Preparing you for a career in arts administration

    About The Program

    Northern's Arts Administration Certificate is geared toward students seeking a bachelor's degree in the liberal arts or in business. The goal of this unique, cooperative venture of the School of Business and School of Fine Arts is to provide you with the essential skills to successfully enter the arts administration job market.

     

    Contact Information

    For more information, contact Jennifer Bengs or call 605-626-7725. Or, contact NSU Admissions at 605-626-2544 or admissions@northern.edu.

    Ph.D. in Theater Studies, University of California at Santa Barbara

    MFA in Theatre Performance, Arizona State University

    BA in Theatre Arts, University of Pennsylvania

     

    Dr. Anderson joined the faculty at NSU in the Fall of 2019. Previously, he served as a professor at Hendrix College, Pacific Lutheran University, and the University of Puget Sound.

     

    His research interests include acting, directing, performance studies, comic studies, and popular culture. Many of his scholarly publications feature his ethnographic research in cosplayers at San Diego’s Comic-Con International. Dr. Anderson is currently working on his book manuscript examining superheroes as iconic performances of Americanism.

     

    Kane is also an accomplished actor and director who has worked on stages across the country.

     

    Ph.D. University of Minnesota
    M.M.E. University of Northern Colorado-Greeley
    B.M.E. South Dakota State University
     
     
    Dr. Terry Beckler, NSU professor of percussion and associate director of bands, previously was director of bands at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minn., and at Huron University. He also has 10 years of public school experience as band director for the Red Rock Central (Lamberton, Minn.) and Sioux Valley (Volga, S.D.) school districts. 
     
    Dr. Beckler was a member of the 147th Army Band based in Mitchell, S.D., for 36 years, retiring as Chief Warrant Officer 5. He enlisted in 1986 as a percussionist, took over command in 1998 and completed his career as Chief, Army National Guard Bands. In January of 2006, the 147th Army Band was awarded the Howard Citation of Musical Excellence from the John Philip…

    Ph.D., Human Capital Management, Bellevue University, Bellevue, Neb.

    Master's, Management, Bellevue University, Bellevue, Neb.

    Bachelor's, Finance, Northern State University

    Bachelor's, Business Education, Northern State University

     

     

    Dr. Kristi Bockorny joined Northern's faculty in the spring of 2010. In 2020, Dr. Bockorny assumed the role of Honors Program director in addition to her teaching duties.

     

    Research Interests

    Psychological capital

    Gratitude

    Leadership

    Employee motivation and engagement

    Training and development

    Workforce recruitment and selection

     

    Publications

     

    B.S. North Dakota State University

    M.M., G.P.D. Peabody Conservatory of Music

    D.M.A. North Dakota State University

     
    A captivating and compelling performer, soprano Dr. Darci Bultema has performed on the operatic stage in a variety of roles, such as La Contessa in Le nozze di Figaro, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Cleopatra in Handel's Giulio Cesare, Clorinda in La Cenerentola, The Female Chorus in Britten's The Rape of Lucretia, and Lavinia in Bononcini's Camilla. Originally from North Dakota, she has brought talent and versatility to opera companies across the United States via Florida Grand Opera, Tulsa Opera, Washington Opera, Baltimore Opera, Natchez Opera, Peabody Opera, and the Fargo Moorhead Opera.
     

    In addition to her operatic repertoire, Dr. Bultema has appeared as a soloist in an assortment of orchestral works with The Florida Philharmonic, New World Symphony, Miami Chamber Symphony, Peabody Symphony…

    Maturita, Conservatory, Prague, Czech Republic

    Absolutorium, Academy of Musical Arts (terminal degree) Prague, Czech Republic

     
     
    A native of the Czech Republic, Dr. Marcela Faflak has taught in the music schools in Prague and at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. She is active as a performer, accompanist, and adjudicator in the upper Midwest. She has been a member of Northern's music faculty since 1996.

