Jen Mein

Experience

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  College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities)

  Jan 1997 - Nov 2012

  Associate Director

  Partnered with CLA Chief Information Officer in providing leadership for leveraging technology solutions that advanced research, teaching and learning, and administrative efficiency in the College of Liberal Arts - home to nearly 14,000 undergraduate students, 2,000 graduate students, 550 faculty, 45 academic units and centers of disciplines in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Provided strategic direction and budget oversight with expertise in organizational development and academic technology service delivery. * Managed an exceptional staff with deep knowledge in digital media, pedagogy, social science research, video production, and technology-enhanced teaching and learning within an environment of fast-paced change. Due to our ability to attract and retain talented staff, our organization earned a reputation as a center for innovation with the launch of applications, programs, and services that were modeled after by other colleges or adopted by the university as a whole. * Partnered with Dean and Associate Deans on collegiate initiatives focused on enhancing the undergraduate experience, specifically in the re-imagining of the First Year Experience course and in the transformation of high-enrollment courses by providing tailored services and consulting. * Awarded individual Outstanding Service Award in 2006 for going above and beyond and a team Outstanding Service Award in 2011 for co-leading a training and migration initiative for all CLA faculty and staff from the UMN email system to Google Apps. * Received multiple promotions; from undergraduate Research Assistant (Jan. ’97) to professional Manager of Web Services (Jan. ’98) to Coordinator of Instructional Technology (Oct. ’04) to Academic Technology Division Director (July ’06) to Associate Director of the CLA Office of Information Technology (June ’11). Show less

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  Minnesota Council of Churches

  Mar 2012 - Nov 2012

  Respectful Conversations Project Lead Facilitator

  As a Public Conversations trained facilitator, on evenings and weekends I trained faith community members to be table facilitators and together, we hosted groups who wanted to discuss a proposed MN constitutional amendment in a way that moved to handshaking, not fist shaking; to insights and understanding, not arguments and slogans around how marriage is defined. We invited participants to bring their strongest convictions and a spirit of inquiry. These conversations were NOT designed to persuade anybody how to vote, but they helped communities talk across differences and built capacity within faith communities to host respectful conversations around other potentially divisive issues. Show less

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  University of Minnesota

  Nov 2012 - Dec 2016

  Co-designed Teamwork: Surviving to Thriving, a 1 credit course delivered twice a year to undergraduate students to discover their strengths and gifts, gain understanding of group development and conflict, and utilize tools and strategies to support successful group work in their academic, professional, and personal lives. I create a safe-to-fail learning environment, deepen personal reflection and class discussion, and coach individuals and groups to be successful.* Facilitate experiential learning activities and meaningful discussions with 15-30 students who bring a diverse set of perspectives based on year in college and personal experience.* Consistently receive high scores in Student Rating of Teaching reports (5.6-5.8/6.0). Show less As a member of the Office of Human Resources Leadership and Talent Development team, I partner with Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts, Deans, and other campus leaders to provide resources and expertise to increase leadership effectiveness and create a welcoming, engaging culture and climate.* Design and deliver tailored programs and engagements for colleges driven by college leadership's vision and supported by assessment data, including one-time workshops, participatory action planning sessions, large engagement events, and cohort-based leadership development programs.* Coordinate assessments for teams, conduct individual debriefs and coach leaders in the creation of personal development goals to maximize their strengths and stretch their leadership skills. * Serve as a co-lead and participatory process designer on a high-performing team leading a presidential initiative engaging all members of the UMN-Twin Cities campus community in efforts to create a more respectful, inclusive, and welcoming climate. *Partner with former Vice President/CIO in creating a vibrant, active, and aligned IT community. Designed and facilitated meetings, planning retreats, and events focused on advancing key initiatives. *In facilitating Insights Discovery workshops to over 700+ staff, gave individuals the tools to gain deep insight into themselves and their colleagues, uncover meaning in preferences and behavior, and learn to adapt and connect with others to create strong and effective relationships. Show less

  • Adjunct Instructor - College of Education and Human Development

    Sept 2013 - Dec 2016

  • Engagement and Leadership Development Consultant (internal)

    Nov 2012 - Oct 2016
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  Moxxim LLC

  Jul 2016 - now

  Owner/Engagement Consultant

  I am a systems thinker who strives to create the conditions for meaningful engagement that brings diversity of perspectives into critical conversations and grows the capacity of individuals and groups to do their best work. Offering engagement design, facilitation, and Zoom tech hosting and delivering learning experiences for innovators and change makers seeking to grow their convening and connecting skills.I strive to always show up curious, compassionate, and courageous; to be comfortable with discomfort; to bear witness to the brilliance that exists within and among other humans and to grow my technical and adaptive skills so that I can design and host engaging, nurturing experiences that invite deep, meaningful conversation; and deepen understanding and relationships that help shape a more inclusive, equitable, and just world. Show less

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  Humphrey School of Public Affairs

  Oct 2016 - Jul 2019

  The Future Services Institute pushes boundaries for a more equitable Minnesota through innovation, leadership development, and research and evaluation.* Facilitated and contributed to the curriculum design of Equity Works Leadership Institute: MACSSA, an equity-based leadership cohort program that fosters adaptive leaders who lead inclusively and equitably in county government. This leadership program was tailored for members of the Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators.* Led the innovation dissemination of MFIP Connect, a mobile application that provides a safe way for welfare recipients to communicate with and send documents to their county financial assistance workers and employment counselors.* Launched and supported Leading Courageously in the Human Services, a capacity-building program that delivers Art of Hosting and Harvesting Conversations that Matter training every winter and a series of half-day and full-day workshops each summer to foster a growing community of practitioners.* Supported the launch of the Minnesota 2-Gen Policy Network and provided facilitation support to community-based organizations to enhance their collaboration with public and nonprofit partners and families.* Partnered with a metro-area county to build their capacity to more authentically and effectively engage communities which included leading a joint initiative between the county, a city, that city's school district, and community members.* Co-creator of Systems: Exploring Your Roles, Responsibilities, and Choices, a simulation that encourages reflective practice in systems thinking. Participants make connections between the self and the system, surfacing patterns of behavior in the way they show up and the way systems work. Show less

  • Adjunct Instructor

    Jun 2018 - Jul 2019

  • Innovation Manager, Future Services Institute

    Oct 2016 - Jul 2019