FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Kayla Schoenberg, MREA Communications Director
Release Date: July 9, 2024
MREA Welcomes New Executive Director
The Minnesota Rural Education Association (MREA) Board of Directors is thrilled to announce that Darrin Strosahl has begun his role as Executive Director of the organization, effective July 1, 2024. Strosahl’s selection by the MREA Board comes after former Executive Director Bob Indihar’s retirement.
Throughout his career, Strosahl has served in various education leadership positions in addition to his most recent Superintendent role at Plainview-Elgin-Millville Public Schools. At Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, Strosahl served as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Operating Officer, as well as Academic Dean of Skilled Trades and Industry Division at St. Cloud Technical and Community College. Prior to that, Strosahl served as Superintendent at Foley Public Schools and at Kingsland Public Schools, where he also served as Principal. Strosahl’s breadth of experience across many aspects of education will be of great value to MREA and its members.
“On behalf of the Board, we have full confidence in Darrin’s ability to lead MREA into the next chapter, with a continued focus on advocacy, communications, and an exceptional member experience,” said Michelle Rinke Koch, High School Principal at Menahga Public Schools and MREA Board President. “His passion for leading and growing the voice of Greater Minnesota education was abundantly clear during the interview process.”
Strosahl is already embracing his new role, serving as a panelist at the Minnesota Service Cooperatives Conference this week and has been working with the MREA team and Board of Directors to set direction for upcoming efforts and initiatives. Strosahl is also looking forward to continuing MREA’s collaborative efforts with other education organizations throughout the state to elevate Minnesota education.
“MREA has an incredible foundation of advocacy, communication and operational excellence to build upon,” Strosahl says. “I’m honored to have been selected and thank the MREA Board and team for their confidence in me as Executive Director. I look forward to partnering with the Board, team, members, education organizations and rural communities to ensure every Greater Minnesota student has equitable access to high quality educational opportunities.”
The MREA Board of Directors will have its regularly scheduled July meeting in Cross Lake later this month where Strosahl will collaborate with the MREA team and Board to discuss and plan for advocacy, communications and operational priorities.
About MREA
Minnesota Rural Education Association (MREA) is known throughout Minnesota as the Voice for Greater Minnesota Education. As the only education organization dedicated to the unique needs and priorities of rural Minnesota students, MREA serves 237 rural school districts representing over 256,000 Minnesota students. For more information, visit www.mreavoice.org.
