The Roads Scholar Program provides training and professional development opportunities through a series of certificate programs. Each program combines high-quality, low-cost training into a structured curriculum to help you advance your skills—and career. Enrollment in the program is free, but there is a small charge to attend many of the required classes. Each certificate program includes a mix of online courses and workshops offered across Minnesota. We recognize and thank our 2022 graduates for their hard work!
March 11, 2023
- Trent Brunn, City of Woodbury
- Keith Cooper, City of Savage
- Alex Drewek, Rice County
- Michael Englund, Minnesota Zoo
- Bob Gieseke, City of Shakopee
- Adam Glisczinski, Scott County
- Chad Hall, City of Golden Valley
- Josh Heller, Scott County
- Joe Herrgott, Scott County
- Jeff Hlavac, City of Savage
- Lawrence Jiryis, Scott County
- Jeremy Knish, Scott County
- Kyle Koziol, St. Louis County
- Brent Kress, City of Mound
- Terry Lang, City of Oakdale
- Jacob Leicher, MnDOT
- Chris Londo, White Earth Band of Chippewa Public Works
- John Maki, City of St. Francis
- Josh Melgaard, Scott County
- David Nelson, City of Savage
- Zachary O’Niel, City of Savage
- Ryne Pumper, Scott County
- Jeremy Quinzon, City of Oakdale
- Philip Ryan, City of Prior Lake
- Richard Schiprett, City of Savage
- Bruce Thooft, City of Savage
- Dave Vanvalkenburg, City of Golden Valley
- Justin Wolff, City of Woodbury
- Joel Zahn, City of Savage
- Roger Ziemer, Goodhue County
Leadership, Supervisory, and Operations Management Certificate
- Kevin Bartholomew, City of Mahtomedi
- Brent Buckley, City of Maplewood
- John Cusack, City of Rosemount
- Michael Englund, Minnesota Zoo
- Derek Goddard, City of Golden Valley
- Mike Loehrs, City of Watertown
- Philip Ryan, City of Prior Lake
- Evan Sieben, City of Woodbury
- Mike Wentlandt, City of Woodbury
Words from our Graduates
Brent Buckley, public works street department, City of Maplewood: “I liked the range of instructors ... people from [public works] directors to [professional engineers] to private supervisors to regular everyday field workers. A great mix of ideas and real-world experience. It will help me bring new ideas to my city and co-workers. I also think it helps us take a better look at the way we are doing things: Is there something we can add to help us in our operation?”
Michael Englund, building maintenance supervisor, Minnesota Zoo: “I enjoyed the wide variety of best practices, training, and networking with other agencies. I believe the training ... will allow me to develop many future standard operating procedures, internal training, better budgeting, [and help in] developing an asphalt management plan and reducing the need for third-party contractors by now performing services internally.”
Jake Leicher, transportation generalist, MnDOT: “I really enjoyed the program because it had such an expansive amount of training in so many different areas of maintenance. That, along with the ability to do some of it online and at our own pace, made it so great.”
John Maki, water/wastewater system specialist, public works, City of St. Francis: “I appreciate the self-paced aspect of the Roads Scholar Program. It allowed me to work on obtaining this certificate without having to rush through the courses. I was able to learn about the aspects of road maintenance and expand my knowledge beyond my specific field of expertise. ... By cross training into the road maintenance side of public works, I am able to provide assistance when needed and use my experiences within the water and wastewater field to aid in problem solving of roadway issues.”
Roger Ziemer, highway equipment operator, Goodhue County: “I believe that the ‘how to do things’ and ‘why we do things’ are both equally important knowledge. These courses have given me valuable insights to share with my co-workers and resources to help better plan highway maintenance projects.”