IMES community profile: Kasey Tenggren
April 30, 2026
Kasey Tenggren, Senior Administrative Assistant to the Director, has an M. Ed. in curriculum and teaching from Boston University, and a BS in Earth Systems from UMass-Amherst.
Mindy Blodgett | IMES
Kasey, who joined IMES in January, assists Alex Shalek in his role as IMES director. Read on to learn about Kasey.
Tell us about the place where you grew up.
I grew up in a small town outside of Springfield, Massachusetts called East Longmeadow. It’s not known for much except for its dangerous rotary that has a seven-way intersection. It has been discussed in the Guinness Book of World Records and on Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Aside from that, and a strange amount of good pizza shops in the area, it’s a small town on the edge of Connecticut. I was fortunate to grow up near many ponds, lakes, hiking paths, and hills to climb. Open land and farms were a commodity in the area. Summers were full of fireflies and springtime brought the peepers. Fall and winter saw many an orchard or holiday tree farm. It’s a much slower-paced world just an hour or two outside of the city.
Can you tell us more about some of your past jobs?
Prior to my career in higher-education I taught Earth and Space Science to students primarily ranging from 9th -12th grade in Connecticut and Massachusetts. I also worked my summers working for a local non-profit called The Steppingstone Foundation supporting summer science learning for students in the Greater Boston area! It was a blast, despite the challenges of having to shift to fully remote and hybrid learning models during the pandemic and re-acclimating alongside students to our “back to normal”. Post-teaching I briefly worked at Boston University as a project coordinator assisting with various projects related to literacy and learning. Not too long after, I came to MIT as a temporary employee before being hired as an Administrative Assistant II in September of 2023. Up until now, I was previously supporting the Director role of the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS) just next door in E17/E18. Needless to say, I was able to learn a lot about my current position through my previous role which has helped immensely as I’ve been learning the ways of IMES.
What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
The hardest part is definitely managing the director’s calendar — I’ve never met a busier person in my life, so I’m happy to help with that as much as I can. The team has been great, though, and has helped me decipher the many acronyms and aspects of the IMES director’s work life.
What is the most fun, rewarding part of your job?
Supporting the director’s calendar allows me the opportunity to connect both virtually and in person with many people! From getting to work with and support students, Shalek Lab members, and other IMES community members to connecting with various people across the university and beyond — I love getting to meet new people and create connections with others. There’s some amazing work going within IMES — it’s endearing to be a part of it all, even if just background support.
What is your idea of a perfect day?
A perfect day would involve no schedule, no plans, and no prior commitments. I like to create opportunity for spontaneity in my everyday life and having a day to just do whatever feels right in the moment is what I would describe as perfection. Maybe I’ll end up at a new coffee shop or cool vintage market that supports local artists, or perhaps I’ll snuggle with my dogs and a good book on the couch listening to the rain. Whatever ends up happening, I love having a day to just go with the flow and the potential for impromptu car rides.
What is a fun fact about you?
I love to travel and explore new quirky places! Anytime I go to a new city I like to look for parks, museums, whimsical places, independent bookstores, good coffee spots, or random opportunities to engage with animals. Last year when I was in Chicago, I found out the shelter near the hotel I was staying in let you go in and play with the animals or take them for walks. My partner and I went in and played with this super sweet pittie-mix that seriously had us contemplating driving home with her. I believe the best way to travel is to have some plans, but give yourself plenty of time to just be present and see what happens!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I tend to read a lot in my spare time. Back in college my record was 22 books in one summer. I love getting to explore new worlds in my mind and talk about them with my friends who share that passion with me. Recently, I’ve been spending an absurd amount of time playing Animal Crossing. I also love trying to find random community events around Massachusetts and going to them — Alpaca Fest, Asparagus Festival, Lavendar Festival, Porch Fests, you name it!
What is the best vacation you’ve ever had?
Honestly, last year I went to the Pacific Northwest for the first time in my life and I already want to go back. I spent a few days at Mt. Rainier National Park and it was truly amazing. With the fresh blooming lupines to the huge redwood trees, it was a magical experience.
What is on your bucket list?
I would love to learn to build my own furniture and make my own clothes! I’m hoping to find some local classes to get started (recommendations welcome)! I’d also love to be able to make my own beauty products with different herbs and oils, but I need to keep the plants alive first, so TBD…
What fictional character do you relate to the most, and why?
I have been told I’m like Winston Bishop from the TV Series “New Girl” — I’m assuming it’s because he loves his pet cat and loves pulling pranks that are either way too big or way too small. He makes himself laugh and is often the awkward turtle of the group, which resonates.