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Hannah Amundson
- Assistant Director of Admissions - Enrollment Marketing
- Transfer Coordinator
- B.A., Concordia College Moorhead MN
Contact
- Welcome Center 131
- 320-281-9615
Hometown/HighSchool
- Fargo, ND
- Oak Grove High School
Education/Interests
I graduated in 2015 with a degree in English Education and a minor in Theatre Art. I have always loved education and talking to students about their ambitions. I try to make sure I keep theatre in my life by directing shows when I can. In my free time, I like to read, travel, snuggle my cats, go to the lakes, and ride bike around the Pomme de Terre.
Why Morris?
My first interaction with the University is when I guest directed their production of Dead Man's Cellphone. During this experience, I got to work with amazing faculty and incredible students. This taste of the university experience left me wanting to work in this community. The University of Minnesota Morris continues to impress me with its commitment to students. Having been a teacher, I understand how important passion is at an educational institute. The professors and staff I meet care deeply about their students and creating meaningful experiences. Because we all have this shared sense of purpose, it makes the university a great place to learn, grow, and work.
Harry Ballantyne
- Admissions Counselor
- M.S.A., Upper Iowa University
- B.S., Crown College, St. Bonifacius, MN
Contact
Hometown/HighSchool
- Lakeville, MN
- Lakeville South High School
Education/Interests
A native of Lakeville, Minnesota, Ballantyne attended Lakeville South High School before graduating from Crown in 2017 with degrees in Sports Management and theology. Following his time at Crown, he served as a graduate assistant baseball coach at Iowa Lakes Community College, while he obtained a master's degree in sports administration with an emphasis in coach and leadership education from Upper Iowa University.
Some of my interests include being an avid Minnesota sports fan, fitness, and coaching. I also enjoy watching movies and going out to different places to eat.
Why Morris?
During my college search throughout my senior year of high school, I ended up visiting the University of Minnesota Morris and considered it as being a potential spot for time in college. Although I did not ultimately choose the University of Minnesota Morris, I had the opportunity later on in my life to accept a position as the assistant baseball coach in January of 2020. As I have spent time here and gotten to know the area on a more personal level, what's not to like about it. Community is inviting, the people that are involved and work at the University of Minnesota Morris is what makes this place special!
Brandon King
- Admissions Counselor
- B.A., University of Minnesota Morris
Contact
- Welcome Center 133
- 320-589-6042
Hometown/HighSchool
- Albuquerque, NM
- John F. Kennedy High School
Education/Interests
I graduated with my B.A. degree in Psychology in 2022. Throughout my college career I worked with students as a mentor to help them figure out their goals and what they had to do to reach those goals. I am happy I have this opportunity to be able to do the same with incoming students.
In my free time, I like to go on hikes with my dog Shadow, play board games and video games, and lastly I like to travel to different places to explore and learn new things.
Why Morris?
As a first generation college student, I had no clue what to look for in college and I had no one to help me. When I came for my campus visit before applying to Morris, I already felt like I was not just another number but someone the community cared about. I am excited to be able to help incoming students the same way.
Abby Bangasser
- Assistant Director of Admissions - CRM
- B.A., University of Minnesota, Morris
Contact
- Welcome Center 129
- 320-589-6041
Hometown/HighSchool
- Slayton, MN
- Murray County Central
Education/Interests
I graduated from Morris in 2017 with B.A. degrees in Psychology and Liberal Arts for the Human Services and a minor in Biology. As a student I really enjoyed being involved on campus in various clubs (Dance Ensemble was my favorite) and working as a telecounselor in the Admissions Office. I was also involved in the community working various jobs and volunteering at the Steven's Community Humane Society. My passions include travel, animals, science, human rights, and helping people. I fill my free time hanging out with my friends, cuddling with my cat, going to the lake, baking, or the occasional netflix binge.
Why Morris?