    M.F.A.  Minnesota State University-Mankato

    B.A.  Minot State University

     

    Noah Files, assistant professor of theatre design and tech, previously taught at Wabash College (Indiana), Fresno State University (California), and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. His professional credits include the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, New York Stage and Film, Liederkranz Opera Theatre, Minot Summer Theatre, and Western Plains Opera Company. He is also a member of USITT and the Guild of Scenic Artists.

    D.M.A., Michigan State University

    M.M., Wichita State University

    B.M., Concordia College

     

    Dr. Marla Fogderud, a native of North Dakota, is an active stage performer and recitalist throughout the United States and Europe. She was an apprentice artist with the Des Moines Metro Opera and has performed roles with Opera Kansas, Wichita State University Opera, Fargo Moorhead Opera, and Michigan State University Opera. She has been a soloist with the Cincinnati International Chorale, Wichita Symphony, Wichita State University Orchestra, Greater Grand Forks Symphony, Michigan State University (MSU) Concert Band, MSU Philharmonic and MSU Symphony. 

     

    Dr. Fogderud has appeared on the Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., faculty recital series; Minnesota Public Radio Regional Artist broadcasts; North Dakota Museum of Art Summer Concert Series; Plymouth…

    M.M., Northwestern University

    B.A., Northwestern University

     
    Since 2003, Mr. Hemke has been a woodwind and jazz professor at Northern. Before joining Northern, Mr. Hemke was director of jazz performance studies and saxophone instructor at the University of Missouri-Columbia for 10 years. He received bachelor and master of music degrees from Northwestern University.
     
    He has performed as a guest artist in many international venues and as a sideman to many world-renowned musicians. He was the first call saxophonist/woodwind player for the Kansas City Orchestra and played much jazz in that city. He has been featured with the Amazonia Jazz Ensemble at The International Festival of Music of Para in Belem, Brazil. Mr. Hemke premiered new music commissioned for him in Poland with the Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra, and was a guest artist with the Athens Big Band at the…

    Doctorate in Business Administration (D.B.A.), Management, Anderson University

    Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), University of Mary

    Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Economics emphasis, University of Jamestown

     

    Dr. Amber Henderson joined Northern in the fall of 2015. 

     

    Research Interests

    Leadership

    Cross-cultural Leadership

    Organizational Commitment

    Entrepreneurship

    Group Decision-making

     

    Dr. Henderson is also an honored member of the eighth cohort of Native Governance Center’s Native Nations Rebuilders. Her other recent accomplishments include the 2021 NSU Sanford Faculty Professional Development Award, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s 40 Under 40 Award (2018), Salzburg’s Global Forum Young Cultural Innovator Fellow, and…

    M.F.A., University of California-Santa Barbara

    B.A., Augustana College

     

    peterkilian.com

     

    I have exhibited my artwork in regional and national venues for more than 25 years, with works in the Knight-Ridder Collection, South Dakota State Art Collection, Contemporary Arts Forum (Santa Barbara) and numerous private collections.

     

    Discipline Specialties

    Painting

    Drawing

    Printmaking

    M.F.A. Digital Filmmaking - University of Central Arkansas

    M.S. Instructional Design & Technology - Emporia State University

    B.G.S. Special Major: Digital Film & Computer Production - University of Kansas

     

    Website

     

    Originally from Northeast Kansas, Knowles is an award-winning filmmaker who teaches courses in digital media, web and interface design, and motion graphics at Northern.  At other institutions, he developed and facilitated in-person and online classes in filmmaking, live-streaming/broadcasting, 3D animation, media writing, and podcasting/audio production.

     

    Jason's media production interests include writing and directing screenplays with strong female lead characters whose journeys transcend the genres of action-adventure films, science…

    B.M. University of Wisconsin-Madison
    M.M. University of Cincinnati
    D.M. Indiana University
     
     
    Dr. Grant Manhart holds a doctor of music degree in trumpet literature and performance with minors in music history and jazz studies from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He holds a master’s degree in trumpet performance with a minor in jazz studies from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and a bachelor’s degree in trumpet performance from the University of Wisconsin. 
     
