Lifelong Connections and Legacy
The mission of the University of Minnesota Crookston Alumni Association (UMCAA) is to visibly promote and support alumni through communication, outreach, and recognition while building lifelong connections and preserving our legacy.
Jess Bengtson
UMCAA President
- Hometown: Crookston, MN (born and raised in Devils Lake, N.D.)
- Graduation Year and Major: 2010 - Communications (emphasis in Public Relations)
- Currently: I work for UMN Crookston now as the Alumni Relations & Events Specialist (started November 2025) and previously as the PR & Communications Specialist. I came to work for my alma mater after nearly 10 years at the Crookston Times newspaper where I served as the last official editor before the media outlet closed its doors following 140 dedicated years. I have three wonderful children, a firefighter husband (who loves to dress up as Regal!), and two energetic dogs. I’m also deeply involved in the Crookston community as part of a variety of organizations and on numerous boards and committees.
- Reason for Joining UMCAA: I joined the UMCAA Board of Directors years ago after a recommendation from a fellow alum, Carl Melbye, who has since passed away. I’ve enjoyed being involved with everything UMC and I hope to continue my Golden Eagle Pride far into the future.
- Fun Fact: I love to be distracted
- Favorite Movie: The Heat (can’t pick just one!)
- Favorite TV Show: Game of Thrones (I think I’d change my answer each time I looked at this)
- Favorite Singer/Musical Group: Lana del Rey (impossible to pick just one as I always have music playing and I attend concerts as much as possible)
- Favorite Food: Pizza (or chips/queso)
- Coffee or Tea? All the coffee
- Pets: I have two dogs - Fiona the German Wire Hair Pointer and Eevee the Goldendoodle
- One of Your Favorite Memories of Your Student Experience at UMN Crookston: Homecoming Parade
Michelle Beeghly, M.Ed.
UMCAA Vice President
- Hometown: Crookston, MN
- Graduation Year and Major: 2003 - Networking Management and Business Management (Management and Marketing emphasis) and a minor in music upon graduating from Crookston High School in 1999
- Currently: Following my graduation from UMN Crookston in 2003, I waitressed for a year at the Northland and then started my employment career in Facilities & Operations, under the direction of John Magnuson, on June 28, 2004. In January of 2013, I transitioned into the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education department where I currently am today as the Executive Office & Administrative Specialist and the PSEO Coordinator. In May of 2024, I graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a Master's in Education and enjoyed my time both online with my cohort and getting to meet everyone in person at commencement. I reside in Crookston with my husband, Adam, our daughter, Mya (8), and my stepdaughter, Ali (15). In our free time, we enjoy spending time with family & friends, fishing, and traveling to Florida, specifically to Walt Disney World.
- Reason for Joining UMCAA: I was born and raised in Crookston and having parents (Pete & Trish Ramstad) that either attended the University of Minnesota Crookston or worked at the University of Minnesota Crookston, attending UMN Crookston was an easy and natural decision. I started my University of Minnesota Crookston education career as a junior in high school through the Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program and then continued on to a degree-seeking program in Information. I applied to serve on the UMCAA Board of Directors because I am passionate about the University of Minnesota Crookston and I always enjoy attending the alumni events and seeing the positive energy that all of our alumni bring upon their return to campus.
- Fun Fact: I started at the University of Minnesota Crookston as an infant in daycare (1980) and have been here, in some capacity, ever since!
- Favorite Movie: Lion King (original)
- Favorite TV Show: House Hunters
- Favorite Singer/Musical Group: Disney. Anything Disney (but original soundtracks are the best).
- Favorite Food: Queso & Chips (you'll often find this dip in our slow cooker on Sundays from November - March which are days spent running to and from the figure skating rink for multiple classes between the two girls) - It is a good warm up food!
- Coffee or Tea? Coffee
- Pets: Hermit crabs (Slug and Sissy Crab)
- One of Your Favorite Memories of Your Student Experience at UMN Crookston: While traveling with the University choir as a PSEO student, we went to Iceland, England, and France. I have many wonderful memories of this trip and speak of if often to friends and family.
Ashley Helgeson
UMCAA Secretary
- Hometown: Crookston, MN
- Graduation Year and Major: 2021 - Early Childhood Education
- Currently: Working at the Roger D. Moe Library as the Circulation Supervisor and Archives Assistant. I oversee all circulation, interlibrary loan, and library programming. I serve on a few other boards and organizations, including the Polk County Historical Society and the Commission on Women and Gender Equity. In my free time I enjoy gardening, foraging, and reading.
