ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Northern State University Foundation, in collaboration with Northern State University and the Northern Innovation Startup Center, announced today that it will work with Microsoft to expand economic opportunity, job creation and innovation in northeastern South Dakota through the Microsoft TechSpark Initiative.

Lindsey Huber, instructor of management information systems at Northern State University, has been accepted as a fellow for the Microsoft TechSpark program. She will focus on bringing hands-on AI training to help people better understand the technology, with the goal of encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship and workforce growth across the region.

The Microsoft TechSpark Community Engagement Fellowship builds on lessons learned from the TechSpark program, which since 2017 has helped communities across the United States access digital skills training and economic opportunities. Through the fellowship, communities receive technical assistance, resources and support to create digital inclusion initiatives focused on areas including digital access, computer science education, digital skilling in workforce development, and digital transformation.

"I'm honored to serve as a TechSpark Fellow and to help bring meaningful AI training to our rural communities," said Lindsey Huber, instructor of management information systems at Northern State University. "Northeastern South Dakota is full of talented, hardworking people with big ideas. With Microsoft's support, we can give them more of the tools and confidence they need to turn those ideas into real opportunities, whether that leads to stronger businesses, new startups, or a better-prepared workforce."

The collaboration brings together the foundation's community connections, Northern State University's educational expertise and the Northern Innovation Startup Center's focus on entrepreneurship and economic development.

"We're so excited about this opportunity to bring tech-based education to our region and collaborate with Professor Huber," said Bea Smith, director of the Northern Innovation Startup Center. "It's a chance to give people the skills and confidence to pursue those big ideas they've been dreaming about. This partnership is about empowering our communities, sparking creativity, and building a place where innovation and big ideas can grow right here at home."

"When communities are trusted and empowered to lead, they not only catch up — they leap forward," said Mike Egan, general manager of Microsoft TechSpark. "Through TechSpark Fellows, we are deepening our work in local communities to ensure AI becomes a bridge, not a barrier, to local prosperity and innovation."

This is the third cohort of TechSpark Fellows, a select group of nonprofit leaders embedded across communities nationwide. The fellowship will provide the foundation with access to Microsoft's proven engagement framework, tools, resources and best practices developed through years of community-focused digital transformation work. The program will help ensure that rural communities in northeastern South Dakota have access to the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.

Since its inception in 2017, TechSpark has helped communities across the United States and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, secure more than $700 million in community funding, skill 65,000 people and create 4,500 jobs.

Learn more about the 2026 Microsoft TechSpark Fellows at blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2025/11/05/announcing-the-2026-microsoft-techspark-fellows/ and about the TechSpark program at microsoft.com/techspark.

For more information, contact Chad Hatzenbuhler, director of communications and marketing, at chad.hatzenbuhler@northern.edu or 605-626-2046.