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Barbara Daiker, PhD and RN, serves as a Director of Clinic Operations and Faculty Practice/Department Administrator - Neurosurgery at the University of Minnesota where she is responsible for clinic operations in neurosurgery, including coaching and mentoring staff to assure extraordinary customer service. Barbara is engaged in strategic planning, physician deployment, and supporting business development. She creates an environment of quality improvement.

In her spare time, she also is Owner/Principal at Daiker & Associates where she develops and implements strategies to help health care providers reach their goals of improved patient outcomes and efficiency.

Barbara received her PhD in Business & Technology from Capella University, an MA in Educational Psychology and an MS in Public Health from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She holds a BSN in Nursing form Augsburg University and an AS in Nursing from NHCC! And to top it off, Barbara serves on the NHCC Alumni Leadership Council and is also an NHCC Distinguished Alumni.

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Emily and David Kline are married and both are NHCC Alumni.

Emily Kline is an innovative entrepreneur and pianist that has meshed music and business. She is Founder and Managing Director of All Things Musik, LLC. In 2009, Emily’s studio became full, but she still received more demand for lessons than she could accommodate. Using her degree in organizational management, Emily dreamed of a business that enable an unlimited number of students the opportunity to gain musical skills.

With that in mind, she created a business that makes it convenient and flexible for both music students and music instructors. All Things Musik is located in the Twin Cities and Rochester, MN and works with over 50 music instructors and has served 700+ music students. Emily received her BA in Organizational Management & Leadership from Concordia University- Saint Paul and she studied Classical Piano at Wausau Conservatory of Music. Emily is a 1999 alum of NHCC.

David is a Communications professional with a focus on philanthropy having worked both sides of the giving equation. He enjoys building relationships and an organization’s reputation in order to achieve meaningful goals. He has 20 years of foundation, development and non-profit experience and is currently serving as Executive Director for the Friends of Saint Paul College Foundation.

David holds a Master’s in Business Communications from the University of St. Thomas, and BSB-Finance from the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management and Associates’ degree from NHCC 1996.

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Karina Solis is an international student at NHCC hailing from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She graduated from High School in Mexico and attended Wayzata High School for a year as an international student.

Karina is currently majoring in Communications Studies, and she loves learning about leadership. After she graduates from college, Karina’s goal is to work in non-profit fundraising management. She enjoys public speaking and also serves in the NHCC Student Senate Ambassador, and as a Foundation Intern at NHCC.

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The 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes past students of North Hennepin Community College who have demonstrated superior achievement of a personal, professional, or civic nature.

Selection is based on consideration of the following areas:

Service to the Profession – To honor alumni whose work has brought them recognition within their professions, other fields of endeavor or whose work has contributed significantly to the advancement in their profession.

Service to the Community – To honor alumni who have made exceptional contributions to the betterment of their communities or the circumstances of a group of people, through volunteer service or paid work.

Service to Alma Mater – To honor alumni who have enhanced the stature of North Hennepin Community College through voluntary association with the college.

The 2019 Distinguished Alumni Recipient is Lyna Nyamwaya.

If you are wondering who Lyna Nyamwaya is, then you need to know what she believes in… “If your presence does not create an impact, your absence will not make a difference” ~ Unknown.

Throughout her 15+ years as a registered nurse, tireless mentor, career adviser, and highly sought-after keynote speaker, Lyna delivers impactful engaging presentations, and applies cultural humility to serve, educate, and empower others.

She currently serves as an administrative manager in a level 1 trauma hospital, president of The African Nurse Network Inc., and CEO of Bold Impact Group.

As a lifelong learner, Lyna believes in sharing acquired knowledge is an effortless invaluable way to create a positive impact in the world. Lyna is currently pursuing her graduate studies. She has a mini MBA from St. Thomas University in Minneapolis.

She graduated as Outstanding Student of The Year 2009 with a BS in Nursing degree from Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN. She also graduated Phi Theta Kappa with her Associate’s degree from NHCC, Brooklyn Park, MN and Nursing Diploma from Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois. She serves on several committees and boards including NHCC Alumni Leadership Council, and has led and organized many public health forums.

Lyna has received several awards and nominations including the 2017 National Role Model Award by Minority Access Inc. of Washington D.C. She received the 2017 Creative Nursing Award by Minnesota Nurses Association, the 2017 Non-Profit Leadership if the Year by Voices Magazine Awards, Minnesota. She was the 2018 finalist for Alumni of the Year for Metropolitan State University. She is a MN public health nurse, a member of the American Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and The African Nurses Network Inc.

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