Central Lakes College Names Outstanding Educator
Psychology instructor Alita Reque-Peterson earns the 2025-26 faculty honor for her innovative teaching methods.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Mental Health
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Central Lakes College has selected psychology instructor Alita Reque-Peterson as its 2025-26 outstanding educator. She was chosen for her ability to integrate real-world experiences into her curriculum and her use of open educational resources.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the impact of faculty who prioritize accessible learning and student engagement. Reque-Peterson's selection underscores the value placed on teaching excellence within the Minnesota state college system.
The selection is part of the Minnesota State Board of Trustees Award for Excellence program. Candidates are nominated by peers and evaluated by a committee of colleagues to determine the final award recipient.
The players
Alita Reque-Peterson
She is a psychology instructor at Central Lakes College who directs the annual 5K for Mental Health Awareness.
Central Lakes College
This institution is a member of the Minnesota State system and serves as the primary employer for the award-winning faculty member.
Minnesota State Board of Trustees
This governing body manages the state's college and university system and oversees the faculty award program.
The details
Reque-Peterson leads the annual 5K for Mental Health Awareness and serves as the advisor for the college Psychology Club. She has previously been recognized with the Culture of Caring Award and the Club Advisor Award for her commitment to student support.
Timeline
The award covers the 2025-26 academic year.
The Board of Trustees award ceremony is scheduled for spring 2027.
The Big Picture
The award functions within the framework of the Minnesota State Board of Trustees Award for Excellence program. This recognition follows established patterns set by the program to identify and celebrate exceptional instructional quality across the Minnesota state system.
Students at Central Lakes College may experience enhanced access to course materials through Reque-Peterson's use of open educational resources. Additionally, her focus on mental health awareness programs provides direct opportunities for student involvement outside the classroom.
The takeaway
Recognitions for educators often reflect the growing institutional support for faculty who blend traditional coursework with extracurricular advocacy. Readers can look for similar community-focused leadership programs at their local institutions to find ways to get involved.
Further reading
Learn more about local initiatives in Mental Health throughout the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lakeland PBS.
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