Northern State University

🤘 Meet Dr. Jodie Ramsay, Professor of Biology at Northern!

Dr. Ramsay has been inspiring students at Northern since 2001. She manages the greenhouses and directs the annual science fair, all while teaching a variety of courses, including General Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, and plant-related classes.

Dr. Ramsay loves Northern’s small class sizes and supportive faculty who truly care about their students. She’s motivated by the excitement her students show when they connect with what they’re learning. Her goal? To instill critical thinking skills, inspire environmental stewardship, and maybe even spark a love for plants along the way!

Two Northern State University faculty and a student co-author Ethical Boundaries Reimagined: A Feminist Approach to Gatekeeping, offering an inclusive, innovative take on ethical practices in counselor education.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3DjWGvX

Get equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to excel as a qualified childcare provider. The Northern State University early childhood education Associate’s Degree allows students to make a positive impact on young minds and set the foundation for their future success.

Learn more: https://northern.edu/degrees/early-childhood-education-associate-degree

🎓 Meet: Bryce Peterson
📚 Elementary Education
📍 Langford, South Dakota

Bryce Peterson is proud of everything he’s accomplished during his time at Northern. “From finishing my generals freshman year to my field experiences and student teaching, it’s been an amazing journey. Along the way, I’ve built great friendships with professors and students who have become some of my closest friends.”

After graduation, Bryce will be teaching Elementary Physical Education, 6th-grade math and science, and 7th-grade math in his hometown of Langford, South Dakota. He’s also stepping into a coaching role as an assistant track and field coach and hopes to expand his coaching opportunities in the future.

When asked about his favorite memories, Bryce shared a special story from his very first day at Northern. “I invited someone across the hall to play Mario Kart, and we ended up becoming best friends and later roommates. Watching sporting events and having late-night chats in the residence hall lobby are also memories I’ll never forget.”

Bryce’s advice for current students: “Don’t sell yourself short. There isn’t a single person at Northern who doesn’t care about you. The support is amazing, so use it! The only hurdle you have is yourself. And most importantly, enjoy this time—you’re living in the ‘good ole days’ right now.”

Congratulations, Bryce! Wishing you all the best as you begin this next chapter.

Congratulations to the amazing Northern State University graduates who walked across the stage Saturday morning!

Here’s to new adventures, endless opportunities and the unforgettable memories made along the way.

From the ground up Northern State University is growing something big! 🌱

Two new programs approved by South Dakota Board of Regents: a bachelor's degree in agricultural business and a co-admission partnership with Southeast Technical College.

Read the full announcement to learn how we're cultivating opportunities for students and South Dakota: https://bit.ly/4iu70BD



Photo Credit: Brittney Bulson, Agtegra.

🤘 Meet Dr. Lucas Wiscons, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Northern!

For Dr. Wiscons, his role is “the best job in the world” because it gives him the chance to challenge, support, and empower students. He loves helping students discover passions they didn’t know they had and guiding them as they develop expertise.

Dr. Wiscons teaches courses on criminal justice topics related to extremism and terrorism, cybercrime, and mental health. He’s also the faculty advisor for the Gamers Guild, where students connect over tabletop, board, and video games. He especially enjoys working one-on-one with students and mentoring those from non-traditional backgrounds.

Originally from California, Dr. Wiscons earned his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before moving to Aberdeen with his wife Rosie, a nurse, and their two-year-old daughter, Clarke. He was drawn to Northern’s supportive community, where students and faculty truly connect.

His goal? To prepare students for the challenges of the real world by equipping them with critical thinking skills, fostering their ability to engage in thoughtful, civil conversations, and empowering them to take meaningful action in their communities and careers.

Northern State University communication studies students communicate clearly and confidently because they're trained to think critically - an asset for any employer.

Learn more: https://northern.edu/degrees/communication-studies-bachelors-degree

🎓 Meet: Kayla Natoli
🔍 Criminal Justice and Global Language & Culture
📍 Winner, South Dakota

Kayla Natoli is proud to be graduating a semester early, something she says wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Northern’s faculty and staff. “Their guidance and encouragement made all the difference,” she says. “From dual credit classes in high school to summer courses, they helped me stay on track.”

