Anne Thurmer, Ed.D., is Dean for the School of Liberal Arts and Humanities at Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State), having joined the college in September 2019. Previously, Thurmer served in various roles at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, from Student Success Specialist to Associate Dean of General Education for Student Engagement. Before transitioning to Student Affairs work, Thurmer completed a Master of Arts in English at Winona State University in 2007. She then taught composition and English for Language Learners at public and private for-profit colleges and universities both in-person and online from 2007-2017.
These experiences convinced her that the range of tools available to faculty and staff at colleges and universities were often inadequate to support both retention and teaching and learning goals. After a successful collaboration between faculty and a team of professional advisers dramatically improved student outcomes, Thurmer became convinced that the future of higher education would include stronger collaboration between academic and student affairs. She returned to school to pursue her doctorate in Student Affairs Administration and Leadership at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, completing her degree in 2020.
Outside of work, 2020 renewed Thurmer’s appreciation for long walks in nature, especially those taken with her husband, August, and children William and Abigail. While her relationship to cooking vacillates between enjoyment and obligation, she is a consistent proponent of enjoying good food.