Staff
Anise Mazone
Leadership & Teaching Specialist & Senior Advisor to the Vice President of Student Affairs
Anise has spent decades building partnerships to work towards equity within and beyond our campus. She has been an adjunct instructor in the Leadership Minor for many years while working within the Office for Student Affairs, where she most recently served as Senior Advisor to the VPSA and Director of Multicultural Student Engagement.
Iman Mohamoud
Teaching Specialist
Iman (she/her) is a Teaching Specialist with the Leadership Minor whose work centers culturally sustaining curriculum, educational equity, and leadership development. She earned her M.Ed. in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development from the University of Minnesota, where her research focused on supporting and retaining Black educators through justice-centered leadership. She is also a principal candidate in the University of Minnesota’s Administrative Licensure Program.
Before joining the team, Iman taught high school English Language Arts and developed a Somali Literature course centered on multilingual learners and culturally sustaining pedagogy. She is passionate about helping students explore leadership through identity, purpose, and collective care.
Jenn Baldwin
Academic Systems Coordinator
Jenn (she/her) manages administrative work for the Minor, including student advising, human resources, graduation events, front desk operations, purchasing and day-to-day operational tasks. Jenn graduated from the Leadership Minor in Spring 2016 and feels grateful to have returned to this community in a professional setting after working in other parts of the University of Minnesota. In her role, Jenn Outside of work, Jenn’s interests include weightlifting, nutrition, and coaching group fitness classes.
Jennifer Trost
Director
Jennifer (she/her) brings years of organizational, teaching, and collaboration experience to the Leadership Minor. Most recently she taught at Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas where she used culturally sustaining pedagogy and universal design to create courses that made a difference to her students, she also used her sociology background to serve as a strong advocate and mentor for students. She loves connecting with others and rarely takes herself too seriously. Outside of her work life, you can find her running with Mile in My Shoes, hanging with her children, going to happy hours, and reading as many fiction books as possible.
Laura Wiesner
Associate Director
Laura has been teaching with the Leadership Minor since 2012 and now oversees departmental operations. She holds a master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration & Higher Education and a certificate in College & University Teaching. She previously worked with students in residence life, financial aid, and veteran services. Laura excels at resolving technical problems to make more space to tackle adaptive challenges and have some fun in the process. She is committed to teaching that advances equity and honors the unique identities, experiences, and talents of individuals. She has always loved cooking, has recently enjoyed swimming, and consistently calls her sister (& her dogs).
Maggie Harris
LEAD 4961W Level Lead & Global Programs Coordinator
Maggie joined the Leadership Minor in 2010. She holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership and teaches all core courses across the Minor, as well as a study abroad course. Maggie worked for over a decade as the founder and executive director of a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and, prior to that, with Houghton Mifflin and Yale University supporting funding and research for public schools. She has served as a board member for multiple organizations and has dedicated her time as a leadership consultant to over one hundred universities, schools, corporations, and nonprofit groups across the United States and Canada. Maggie has been honored as a Girl Scouts Centennial Woman of Promise, is the recipient of the B. Warren Hart Award for Public Service, and was one of the Ten Outstanding Minnesotans of 2011. She infuses her experience with and dedication to leadership development into dynamic, engrossing curriculum development and classroom instruction. When not adoring her time with her partner and children, Maggie travels extensively and has lived and worked in 5 different countries. Her international experiences drive her passion and practice in developing global leaders.
Mitchell Walstad
LEAD 1961W Level Lead
Mitchell brings a passion for systems work, student development, and building relationships to his role as 1961W Level Lead.
After graduating from the University of Minnesota and the Leadership Minor, he served Minneapolis residents in his work at the State Senate, and managed two legislative campaigns in the south suburbs of the Twin Cities. His work facilitating the Tom Burnett Advanced Leadership Program brought him back to the University of Minnesota, where he completed his Master's degree in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
Before beginning this role, Mitchell worked concurrently with the Tom Burnett Leadership Program and Office of Admissions. Building strong connections with students has been the highlight of his work.
Shaun Walsh
LEAD 3961 & 3971 Level Lead
Shaun's career and life have been centered on inclusivity, systems improvement (or justice when possible) and collaborative leadership. She has worked toward these things as a mother, community member, educator, youth worker, and supervisor of community-based programs. She describes herself as a white, cishet, woman, mom, and St. Paul West Sider (even though she now lives in Minneapolis). She has an undergraduate and master's degree in Women & Gender Studies and PhD in Education with a focus on student voices in educational systems change. Her core values are discovery, empathy, and authenticity.
