Katie Pekel has been named chief of staff and associate vice chancellor for strategic initiatives at the University of Minnesota Rochester, beginning her service on February 2, 2026.

Pekel will play a vital role in helping to advance campus priorities while the Rochester campus continues to grow enrollment; expand facilities, academic programs and personnel; and advance the imperatives of Elevate Extraordinary 2030 — the University’s strategic roadmap. 

"I am thrilled to be joining such an innovative campus that places students and their learning at the center of all they do,” says Pekel. “The growth and success that Rochester has had is certainly impressive. I believe this is likely attributed not only to strong, collective leadership, but also to the laser focus of Rochester faculty on research, teaching and learning." 

Most recently, Pekel has served as the Executive Director of Educational Leadership at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) where she worked with educational leaders across the state to bridge the gaps between research and practice. Some of Pekel’s previous responsibilities included the Minnesota Instructional Leadership Academy, the CEHD Leading in Equity, Action and Diversity conference, the Minnesota Principals’ Academy, and the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development’s Executive PhD program. 

Outside of her work at the University of Minnesota, she has collaborated with Muhammad Khalifa, Gholdy Muhammad, Jamilla Dugan and Keith Mayes on the development of educator professional development via the Culturally Responsive School Leadership Institute. 

Pekel holds a doctorate in education from the University of Minnesota, a master’s in educational leadership from Southwest State University and a B.A. in English education from the University of Minnesota Duluth.

“I am thrilled to have another fantastic leadership partner who shares Rochester’s vision and grounding values,” says Rochester Chancellor Lori Carrell.