove adds.

Bloemendaal-Gruett has worked in education since 1982, both in higher education and in the pre-K to 12th grade arena as a school psychologist and principal. Most recently, Bloemendaal-Gruett served as Executive Director of Employment and Training since July, 2006 and has been serving as Interim Dean of Academic Affairs since Oct. 2009.

"When Dr. Musgrove asked me to serve as the Interim Dean of Academic Affairs, I was honored to be entrusted with supporting the mission and values of PTC in yet another way,” Bloemendaal-Gruett says. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue in this role and work closely with faculty and staff in providing superior education and social services," Bloemendaal-Gruett adds.

"Student Affairs has been so impressed with Joan’s leadership and outstanding responsiveness during the interim," says Nancy Mach, Dean of Student Affairs. "We in Student Affairs are very happy with the committee’s choice, and I especially look forward to working with her in the long run," Mach adds.

Gruett holds an Ed.D. in educational policy and administration from the Univ. of Minnesota, Twin Cities and an M.S. in education as well as graduate certification in school psychology from the Univ. of Wisconsin, River Falls. Bloemendaal-Gruett’s undergraduate education was completed at Southwest Minnesota State Univ., where she double-majored in Psychology and Literature.