    His extensive performing experience includes classical, jazz and popular music. Before his arrival at NSU in 1998, he toured with the famed Buddy Rich Band and Broadway’s "Dreamgirls;" lived in Puerto Rico and performed with the Latin Jazz group Picante; and performed with many other luminaries including Carol Channing, Herb Jeffries, Rita Moreno, June…
    D.M.A., Arizona State University
    M.M., Florida State University
    B.M., Western Washington University
     
    Dr. Audrey Miller is an associate professor of clarinet at Northern State University in Aberdeen. At Northern, Dr. Miller teaches applied clarinet, music theory and concert band. She regularly participates in community outreach, teaching clarinet workshops to young, aspiring musicians.
     
    Before coming to Northern, Dr. Miller lived in Phoenix, Ariz., where she was an active chamber musician and clarinet teacher to students of all ages. She performed throughout Phoenix area as part of Classical Revolution PHX, Clarinets for Conservation, Kaleidoscope Winds reed quintet, Paradise Winds, and many more.
     
    Dr. Miller had her international debut in Belgium in 2011 and spent the summer of 2013 teaching and performing in Tanzania…

    B.M.E, Northern State University

    M.M., Western Michigan University

    D.M.A., Arizona State University (Tuba Performance)

     

    Dr. Travis Netzer is a lecturer of tuba and euphonium at NSU. He grew up in Ipswich, S.D., and attended Northern for his bachelor's degree in music education. During his undergraduate degree studies, Netzer competed in the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Brass Competition and reached the national level of the competition two years in a row, placing runner up his second year. He received a graduate assistantship to attend Western Michigan University for his master’s degree in music performance and earned a doctorate of musical arts at Arizona State University, where he was the graduate assistant to Dr. Deanna Swoboda. While there, he competed and advanced to the semifinals in the International Tuba Euphonium Solo Competition…

    B.A., Northern State University

    Brian Omland serves as the production manager for the School of Fine Arts. He continues to expand his knowledge and experience in set construction, lighting design, and special effects for the stage. He worked on the Northern productions of Sondheim on Sondheim, Man of La Mancha, Silent Sky, Fun Home, The Brain From Planet X, She Kills Monsters, Lasso of Truth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, God of Carnage, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, among others.

    Courses Taught

    Computer Science

    Web Programming

    Networks and Telecommunications

    Information Security

    Blockchain

     

    Research interests

    Information and network security

    Blockchain governance

    Doctor of Philosophy, Finance, 1996, University of Kansas

    Master's, International Economics, 1988, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Bachelor's, General Economics, 1986, South Dakota State University

     

    John E. Peterson joined Northern's faculty in fall 1992.  

    M.Ed., Lesley University
    B.S.Ed., Northern State University
     
    Nadya Preszler graduated from NSU in 1999. A Roscoe, S.D., native, she was a track athlete during her time at Northern. She spent five years teaching art in Marshall, Minn., and five years at Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls, S.D. At Northern, she concentrates on art education.

    M.F.A., East Carolina University

    B.A., Hastings College

    Doctorate of Education (EdD), Adult and Higher Education, University of South Dakota
    Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Emphasis in Accounting, University of Mary
    Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Accounting, University of Mary
     
    Dr. Schmidt received her CPA certificate after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. She worked in public accounting for 10 years before starting her career at Northern in fall 2008. Dr. Schmidt also served as associate dean until the position was eliminated, and currently serves as a co-chair in the School of Business.
     
    Courses Taught
    Principles of Accounting I
    Principles of Accounting II
    Intermediate Accounting I
    Intermediation Accounting II
    Income Tax
    Advanced Income Tax
    Accounting…

    Ph.D., Business Administration (Organizational Behavior emphasis), University of Utah, 2020

    M.Ed., College Student Affairs Leadership, Grand Valley State University, 2012

    B.S., Psychology, Grand Valley State University, 2009

     

    Dr. Shannahan joined the School of Business faculty in fall 2020.

