From a young age, I was always captivated by art — but living in a small town with a graduating class of 32 students meant I had limited access to opportunities for formal art classes. Undeterred, I enrolled in a correspondence art course and first learned about St. Olaf College. St. Olaf’s renowned art program caught my attention, and after visiting the campus and falling in love with the beautiful limestone buildings, trees, and robust art program, I knew it was the place for me. I applied early, not bothering with any other schools.

At St. Olaf, I was lucky to have Professor Arch Leean as my advisor, and he played a pivotal role in helping me pursue my true passion: photography. Thanks to Arch, I enrolled in a photography class with Meg Ojala. Under Meg’s guidance, I found myself constantly composing black-and-white photos in my head as I walked to class. I got a job working in St. Olaf’s Publications Department, taking photos and videos at events. I also worked in the Art Department, helping students in the darkroom. Off campus, I was hired to take aerial photos of the Cannon River Valley, building my entrepreneurial spirit.

As a St. Olaf Finstad Entrepreneurship Fellow, I received a grant to create and sell postcards of my photos taken around campus. I learned about budgeting, promotion, packaging, and accounting — lifelong skills that have proven useful when starting and managing my own business.

Through the Computer-Generated Imagery class with Judith Yourman in 1994, I learned how to use Photoshop to complement my photography skills. This emerging digital program proved critical in my future career in graphic design, leading to my first job out of college at a real estate firm in Minneapolis. The experience of using technology gained during my St. Olaf education shaped my design career and laid the foundation for the work I do now, 30 years later.

“I’m deeply grateful for the experiences and guidance I received at St. Olaf, which shaped my journey and gave me the tools to make a meaningful difference in the world.“

My job at the real estate firm was going well, but I yearned for something more fulfilling. In 2003, I transitioned from graphic design to teaching computer skills to low-income individuals in New York City. Over the course of my work, I taught more than 300 New Yorkers how to use a computer, from basic skills like email and resume creation to navigating the internet for job opportunities. This expertise proved crucial in sparking a passion for service that led me to establish the nonprofit Community Tech Network (CTN), dedicated to closing the digital divide. Today, nearly 17 years later, CTN serves 3,000 people annually in the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Texas, many of whom are older adults or non-English speakers.

In addition to providing direct training, CTN trains other trainers and works closely with social service agencies across the country to support them in alleviating the digital divide. I am proud that CTN not only empowers individuals but also strengthens the capacity of other organizations to serve their communities.

I’m deeply grateful for the experiences and guidance I received at St. Olaf, which shaped my journey and gave me the tools to make a meaningful difference in the world.