Kim Nelson is the Dean of Career and Technical Education at Riverland Community College. She has been with Riverland for eight years serving as the Director of Grants and Alumni Relations as well as the Director of Career and Community Connections. In these roles she has developed relationships with internal and external partners. Kim has worked on several initiatives within Riverland and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Some of these initiatives include serving on strategic planning teams, grant teams, bonding proposal review teams, the Minnesota State Academic Credentialing Committee, and becoming a certified poverty coach. 

With over twenty years of supervisory and operational management experience, Kim has provided leadership as a director or administrator of both public and nonprofit institutions. Kim relies on her strengths to contribute to community collaborations efforts which include her work on the Albert Lea School Board and Owatonna Forward. Kim was the co-chair of Re-charge Austin and has been the co-chair of the Re-charge America Innovation Exchange team.  Most recently Kim was asked to present in partnership with the Harvard Educational Design Lab at the National Council on Workforce Education (NWCE) conference. In addition, Kim has served on the advisory board for the National Center for Autonomous Technology (NCAT) and is currently serving as a director on the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) board.  

Kim enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and working with her husband on their acreage. Staying active and promoting work life balance provides her with rejuvenation and energy for her passion for transforming lives through excellence in service, education, and career training.