Seed Coalition Award Winners Announced

Published Tuesday, April 28, 2026

L-R: Sheridyn Runs After, Amanda Sieling, Shanda Walker

Seed Coalition has announced the winners of the 2026 President’s and Engaged Campus Awards. This year, Seed Coalition received nominations from member colleges and universities across Iowa and Minnesota. This year, Dr. David Jones, SMSU President, nominated the following members of the SMSU community: Sheridyn Runs After, Amanda Sieling, Willmar Public Schools, and Shanda Walker.

“These honorees reflect the very best of SMSU’s commitment to civic engagement, showing up for their communities with leadership, partnership, and purpose,” said SMSU President David Jones. “It’s my honor to recognize and thank them for the time, care, and energy they invest in others. Their work strengthens our campus and our region, and we are proud to celebrate the positive impact they are making every day.”

The President’s Student Leadership Award recognizes a student or student organization that models a commitment to civic responsibility and leadership.

Sheridyn Runs After

Through her four years at SMSU, Sheridyn has exhibited tremendous leadership. Sheridyn is SMSU’s current student body president and is also involved in additional clubs and organizations. She has been involved with improving equity on SMSU’s campus and in the community. She has been instrumental in encouraging more students to seek leadership in student senate on campus. She is also involved in mutual aid and advocacy work. In each of these roles, Sheridyn leads with compassion, collaboration, and community in mind.

The President’s Civic Engagement Leadership Award recognizes a faculty or staff member that has advanced their campus’ civic mission by forming strong partnerships and supporting others’ civic and community engagement.

Amanda Sieling

Amanda Sieling goes above and beyond for student success inside and out of the classroom. She fosters collaboration and encourages each student to connect to their community and to their peers. She is never just a professor, advisor, or mentor. She guides students to help them identify their motivations and passions and sets them up for success. Amanda is dedicated to teaching students in justice administration. She brings that dedication to serving on the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee (JJAC). The JJAC provides leadership and support in setting a vision for juvenile justice in Minnesota. Serving on the JJAC allows her to have meaningful discussions in her classroom.

The Presidents’ Community Partner Award recognizes a person or organization that has enhanced the quality of life in the community and engaged in the development of reciprocal partnerships with the college or university.

Willmar Public Schools

The SMSU School of Education has collaborated with Willmar Public Schools, as well as the Brightworks Education Cooperative, to create SOTA – Scholars of Teaching Apprenticeship. This innovative opportunity provides aspiring educators to serve in the schools and complete their bachelor’s degree with licensures in Elementary Education and Special Education with ABS (Academic Behavioral Specialist). The first cohort launched in fall 2025, with a second planned for fall 2026. As one of Minnesota’s first teacher apprenticeship programs, this intensive collaboration is at the forefront of shaping the future of teacher preparation across the state.

The Presidents’ Community Collaboration awards recognize a project or initiative co-created by campus and community partners that showcases meaningful collaboration and exemplifies the campus’s civic and community engagement, contributing to both student learning and community well-being.

Shanda Walker

Shanda is the facilitator for the Lyon and Murray County CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) Program. SMSU collaborates through College Now as students engage with their community while learning about starting and operating a business. Students are immersed in real life learning experiences with the opportunity to take risks, manage the results, and learn from the outcomes. Shanda assists young professionals in building relationships and connections to thrive in the future by contributing to economic development and sustainable communities.

Seed Coalition Presidents’ Awards recognize outstanding contributions in civic and community engagement by students, faculty, staff, collaborative teams, and community organizations. The Engaged Campus Awards recognize great projects, partnerships, and programs related to civic and community engagement. Awards were presented at the state level on Thursday, April 9at St. Olaf College in Northfield. SMSU recognized award recipients at Mustang Ovations on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Seed Coalition was previously known as the Iowa and Minnesota Campus Compact awards. The Seed Coalition strengthens the capacity of colleges and universities to fulfill the public purposes of higher education through its coalition of diverse college campuses in the Midwest. This includes educating students through community and civic learning experiences and making an impact in communities through reciprocal partnerships that address community-identified goals. Seed Coalition creates partnership opportunities, supports quality programming through professional development, and promotes the importance of the civic mission.

For more information on the Seed Coalition organization, visit: https://seedcoalition.org