A graduate of New York Mills High School, Keskinen majored in mathematics and minored in physics and psychology at UMN Morris, where she was often the only woman in her STEM classes. She was active in the International Relations Club and the Seminar/Honors Program. After graduate work in math at Mankato State and the University of Idaho, she began a career in computer systems, where again she would sometimes be the only woman in her Information Technology Services department at UI in Moscow, Idaho. Also a part-time faculty member in computer science, she built a successful 31-year career earning recognition for her professional accomplishments. Keskinen was active in campus committees and community organizations. After retiring from UI in 2003, she began volunteering through the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program and has accumulated 13,000 volunteer hours. In 2019 the Moscow Human Rights Commission recognized her community activism by presenting her the Sheikh Community Unity Award.
Keskinen enjoys reading mysteries and pitching horseshoes. In 2022 she was inducted into the Idaho State Horseshoe Pitchers Association Hall of Fame. She is on the UMMAA Engagement Committee and welcomes feedback from UMN Morris alumni about how to stay connected with UMN Morris; e-mail her at [email protected].
