Dr. Daniel Conn

Dr. Daniel R. Conn is an associate professor and Chair of the Department of Education and Inclusive Services at Minot State University. Originally from Colorado, Dan's educational journey began in a rural K-12 school where he taught various subjects and grade levels for a decade. His dedication to teaching earned him recognition as the Patricia A. Behring Colorado Teacher of the Year in 2013, along with coaching consecutive state championship 6-man football teams in 2011 and 2012.

Since joining Minot State University, where he is now in his tenth year, Dan has continued to excel, receiving two Professor of the Year Awards and the prestigious Souris Valley Saber Dogs Educator of the Year award in 2019. Beyond his teaching responsibilities, Dan is deeply passionate about research. His work has been featured in numerous academic journals and he co-authored a book titled "Unraveling the Assessment Industrial Complex: Understanding how testing perpetuates inequality and injustice in America" in 2021, for which he received the Minot State University Board of Regents Achievement Award for Scholarship.

In addition to his academic achievements, Dan is actively involved in professional organizations, serving as the President-Elect of the American Association for Teaching and Curriculum and the North Dakota Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. He also chairs the Elliot Eisner Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association.

One of Dan's most significant endeavors is his involvement in the CIRCLES Alliance, a groundbreaking initiative funded by the National Science Foundation. This five-year grant aims to enhance STEM competency among American Indian students across six states, including North Dakota, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Through the Cultivating Indigenous Research Communities for Leadership in Education and STEM (CIRCLES) Alliance, Dan and his colleagues are dedicated to fostering academic and cultural identification among Native students in the STEM fields.

Outside of academia, Dan is deeply engaged in his community. He has served on various boards and organizations in both Colorado and North Dakota, demonstrating his commitment to civic engagement. Notably, his involvement with dreamBIG Green Schools has led to the establishment of community gardens rooted in indigenous gardening traditions, promoting environmental stewardship and cultural awareness. Currently, Dan is leading a transformative project in collaboration with Minot Public Schools and environmental organizations to restore native prairie habitat on the site of a middle school destroyed by a historic flood. This initiative, known as the Plum River Native Prairie project, aims to create an educational space while preserving the region's natural heritage.

When he's not immersed in teaching, research, or community initiatives, Dan enjoys staying active through running, swimming, and biking, all while cherishing moments with his family.