New staff members join PTC's Strategic Initiatives department

PTC extends a hearty "welcome" to four staff members, new to the Strategic Initiatives Department -- a department created after the college won a $4.2M healthcare grant from the Department of Labor in Feb. 2010. The money is being used in expanding existing degree programs and acquiring new degree programs in healthcare.

"I am very excited and pleased to have such a strong team," says Stefanie Schroeder, Director of Strategic Initiatives. "This department, grant and programming will bring so much opportunity to the region -- opportunity for students and opportunity for healthcare employers. It's just simply very important," Schroeder adds.


Photo (L to R): Stefanie Schroeder, Kerry Fridstrom, Alison Holland, Jessica Ayub, Mari Ringness.

Kerry Fridstrom,
Education and Employment Administrative Specialist
Fridstrom, a PTC alumnus,earned the Public Welfare Financial Worker A.A.S. in May, 2006. Since 2003, Fridstrom worked in the insurance industry and has been licensed as an Insurance Producer for Life, Accident/Health, Property, Casualty and Variable Annuities. As a former CNA, Health Unit Coordinator/Clinical Assistant and Staffing Coordinator, Fridstrom also has previous work experience in the medical field.

Jessica Ayub, Education and Employment Counselor
Ayub formerly worked in Pine Technical College's Employment and Training Center as an employment counselor serving Chisago County. Prior to joining PTC, Ayub provided vocational rehabilitation case management to injured workers within the State of Minnesota Workers’ Compensation system. Ayub's background includes experience in recruitment and career services with the Talent Acquisition team at Fairview Health Services and a host of volunteer work. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management and is looking forward to gaining her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology -- both degrees from Bethel University.

Mari Ringness, Education and Employment Counselor
Since 2006, Ringness served as a College and Career Advisor at Cambridge-Isanti High School and worked with students and their parents, advising them regarding college admissions, financial aid, scholarships and more. Ringness also taught career units in classrooms and coordinated special events including a college fair and Senior Scholarship Night. Ringness, also a freelance writer, has a background in business and previously owned a conference planning company and has experience in marketing.

Alison Holland, Outreach Coordinator
Holland has served as the Executive Assistant to the President at Pine Technical College since July, 2009. In that role, Holland worked with the Healthcare Alliance and now looks forward to serving as the Outreach Coordinator for the Alliance’s HOPES grant. Prior to coming to PTC, Holland cultivated her skills in a variety of education and communication organizations including Mora High School, the University of Minnesota Extension, The Rake magazine, and The Sportsman’s Guide. Holland holds a B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College and a master’s degree from Hamline University.