2025–2026 Outstanding Educators

Each year, the Minnesota State Board of Trustees recognizes excellence in teaching by honoring a select number of faculty from each campus as Outstanding Educators of the Year.

Minneapolis College is proud to announce that Jason Cussler (Business/Accounting) and Raquel Jarabek (Astronomy) have been selected as the College’s 2025–2026 Outstanding Educators. Both will also be recognized by the Minnesota State System for their exceptional contributions to student success and academic excellence.

The selection process began with an invitation to Minneapolis College students, employees, and community members to nominate faculty for consideration. This year, the College received 81 nominations, the majority submitted by students—underscoring the transformational impact of Minneapolis College faculty in the classroom and beyond. The nominations were reviewed by a committee of former Minneapolis College Outstanding Educators, who identified a group of semi-finalists. From this group, the final recipients were selected by President Sharon Pierce.

Cussler and Jarabek will be honored at an on-campus recognition event in May 2026. They will also join other Outstanding Educators from across Minnesota State at a Board of Trustees recognition luncheon in April 2026, where a subset of honorees will be named statewide Educators of the Year.

Minneapolis College extends its gratitude to the faculty members who served on this year’s selection committee: Jonathan Lofgren, Miki Huntington, Kendra-Ann Sookdeo, and Hope Doerner, as well as Dean Jess Prody, who chaired the committee.

Congratulations to Jason Cussler and Raquel Jarabek—Minneapolis College’s 2025–2026 Outstanding Educators!