Leaders in Action Archive
Leading with Compassion
Chase Garber's decision to study social work was deeply influenced by his personal encounters with tragedy and illness.
10/9/2024
7:35AM
Small Town Roots, Global Dreams
Motivated by her ambition to immerse herself in diverse cultures, Kayla made the decision to double major in Global Studies and Political Science.
7/24/2024
12:55PM
Ryan & John Bergum
Our family influenced us to go to UND, but out of all the campuses we toured UND was the best.
7/11/2024
10:30AM
Chasing Challenges
In her four years at UND, Carrie Carpenter has climbed the highest heights, literally and figuratively. Her degree in mechanical engineering led her to study robotics for NASA and a career climbing to the tops of wind turbines.
5/28/2024
8:00AM
Harmony in Numbers
As a first-generation college student, Hannah Thorlakson wasn’t sure where to begin. She found answers to many questions in the UND First-Generation College Students Club.
4/4/2024
10:41AM
Inspiring Future Scientists
When Julia Kochanowski came to UND and began to immerse herself in school, and later, her work at the UND Forensic Pathology Lab, she found an encouraging learning environment and discovered a passion for inspiring young minds to explore the fascinating world of STEM.
3/7/2024
3:27PM
Beyond the Flight Plan
Cobi knew he wanted to fly. This led him from his home in Hawaii to the University of North Dakota's Commercial Aviation program.
1/25/2024
1:32PM
Life Lessons in Math
Inspired by her grandmother's wisdom - emphasizing precision, patience, and practice in mastering math - Olivia Rike-Norman discovered her passion for teaching and making math accessible.
11/16/2023
12:58PM
Becoming Nichole
When the time came for Nichole to pick a university, she knew she was ready for a change. She anted to go somewhere with a diverse community to meet people she wouldn't otherwise be around.
10/26/2023
12:17PM
Go Do It
After starting a degree nearly twenty years ago in natural resources, Trudy is at UND to finish what she started.
9/14/2023
1:00AM
In It Together
After a decade of working with students and teachers in the classroom to make a difference, Logan and Cassie Suter wanted to widen their spheres of influence. They both pursued master's degrees together to further their careers in K-12 education.
5/31/2023
4:30PM
A Voice for Justice
In high school, the dream of studying forensic science lead Nicolette Ras to the program at UND, but the professors and hands-on classes have inspired her to apply for medical school and get a job in the medical examiners office.
5/12/2023
11:45AM
Launch Point
Four years ago, Sydney Menne was a commercial aviation major taking physics and astronomy classes because she found them interesting. Now, her physics research has led her to one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world.
3/21/2023
12:11PM
Well Prepared for Patient Care
UND student Nick Houge always had an interest in serving others through health care. After a positive experience earning his undergraduate nursing degree at the University of North Dakota, Houge is now in the Nurse Anesthesia D.N.P. program at UND.
2/24/2023
10:38AM
Transferring Home
Julia Dewhurst loves math, puzzles and people. She is combining those passions and working towards a degree in cyber security from the University of North Dakota as a transfer student.
1/13/2023
4:50PM
Seizing the Opportunity
With of the all of the opportunities that UND and the Pancratz Career Development Center has to offer, Kaden Kueneman was able to get the education and experience he needed to land his full-time position at Eide Bailly after graduation in December.
11/28/2022
12:00AM
Miss Wright is Happy You're Here
Taylor Wright has aimed to become a teacher since middle school. But before delivering her first lesson, she had to learn a totally different side of the profession.
9/30/2022
1:00PM
Grad Keeps Door Open, Walks Right Into Success
A recent University of North Dakota graduate, Lauren Cain found that her involvement in campus organizations, drive to sell herself and ideas were the catalyst to her post-grad success job right after college at Marvin Windows and Doors.
8/26/2022
1:00PM
Roots Run Deep for Future Dentist
UND student Merrick McMahon grew up shadowing his oral surgeon father. Now, he wants to give back to Native American communities.
5/17/2022
9:16AM
A Change in the Flight Plan
After hitting pandemic turbulence, UND aviation student Sarah Owens flies new career path in with a business degree in airport management with a focus on sustainability.
4/8/2022
2:33PM
UND the Catalyst For Transfer Student’s Success
Transfer student Rebecca Seemann turned a passion for details and nature into chemical engineering degree tailored for protecting the environment, including an internship at a local paper mill.
3/1/2022
10:00AM
From Follower to Leader
Lauren McCreary always thought she was more of a follower than a leader. But today, the UND junior majoring in business management is the one paving the way for others, working various campus jobs, being a residence hall assistant, landing internships and giving campus tours.
