Bison Spotlight: Samuel Sveen, U.S. Air Force veteran and NDSU student

After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force, Samuel Sveen has seen many places and gained invaluable skills in perseverance, discipline and teamwork. Now pursuing a degree in natural resources management at NDSU, Sveen is applying those lessons as he works toward his next goal.

“I often equate stresses I have in college with stresses I had in the military, only to realize that I’ve managed a lot worse situations,” Sveen said. “The discipline you gain from the service is also extremely helpful as a student for managing schedules and deadlines. Lastly, in the military you interact with people of different backgrounds from all over the world, which I believe leaves you very open-minded and gives you the ability to interact well with just about anybody.”

As a B-1 Bomber Crew Chief in the Air Force, Sveen was deployed to the United Kingdom and the Middle East. After his active-duty service, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve, where he was an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Specialist. Sveen is still a Marine Reservist while working on his degree.

Choosing NDSU meant being close to home for Sveen, who is from Edinburg, North Dakota. NDSU’s land-grant mission also stood out to him for the research and educational opportunities it provides in his desired field.

“Growing up in a rural farming community, I’ve always had an interest in the outdoors and a passion for the sustainability of the natural environment. A degree in NRM will give me the ability to make a positive impact on the conservation of these natural resources,” he said.

Though transitioning from military life to college life hasn’t been without its challenges, Sveen is using the same determination that guided him in service earn his degree.

“In the military, life is very structured and mission-oriented. As a college student, suddenly all that seems to go away,” he said. “I didn’t have to cut my hair every week or shave every day. I could travel out of the area during the weekend without needing approval from my command. Classes were scattered throughout the day with lots of down time in between. It felt weird having so much flexibility in my life.”

Sveen’s advisors and professors have helped him work toward achieving his career goals and have shown him areas of interest within natural resources management.

Additionally, Sveen has utilized the resources available on campus for veteran and military-affiliated students. One of those resources is Veterans Educational Training, which offers a variety of free services to assist veterans in higher education, including academic and career guidance, training to refresh academic skills and assistance with applying for financial aid.

U.S. Air Force veteran Jim Stoddard, who serves as the assistant director for Veterans Educational Training at NDSU, enjoys working closely with student veterans to ensure they have everything they need to achieve their academic goals.

“As a veteran myself and in my role as the assistant director for the Veterans Educational Training program, it’s very rewarding to help Sam and so many other veteran students pursue their education and get back out into our region’s workforce for the benefit of our community.”

Once student veterans near graduation, NDSU’s Career and Advising Center’s specialists are available to help them craft their resumes to showcase the skills gained during the military in simplified terms that resonate with civilian employers.

Sveen also serves as a mentor to fellow student veterans through NDSU’s Rising Scholars program. The one-on-one peer mentoring program, open to all undergraduate students, creates a supportive environment for students to reach their personal and professional goals. As a mentor, Sveen helps connect student veterans with campus resources and offers helpful advice.

On campus, Sveen has found camaraderie through the Bison Student Veterans club, a student organization that helps veterans and current service members transition into college and civilian life through social events and professional development opportunities.

“The Bison Student Veterans Club has been a great way for me to work through college alongside like-minded individuals who share similar experiences as me,” Sveen said. “Whether it’s studying together, club meetings, social hours or grabbing drinks at Herd and Horns, being a part of BSV is something I really enjoy.”

Recently designated as a silver status Military Friendly School for 2025-26, by VIQTORY, a military-focused marketing company, Sveen recommends NDSU to fellow veterans for the university’s deep commitment to supporting military service members, veterans and their families achieve their goals.

“NDSU is a great choice for veterans looking to start college,” Sveen said. “The university offers excellent resources and support for student veterans. The staff in the veteran's office, many of whom are veterans themselves, are all extremely knowledgeable in the process of transitioning from military to civilian life and are very helpful in explaining all the resources and benefits that are available to student veterans.”