Kevin Gerdes (Faculty) (he/him/his) is Director of the Master of Public Affairs (MPA) degree program at the Humphrey School. Prior to his assignment at the University of Minnesota, Kevin served 33 years with the Minnesota National Guard in a variety of leadership positions - including Commander at the Company, Battalion, and Brigade. He culminated his full-time career with the National Guard as The Adjutant General’s Chief of Staff and retired in July 2012 as Deputy Commanding General of the 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division. He served as a Commander in Iraq in 2005 and returned in 2006 to help establish Minnesota's "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon" reintegration program – a cross-sector, community-based collaboration that became a national policy and program. Kevin attended St. John's University where he completed ROTC, and received a Bachelor's Degree in Management from Upper Iowa University. He earned a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies at the US Army War College and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas. He brings a practitioner’s approach to leadership and policy/program analysis in the public sector. Kevin is married to his lifelong friend and parent of two amazing young men. He enjoys playing guitar and spending time outdoors.

EDD in Educational Leadership (University of St Thomas, 2014)