After graduating, Kayla plans to work in criminal justice as a forensic investigator or scientist. Her goal is to help bring justice to victims and create safer communities for families.

Some of her best memories at Northern include late-night study sessions with friends in the library, movie nights, and game nights in Great Plains East. She especially enjoyed being part of the Gamer’s Guild, which helped her balance school and take care of her mental and physical health.

Her advice for students is straightforward: “Take care of yourself, both mentally and physically. Your mind is your greatest feature.”

Congratulations, Kayla! We wish you the best of luck in your journey ahead.

Congratulations to Bea Smith, our Director of Northern Innovation and Startup Center, for receiving Prairie Business' 40 under 40 recognition. 🎉

Thank you for your strong leadership and dedication to making Northern State University and Aberdeen a better place for everyone.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4fdMYZy

Ready to experience college life at Northern State University? Join us on February 21 for Northern Bound Day! 🐺

Spend a day on campus meeting professors, exploring student life, and connecting with your future Wolf Pack. Includes free lunch + weekend event tickets!

Learn more and register now: https://bit.ly/3ZHQwPe

A group of four students in Dr. Sal Villegas’ Business Policy and Strategy class earned global recognition, tying for 9th place out of 1,417 teams worldwide in the GLO-BUS business strategy simulation. 💼

This marks the second time in two years that Northern students have ranked among the top 10 globally. Their achievement showcases the power of experiential learning and the dedication of Northern’s students and faculty.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4fkqjLb

🤘 Meet Michelle Dannen, Residential Facilities Coordinator at Northern!

For over two years, Michelle has been working to ensure that students in the residence halls have a positive and stress-free experience. She’s the go-to person for connecting residential students with facilities and oversees the Student Center Welcome Desk, making sure it’s always ready to help.

Originally from Minnesota, Michelle has called Aberdeen home for nearly 27 years. She and her husband Brian are proud parents to three children and pet parents to three cats and a dog named Dexter.

Michelle is passionate about creating a welcoming environment for all students. Whether it’s resolving housing concerns or helping someone navigate campus, she’s dedicated to making students feel supported so they can focus on their college journey.

Congratulations to Abiah George and Kayla Waltman for being accepted into the prestigious Honors Law Opportunity Program (HLOP)! 🌟

These best friends and Northern students are headed to law school, continuing their shared journey from speech and debate to law school. 💼⚖️

Read more: https://bit.ly/41dDXw9

A degree in international business opens the door to positions throughout business and industry anywhere in the world. Northern international business bachelor's degree graduates are prepared to lead, problem-solve, plan, evaluate, advise and organize in a global setting.

Learn more: https://northern.edu/degrees/international-business-bachelors-degree-online

🎓 Meet: Morgan Rathjen
🎶 Music Education
📍 Huron, SD

Morgan Rathjen says the people she met at Northern made all the difference. “The connections I’ve made here have been amazing. They’ve pushed me, supported me, and shaped me into the music educator I am today.”

A standout memory for Morgan was performing her senior recital this past April with her best friend, Jayda. “Performing isn’t usually my favorite thing, but this was different. It felt so rewarding to share all the work we’d put in over the years.”

After graduation, Morgan plans to substitute teach in her hometown, where she’s already been teaching guitar and voice lessons for a few years. Looking ahead, she hopes to find a full-time music teaching position in South Dakota next fall.

Her advice for current students: “Don’t wait to put yourself out there. It took me a couple of years to fully embrace the social side of college, but once I did, everything changed. Get involved, meet new people, and find your community—it makes all the difference.”

Congratulations, Morgan, and best of luck with all that’s ahead!

Dr. Dan Shannahan, assistant professor of management at Northern State University, co-authored new research on group decision-making dynamics.

Read more: https://bit.ly/41eOMOz