Brenda Richman’s career has spanned industries, but her passion for people, connection, and education has remained constant. Now, as the executive director of community engagement and public relations with Moorhead Area Public Schools, Brenda is dedicated to fostering connections between education and community. Her role is all about building a stronger, more vibrant Fargo-Moorhead through the philosophy and action of lifelong learning.
Meet Brenda Richman!
Brenda Richman brings energy and expertise to her role with Moorhead Area Public Schools. With a communications degree from Northwestern University, a master’s from the University of Mary, and an Ed Leadership certification from MSUM, she blends her diverse professional experience with a deep commitment to community engagement. A proud wife, mom, and champion of lifelong learning, Brenda believes education is the key to unlocking a brighter future for individuals and communities alike.
Growing Up with Community Roots
Brenda’s journey began in a small town an hour north of Fargo-Moorhead, where community and hard work were central to daily life. As a child, she grew up surrounded by the values of connection and collaboration, which laid the foundation for her passion for community engagement.
“Fargo was the place we went to for shopping or movies or bowling. It was the hub, and that always stuck with me because it felt like a sense of community,” Brenda said.
Her upbringing instilled a love for building relationships and a strong appreciation for education. Brenda’s parents emphasized the importance of giving back and staying connected, lessons she carried with her throughout the years.
Discovering A Passion for Communication
Brenda attended college at Northwestern University in the Twin Cities, where she majored in communications. It was during these formative years that she realized the power of storytelling and effective communication in bringing people together.
“I’ve always really enjoyed connecting with people, and communication just felt natural to me because it’s all about understanding and connecting,” Brenda said.
Her college experience was enriched by hands-on learning opportunities and internships that allowed her to explore various facets of the field. Brenda’s time at Northwestern not only prepared her for her future career but also solidified her belief in the importance of lifelong learning.
Moorhead Community Education offers an array of classes catering to various interests and age groups. Their programs encompass arts and crafts, technology, cooking and baking, nature-based activities, and recreational pursuits. Additionally, they host popular youth summer camps focusing on athletics, music, and STEM subjects.
These are our top picks from the current community ed courses available!
Zumba – Get Moving!
This dance-based fitness program is set to Latin and international music, combining low and high-intensity moves for a fun, calorie-burning experience!
Intro to Stained Glass Monstera Leaf – Cute & Crafty
A beginner-friendly class where participants learn to create a Monstera leaf suncatcher using copper foil and soldering techniques.
Acupressure to Assist Weight Loss (Virtual) – The More You Know
An online workshop teaching key acupressure points to boost metabolism, control appetite, and strengthen the digestive system.
American Sign Language Basics for Adults – Lifelong Learning!
An introductory course covering basic signs for conversational communication and insights into deaf culture.
Decorated Letters (Virtual) – It’s Better Homemade
A virtual class where participants learn traditional art forms to create personalized, decorated letters suitable for stationery or gifting.
See all of the current courses, register, and more here!
When people are learning together, they’re also connecting. Parents meet parents, neighbors meet neighbors, and those relationships grow. That’s how you build a strong community.” – Brenda Richman
A Journey Through Industries
After graduating, Brenda began her career as a communications director for a nonprofit organization. It was a role that allowed her to combine her passion for storytelling with her desire to make a difference.
“I really loved working for a nonprofit because it was about people and purpose, and I was able to see how communication could drive change,” she said.
When she started her family, Brenda made the decision to stay home with her children but remained connected to the workforce through remote work—a commonality now but a rarity at the time. She worked for the nonprofit remotely for 12 years, balancing her roles as a mother and a professional.
“At the time, working remotely was a computer and a fax machine,” Brenda said. “But it allowed me to stay engaged and do the work, while also being home with my kids.”
As her children grew, so did Brenda’s desire to reengage with her community in new ways. Brenda returned to the workforce full-time, taking on leadership roles at Hornbacher’s and later at Bobcat. Her focuses were on human resources, training, and organizational development. These experiences allowed her to hone her skills in leadership, communication, and change management—skills she now brings to Moorhead Area Public Schools.
