Dawn was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was baptized and educated at Calvary Lutheran Church and school through the 6th grade, after which she attended Lincoln Lutheran Junior High. She then graduated from Piux X High School and went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Additional degrees since that time include a Masters Degree in Special Education (2007) and completion of the Colloquy program through Concordia University-Nebraska (2009). Dawn is the wife of Concordia’s Head of Schools Robert Cooksey. She is the proud mama to Anna, Sarah, and Aaron, and the proud granny to Maya and Zoe. After over 25 years of classroom teaching, Dawn enjoys her current role as Admissions Director and all of the variety that goes with that position. She seizes every opportunity to get to know the students at Concordia, including leading Student Ambassadors, Quiz Bowl, and publishing the yearbooks for Concordia Academy and Jr. High.

Dawn loves to exercise, take pictures, cook, and read, but not necessarily in that order. Her favorite scripture is Matthew 6:33, a verse that reminds her to keep seeking His will.