The Alumni Association Board of Directors represents all alumni who are degree or certificate graduates of Metropolitan State University programs. Your Board now represents more than 55,000 graduates. We welcome your suggestions for improving and enhancing our service and communications with you.
Matt Christenson ‘12, who joined the Airport Police Department (APD) as an entry-level community service officer in 1991, was named chief of the APD in September 2020 following an extensive national search. He became a police officer for the APD in 1993, was promoted to sergeant in 1999 and lieutenant in 2002. Christenson achieved the rank of commander in 2005 before being appointed deputy chief in 2013.
Christenson led the APD’s investigative division for almost 20 years, launched its explosives-detecting canine program in 2003, and helped develop the Airport Watch community policing program in 2008.
Christenson holds a master’s degree in public and nonprofit administration from Metro State University, a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Bethel University and an associates’ degree in law enforcement from North Hennepin Community College. He is a graduate of the 217th session of the FBI National Academy and is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association and the FBI National Academy Association.
Christenson also served as a youth mentor for Hope 4 Youth at its Anoka Drop-In Center and has served on the church council at the church he attends.
Jim Houston '16, Criminal Justice is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant with Xcel Energy and owner of Houston Resources LLC, a DEI focused workforce development consulting firm. He has more than 15 years' experience in DEI and workforce development in Twin Cities nonprofits and both the public and private sector. Houston specializes in new initiatives and pipeline development through engaging external partners.
In 2022 Houston was appointed by Governor Tim Walz to the State Rehabilitation Council and currently represents Xcel Energy on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce. A proud graduate of Metro State University he was recently recognized as the first Emerging Alumni of the Year. He is a lucky father of two wonderful children, frequently collects and occasionally reads comic books, and loves giving back to the communities who have helped him grow so much as a person and professional throughout his career.
Deidra Isaac ’16 holds a bachelor’s degree in cross cultural and global communications, human development, art and design, and a minor in organizational development. She is the founder, owner and chief executive officer of Ashes 2 Beauty Salon & Beauty Supply, LLC., and a mother of three.
Isaac is a long-time advocate and activist for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is passionate about advocating for lifelong-learning and driving initiatives that help create a new generation of industry leaders in a facet of personal and professional disciplines.
Isaac is undeniably a catalyst for creating change and safe spaces for those she comes in touch with and is an avid activist in her community, building relationships and empowering communities and individuals.
Bryan Newman ’15 received his bachelor’s degree from Metro State and currently works as an HR manager at Walmart. He has also worked as a store manager, an environment committee chair, a Toastmasters area director, and a banker. Newman has also authored the Knowledge Center book series. He enjoys spending time with his daughter and helping others be successful.
Matt Moe ’13 is an accomplished care delivery, finance, operations, and strategy leader with a proven track record of strong performance in the healthcare industry, having spent more than 10 years working as a senior executive for fortune 500 companies, most notably UnitedHealth Group and Elevance Health (Anthem Inc). In his current role leading market operations for Homeward Health, Moe oversees clinicians and operational staff focused on delivering best in class health care delivery in rural markets. Moe also holds an MBA from Capella University.
Scott Pilgram ’10 received his BS degree in business administration. He has been an accounting manager with CBRE for 12 of his 17 years, and currently volunteers for CBRE Cares philanthropy committee to help with various fundraisers each year such as Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together, and Ronald McDonald House among many others. He is also currently volunteering on the Metro State Alumni Board and as the chair of the Membership Committee.
Pilgram has been recognized for various achievements during his time with CBRE, such as Five-, Ten- and Fifteen-Year Service Awards, Excellence in Team Audit achievement, and various customer service awards in working with our clients. He is dedicated to providing leadership to his team while ensuring quality and delivering unmatched services to his clients.
Also on a personal level, he enjoys time with family and friends and traveling when he can.
Ryan Ringwelski ’21 graduated from Metro State University with bachelor of arts degree in individualized studies, with a focus in cross-cultural religious leadership studies. During his time as a student at Metro State, he served on the Student Veteran and Military Association, connecting student veterans to educational and professional opportunities.
As a dedicated veteran of the U. S. Air Force, Ringwelski has proudly served in the Minnesota Air National Guard since 2006, most recently in the Human Resources field at the Joint Force Headquarters in Saint Paul. He earned an associate of applied science degree in human resource management from the Community College of the Air Force.
In addition to serving on the Metro State Alumni Board of Directors, Ringwelski manages the MN National Guard's Holocaust Remembrance Special Emphasis Council and is a member of the Air Force Association and National Guard Enlisted Association. He also volunteers as a STARBASE Minnesota graduation speaker and mentor. Additional community involvement includes police chaplaincy, small group leader, and musician at his place of worship, and Northern Lights Chorale board member and singer.
In his leisure time, Ringwelski enjoys staying active, exploring new destinations, foreign languages, music, and the culinary arts.
Eric Rios ’15 received his bachelor’s degree from Metro State, started his career in inside sales, and has since grown to business development manager. He has spent most of his professional career working in health care in several varied roles. He has mentored, taught, and done considerable amounts of public speaking since he has started his career. Rios recently also started working more in depth with Metro State on the Membership committee.
Shanasha Whitson ’00 founded CPC 2.0 in 2017 after more than 15 years of committed service to the community. Whitson is every bit of home grown, being born and raised in Minnesota. She comes from a large family, grew up in South Minneapolis and attended high school in Brooklyn Center (Go Centaurs).
Whitson attended MCTC where she received her two-year degree, after which time she transferred to Metropolitan State University to receive a bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in criminal justice. After dedicating most of her time to community service, she decided to go back to school and receive her master’s degree in organizational management and communications from Concordia University in Saint Paul. Whitson also attended St. Thomas University to receive a Mini MBA because she wanted to help her community explore economic development opportunities. Most recently Whitson attended Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota to receive her LADC and LPCC and just completed the Community Health Worker Certificate program.
Whitson is now the executive director of Community Partnership Collaborative 2.0, taking the community to the next level. The mission of CPC 2.0 is to help community improve the social determinants of health by focusing on the BIG Six: Mental Health, Medical Health, Financial Health, Social Health, Civic Health, and Physical Health. Whitson has been the executive director of CPC 2.0 since 2017 and has engaged more than 10,000 community members.
Amanda Wong ’17 graduated from Metro State University Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor of arts degree in professional communication. Wong has worked in the construction industry since 2007, most recently as senior marketing/pursuit coordinator at McGough Construction where her primary focuses are proposal strategy and execution and public relations. In her spare time, Wong enjoys providing career coaching and mentorship to Metro State students and women in career transition. Since graduating, Wong has obtained professional development certificates in graphic design and reputation management.
Darrell Young ’20, received his BA from Metropolitan State in individualized studies with focus in youth, leadership, and program management. He has been the youth enrichment programs manager at St. Louis Park Community Education for seven years. Young is a husband and father of two children, and he is an advocate to end gun violence and social justice. Young is an avid basketball and football fan, and he currently is a high school football coach for Academy of Holy Angels. Young also earned a master of science degree and Director of Community Education license at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Kristine Hansen '07, director of alumni relations
651.793.1810