Northern Forward, Northern State University's 2026–2031 strategic plan, was developed through a collaborative process involving students, faculty, staff, alumni, university leadership and community members. Their input helped shape the university's mission, vision, strategic directions and goals for the next five years.
 

Strategic Planning Process

 

Summer and Fall 2025

Following the conclusion of the university's previous strategic plan, Strategic Pathways, Northern began developing its next five-year plan. Eight listening sessions engaged 248 participants, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members.

A 46-member Design Team reviewed feedback, identified emerging themes and helped establish four strategic directions.

December 2025

More than 200 campus and community members participated in a Dec. 3 town hall meeting to review emerging priorities and a draft mission statement. Incoming President Alan LaFave participated in the discussion.
A campuswide survey also provided an opportunity for anonymous feedback.

Spring 2026

A 51-member Implementation Team formed in January to further develop objectives, targets and milestones for each strategic direction.

Throughout the spring, the teams met to refine the plan and identify measures of success. A mission statement task force also gathered feedback from faculty, staff, students and university leadership.

On April 28, more than 200 participants attended a strategic planning town hall to review the proposed directions, objectives, targets, milestones and revised mission statement.

Summer and Fall 2026

Implementation Team co-chairs and university leadership continued reviewing and refining the plan.
President LaFave shared the strategic plan and mission with campus during Welcome Week. The Executive Leadership Team also worked to finalize objectives, targets and milestones, establish the university's vision and name the plan Northern Forward.

November 2026

Northern Forward was shared as Northern State University's strategic plan for 2026–2031.
 

 

Design Team and Implementation Team

 

Northern State University thanks the members of the Northern Forward Design Team and Implementation Team for their thoughtful work in developing this strategic plan. Their collaboration, ideas and commitment to Northern's future shaped the priorities and goals that will guide the university forward.

Design Team

• Laurie Nichols, Interim President
• Erin Fouberg, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academics
• Mike Wanous, Former Provost and Vice President of Academics
• Veronica Paulson, Former Vice President of Finance and Administration
• Chad Hatzenbuhler, Director of Communications and Marketing
• Sean Blackburn, Dean of Student Affairs
• Nate Davis, Athletic Director
• Zach Flakus, President, NSU Foundation
• Debbi Bumpous, Vice President of Technology and Chief Information Officer
• Eric Kline, Chief Enrollment Officer
• Anna Schwan, Dean of the Millicent Atkins School of Education
• Alyssa Kiesow, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
• Elizabeth Haller, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
• Dan Shannahan, Assistant Professor of Business
• Christian Pirlet, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education
• Jon Mitchell, Professor of Biology
• Hannah Walters, Associate Professor of Marketing
• Britt Lorenz, Executive Director of Student Success
• Brenda Mammenga, Director of Institutional Research
• Bea Smith, Director of Northern Innovation and Startup Center
• Kelly Weismantel, Director of Counseling Services
• Layton Cooper, Director of Admissions
• Jodi Casanova, Deputy Chief Information Officer
• Jason Henslee, Director of Instructional Technology
• Stacy Bauer, Executive Assistant to the President
• Elizabeth Varin, Communications and Marketing
• Jessica Beilke, Finance
• Sean Meyers, Purchasing Manager
• Russell Entzel, Carpenter
• Ashley Gauer, Associate Athletic Director, Internal Operations
• Dean Berry, Associate Athletic Director, External Relations
• Laci Hettick, Senior Director of Development, NSU Foundation
• Rocky Burkett, Director of Development, NSU Foundation
• Gavin Wollman, Student, School of Fine Arts
• Lexi Cutler, Student, School of Business
• Jorja Whempner, Student, College of Arts and Sciences
• Carter Schmidt, Student, School of Education
• Jaeden Shaving, Graduate Student, School of Education
• Abiah George, Student, College of Arts and Sciences; President, Student Government Association
• Tanner Jondahl, Chief of Police, Aberdeen Police Department
• Kristie Martin, Market President, Dacotah Bank
• Mike Quast, Chief Executive Officer, YMCA
• Amber Schwab, Economic Development Manager and Public Information Officer, City of Aberdeen
• Heath Johnson, Principal, Dakota Plains
• Katie Washnok, Owner, Blackout Industries
• Eric Payne, Sales Associate, Insurance Plus; NSU Foundation Board Member
• Kami Speaker, Outreach and Social Media, Chamber of Commerce; NSU Foundation Alumni Committee

Implementation Team

• Alan LaFave, President
• Erin Fouberg, Provost and Vice President of Academics
• Veronica Paulson, Former Vice President of Finance and Administration
• Chad Hatzenbuhler, Director of Communications and Marketing
• Sean Blackburn, Dean of Student Affairs
• Nate Davis, Athletic Director
• Zach Flakus, President, NSU Foundation
• Debbi Bumpous, Vice President of Technology and Chief Information Officer
• Eric Kline, Chief Enrollment Officer
• Anna Schwan, Dean of the Millicent Atkins School of Education
• Christian Pirlet, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education
• Jon Mitchell, Professor of Biology
• Brenda Mammenga, Director of Institutional Research
• Hannah Walters, Associate Professor of Marketing
• Britt Lorenz, Executive Director of Student Success
• Bea Smith, Director of Northern Innovation and Start-Up Center
• Layton Cooper, Director of Admissions
• Stacy Bauer, Executive Assistant to the President
• Ashley Gauer, Associate Athletic Director, Internal Operations
• Dean Berry, Associate Athletic Director, External Relations
• Gavin Wollman, Student, School of Fine Arts
• Tanner Jondahl, Chief of Police, Aberdeen Police Department
• Kristie Martin, President, Aberdeen Market, Dacotah Bank
• Mike Quast, Chief Executive Officer, YMCA
• Amber Schwab, Economic Development Manager and Public Information Officer, City of Aberdeen
• Heath Johnson, Principal, Dakota Plains
• Katie Washnok, Owner, Blackout Industries
• Eric Payne, Sales Associate, Insurance Plus; NSU Foundation Board Member
• Tim Hanigan, CEO, Aberdeen Development Corporation
• Epiphany Knedler, Art Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Art
• Nicole Schutter, Teacher Education Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Teacher Education
• Brandy Netty, Director of Online Learning and Continuing Education
• Carly Bierman, Career Design Coordinator
• Derrick Cameron, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education
• Morgan Haselhorst, Student, College of Arts and Sciences
• Alison Kuch, Director of New Student and Engagement Programs
• Morgan Stadler, Assistant Director of Financial Aid
• Lucas Wiscons, Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Josh VanLaecken, Assistant Professor of Accounting
• Vicki Evans, Student Success Director of Tutoring
• Carl Perry, State Senator, State of South Dakota
• Al Novstrup, State Representative, State of South Dakota
• Julie Dvorak, Circuit Judge, South Dakota Unified Judicial System
• Susan Bostian, Associate Vice President of Finance and Administration
• Amanda Fair, Associate Athletic Director for Business Operations
• Amy Beaner, Registrar
• Amber Henderson, Associate Professor of Management
• Amy Johnson, Simulation Lab and Clinical Coordinator
• Kristi Bockorny, Dacotah Bank Dean of the School of Business
• Darci Bultema, Professor of Music, Voice and Opera
• Amanda Mahlke, Graduate Studies Coordinator
• Peter Ramey, Professor of English
• Kaden Huntrods, Head Swimming and Diving Coach