Hometown: 

Aberdeen, SD

Year:

Graduate Student

Masters Program:

Educational Studies

Involved in:

Graduate Assistant for the Circle Program, Student Admissions Representative

Northern’s outstanding and innovative professors are committed to experiential learning and engaging you academically. Please share an example of this:

My undergraduate degree was in History. During my junior year, I took the capstone course for history majors. I had to write a 20+ page research paper, and struggled for a while to come up with a topic I wanted to spend a semester researching and writing about. My professor, Dr. Dave Grettler, encouraged me to go with a unique topic and supported me as I tried to determine what I wanted to say about it. The following year, he encouraged me to present the paper at a regional history conference, and later supported me as I worked on a similar topic for my honors thesis.

Professors and staff walk beside you and guide you through the ups and downs of college. Who is a faculty member who has impacted you positively? How?

The director of the American Indian Circle Program, Lara Nelson, has had a very positive impact on my life. She helped me as I first applied to college and as I looked for scholarships and forms of financial aid. She regularly checked in with me and supported me throughout my bachelor’s degree and hired me as the graduate assistant for her program, where she continues to support my academic and professional growth.

Northern’s welcoming and safe campus community, student organizations, teams, clubs and programs give you ample opportunities to find your people. Please share a story about what you are involved in and how it has impacted your experience positively.

I am a member of the Native American Circle Program. Northern’s NASA is a small group, but this has allowed its members to develop strong friendships. Last year we drove to Brookings for a weekend to attend a powwow. It was great to have the resources to make that type of experience happen, and to spend the time with friends.

Starting with the scholars walk at convocation to the faculty cheering tunnel at graduation, your Northern Experience is marked with memorable milestones and traditions. What is a milestone highlight in your experience?

A milestone highlight for me was attending the National Collegiate Honors Conference with NSU’s Honors Program. Having the ability to present research I worked on for a year to peers and faculty from around the country was a very educational, rewarding experience.

Professors and staff care about you and are dedicated to helping you learn and grow as a person. Please share a story that relates and how it positively impacted you:

There’s not one big specific experience to mention, but several times over my years here at Northern, I’ve had professors email me, completely out of the blue, with book recommendations, scholarships they think I should apply for, and even offer to recommend me for competitive internships that they think I’d be a good fit for. Knowing that my professors know who I am, and care about me and my academic and professional growth has been a strong factor of my success in college.

Your college education is more affordable through stackable financial aid and generous scholarships funded by Northern’s network of alumni and supporters. Please share an example of your experience: 

As an undergrad, I received the very substantial WolfPACT scholarship. And each year, I’ve been able to apply for the Crazy Horse Memorial Scholarship. Resources like these have been what has allowed me to continue my education.

What is your favorite thing/activity to do in Aberdeen? 

I like Aberdeen’s parks. There’s so many places to go for a walk, to throw a ball around, and to play games with friends and family. I have several younger siblings and a young son, and having places like Melgaard, Storybook Land, even the NSU practice football field nearby and accessible is really nice.

What is/are your favorite restaurant(s) or shopping location(s) in Aberdeen? 

My favorite restaurant is Saigon House Vietnamese Restaurant. Located just across 12th Ave SE from campus, it’s got the best, most authentic food in town.

Favorite class you’ve taken here? 

My favorite class was probably Ancient Literature with Dr. Peter Ramey. I’m not an English student, but I’d heard good things about Dr. Ramey and I liked to read, so I decided to take it. I learned so much from his class and really enjoyed it. Runner ups are Dr. Dias’ Rock & Roll History class and Dr. Marmorstein’s Ancient Greece class.

Tell me about a cool opportunity you’ve had at NSU. 

One of the coolest opportunities was attending the National Collegiate Honors Conference. Northern paid for me to fly to Chicago and present my research. I got to make some new friends, eat some good food, and see the sights of the city.

When I’m not working, I am…

 When I’m not working, I am spending time with my family. I’m very close to my family and we’re usually all together. Whether it’s watching my brothers play football for Roncalli in the Dacotah Bank Stadium, reading to my son, or working masonry with my dad in the summers, we’re usually all together in some way.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

As a kid, I wanted to be a farmer and have all of my animals completely toilet trained. I am not a farmer and have not yet learned how to toilet train cows and chickens.