Minnesota State College Southeast President Marsha Danielson inappropriately used a college-owned car, accepted a hockey ticket package and treated employees in a manner that could be viewed as demeaning, humiliating or bullying, according to reports and emails released this week that show she violated system procedures.
The Minnesota State system of colleges and universities began investigations after multiple people filed complaints about Danielson in October. Chancellor Devinder Malhotra said in a statement that he is reviewing the findings and meeting with the campus community to determine if discipline is warranted.
"This is a top priority for me — I am committed to ensuring that Minnesota State College Southeast fosters an empowered and respectful workplace, and that all employees of Minnesota State adhere to the utmost in professionalism and ethical behavior," Malholtra said.
Danielson declined a request for an interview with the Star Tribune. She told her colleagues in an email last week: "I am taking a hard look at where I need to grow as a leader, and I have begun taking immediate action. Please accept my sincere apology and know I am committed to doing better."
Minnesota State College Southeast is a technical and community college with campuses in Red Wing and Winona, which are about 60 miles apart, along the Mississippi River. Danielson became the college's president in July 2021 and had spent the prior 25 years working in positions throughout the system.
The system relied on its Office of Internal Auditing to investigate allegations that Danielson "misused college resources and took advantage of her state position." It enlisted a private company — Mendota Consultants — to probe complaints that she had addressed employees in ways that were demeaning, threatening or included racist and sexist language.
The investigation found that Danielson used two college-owned cars for traveling between campuses and her home, but she did not qualify for them because her contract includes an $833 per month allowance for transportation and communication.
Investigators also found that Danielson inappropriately accepted a Minnesota Wild ticket package from Xcel Energy that included tickets, beverages, food and a bus ride to St. Paul. Danielson told investigators she does not care for hockey and that it was "definitely a work function" that would give her an opportunity to meet with community leaders in Red Wing and Winona.