Business student represents downtown Fargo

When Brynn Olson walks through the doors of Barry Hall, she’s entering the center of the community she’s proud to represent.

As a marketing major in the College of Business and the newly crowned Miss Downtown Fargo, Olson embodies the powerful connection between NDSU and Fargo’s vibrant downtown neighborhood.

Brynn chose NDSU for its strong business programs and close-knit environment, but it was Barry Hall’s downtown location where she discovered the heartbeat of the city.

“It’s such an honor to represent the same community where I go to class every day,” she said. “Barry Hall isn’t just where I study marketing, it’s where I’ve grown as a student and as a leader while being surrounded by people who are passionate about making a difference.”

Barry Hall’s downtown location puts students at the core of Fargo’s business ecosystem, giving them real-time access to the city’s economic heartbeat. For Olson, the proximity has shaped her education and leadership journey.

As Miss Downtown Fargo, she manages multiple social media platforms, leads community initiatives and collaborates with local organizations, skills she says were strengthened through her business coursework.

“Studying in downtown Fargo has really opened my eyes to how much creativity and collaboration happens here,” she said. “Being in the middle of the city makes it easy to see how local businesses, artists and students all support one another.”

That connection between classroom learning and real-world experience is one of the College of Business’s biggest assets. Students are in the center of a growing, innovative, entrepreneurial hub. And Olson has become one of its most enthusiastic supporters.

“Students are getting more involved downtown. Whether that’s through internships, volunteering, or just supporting local businesses,” Olson said.

As Olson continues representing the city she studies in, she believes one thing is clear: “NDSU students aren’t just visitors downtown. We’re part of its momentum.”