For Immediate Release
Monday, June 8, 2026
NSIC Media Relations

BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Commissioner Erin Lind is excited to announce the hiring of Andrea Palmen as NSIC Assistant Commissioner for Operations.  Palmen will officially begin her duties on July 6.

“We are excited to welcome Andrea to the NSIC staff as our next Assistant Commissioner for Operations,” said NSIC Commissioner Erin Lind. “Andrea brings a unique combination of conference office experience, a strong understanding of the student-athlete experience, and a passion for serving institutions and their students. Her work ethic, collaborative approach, and commitment to excellence have been evident throughout her career, and we are confident she will make an immediate impact on our member institutions and the conference as a whole.”

Palmen joins the NSIC Office after serving as the Assistant Commissioner for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) since August of 2025. As Assistant Commissioner, Palmen contributed to the office in driving the MIAC’s Strategic Plan, enhancing game day experiences across the conference, assisting in the planning and execution of championships, and oversight of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

A former MIAC student-athlete, Palmen was a four-year competitor on the Macalester College women’s basketball team and graduated from the institution in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Palmen went on to earn her Master of Education in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership from the University of Washington (NCAA Division I), where she worked in the Huskies’ athletic department as an Event Management Operations Graduate Assistant. Palmen moved back to Minnesota during the second half of the graduate program to serve as an Assistant Learning Specialist at the University of Minnesota (NCAA Division I) in the Lindahl Academic Center for student-athletes. 

“I am excited to join the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and serve its 16 member institutions,” said Palmen. “Throughout my career, I have developed a passion for creating meaningful experiences for student-athletes, and I believe that work begins at the conference level. I look forward to bringing the experiences I’ve gained in the MIAC to the NSIC and partnering with our member institutions to support student-athlete success, foster collaboration, and advance the conference’s strategic goals. I am grateful to the NSIC staff for the opportunity to join their team and contribute to one of the nation’s premier NCAA Division II conferences.”

What others are saying about Palmen
Dan McKane, Commissioner, Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)
“Andrea Palmen is an exceptional professional whose impact extends far beyond her outstanding work. She is one of the most dedicated, hardworking, and respected leaders I have had the privilege to work alongside. Andrea is an incredible person who genuinely cares about the students, coaches, administrators, and colleagues she serves. The NSIC is gaining a tremendous leader who will make an immediate impact in her new role as Assistant Commissioner for Operations.”  

Donnie Brooks, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Director of Athletics, Macalester College
“Andrea has always been the ultimate utility player. As a student-athlete, she did whatever her team needed, and she brought that same versatility, work ethic, and team-first mindset to her career in athletic administration. Throughout her time at Macalester, she became a trusted partner and support system for our staff, helping turn countless ideas and initiatives into reality. We are incredibly proud of Andrea’s growth from student-athlete to leader and know she will make a tremendous impact at the NSIC.”

Laura Claydon, Senior Learning Specialist, University of Minnesota
“Andrea was a wonderful addition to the Lindahl Academic Center at UMN during her time as an assistant learning specialist! Her passion for working with student-athletes to succeed, not only in their sport but also in the classroom, made a lasting impact on our office. The NSIC could not be luckier to have her joining their team, as she goes above and beyond in all that she does!”

BJ Pickard, Associate Commissioner, Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)
“The NSIC is getting a superstar in Andrea Palmen. She is an immensely talented young administrator who brings tremendous care and consideration to everything she does. Her work ethic is phenomenal, her passion is undeniable, and her drive to make a difference sets her apart. She takes her role as a leader seriously, without sacrificing the joy and excitement that makes college athletics so special. It has been a privilege to work alongside her, and while I will certainly miss that, I’m so thrilled for Andrea to start this next chapter in her career.” 

About the NSIC
The NSIC is a 16-team, 18-sport, NCAA Division II conference with institutions located in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The NSIC is a model Division II conference that uses high-level athletics competition to develop champions in the classroom and community while empowering student-athletes to be impactful and positive leaders. Formed in 1992 by the merger of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (men’s league) and the Northern Sun Conference (women’s league), the NSIC has flourished over the past quarter century, maturing into a union of Upper Midwest colleges and universities. The NSIC has won 27 team national championships and crowned 128 individual national champions. For additional information, visit NorthernSun.org.

About NCAA Division II
The NCAA, the national governing body for college athletics, is a volunteer association of more than 1,000 colleges and universities that classify their athletics programs in one of three membership divisions. The 300+ institutions in NCAA Division II support a balanced approach in which student-athletes can earn scholarships based on their athletic ability, pursue their desired academic degree, and participate in all the campus and surrounding community have to offer. Division II student-athletes annually graduate at rates higher than their student body peers, and they have access to the best championships-participant ratio among the NCAA’s three divisions. Division II gives student-athletes the unique opportunity to compete in the classroom, on the field, in their career, for their causes, and on their terms. For additional information, visit NCAA.org.