Alumni Spotlight

Seeing women in leadership positions at College of Saint Mary (CSM) inspired alum Maryann Forsell ‘14 to pursue influential roles in her career. 

“The all-women environment allowed me to see women in leadership roles, which gave me the courage to seek out other leadership roles after my time at CSM,” Forsell said.  

While working toward her Bachelor of Science in Biology at CSM, Forsell joined student organizations and accepted opportunities to lead. 

“From this, I gained confidence in myself and in my leadership abilities that allowed me to see myself as a leader, making it easier to seek out leadership opportunities in graduate school, work and in my personal life,” she said. 

Forsell received her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health in 2018 and her Master of Public Health from A.T. Still University in 2018. 

She works as a dentist at the Neillsville Dental Center in Neillsville, Wis., providing dental care to primarily low-income and uninsured individuals in rural central Wisconsin. 

Forsell is also a preceptor for fourth-year dental students, overseeing them as they treat patients in the clinic. In 2024, she was elected as the District 1 trustee to the Wisconsin Dental Association Board of Trustees.  

Forsell said CSM’s commitment to servant leadership also inspired her to pursue volunteer opportunities and service-focused work. 

“CSM influenced my life in a number of ways. I was able to meet several people who have become life-long friends. It also provided me with the educational foundation needed to pursue further education and attain my goal of becoming a dentist. The commitment to servant leadership propelled me to seek out volunteer opportunities whenever possible,” she said. 

Forsell has volunteered for the Missouri and Wisconsin Mission of Mercy for several years and is now an event planning co-chairperson. She serves on committees with the Clark County Health Department, volunteers for the Wisconsin Special Olympics, does educational outreach on oral health at elementary, middle and high schools, and is a CSM alumnae campaign co-chair. 

Forsell was the recipient of the CSM’s 2024 Alumna Achievement Award.