1/13/2022
1:46PM
Student, Soldier, Saxophonist, Star
As a musician with the North Dakota National Guard’s 188th Army Band, Zachary Fischer is the face of the military for many communities. As a future high school band instructor, he hopes his passion will inspire the next generation of lifelong music makers.
11/8/2021
10:00AM
Competence + Warmth
Since her first steps on campus, Malika Achingale Barbie Odera has been involved in a number of student organizations. But something was missing - a group that not only provided leadership opportunities, but one that taught students how to be a leader.
10/6/2021
10:00AM
Breaking Barriers Through Language
Using that small-town upbringing as a springboard, Cheyden Paulson developed a global mindset and an unabashed love for different languages and cultures. Paulson speaks four languages, is the recipient of a prestigious federal scholarship and majoring in International Studies and Spanish.
9/14/2021
11:00AM
For the Love of Space
UND student Vincent Ledvina has two passions: photographing the Northern Lights and sharing it with others. Ledvina has grown his social media presence, creating tutorial videos on Youtube. He's shared that passion with UND, building a Northern Lights camera at the Martens Observatory.
8/16/2021
11:00AM
A Duty to Represent the Underrepresented
As a young African-American man who grew up in Reno, Nev., Chandon Pierre has experienced injustices. Now at the UND, he's utilizing a 3+3 accelerated program in criminal justice and law to earn two degrees and give a voice to the underrepresented.
6/16/2021
8:51AM
The Limit is Beyond the Sky
UND student Stefan Tomovic always dreamed of working at NASA. Through hands-on undergraduate research in engineering and a graduate degree program in space studies, his dreams are now reality. Tomovic is working on NASA's next lunar mission.
5/24/2021
4:00PM
Transfer Student Chases Dream
Transferring from Turtle Mountain Community College, Kayana Trottier overcame personal challenges and persevered in her studies. Trottier is now starting a career in sports physical therapy thanks to the family atmosphere in UND's Physical Therapy Department.
3/29/2021
11:00AM
The Business of Success
UND student Pierson Painter has grown his small business, turning his studies into real-world applications. He also was the winner of the 2020 Red River Valley Business Plan Competition, which earned him the rare opportunity to ring the closing bell for the NASDAQ Stock Exchange.
3/22/2021
11:00AM
The Change Maker in the Medical Lab
For Kelli Maddock, UND’s online master’s program in medical laboratory science provided her with the flexibility to work, spend time with her daughter and continue growing in a vital yet little-understood medical occupation.
2/25/2021
12:00PM
New Opportunities to Do Good
Air Force Veteran Jonathan Wirkkala began his electrical engineering studies online at the University of North Dakota, while still on active duty in South Korea. Following his transition to on-campus courses in 2019, he has helped build a water-storage system in rural Guatemala and found a calling for solving basic human needs through engineering.
2/10/2021
1:00PM
Connections Through Communication
Until 11 years of age, Ranju Dhungana’s world was a Nepali refugee camp after her parents fled from Bhutan amid civil unrest and violence. Now Dhungana, who is a senior psychology student at the University of North Dakota with plans to attend medical school, is studying language to better connect refugees with medical services.
10/26/2020
4:18PM
Excelling With Humility
Zsofia Barandi, a native of Hungary, always dreamed of studying in the United States. Barandi got a world-class experience at the University of North Dakota. Barandi received scholarships, internships and a job offer after graduation with two degrees in accountancy.
9/16/2020
1:00PM
Helping Those Who Come After Him
UND doctoral student Joel Runnels using sign language and his personal experiences to document Dr. Andrew Foster and the history of deaf education in African, hoping to promote the history and accessibility of education for all on a global level.
5/28/2020
5:29PM
Earning His Wings
Travis Gylling’s first time behind the controls of an airplane was hardly thrilling. But he loved it. Now graduating from UND with two degrees and a job right out of college, the commercial aviation and airport management major credits his involvement on the University of North Dakota campus as a reason for his success.
3/13/2020
5:00PM
Where Dreams Go Far and High
Andy Samuel never dreamed where UND would take him. The track and field athlete has interned for NASA and given Fighting Hawks fans behind-the-scenes access through his video production for the University of North Dakota athletics department.
1/16/2020
12:00PM
A Will to Overcome Obstacles
There was a time UND student Michelle Nguyen considered dropping out. Her family had financial trouble, but the first-generational student didn’t falter. It was another obstacle for her to overcome.
12/13/2019
5:20PM
The Journey Back to UND
Colin Sabie spent three semesters at UND “spinning his wheels,” before leaving the classroom for the U.S. Army. After six years and two deployments, he's back at UND, pursuing a career in unmanned aerial vehicle design.
