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Workforce Connections

Workforce Connections is designed to help individuals build a pathway to employment through personalized support, skill development, and real-world experience. Whether someone is entering the workforce for the first time or re-entering after time away, our team meets them where they are.

We partner with local employers and community organizations to create opportunities that lead to long-term success, not just short-term placement.

Lori Larson and Student

Where . Meets Opportunity!

Hear directly from participants and partners about how Workforce Connections is changing lives.

Who We Serve

Workforce Connections is for individuals ready to take the next step after or near completion of their GED®:

  • Individuals seeking post-secondary education or training
  • People exploring career pathways
  • Those needing employment support, skill-building, or job readiness training

How it Works

Every person’s journey is different. That’s why Workforce Connections offers personalized support every step of the way.

Connect

Meet with a mentor to talk about your goals, interests, and current situation. We’ll get to know you and begin identifying the right path forward.

Plan

Together, we’ll build a personalized plan that may include, career exploration, education or training goals.

Prepare

We’ll help you get ready for what’s next by providing mentoring and guidance, assistance with education, and training expenses.

Move Forward

Whether you’re continuing your education or entering the workforce, our mentors offer support as you move toward long-term success.

What This Looks Like in Real Life

Sarah’s journey through Workforce Connections.

Employer Partners

We collaborate with local businesses to create meaningful employment opportunities while helping employers build strong, diverse teams.

  • Access to prepared, supported candidates
  • Ongoing staff support
  • Inclusive workplace development
Become a Partner

Our Impact Over Time

For years, Workforce Connections has helped individuals take meaningful steps toward their goals:

2024 Report

2022 Report

Let's get Started

We’re here to help you move forward. Contact us today!

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Tammy Sellars

Tammy Sellars

Case Manager
ts******@***sc.org

Tammy Sellars is a Case Manager for the National Farmworker Jobs Program, serving western South Dakota for the past eight years. She has been part of Black Hills Special Services Cooperative (BHSSC) for 21+ years, including two decades coordinating the Community Education of the Black Hills program 2004 to 2024. With 35+ years of workforce experience spanning sales, marketing, business ownership, and client support, she has experience working with people from all walks of life. She shares that “The most rewarding part of NFJP is working with people to achieve their potential and recognize their own path.”  Proud to be born/raised in the Black Hills, Tammy enjoys fishing, hiking, and biking, and gardening. She and her husband live in Rapid City and love spending time with their families.
Jeanne McKenna

Jeanne McKenna

EWD Division Director
jm******@***sc.org

Jeanne McKenna is the Director of the Education and Workforce Development division. She brings 30+ years in education as a teacher, coach, and principal, and 8 years of experience in corporate management. Jeanne holds a bachelor’s degree in education and special education from BH State University and a master’s in educational leadership from SD State University. Jeanne has been with BHSSC for ten years. She and her husband live just outside of Sturgis and have two adult children and ten grandchildren. Jeanne enjoys living in the Black Hills, walking her dogs, camping, cooking in her commercial kitchen, working for Harley-Davidson at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and spending time with her family. 
Tammy Peterson

Tammy Peterson

Northern Hills GED Instructor
tp*******@***sc.org

Tammy Peterson is an Adult GED Instructor with a background in secondary education and archaeology. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Black Hills State University. Tammy has 30+ years as a home schoolteacher, a science and agricultural educator, and as an archaeologist. Outside of work, Tammy enjoys her family, landscaping, gardening, designing, hiking, cross country skiing, and fishing. She is an avid farmer’s market and country store supplier with her fresh produce, homemade breads and yogurt, jams, handsewn vintage aprons, and canned goods.
Trevor Larson

Trevor Larson

Employment Specialist
tl******@***sc.org

Trevor Larson is an Employment Specialist with the Project Skills program. In his role, Trevor is passionate about supporting individuals as they work toward meaningful employment and greater independence, and he values building strong, respectful relationships with both participants and community partners.

Trevor lives in Rapid City and is a dedicated father to his two sons, Ryan (19) and Jett (16), who he describes as his greatest motivation and source of pride. Much of Trevor’s time outside of work is spent supporting his boys and staying actively involved in their many activities and interests. Family time is especially important to him, and he treasures every opportunity to be present and engaged as his sons grow and pursue their goals.
 