Yilin Wei
Teaching Graduate Assistant
Yilin Wei is a career educator and leader. Before returning to the USA this time, she had a rich professional and leadership experience in K–12 international education in Asia. Her current research focuses on interdisciplinary conceptual analysis and discussions among different philosophies in/about education. Meanwhile, her research also explores how those theoretical lenses support her pedagogical practices as a growing higher education instructor. She aims to further stretch the pedagogies for a better supportive and well-rounded learning environment for students of different cultures and bodies.
Vongrathayuth (Yuth) Hingphith
Teaching Graduate Assistant
Vongrathayuth (aka Yuth) (He/Him/His) believes each journey of leadership development is as unique as it can be. A great facilitator and instructor first shall aim to empathize with those they intend to inspire. Therefore, empathy should be at the forefront. He has worked in non-profits since 2014 and has been teaching since 2015. He has come to term with the importance of the mutual learning relationship that exist in the conversation about leadership and inspires to create a space where growth is a common discussion. He holds an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction and MA in Comparative and International Development Education. He is excited to be pursuing his PhD in Comparative and International Development Education this upcoming fall in the College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota.
Zoë Rodine
Senior Advisor for Curriculum & Instruction
Zoë Rodine (she/her) brings a decade of experience as a teacher, pedagogical coach and facilitator, researcher, and artist to her work in the Leadership Minor.
Her professional life has been devoted to increasing access and equity in higher-education spaces. Most recently, she directed university programs and early-career fellowships for the Playwrights’ Center. She holds a Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Minnesota and an undergraduate degree in Creative Writing from Macalester College.
Unsurprisingly, Zoë spends much of her free time reading and writing. She also loves to sing, to cook (and eat!), to make and experience art, and to spend time with her family and friends exploring all the Twin Cities have to offer.
Student Associates
Gor
Teaching Intern (TI) Coordinator Student Associate
Gor is a third-year student from Armenia majoring in Global Studies. After completing his high school education in Durham, England he started attending the University of Minnesota in Fall 2023, where he first got introduced to the Leadership Minor in the Spring of his sophomore year. Since then, he has gotten the opportunity to TI for LEAD 3961, and as of recent to join the LSA team of the Leadership Minor! With an additional minor in Sustainability, he is committed to promoting larger conversations surrounding big-picture topics that need all of our attention. Talk to him about your favorite albums and songs, as well as your favorite color combinations for things!
Hannah-Grace
Marketing & Communications Coordinator Student Associate
Hannah‑Grace is a junior studying Strategic Communication with a minor in Leadership. She’s passionate about understanding people, telling meaningful stories, and building communities where everyone feels seen and supported. This is why she chose to pursue the Leadership Minor. Outside of school, she loves spending time in nature, exercising, reading, and taking naps.
Hibo
Marketing, Recruitment & Retention Coordinator Student Associate
Hibo is a pre-health student with a strong interest in pediatric care. She grew interested in the Leadership Minor after taking the introductory course, which challenged her initial perspectives on leadership. Hibo believes that developing leadership skills will be valuable in her future career in healthcare, helping her navigate teamwork, advocacy, and patient care. As someone who values both personal and professional growth, she actively seeks opportunities to learn and broaden her perspective. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching sitcoms, and exploring new hobbies.
Ibrahim
Curriculum Support Student Associate
Ibrahim took LEAD 1961 in the spring of 2024. He felt energized by the course's community building and decided to pursue the full minor. Since then, he has worked in the leadership minor office as an LSA in addition to his semester as a teaching intern. He believes in the power of relationships and diversity, and understands that leadership can come from anywhere. Beyond leadership, Ibrahim is majoring in history and aims to study law in the future. He enjoys basketball, reading, and traveling with family.
Lily
Marketing, Recruitment & Retention Coordinator Student Associate
Lliy started the Leadership Minor in her freshman year and knew she wanted to continue to be involved with it. Lily is studying Marketing and minoring in Business Law and Leadership. In her free time, she enjoys ice skating, skiing, reading, and traveling.
Rylyne
Teaching Intern (TI) Coordinator Student Associate
Rylyne's passion for leadership first grew in her freshman year when she took the introduction course in Fall 2024. With guidance from her peers and instructors, she wanted to start getting involved in the Leadership Community. In Fall 2025, she started as a Teaching Intern, wanting to share her experience in this community with fellow students. Now, she continues her involvement as a Teaching Intern Coordinator, where she supports students on their journey with the Leadership Minor. She is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Youth Studies and Leadership. In her free time, she loves to try new coffee shops, go on walks, listen to music, and read.
Tarran
Academic Experience Coordinator Student Associate
Tarran Austin is an English major who's double minoring in Leadership and Communication Studies. She chose to be involved in the Minor because of its impact on her freshman year in college. As a new student, she wanted to take advantage of this Minor offering courses that develop community. Tarran says she believes it’s important for us college students to make connections during our time in undergrad, as it has so many amazing benefits as we continue to pave our way in life!
Tiye