Peru, Nebraska- Outstanding alumni were recognized in for their remarkable professional achievements,
commitment to community and support of Peru State College. Marilyn Schlake, class
of 2010, was recognized as the Graduate Program's 2019 recipients of the Thousand
Oaks Alumni Excellence Award.
Dr. Dan Hanson, president of Peru State College, said,"For Graduate Programs, we honor
Marilyn Schlake’s contributions to community vitality, economic development and entrepreneurship
in Nebraska.
From left to right, Dr. Greg Seay, dean of graduate programs; Marilyn Schlake; First Lady of Peru State, Elaine Hanson; Dr. Dan Hanson, president of Peru State.
Schlake serves as a Community Vitality Initiative Extension Educator with the University
of Nebraska—Lincoln Department of Agricultural Economics. She focuses on business,
community and economic development.
Schlake served as a Gallup Entrepreneur Acceleration System (EAS) coach and is currently
certified as a Gallup Employee Engagement coach and Strategic Leadership coach. She
is also a Stronger Economies Together Coach, working with leadership in five Southeast
Nebraska counties to develop economic plans. She currently serves as Chairman-elect
for NETForce and Summit planning team. She also serves on numerous positions for local
community and service organizations.
In her role as Extension Educator within the Community Vitality Initiative, Schlake
focuses her work around economic and community development, including adult and youth
entrepreneurship, community engagement, non-profit strategic planning and facilitation.
She has worked with numerous individuals, business and community organizations across
Nebraska and has served on boards focused on business and community development.
Schlake has also co-written and edited numerous education curricula, including the
EntrepreneurShip Investigation, an internationally used youth business curriculum.
Schlake also served as a board member and program partner with Community Development
Resources of Lincoln, NE. This partnership included the creation of a web-based business
informational service, NxBizSuccess.com.
In 2017, she was named the Outstanding Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year by the
Nebraska Entrepreneurial Task Force. Schlake continues to give back to her alma mater
by serving as consultant to both Peru State and the community of Peru as they work
together to encourage economic development and foster partnerships throughout the
region.
Paul Fell (School of Arts and Sciences), Lori Broady (School of Education) and Jeff
Greenwald (School of Professional Studies) were also recipients of the Thousand Oaks
Alumni Excellence Award.
Marilyn Schlake
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