When he’s not working or cheering on his kids, Trevor enjoys golfing as much as possible and staying active outdoors. He is also a devoted sports fan and can often be found rooting enthusiastically for the Denver Broncos. Trevor’s positive attitude, strong work ethic, and commitment to both his family and his work make him a valued member of the Project Skills program and BHSSC team.
Stephanie Rittberger

Stephenie Rittberger

Program Manager
sr*********@***sc.org

Stephenie Leinen…
Stephen Callies

Stephen Callies

Instructor
sc******@***sc.org

Stephen Callies…
Stephanie Leinen

Stephanie Leinen

Instructional Assistant
sl*****@***sc.org

With ten years of experience caring for children, Steph has had the joy of working with kids of all ages and unique strengths. Those experiences helped her develop a calm, encouraging style that she brings to her role as a special education aide. Outside of school, Steph loves to travel and has even spent time living on a sailboat, experiences that have shaped her sense of adventure and appreciation for exploring new places. She enjoys taking students outside, encouraging hands‑on learning, and creating a welcoming environment where every child feels supported and included.
Stan Erickson

Stan Erickson

Employment Specialist
se*******@***sc.org

Stan Erickson…
Shelly Disbrow

Shelly Disbrow

Case Manager
sd******@***sc.org

Shelly Disbrow is a Case Manager for the National Farmworker Jobs Program.  She brings 30+ years in employment and training as Case Manager, Employment and Training Developer, Employment Specialist and Service Coordinator working for NFJP, Sioux Falls School District, Experience Works and HUD Housing.
 
Shelly holds a BA in Guidance and a BA in Vocal Music from Chadron State College, Chadron, NE.  She and her husband live in Sioux Falls and have 3 children.  She is enjoys singing with her husband at the Union Gospel Mission Services, where her husband preaches and is the Chairman of the Board for the past 8 years. She also enjoys working out at Fit Body Boot Camp 3 days a week, walking her dog and hanging out and helping out her children whenever needed.  Church family time is a must!
Sandi Dahlgren

Sandi Dahlgren

Special Education Instructor
sd*******@***sc.org

Sandi Dahlgren serves as the Special Education Teacher at Black Hills Academy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in special and elementary education and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, both from Black Hills State University.
Sandi spent more than 30 years teaching overseas with the Department of Defense Education Activity, supporting the children of United States service members. During that time, she and her two children had the opportunity to live, learn, and explore throughout Europe, Asia, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Now back in South Dakota, Sandi is grateful to be closer to family and friends. She continues to bring her global experience, gentle leadership, and deep commitment to students into her work each day.
Robin Lamb

Robin Lamb

Instructor
rl***@***sc.org

Robin Lamb is the Lead Teacher at Black Hills Education Connection. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and Special Education from Black Hills State University. Robin has been with BHSSC for 11+ years. She lives in Spearfish and has three adult children and six (plus one on the way) grandchildren who live in Colorado. Robin enjoys cooking meals for family and friends, spending time with her cat Maxie, camping, and taking road trips to spend time with her Colorado family.
Renae Schneider

Renae Schneider

Southern Hills GED Instructor
rs********@***sc.org

Renae Schneider is a part-time Adult Education Instructor in the Southern Black Hills. She has been in this role since 2014. Renae holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Minot State University along with a Certificate of Law Enforcement from the University of North Dakota-Lake Region. Renae is also employed at Ameriprise Financial in Custer as well as coaching and officiating volleyball. Renae and her husband Kent have resided in Custer for the past 28 years and have a daughter Marlee. Renae enjoys golfing, hiking, traveling, quilting and attending most athletic events in the area.
Paul Smith

Paul Smith

Evening GED Instructor
ps****@***sc.org

Paul Smith is an Adult Education and Literacy instructor at the Career Learning Center of the Black Hills. He has 20+ years of teaching and coaching experience in three states and internationally.  Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of St. Thomas. He has been with BHSSC for over 10 years.  Paul and his wife live in Rapid City.  They have three adult children and one grandchild. Paul enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, and living in the Black Hills.
Pam Junek

Pam Junek

Employment Specialist
pj****@***sc.org

Pam Junek…
Michael Hauge

Michael Hauge

Skills Trainer
mh****@***sc.org

Michael Hauge is a Skills Trainer for Project SEARCH Black Hills. He has four years of experience in Human Resources and previously worked at Monument Health. He’s been with BHSSC for around a year now. Outside of work, Michael enjoys hiking in the Black Hills, playing video games, and spending time with family.
Meagan Mettler

