Career
He also founded the Center for Experiential Education and Service-Learning at the University of Minnesota, where he is also an Adjunct Professor. Kielsmeier helped initiate the nonprofit African Reconciliation and Development Corps International and led their first project in Somalia (1993-1994) during the civil war. Kielsmeier spent time as a youth worker in Harlem, and then as a United States. Army Infantry platoon leader and community relations officer in of Korea during the 1960s.
In of Korea, he developed a program placing GIs as tutors in schools.
A former middle and high school teacher and Outward Bound instructor, Kielsmeier founded the National Youth Leadership Council in 1983, initially based at the University of Minnesota. Kielsmeier has also been engaged in the design and implementation of comprehensive state and federal youth service and service-learning models.
He has advised three Minnesota governors, helped United States. Senators Dave Durenberger and Paul Wellstone write the 1990 and 1993 National and Community Service Acting, advised the Clinton and Obama Administrations’ transition teams, and testified before the Minnesota House and Senate and the United States. House of Representatives. Kielsmeier also helped initiate the nonprofit African Reconciliation and Development Corps International, and led its first project to build schools in Somalia during the civil war in 1993.
Currently, Kielsmeier is an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota.
He earned a Doctor of Philosophy in education from the University of Colorado, a master’s in international relations from American University in Washington, District of Columbia, and a bachelor"s degree from Wheaton College. In 2008 he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Concordia University, Saint Paul in Saint Paul. Kurt Hahn Award of the Association for Experiential Education
Rotary Club"s Paul Harris Award
George Norlin Award, the highest alumni recognition of the University of Colorado.
