Ms. Cindy Larsen,  Chairwoman of the Board

Montana native, Cindy Larsen, was born and raised in Eastern Montana. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services from Western Washington University.  Cindy was wed to John Larsen over 30 years ago and they have lived across Montana before moving back to the prairie in 2012.

Cindy has had her own business since her first born was little but moved into Social Justice Causes after her children went to school.  Working in DUI prevention, she became a grant writer and managed a large prevention effort for Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

After moving to Glendive, she has worked with the treatment courts and in child welfare. She is currently the Child Bridge Regional Director for Billings and Eastern MT.

The Larsen’s have two adult children and one special daughter who came to them through adoption.

Mr. Chad Knudson, Vice-Chair of the Board

Chad Knudson was elected trustee in 2013. Prior to running for the board, Knudson joined the 2013 presidential search committee and contributed significant time to hiring a new president for DCC just as he was elected to the board in a competitive election. His connections to DCC are deep in his family and include the credits he earned at DCC during high school and summer terms that allowed him to graduate early and summa cum laude from Valparaiso University of Indiana, where he earned a BS in Business Administration with concentrations in marketing, international business and global studies with an honors distinction in the humanities.

Knudson served as DCC board chairman from 2014-2022 and has served as vice-chairman since 2022. In his time on the board, he has so far worked with five presidents. 

Knudson currently serves as publisher of six Montana newspapers, including the Glendive Ranger-Review. He was born and raised a fifth-generation Glendivian. He cut his teeth in business working at the family store before graduating from DCHS. Knudson has worked in business development and management in large corporations and small business ventures in Bismarck, Denver, Chicago and Glendive. He has experienced both successes and failures, all of which have contributed to life-long learning.

He is a past recipient of MDU Resources Group’s Einstein Award for Innovation, has been honored as a Master Publisher by the Montana Newspaper Association, and is active on other community boards, including Dawson Community Theater and the Eastern Montana Concert Association.

Knudson is also an avid traveler, having spent significant time studying language and culture in Spain and traveling extensively in Europe, South America, and the United States for both business and pleasure. His favorite getaway is to the ski slopes. He is proud that every journey has eventually led him home.

Ms. Sarah Thorson, Trustee

Sarah Thorson joined the Board of Trustees in May 2020. Born and raised in Glendive, Sarah graduated from DCC with an Associate of Science degree and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science at Montana State University. She currently works as a Beef Marketing Manager for GENEX, a cattle genetics company headquartered in Wisconsin. Husband Ryan ranches full time on the family’s ranch west of Glendive. Sarah and Ryan are the proud parents of two lovely daughters. Sarah notes, “I have eagerly watched the growth and success the college has seen in the last few years and am honored to be part of the continued achievements of the organization.”

Ms. Kathy Hoiland, Trustee

Proud to call Glendive home after moving from Denver, CO as a teen.  A graduate of both Dawson County High School and Dawson Community College.  Kathy is passionate about education and proud to support the school that became more than just a place to learn, but a place to grow.  
Kathy is married to Thomas Hoiland, a design engineer; together they have three wild and wonderful children ages 8, 6, and 2.  Currently, Kathy is a small business owner, substitute teacher, and student.  As a passionate believer in strong families and communities, she is thankful to be involved in CASA of Eastern Montana, Sidney MOPS, Badlands D&D, and whatever else she can find to help with and collect a myriad of hobbies.  

Ms. Gloria Garceau-Glaser, Trustee
 

Gloria was born and raised in New York although Montana has been her home for 32 years. Living in Helena from 1990 – 1998, she moved to Eastern Montana after marrying her husband, who is native to Glendive. They have one adult daughter who lives in Seattle. 

Gloria holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology with concentrations in Psychology and Human Development and a Master of Arts in Audiology, both from the State University of New York at Geneseo. She’s spent her career working with the elderly and disabled and is currently employed as a Community First Choice (CFC) - Quality Assurance Program Manager with the State of Montana, DPHHS-Senior & Long Term Care Division.

Gloria was raised to value higher learning.  Growing up her mom’s mantra was, “The best thing you can do is get an education.”  College was expected, not a choice.  Gloria is an advocate for community involvement and has served on various boards. In addition to volunteer work as a Trustee, she is the current Chair for the Dawson County Housing Authority and the Dawson County Democratic Central Committee. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, walking, reading and being involved with Community Theater.

Ms. Sandy Johnson, Trustee
 

Sandy was born and raised in Glendive, graduating with the class of 2000. Attended & played softball for DCC in the Fall of 2000.  She married Tyler Johnson in December 2001, where they both graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, OK in May of 2003. Sandy is currently an Area Administrative Supervisor for the Montana Department of Transportation and has been with the Department since 2009. Tyler is also employed with the Montana Department of Transportation, as a maintenance technician. Her biggest accomplishment to date is getting to be a mom to her children.  They have one daughter 11 and one son 7. Sandy also serves as a member of the Glendive Community Cancer Fund. Sandy loves Glendive and is proud to live here and feels very honored for the opportunity to serve on the DCC board.

Brendan Heidner, Trustee

Brendan Heidner joined the Board of Trustees at his alma mater in May of 2023 as a way to devote time back to an institution that had a significant impact on his career and life. Heidner moved to Glendive in 2012 when he was just 13 years old after living in five other Montana cities throughout his childhood.

Heidner enrolled at Dawson Community College in the spring of 2015 as an early start student when he was a sophomore in high school. He went on to graduate with his Associate of Arts degree from DCC just one week before graduating with his high school diploma in May of 2017.

With a knack for media arts such as photography, Heidner attended Corban University in Salem, Ore. for three semesters before returning home in 2019 to begin his job search. He eventually landed a job as a news reporter for the Glendive Ranger-Review where he still works today.

While away again for a short period of time between 2020 and 2021, Heidner met his wife Sheridan at Frontier School of the Bible in LaGrange, Wyo. who moved back to Glendive with him after they wed in May of 2022. The Heidners are the proud parents of one daughter.

Heidner spends a majority of his time nowadays writing; shooting photos on occasion; still dreaming of playing professional soccer even though those days are likely past; and enjoying any free time he has with his family.