Meagan Mettler

Instructional Assistant
mm******@***sc.org

Meagan Mettler…
Mandy Fuller

Mandy Weglin

Instructional Assistant
aw*****@***sc.org

Mandy Weglin..
Lori Larson

Lori Larson

Program Manager
ll*****@***sc.org

Lori Larson…
Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly

Case Manager
lk****@***sc.org

Laura Kelly is a Case Manager for the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP). With more than sixteen years of experience serving schools and public libraries, she brings a strong background in leadership, community engagement, and relationship building. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, along with a minor in Communications and Library Media Science, which has equipped her with the skills to effectively support individuals and families she serves. Laura resides in Pierre and is embracing the empty-nester phase of life with her three young adult children. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and playing golf.
Kim Scott

Kim Scott

Employment Specialist
ks****@***sc.org

Kim Scott is the Program Manager for the Project Skills program; helping to get students with disabilities job skills before they graduate. She has been working with students with disabilities for 30+ years, 23 of which have been with BHSSC. She went to Black Hills State University, where she realized her passion was working with students to make a difference in their lives. She believes helping students achieve what they did not believe was achievable makes even the most challenging days worthwhile.

She was born and raised in Sturgis, so it’s no surprise that she met and married an avid motorcyclist. She enjoys riding with her husband, camping, hiking, kayaking, and being with her family.
Kari Smith

Kari Smith

Box Elder GED Instructor
ks****@***sc.org

Kari Smith is an Adult Education and Literacy Instructor at the Career Learning Center of the Black Hills. She brings 25+ years in education as a teacher and tutor, both in the US and internationally. She also has nine years of engineering experience. Kari holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in secondary education. Kari has been with the AEL program for about 2 years. She and her husband live in Rapid City, have three adult children and one grandchild, and two cats. Kari enjoys reading, cooking, hiking, camping, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.
Laura Hawley

Laura Hawley

Program Manager
lh*****@***sc.org

Laura Hawley…
Kaleb Meyer

Kaleb Meyer

Instructional Assistant
km****@***sc.org

Kaleb Meyer…
Julia Kelly

Julia Kelly

Mentor
jk****@***sc.org

Julia Kelly is a Workforce Connections Mentor. Julia has nine years of experience serving individuals and families across the Black Hills region through a variety of human and social service roles. Julia holds a B.S. in Psychology from Black Hills State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work at the University of South Dakota. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking and trying new foods, reading, good coffee, and being with her family.
Judy Oldert

Judy Oldert

GED Instructor
jo*****@***sc.org

Judy Oldert has been an Adult Education and Literacy Instructor with BHSSC for 30+ years. She lives on a ranch east of New Underwood and enjoys cooking, yardwork, hiking and traveling. She and her late husband have three adult sons and four grandchildren whom Judy homeschooled for 13 years. Priorities are family time and church activities.
Jeff Laughlin

Jeff Laughlin

Program Manger
jl*******@***sc.org

Jeff Laughlin…
Jeni Geis

Jenny Geis

Assistant Program Manger
jg***@***sc.org

For more than 20 years, I, Jenny Geis,  have served as the Assistant Program Manager at Black Hills Academy, working closely with school districts, special education directors, parents, and community partners such as Lutheran Social Services. I’m dedicated to supporting students and families through strong relationships, clear communication, and a commitment to creating effective, student-centered solutions.
Jamie Hockenbarry

Jamie Hockenbarry

Instructor
jh**********@***sc.org

Jamie Hockenbary received her teaching degree in 1995 from BHSU.  She spent the first part of her teaching career teaching K-8 in all subjects.  She has been the ELA/Speech/Title I instructor at Black Hills Academy since 2020.
Gloria Miller

Gloria Miller

Program Manager
gm*****@***sc.org

Gloria Miller serves as the Program Manager for the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) at Black Hills Special Services Cooperative, bringing 20+ years of experience supporting migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Her work is grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience as a former migrant worker from Texas. After relocating to South Dakota, she began her career with NFJP as a Case Manager, where she directly supported participants navigating employment barriers. Gloria has spent 10+ years leading NFJP, with a strong commitment to expanding access to education, training, and career opportunities for farmworkers and their families. Outside of work, Gloria enjoys running, reading, and cooking, and treasures time with her husband and three grown children.
Erin Zimmerman

