Meet the Center for Small Towns Staff

Jessica Beyer

Community Program Assistant

• B.A., University of Minnesota, Morris

• Participant in Leadership Morris
• University of Minnesota Presidents Emerging Leaders

Areas of Expertise

• Coordinates student projects
• Recruiting/Hiring/Monitoring student employees
• Blandin Community Leadership Program Graduate
• Horses

Kelly Asche

Community Program Specialist

• M.A., Humphrey School of Public Affairs
• B.A., University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Areas of Expertise

• Data and policy analysis
• Evaluation, visioning, convening
• Assisting rural communities
• Brewing, biking, and hiking

Barb Hesse

Principal Office and Administrative Specialist

• Molly Pitcher Award-United States Field Artillery Association
• Family Readiness Leader, civilian volunteer for Minnesota National Guard, Morris/Appleton

Areas of Expertise

• Receptionist/Support to staff and students
• Budget monitoring/reconciling
• Connects students with local resources and expertise
• Blandin Community Leadership Program Graduate
• Photography

Arne Kildegaard

Professor, Center for Small Towns Director

• Ph.D., University of Texas
• M.A., University of Chicago
• B.A., Gustavus Adolphus College

Areas of Expertise

• Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
• Economics of Renewable Energy Systems
• Economic Development
• General aviation (small planes) pilot

Rose Murphy

Associate Administrator

• B.A., University of Minnesota, Morris

• Outstanding Support Staff Award
• CEE Outstanding Staff Award
• CEE Project Award

Areas of Expertise

• Administrative support to the director
• Personnel, internal, and external sales agreements
• Communication and publicity
• Blandin Community Leadership Program Graduate
• Grief Aftercare