“Every role I’ve had taught me something, and I’ve been in very different industries,” she said, “but it all kind of comes back to people and connecting with them to help them grow.”
Stepping Into Education
Brenda’s transition to her current role with Moorhead Area Public Schools came at a pivotal moment. After her position at Bobcat was eliminated during a restructuring, she planned to take the summer off to regroup. But fate had other plans.
“I had three different people send me the job posting [for Moorhead Area Public Schools]. By the third one, I thought, ‘OK, I should probably take a look.’ And when I read through it, I felt my heart race because it combined all the things I loved about my previous jobs,” Brenda said.
Her husband encouraged her to apply, and the rest is history. Since 2019, Brenda has been leading efforts to connect the district with the broader community, ensuring education is
accessible and impactful for learners of all ages.
Expanding Access and Opportunity
As the executive director of community engagement and public relations, Brenda oversees a wide range of programs and areas designed to meet the community’s diverse needs. From early childhood education to adult basic education and enrichment classes, these programs aim to create lifelong learners and community connections.
“Our early childhood programs get kids ready for school. Our adult basic education helps new Americans and others overcome barriers. And we have community education classes for everyone—from learning to bake sourdough bread to sign language,” Brenda said.
Brenda’s role as executive director of community engagement and public relations has three main branches that she works in.
1. Adult & Youth Enrichment
“Moorhead Community Education is well-known for its large selection of unique classes for people of every age. The large variety of classes includes local courses to online certification programs. Community Education offers several other programs, including Early Childhood Family Education, Adult Basic Education, programs for adults with disabilities, youth summer camps and service learning.”
2. Adult Basic Education
“Adult Basic Education, a program of Moorhead Community Education, offers day, evening and online learning classes for anyone age 17 or older who is not presently enrolled in a secondary school and whose educational skills are below the 12th grade level in any of the basic academic areas of reading, math, writing or speaking English.
3. Early Learning Center
“Moorhead Area Public Schools Early Learning programs provide support to parents and caregivers to promote healthy growth and development of their children. During the first few years of children’s lives, they have the most rapid phase of growth and development. Our programs provide high-quality, developmentally appropriate classes and opportunities for all young children and their families. Parents are a child’s first teachers. Our Early Learning staff partner with parents and caregivers to promote physical, social, emotional, intellectual and language development of each child.”
Brenda’s role involves strategic oversight to ensure that each program meets its goals while staying responsive to community needs. She’s quick to credit her team for their creativity and dedication.
“Whether it’s the preschool director, the manager for adult education, or someone running community enrichment classes, they all bring something unique. Their passion and creativity really make these programs thrive,” she said.
Summer Camp Registration is Open!
A Bond With The Community
One of Brenda’s proudest accomplishments is her involvement in the 2019 bond referendum, which funded the construction of Moorhead’s new high school and the Career Academy. These projects have reshaped the district and created opportunities for students and the community alike.
“It’s amazing to be part of a school district that’s growing like this,” she said. “The Career Academy is just one example. It’s connecting students directly with career opportunities. It’s all about helping them prepare for what’s next.”
Looking Ahead
As she looks to the future, Brenda is focused on innovation and maximizing resources. She’s committed to finding creative ways to meet community needs, even in challenging times.
“When resources are tight, it pushes us to get creative. We’re thinking of new ways to stretch every dollar and looking for partnerships to have an even bigger impact,” she said.
Brenda’s vision is clear: to continue fostering connections, creating opportunities, and building a stronger community through education. Whether it’s a parent discovering new tools to support their child, an adult learner earning their GED, or neighbors meeting in a rock-painting class, Brenda sees every interaction as a chance to make a difference.
To Brenda, education is the foundation of a thriving community. She believes that when people are empowered through learning, they create connections, opportunities, and a vibrant place to live—resulting in a higher quality of life.
Learn more about Moorhead Area Public Schools and how you can take advantage of their great programming here!
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