Dena Laurent Sorenson Courage Award

"Meredith is an outstanding mentor for individuals of all ages and experience in the city management profession in addition to other experiences that she shares with them. Meredith is currently one of the Practitioners in Residence for the MPA class of 2026, her third time serving in this capacity. During each term of her service, she takes the time to build strong one-on-one connections with the students in the program. From helping them prepare for interviews, making local connections as they move to new communities, and keeping in touch as they grow in their careers, Meredith is known as a trusted friend and mentor."

-Danielle Dulin (Warrensburg, KS soon to be Manhattan, KS) & Shelby Teufel (Pleasant Hill, MO)

"Melissa meets tragedy with love. She recently adopted two children from the foster system with her husband. She serves as a mentor and role model in our profession. When she was faced with the hard decision of leaving a less ideal workplace in an assistant administrator role, she chose her happiness and her wellbeing over a job title."

- Logan Masenthin (2018) | Denver, CO