Education leader to contribute his insights and experience in helping guide ProAct, which provides employment services and skills training to people with disabilities
Dr. John M. Christiansen, the superintendent of Independent School District 917, Rosemount, has been elected a director of ProAct, Inc., an Eagan-based organization providing employment related services and training to people with disabilities and other challenges.
The special education district Dr. Christiansen leads provides services to students in the Burnsville Eagan Savage, West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights; Hastings; Farmington; Randolph; South St. Paul; Bloomington and Lakeville school systems.
“I am most pleased that ProAct will have the benefit of Dr. Christiansen’s judgment and perspectives as he serves on the board of directors. His experience as an educator and in providing special services to students will be most valuable in the years ahead,” said Steven Ditschler, president and chief executive officer of ProAct.
“I am very excited and pleased to become a member of the ProAct board,” said Dr. Christiansen. “I believe my experience providing services for school-aged students with disabilities will help me make positive contributions to the work of the board.”
A school superintendent for more than 30 years, Christiansen had previously served school systems in Lino Lakes, Red Wing and districts in South Dakota and Nebraska. Christiansen received his doctorate in Education from Drake University, Des Moines, earned his Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska and did his undergraduate work at Doane College, Crete, Nebraska.
Active in community affairs, Dr. Christiansen serves on the Dakota/Scott Workforce Investment Board and has been involved with the Foundation 191 Board of Directors, the YMCA and the United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha and Pierce counties.
ProAct is headquartered in Eagan and has additional facilities in Red Wing, Shakopee and Zumbrota in Minnesota and in Hudson, Wisconsin.