- Reason for Joining UMCAA: I am excited to serve on this board and give back to a place that has meant so much to me throughout my entire life.
- Fun Fact: I make jelly out of dandelions, lilacs, and peonies.
- Favorite Movie: Pride & Prejudice (also my favorite book)
- Favorite TV Show: How the States Got Their Shapes
- Favorite Singer/Musical Group: Sierra Ferrell
- Favorite Food: Grapes
- Coffee or Tea? Both
- Pets: I have a purrfect kitty named Butters
- One of Your Favorite Memories of Your Student Experience at UMN Crookston: I really enjoyed working the morning shifts in the Nest and getting to be a part of everyone's morning routine and caffeine kick!
Alisha Asleson, M.Ed.
UMCAA Past President
- Hometown: Wendall, MN
- Graduation Year and Major: 2012 - Horticulture; I also earned a master of education from the U of M Duluth in 2015.
- Currently: I work for BFG as the sales manager of their plant division, which serves the green industry including professional growers, lawn and garden centers, landscapers, and indoor growing stores. I’m a Minnesota Landscape and Nursery Association (MNLA) certified professional and a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener. I’m also the owner of Seeded Designs, a floral design business specializing in full service wedding florals and hands-on educational floral design classes. I was recently named as a member of Greenhouse Product News Forty under 40 Class of 2025. I reside in Wendell, Minn. with my husband and son.
- Fun Fact: My husband and I own a mini donut business together
- Favorite Movie: The Wedding Planner
- Favorite Food: Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Coffee or Tea? Coffee
- Pets: I have a six-year-old chocolate lab named Eddie
- One of Your Favorite Memories of Your Student Experience at UMN Crookston: Being student body president and speaking at my college graduation.
Stella Nolte
- Hometown: Beltrami, MN
- Graduation Year and Major: 2025 - Business Management
- Currently: Work in Ada at R&J Broadcasting as a Traffic Coordinator and Customer Service Sales Representative/Assistant
- Reason for Joining UMCAA: During college, I worked in Alumni and Donor Relations, which sparked my passion for staying connected to our campus community. I’m excited about the opportunity to serve on this board and hope to help grow our social media presence while engaging more with newer alumni and future graduates.
- Fun Fact: Halloween is my favorite holiday
- Favorite Movie: Sweet Home Alabama
- Favorite TV Show: How I Met Your Mother
- Favorite Singer/Musical Group: Nickelback
- Favorite Food: Hot dogs
- Coffee or Tea? Coffee
- Pets: 2 cats - a 17 year old calico named Maui and an 8 week old kitten named Boo
- One of Your Favorite Memories of Your Student Experience at UMN Crookston: Going to hockey games with my friends.
Mercedes Coan
- Hometown: Red Lake Falls, MN
- Graduation Year and Major: 2022 - Communications and Humanities
- Currently: Student Programs and Staff Development Coordinator at Northwest Service Cooperative
- Fun Fact: My eyes are two different colors - blue and brown!
- Favorite Movie: The Hunger Games Series
- Favorite TV Show: The Bachelor/Bachelorette
- Favorite Singer/Musical Group: Avery Anna
- Favorite Food: Spaghetti
- Coffee or Tea? Coffee
- Pets: 3-year-old straight hair Goldendoodle named Dawson who is a little too human-like!
- One of Your Favorite Memories of Your Student Experience at UMN Crookston: One of my favorite memories from UMC would be when my roommate/best friend and I were given the opportunity to create a YouTube Channel for the University that exemplified all of the great things that occur on campus and around the Crookston area. We were able to film every great memory that was happening in front of us and it's always nostalgic to be able to go back and watch those videos now, even 4 years later!
Tu Lynn Sommerfeld, M.Ed.