11/14/2019
8:00AM
The Gift of Hearing
UND freshman Olivia Taylor turns her own hearing disability into an ability to help others. Taylor, who is majoring in communication sciences and disorders, wants to become an audiologist.
10/14/2019
9:00AM
The Face of Weather
UND graduate Lydia Blume, a University of North Dakota atmospheric science major, turned a love of weather and an internship into a full-time career for WDAY, waking up viewers across the state each morning for First News.
9/18/2019
3:00PM
Nursing a Future
Amy Joshua is using UND's online R.N. to B.S.N. nursing program to move up in her career with a busy life that includes a full-time job at Altru Health System, a family of three boys and overcoming cervical cancer.
7/15/2019
10:00AM
Building What Lasts
Online civil engineering student Brendan Blades is using UND's program to get a degree and move up in a career field that he loves.
6/19/2019
11:00AM
Driven to Serve Others
Madison Wahlen seeks to serve people, in academics and in her daily life, through her Public Health Education degree from the University of North Dakota, volunteering in the community, internships at the Mayo Clinic and acceptance into medical school.
5/21/2019
5:02PM
Purpose-filled Life
UND alumna Alison Traynor dedicates career to those who might otherwise give up, while earning her Master's in Public Health.
4/10/2019
11:00AM
Online Opportunities of a Lifetime
Washington single mother of two takes aim at two degrees from UND – from the comfort of home through its online Communication and Norwegian programs.
3/29/2019
3:00AM
Finding Direction to Finish Degree
After deciding to quit school twice, Marcus Vivier decided to give college another try. He ended up find his passion, and a new home at UND. Vivier will graduate with a degree in Communication from the University of North Dakota.
3/1/2019
10:00AM
An Academic and Athletic Force
Standout soccer player Katie Moller not only excels on the field. She also is a double major in physics and communication, a passionate volunteer and hopes to inspire other women to pursue STEM degrees.
2/15/2019
10:00AM
Living and Breathing Special Education
Teacher earns online master's degree in special education from UND while becoming father to three children with distinct learning needs.
1/9/2019
10:00AM
Baton-Twirling Navy Vet Finds Success at UND
Wearing her green and white uniform, you may see Stephanie Paro twirling a baton alongside the Pride of the North Marching Band. The majorette, however, is just as comfortable in a Navy uniform as she is in her nursing scrubs.
12/14/2018
4:00PM
The ‘Top Dog’ in teaching
UND alum Kayla Delzer is receiving national attention for her innovative learning techniques and design like her "Starbuck classroom" setup.
8/15/2018
9:00AM
Combat pilot revolutionizes history
Ryan Menath earned his Doctor of Arts in history while serving full-time in the Air Force. He used his current military experience to study the Revolutionary War.
8/14/2018
11:00AM
Boeser credits UND for pro success
Brock Boeser makes waves in his first year in the NHL, but still keeps close ties with his UND family.
8/14/2018
9:00AM
Raiding the design world
UND alum Cami Bennett works internships into full-time job as graphic designer with the Oakland Raiders.
8/13/2018
2:00PM
A passion for preservation
UND alum Eric Trueblood has found a passion restoring, maintaining and rebuilding World War II aircraft for clients around the world.
8/13/2018
1:00PM
New skills in a digital age
Two UND student-athletes learn about podcasting in a communication course that examines the social implication of new digital technology.
8/13/2018
11:00AM
Investing in innovation
Building on his experiences at UND, Greg Syrup manages an angle fun that invests in in start-ups, innovation and entrepreneurs.
8/10/2018
1:00PM
Impacting the next seven generations
As a psychology and pre-med student from Twin Buttes, N.D., Hannah Balderas credits her involvement in student organizations that helped her define a career that will affect descendants seven generations into the future.
8/10/2018
11:00AM
Helping heal
Diagnosed with cancer as teenager, North Dakota native Jacob Greenmyer earns biology degree, seeks to become a doctor.
8/9/2018
1:00PM
Helping solve social problems
Studying chemical dependency, California native Newzaira Khan finds you can make a difference in every community.
8/9/2018
11:00AM
Finding purpose: alum uses past struggles to lift up others
Struggling with thoughts of suicide and self-harm as a teenager, UND alum McKenzie Kay Darling is shares her story with local schools, churches and events on why she chooses to keep living.
8/8/2018
1:00PM
Eye in the sky
Growing up, both of Alison’s Hunt served in the Wisconsin National Guard. Now, she is taking a similar path with her UND degree.
8/8/2018
11:00AM