Leaders in Action Archive

Mckenzie Moe, an online dietetics student, is thankful UND has been flexible enough to accommodate her changing circumstances, allowing her to continue her studies without interruption.

Early influence eventually led Kétina Francois to UND, where she’s now dedicated to studying music education and dreams of becoming a conductor.

Chase Garber's decision to study social work was deeply influenced by his personal encounters with tragedy and illness.

Motivated by her ambition to immerse herself in diverse cultures, Kayla made the decision to double major in Global Studies and Political Science.

Our family influenced us to go to UND, but out of all the campuses we toured UND was the best.

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.

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.

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.

Cobi knew he wanted to fly. This led him from his home in Hawaii to the University of North Dakota's Commercial Aviation program.

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.

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.

After starting a degree nearly twenty years ago in natural resources, Trudy is at UND to finish what she started.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

UND student Merrick McMahon grew up shadowing his oral surgeon father. Now, he wants to give back to Native American communities.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

UND alumna Alison Traynor dedicates career to those who might otherwise give up, while earning her Master's in Public Health.

Washington single mother of two takes aim at two degrees from UND – from the comfort of home through its online Communication and Norwegian programs.

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.

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.

Teacher earns online master's degree in special education from UND while becoming father to three children with distinct learning needs.

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.

UND trumpet player and Music Performance major Christiena Taralson was honored as one of the nation's best at the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute.

UND alum Kayla Delzer is receiving national attention for her innovative learning techniques and design like her "Starbuck classroom" setup.

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.

Brock Boeser makes waves in his first year in the NHL, but still keeps close ties with his UND family.

UND alum Cami Bennett works internships into full-time job as graphic designer with the Oakland Raiders.

UND alum Eric Trueblood found a passion restoring, maintaining and rebuilding World War II aircraft for clients around the world.

Two UND student-athletes learn about podcasting in a communication course that examines the social implication of new digital technology.

Building on his experiences at UND, Greg Syrup manages an angle fun that invests in in start-ups, innovation and entrepreneurs.

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.

Diagnosed with cancer as teenager, North Dakota native Jacob Greenmyer earns biology degree, seeks to become a doctor.

Studying chemical dependency, California native Newzaira Khan finds you can make a difference in every community.

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.

Growing up, both of Alison’s Hunt served in the Wisconsin National Guard. Now, she is taking a similar path with her UND degree.