- Hometown: Crookston, MN
- Graduation Year and Major: 2009 - Early Childhood Education
- Currently: Serve as the Director of the Early Childhood Development Center on campus. Yes, I work with little kids and college students—so I basically live in a world of tiny chairs and big dreams. More about me: I started at the U of M August 15, 2002 - back when cell phones flipped and Facebook was still just for college students. Fun Fact: I’m half Norwegian (thanks, Dad!) and half Cambodian (thanks, Mom!). My husband and I have two amazing adult children who are both married, and, as of May 2025, I’ve officially leveled up to Grandma! We also have Zoe, our 2-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, who firmly believes that “walk” is a non-negotiable daily contract. She’s our personal trainer, life coach, and squirrel patrol, rolled into one wiggly, nose-powered package. I’m a farm girl at heart, which means I love the outdoors… only from the shade. I adore animals (especially the fluffy, feathery, and neighing types), and cooking and baking are my love languages; extra points if there’s butter involved.
- Reason for Joining UMCAA: Top 3 Reasons I Love Working at the U of M - The friendships and connections I’ve made over the years, the beauty of our campus—especially the flowers and greenery, the joy of teaching and mentoring future educators who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young children.
- Fun Fact: I can make lefse and spring rolls with equal enthusiasm. Also, my first name is not what’s on my birth certificate.
- Favorite Movie: Last of the Mohicans
- Favorite TV Show: I really don’t watch TV
- Favorite Singer/Musical Group: Journey
- Favorite Food: A Ribeye
- Coffee or Tea? Coffee
- Pets: I have a two-year-old German Short Hair Pointer named Zoe.
- One of Your Favorite Memories of Your Student Experience at UMN Crookston: Living in McCall Hall and hanging out with friends!
Bailey Mulcahy
- Hometown: Ada, MN
- Graduation Year and Major: 2022 - Communication and Graphic Design minor (also a Golden Eagle volleyball student-athlete)
- Currently: I currently work at Minnesota Sisters as the Social Media and Marketing Coordinator and also run my own freelance business, Mulcahy Marks.
- Reason for Joining UMCAA: I’m passionate about storytelling, creativity, and community, and I’m excited to give back to the Golden Eagle network and help strengthen connections between alumni and current students.
- Fun Fact: I’m a board game enthusiast - Catan, Cribbage, and anything competitive.
- Favorite Movie: Field of Dreams
- Favorite TV Show: The Office
- Favorite Singer/Musical Group: Johnny Cash
- Favorite Food: Potatoes
- Coffee or Tea? Coffee
- Pets: Not yet!
- One of Your Favorite Memories of Your Student Experience at UMN Crookston: Working on campus in University Relations. I got to create content, cover events, and be a part of sharing the Golden Eagle story, something I loved doing every day. But what made it truly special was the team I worked with. I was surrounded by mentors and coworkers who believed in me, challenged me creatively, and made work feel like family.
Clara Hanson
- Hometown: Grand Forks, N.D.
- Graduation Year and Major: 2025 with degrees in English and Marketing (also a Golden Eagle women’s golf student-athlete)
- Currently: Pursuing her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of North Dakota and will graduate Spring 2028
- Reason for Joining UMCAA: Stay connected to the University of Minnesota Crookston as best I can as a new alumni. Joining the BOD for the Alumni Association seemed to be the perfect way to achieve this. I hope to see more alumni out at events in the future!
- Favorite Movie: Up
- Favorite TV Show: The Office
- Favorite Singer/Musical Group: The Jonas Brothers
- Favorite Food: Brownies
- Coffee or Tea? Coffee
- Pets: I have two english bulldogs, a brother and sister from the same litter, named Luke and Leia.
- One of Your Favorite Memories of Your Student Experience at UMN Crookston: Working in the University Relations and Alumni & Donor Relations departments!
Mark Belanger, MBA
- Hometown: Fisher, MN
- Graduation Year and Major: 2008 - Business Management and Information Technology Management
- Currently: After graduating, I worked in admissions for over a decade, sharing my love of the campus with many new generations. Always with the mantra of a lifelong learner. I now work remotely for Washington State University.
- Reason for Joining UMCAA: I’m looking to support Crookston and future Golden Eagles as an alumnus. You can often find me walking along the track of the Welly, willing to share my lifelong experiences with UMC.
- Fun Fact: I have a large birthmark on my left leg
- Favorite Movie: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
- Favorite TV Show: The original animated X-Men
- Favorite Singer/Musical Group: I don’t listen to music
- Favorite Food: French Dip
- Coffee or Tea? Neither
- Pets: Tuxedo cat named Spectre, roughly 12 years old - has to drink water from a faucet.
- One of Your Favorite Memories of Your Student Experience at UMN Crookston: I won person of the year many many years back and got a standing ovation. It was pretty cool!