President Brimhall with PTK student/M State graduate Joseph Mugisha, at M State’s 2023 graduation ceremony in Moorhead. (M State)
Detroit Lakes, MN – Dr. Carrie Brimhall, president of Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State), has received the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction, the highest honor the international Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) bestows on community college presidents.
Brimhall was nominated by the M State PTK for her deep commitment to student success through academic excellence, leadership development and access to opportunity. Students describe her as a president who leads with warmth and intention, consistently centering decisions, conversations and priorities on the student experience.
“As a student at M State, I am incredibly proud that Dr. Brimhall has received this honor,” says PTK member Amanda Solem. “Her authentic leadership and unwavering commitment to fostering belonging have made a difference in my educational experience. She consistently places students at the center of every decision and ensures we feel supported, valued and confident in pursuing our goals.”
Brimhall will be formally recognized March 27 during PTK’s annual convention in Baltimore, Maryland. She has served as M State’s president since 2018, following 20 years in various leadership roles at the college.
“President Brimhall’s selection for this award reflects the powerful impact of her leadership and the student-centered culture she champions,” says Dr. Matthew Borcherding, provost and vice president for academic affairs at M State. “Her commitment shows up in the everyday moments that remind students they matter.”
In a news release shared by the international PTK, the society highlighted Brimhall’s leadership style as one defined by authenticity, presence and an unwavering focus on students. At the core of her approach is a steady reminder of purpose: the work of M State, whether in classrooms, offices or community settings, exists to create opportunity for students.
“Dr. Brimhall leads with heart, clarity and an unshakable commitment to students,” states PTK President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner in the news release. “She understands that leadership is about presence and belief. This recognition reflects the gratitude of students who have experienced her leadership as both personal and purposeful.”
Brimhall’s leadership is shaped by her own educational experience as a first-generation college student and by her understanding of the challenges many students face. An M State graduate, she is known for sharing her story openly and reinforcing the message that students are not alone in their struggles or ambitions.
The Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction is named in honor of the late Dr. Shirley B. Gordon, PTK’s longest-serving board chair and a lifelong advocate for community college students.
Story courtesy of M State.
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