• Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Spring 2004, University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute, Minneapolis, MN
• Teaching English as a Second Language (TEFL) Certification, May 2000, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN
• Bachelor of Arts, May 1999, Summa Cum Laude, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN - Majors: Honors Classics and History

Work Experience:

Ryan has developed and delivered Extension Community Economics programming in northwest and west central Minnesota since 2004.  In that capacity, he has delivered business retention and expansion programming, retail trade analysis and small stores success workshops.  He has also developed public finance programming with Department of Applied Economics faculty, and adapted the Access ECommerce program to the needs of direct farm marketers.  Before coming to Extension, Ryan taught at the elementary and post-secondary level in West St. Paul and in Trabzon, Turkey.   At the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Ryan researched case studies of rural knowledge and industry clusters, and researched and hosted regional planning meetings for economic development planning coming from the West Central Initiative.  In addition to experience in teaching and rural development, Ryan has experience in sustainable agriculture as an intern, an independent farmer/ business owner and a grocer.