Palmen will officially begin in the conference office on August 1, 2025, and is expected to hold the position for two years, made possible by the NCAA Division III Pathways to Excellence Internship Grant.
As part of the position, Palmen will participate in a mentorship program with Madge Makowske, Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator at St. Catherine University, to guide her as she continues her career in athletic administration.
A former MIAC student-athlete, Palmen was a four-year competitor on the Macalester College women’s basketball team and graduated from the institution in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Palmen went on to earn her Master’s of Education in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership from the University of Washington (NCAA Division I), where she worked in the Huskies’ athletic department as an Event Management Operations Graduate Assistant. Palmen moved back to Minnesota during the second half of the graduate program to serve as an Assistant Learning Specialist at the University of Minnesota (NCAA Division I) in the Lindahl Academic Center for student-athletes.
“I loved every part of my experience competing in the MIAC, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to return to work on the administration side of the conference,” Palmen said. “This role will expand on my passion for Division III athletics and creating a better experience for student-athletes from the conference level. I am excited to continue to expand my network and help in the day-to-day operations of a collegiate athletic conference!”
Palmen joins Commissioner Dan McKane and Associate Commissioner BJ Pickard as the third member of the MIAC office staff. As Assistant Commissioner, Palmen will contribute to the office in driving the MIAC’s Strategic Plan, enhancing game day experiences across the conference, assisting in the planning and execution of championships, and overseeing the conference’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
“We are very excited to bring Andrea back to the MIAC,” McKane said. “She has excellent insight to offer as a recent student-athlete in the conference, and the experience she’s already gained in many different areas of college athletics will make her well-prepared to take on this role in service to our membership.”
Palmen is the eleventh MIAC beneficiary of the NCAA’s two-year grant program. Previous recipients include Kelly Anderson Diercks, Brittany Feser Heinz, Natalie Arians, Afton Goebel, Megan Gaard Gunderson, Sheridan Blanford, Lindsay Madryga, Emily Carr, Emma Nelson, and Jax Collins.
