Executive Director of the Riverland Community College Foundation Julie Anderson received the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Minnesota State University - Mankato on October 12. She earned her bachelor of science degree in 1993 in political science/international relations, cum laude.

Anderson earned her master's degree in public administration, with honors, at Hamline University's Graduate School of Public Administration and Management and is currently working toward her doctorate degree in public administration at Hamline University.  She is also fluent in Spanish.

The executive director of the Foundation leads college-wide resource development and the establishment and coordination of Foundation activities. The director also oversees the development of an alumni association, the management of the college scholarship program and serves as the principal liaison between the College and the Riverland Community College Foundation. Anderson has held this position since August 2005.