     

    Research Interests

    Dr. Shannahan studies problem-solving and decision-making processes among the members of groups and teams in organizations.  In particular, his research focuses on the factors that lead groups to be successful in recognizing and utilizing the skills, knowledge, and abilities of their members and the consequences that can result when managers and their employees have conflicting understandings of work tasks and the standards by which they will evaluated.

    B.M.E. University of Illinois
    M.M. Cleveland Institute of Music
    D.M.A. North Dakota (currently)
     
    Tenor Michael Skyles joined the music faculty at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., in 2009. Mr. Skyles received a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Illinois in 1992, and obtained his masters of music in vocal performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music in 1996. A certified vocologist, he specializes in voice lessons, vocal pedagogy, and diction for singers, and is music director for theatre at Northern.
     

    Born and raised in the Chicago area, he previously maintained a private voice studio and taught voice at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. In recent years, his students have advanced to compete at the national level. In 2009, one of his students was selected to be a finalist with the NFAA YoungArts…

    D.M.A., M.M., Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

    B.M., Central Washington University

    christopherstanichar.com

     

    “It was as though he were telling a story with his hands.”   — Pravda Cevera (Russia)

     

    “One of the best musical conductors to appear in Latin America”— Diario Xalapa (Mexico)

     

    "The ever-smiling and extremely animated (Stanichar) guided the Everett Symphony through a superb performance filled with wit and charm… It was the kind of charismatic interaction with the audience and orchestra that showed the brilliance of Stanichar's directorial methods."—Mukilteo Beacon (Seattle)

     

    Christopher Stanichar (b. 1969) is an active conductor, composer, and educator. He is a popular conductor, having directed some of the finest orchestras in Europe,…

    Doctor of Business Administration in Management, George Fox University

    Master of Business Administration in Management and Strategy, Western Governors University

    Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Political Science, The College of Idaho

     

    Dr. Sal Villegas joined Northern in the fall of 2020. Before teaching, he spent the nearly two decades in the finance and banking industries, where he managed multi-million dollar portfolios, dozens of employees, and thousands of clients. He is well-versed in business-to-business networking, sales, credit, and service.

     

    Research Interests 

    Dr. Villegas’ research interests include organizational power, business ethics, human resource management, and networking/reciprocity. In practice, one of his greatest interests is working with entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into viable businesses…

    Doctorate in Business Administration (D.B.A.), Marketing, Anderson University, Indiana

    Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), University of South Dakota

    Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Marketing emphasis, Dakota Wesleyan University

     

    Hannah Walters joined Northern in fall 2012. 

     

    Courses Taught

    Marketing

    Marketing for e-Commerce

    Marketing Management

    Integrated Marketing Communications

    Consumer Behavior

    Marketing Research

    International Marketing.

     

    Research 

    Walters research focuses on ethical issues in marketing and consumer behavior, specifically the ethicality of targeting women based on body shape and size. She has also conducted research and published multiple papers on the perception of liberal arts education in business.

     

    Ph.D. Northwestern University

    M.A. University of Minnesota

    B.A. Valley City State College

     

     

    Bill Wieland, a native of North Dakota, is an educator, composer and pianist. His compositions have received numerous awards and performances and he is often featured as a piano accompanist in the region. Dr. Wieland earned a bachelor of arts in composite music (piano) from Valley City State College in 1986, a master of arts in theory and composition from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in 1988 and a doctor of music in composition from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., in 1991. He has taught at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, De Paul University and Northwestern University.

     

    He began teaching music…

    A.B. Harvard University
    M.M., DMA University of Arizona
     
    In addition to conducting the Collegiate Choir, Chamber Singers, and Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Dr. Timothy Woods teaches music history, vocal pedagogy, choral conducting, and applied voice. He holds a doctor of music degree in choral conducting with a minor in vocal performance as well as a masters in conducting from the University of Arizona.
     
    Dr. Woods is a member of ACDA, NATS, and the Center for Black Music Research. He is a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator, and has performed tenor solos with the Arizona Opera, Tucson Symphony and Denver Symphony Orchestra.