I figured out in high school that if I was going to succeed in college I was going to need a place that offered personal attention and professors that cared about their students. Morris offered the perfect combination of small school feel with big school perks. Those aspects combined with the kindness of everyone I met made UMM a perfect fit. To this day, it is a place that fosters a sense of community for everyone and that's what I love about being here and why I've stuck around.
Katie Jabri
- Associate Director, Multicultural & International Recruitment
- M.A., University of St. Thomas
- B.A., University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Contact
Hometown/HighSchool
- Park Rapids, MN
- Park Rapids Area High School
Education/Interests
While completing my undergraduate degree in Psychology, I studied abroad and volunteered with an international student organization. That allowed me to find my passion in the international education field and was my focus throughout my graduate studies. Since then, I have worked in international recruitment, admissions and advising for 10+ years. I love to travel, cook, play tennis and fish.
Why Morris?
I am a big fan of small town Minnesota, as well as liberal arts education. I think Morris provides the perfect environment for students to learn and thrive, while discovering their passions.
Addy Lutchen
- Regional Recruiter
- M.A., University of Nebraska at Kearney
- B.A., University of Minnesota Morris
Contact
Hometown/HighSchool
- Monticello, MN
- Monticello High School
Education/Interests
I graduated from Morris in 2017 with degrees in Spanish and Secondary Education as well as a minor in Communications, Media, and Rhetoric. In my final year at Morris, I was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to teach English in Spain immediately after graduation. I love giving back to my community, and as a student, Morris allowed me to do just that. I taught ESL classes through the Office of Community Engagement, I worked as a peer tutor with the Office of Academic Success, I volunteered for the movie theater in town, and I even spent my spring breaks volunteering all across the country with fellow cougars through one of our many student orgs.
In my free time, I love to cook and try new foods, hike, play board games, spend time with friends, and speak Spanish whenever I can.
Why Morris?
I love the support Morris offers its students, be it academically, professionally, or personally. Morris's small size is its strength, and allowed me to have strong relationships with professors, deep ties to the community, and find my own lifelong circle of friends. I even found my husband here!
If students are looking for a place that will allow them to be themselves, or just support them as they figure out who they want to be, Morris is the place!
Jordyn Meyer
- Admissions Counselor
- B.A., University of Minnesota Morris
Contact
- Welcome Center 139
- 320-589-6129
Hometown/HighSchool
- Osakis, MN
- Osakis High School
Education/Interests
I graduated from Morris in 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Human Services with a subplan in Human development. Along with my two majors, I graduated with honors and am now a part of the McNair scholars family, with hopes to one day return to graduate school and obtain a PhD. As a student, I was active in campus life and followed my passion in music by playing flute in Morris’s large wind ensemble Symphonic Winds, helped plan the annual Yule Ball, a Harry Potter themed winter formal, and cheered my fellow peers in athletics and other activities such as Dance Ensemble.
During my time in Morris, I was able to find my passion for learning and research with the help of amazing faculty and mentors (thank you McNair!). I have now studied abroad twice in both Italy and Cuba and presented my research on aspects of America’s Foster Care system at two academic conferences. My time at Morris allowed me to build my previous life experiences and knowledge as well help me grow into a person who continues to strive to create a more equitable and sustainable world.
Why Morris?
From my first visit, I knew I found a place I could call home. Before moving to Minnesota in 2017 and graduating from Osakis in 2018, I moved multiple times across the Midwest and parts of the South. I hadn’t had the chance to stay in one place for very long, and I knew college would be a wonderful opportunity to continue to make Minnesota my new home. Morris only exceeded my expectations. The small campus allowed me to get to know both my peers and faculty on a personal level, and I have now met lifelong friends turned family as well as amazing faculty who have helped me reach personal, academic and professional goals. Morris has truly given me so many experiences to be grateful for (including my first time on an airplane and experience with ear infections and doctors in other countries!) and I am looking forward to continuing to grow and help others discover the “Morris Magic” as an admissions staff.