Erin Zimmerman

Case Manager & Data Specialist
ez********@***sc.org

Erin Zimmerman began her employment with BHSSC in May 2014 as the Administrative Assistant in the Pierre office. She later transferred job positions to the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) as a Case Manager/MIS Data Specialist. Prior to BHSSC, Erin worked for many years assisting individuals with disabilities, staff scheduling, staff trainings, and IT support. In her spare time, Erin enjoys spending time with her family & friends, crafting, fishing, playing cards, and watching movies. Erin is also a proud, small business owner of a local handmade/homemade gift shop (which has been one of her lifelong dreams since a young child) that offers over 20 other in-store vendors’ homemade/handmade crafts as well.
Erika Schumacher

Erika Schumacher

Program Manager
es*********@***sc.org

Erika Schumacher is the Community Education and Driver’s Education Manager, where she is dedicated to supporting lifelong learning and promoting safe, responsible driving within the community. She brings a strong passion for education, organization, and community engagement, working closely with students, families, and instructors to ensure high-quality programming and positive learning experiences. Erika is known for her attention to detail, strong communication skills, and ability to manage multiple programs effectively. She is committed to creating accessible opportunities for individuals of all ages to learn, grow, and build confidence – both in the classroom and on the road. Outside of work, Erika enjoys time with her husband and their two cats. She loves being outdoors, especially hiking and shed hunting, and also enjoys shooting her bow. In her free time in the winter, Erika can often be found reading or creating custom wood signs, combining her creativity with her hands-on skills. 
Desi Kranz

Desi Kranz

ESOL
dk****@***sc.org

Desi Kranz is the English Instructor for Speakers of Other Languages with over 14 years of experience in language acquisition as a K–12 educator and adult education instructor. She is passionate about empowering multilingual learners to build confidence and communication skills. She believes that language learning is a powerful tool for connection, opportunity, and community. In her free time, Desi can be found exploring nature with family or traveling to experience new cultures.

Chris Grube

Special Education Instructor
cg****@***sc.org

Christopher Grube is a retired public school teacher currently working in Project SEARCH with BHSSC, bringing 30 years of experience at the middle and high school levels. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography, an Associate of Science in Aviation Sciences and Aeronautics, and has completed graduate coursework in National Security Studies and Political Science. Chris is a commercial pilot and FAA-certified Airframe and Powerplant Technician with Inspection Authorization. He owns and operates an aviation maintenance business and has built several aircraft, including one on display at a museum outside Paris, France. He is also a graduate of two fire academies, with six years of service as a firefighter, and has worked with aerial firefighting organizations, including CalFire and the BLM, as both a pilot and technician. Chris is also a certified Emergency Medical Technician.
Bethany Cook

Bethany Cook

Program Manager
bc***@***sc.org

Bethany Cook is the Program Manager of Black Hills Education Connection. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction, both earned through Black Hills State University. Bethany has been with BHSSC for 34+ years. She lives in the county outside Spearfish. Bethany enjoys gardening, camping, canoeing, journaling, loom knitting, and spending time with her family and cocker spaniel Ella.
Anita Blewitt

Anita Blewitt

Testing Assistant ar********@***sc.org

Anita Blewitt…
Alyssa Robertson

Alyssa Robertson

GED Instructor
ar********@***sc.org

Alyssa Roberson-Groenewoud is an Adult Education and Literacy Math Instructor at the Career Learning Center of the Black Hills. She has over 2 years of experience teaching adult students’ mathematics. She also has experience in pretesting (TABE testing) the students and data entering the students. During her time at the Career Learning Center of the Black Hills, she has shown her leadership skills by stepping in and helping wherever she is needed. Alyssa is super passionate about her job in helping students exceed in their academics.
Alec Bakke

Alec Bakke

Instructional Assistant
ab****@***sc.org

I am a dedicated professional Instructional Assistant at Black Hills Academy, where I support and empower youth in their personal and educational development. I bring valuable experience working with diverse populations of young people through my involvement with numerous nonprofit organizations. I graduated from Black Hills State University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Psychology, which informs my approach to understanding behavior and social dynamics. I am passionate about fostering growth, resilience, and positive change in the youth I serve. In my free time, I enjoy the outdoors, especially hiking, camping, and traveling while also spending quality time with my family and friends!
Nikki Hoyt

Nikki Hoyt

Office Manager
nh***@***sc.org

Nikki Hoyt…

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