Andrea Palmen joined the MIAC office staff as its new Assistant Commissioner in August 2025.
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’s 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.
As Assistant Commissioner, Palmen will contribute 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.