ABERDEEN, S.D. — For many students, an English degree begins with a love of reading and writing.

At Northern State University, it often becomes much more than that — a pathway to graduate and professional programs, meaningful careers and a deeper understanding of how communication can create change.

Recent graduates Jacob Angerhofer and Stella Meier are living examples of where an English degree can lead.

Angerhofer, who graduated in May 2026, is headed to the University of Kansas this fall to pursue a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology while serving as a graduate assistant in the Wingspan Tutoring Center.

Meier, who graduated in December 2025, will begin the next chapter of her academic journey this fall as a member of Notre Dame Law School's Class of 2029.

Though their destinations are different, both credit Northern's English program, faculty mentorship and Honors Program with helping them discover their passions and prepare for what comes next.

Finding the Right Path

Angerhofer arrived at Northern undecided about his future. Coming from a family of Northern alumni and eager to continue competing in cross country and track, he knew Northern felt like home. What he didn't know was where his academic journey would lead.

That changed through mentorship and exploration.

"Although I started college undecided, Dr. (Erin) Fouberg's fantastic mentorship helped me see how an English major was a great fit for my strengths," Angerhofer said.

A linguistics class with instructor Tanya White sparked an unexpected interest in speech-language pathology. Through conversations with White and opportunities to shadow speech therapists, he realized he had found the perfect intersection of his interests in language and helping others.

"The English major taught me countless skills that will directly translate to graduate school," he said. "I am grateful for the excellent faculty who refined my communication, analytical potential, cultural competency and problem-solving abilities. I couldn’t have asked for a better major!"

For Meier, the path to English was clear from an early age.

Growing up in Aberdeen, she said some of her favorite memories were made on campus, whether it be attending volleyball games with her middle school team, performing at halftime events or participating in MathCounts competitions. By high school, she already knew she wanted to study English.

"I've always loved reading and writing, and I couldn't imagine studying anything else," Meier said. "Once I started my classes at Northern, I knew I had made the right choice. My professors challenged me, encouraged me and helped me grow in ways I never expected."

Initially, she envisioned earning a doctorate in English. However, as her coursework progressed, she discovered a passion for research, writing and building arguments.

Everything clicked when she began her Honors thesis, which examined Supreme Court arguments through the lens of rhetoric.

"What started as a thesis topic quickly became a passion," she said. "I realized that law school would allow me to continue doing the kind of work I loved while making a tangible impact on people's lives."

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Both graduates point to Northern's Honors Program as one of the defining aspects of their college experiences.

Students in the program conduct original research and complete an Honors thesis, an experience designed to strengthen research, writing, analytical thinking and self-management skills.

"In Stella's Honors thesis, she combined case analysis, legal reasoning and persuasive argumentation," said Dr. Hannah Walters, Honors Program director. "As a result, she is well prepared for law school at the University of Notre Dame."

Walters said Angerhofer's research similarly connected directly to his future profession.

"Jacob's Honors thesis was highly relevant to speech pathology, as it builds expertise in bilingual language development, assessment and intervention," she said. "His ability to connect theory to practice will serve him well as he begins his graduate studies in speech-language pathology at the University of Kansas."

For Angerhofer, completing his Honors thesis pushed him beyond his comfort zone and introduced him to graduate-level research.

"It was a privilege to work with Dr. (Cheng Hsien) Wu as I explored bilingual vocabulary development, which is directly related to speech-language pathology," he said. "This thesis served as a stepping stone into graduate-level research and helped make me a competitive applicant."

For Meier, the experience gave her some of the most meaningful experiences of her college career.

"Writing my Honors thesis challenged me in ways I never anticipated, but it was also one of the most rewarding accomplishments of my time at Northern," she said. "It taught me perseverance, discipline and confidence in my own abilities as a researcher and writer."

The Honors Program also opened doors beyond campus, including opportunities to attend the National Collegiate Honors Conference, present research and build lasting friendships and professional connections.

The Power of Mentorship

Both graduates emphasize that faculty mentorship was instrumental to their success.

Throughout his time at Northern, Angerhofer found guidance from professors who helped him recognize his strengths and envision possibilities he had never considered.

Looking back, he says one of the most important lessons he learned was to trust the journey.

"Most of the time I couldn't see the final destination of my path," he said. "Now I see that all the small things were working together to create something better than I could have imagined."

Meier shares a similar perspective.

"I truly would not be where I am today without the mentorship of my professors," she said. "Throughout my time at Northern, I had faculty members who challenged me to aim higher than I thought I could and supported me every step of the way."

She credits faculty members with helping transform an idea into an Honors thesis, writing recommendation letters and advocating for her during the law school application process.

"Their belief in me gave me confidence during a very stressful and exciting time," she said.

More Than Literature and Composition

For Dr. Elizabeth Haller, English professor and interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the successes of Angerhofer and Meier demonstrate the versatility and value of an English degree.

"I am extremely proud of Stella and Jacob," Haller said. "Watching them grow as students and seeing their futures take shape has been one of the true joys of knowing them."

She says the program intentionally equips students with skills that extend well beyond traditional expectations.

"An English degree cultivates critical thinking, effective communication and evidence-based analysis, all of which prepare students for far more careers and graduate programs than most people expect," Haller said.

The department's new required course, Professional Development in the Major, helps students identify career goals and intentionally map pathways toward them.

"When Jacob told me that this course was instrumental in showing him the path to selecting and getting accepted into a graduate program, I was overjoyed, because that is exactly one of the things it is designed to do," Haller said.

A Foundation for What's Next

As they prepare for their next chapters, both graduates remain grateful for the experiences that shaped them at Northern.

Angerhofer said he gained countless skills through the English major that will directly translate to graduate school. He encourages students interested in English to pursue the major.

"It is so much more than literature and composition," he said. "It is a great way to open your mind to new ideas and become a well-rounded student."

Studying English, Meier said, has taught her essential skills for law school and the legal field. Now she is eager to embrace the challenges and possibilities of law school.

She encourages students to take advantage of every opportunity that interests them, even if it feels intimidating at first.

For Meier, saying yes to new experiences led her to publish research, present at conferences, complete an Honors thesis and ultimately pursue law school. It also helped her build lasting relationships with professors and classmates who supported and believed in her every step of the way.

“Northern's greatest strength is its people,” she said. “The faculty invest in their students, and because of that, I always felt supported, encouraged and challenged to become the best version of myself.

If you're considering English or Honors, I encourage you to take the chance,” Meier added. “You never know where you might end up!”