NDSU graduates reflect on their college experiences
Commencement is a meaningful milestone that recognizes the effort, commitment and accomplishments of NDSU graduates. It signifies not only the completion of their academic experience, but also the start of new possibilities as they transition from campus life into the next chapter of their lives.
The fall commencement ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 19 in the Sanford Health Athletic Complex. The 2 p.m. ceremony will celebrate graduates in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Health and Human Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies. The 5 p.m. ceremony will celebrate graduates in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources; College of Business; and College of Engineering.
Read about what graduating students have cherished most about their time at NDSU, and who has been their biggest mentor on campus.
NAME: Hailey Highland
MAJOR: Mechanical Engineering
HOMETOWN: Centerville, Minnesota
Who has been a mentor to you throughout your time at NDSU and how have they helped you achieve your goals?
“One of the mentors I have had during my time at NDSU is Mrs. Nancy Rossland. Mrs. Rossland has supported me unconditionally for the past three years and has given me the courage and confidence to achieve things I never imagined. Her support and guidance has led me to amazing opportunities that have shaped my time at NDSU, such as attending NDSU’s Evening of Distinction, speaking at the College of Engineering Welcome Events and becoming president of the Engineering Ambassadors. These experiences I have had were outside of my wildest dreams, and I owe so much of them to Mrs. Rossland.”
Explain one of the best opportunities you had at NDSU?
“One of the most amazing opportunities I have had at NDSU was living in the Engineering Leadership Learning Community during my freshman year. In the ELLC, I had the opportunity to live with Engineers from the entire college. Living in that environment helped form better study habits, form fast and long-lasting friendships with like-minded students and get involved in campus life from day one. The friends I made that year are like no others, and I still get together with them often to have board game nights, go to the pool and have end of the semester dinners.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“After graduation, I will be working as a Controls/Integration Engineer at Integer Holdings, a Biomedical Manufacturing company in the Twin Cities. I will be the first female engineer in my division, and I am very excited for this opportunity as it will allow me to do work that I love while leaving an impact in the medical field.”
NAME: Emma Stuber
MAJOR: Human Development and Family Sciences
HOMETOWN: Moorhead, Minnesota
Who has been a mentor to you throughout your time at NDSU and how have they helped you achieve your goals?
“Margaret Latteral has been a wonderful mentor to me in my time here at NDSU. I have worked for her the past three summers. She has helped me to achieve my goals by encouraging me to take on more leadership positions and helping me create confidence in my public speaking and event planning skills. Maggie is so positive and puts her all into everything she does at NDSU. She has been an amazing example of an NDSU staff member who loves helping students in their time here at NDSU.”
What student organizations and extracurriculars have you been involved in, and how have they shaped your experience at NDSU?
“In my time in college, I have been involved in Kappa Delta, Blue Key Honor Society, College of Health and Human Science Ambassadors and Order of Omega. They have all helped me grow confidence in myself and prepare myself for the job market. They have also given me amazing memories in my college experience.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“My current plan after graduation is to find a full-time job and then eventually go back to school to get my master's.”
NAME: Regan Leindecker
MAJOR: Management Information Systems
HOMETOWN: Woodbury, Minnesota
Who has been a mentor to you throughout your time at NDSU and how have they helped you achieve your goals?
“Two people who have truly shaped my experience at NDSU are my advisor, Bradley Jones, and my first-year business calculus professor, Maxx Kureczko. Bradley has been an incredible advisor. He is the kind of person who always has an answer, a resource, or a plan no matter the question being asked. Whether I was navigating my MIS courses, planning my future, or stressing about timelines, he was always there to support me with guidance and reassurance. His support helped me stay focused, confident, and on track with my goals throughout my time here.
“Professor Kureczko made a huge impact early on in my college journey. I spent countless hours in his office hours, not only learning calculus but also getting to know him and asking every question I could think of. He was always open, patient, and willing to talk about the course or even life in general. Having a professor who cared that much, especially during my first year, meant more than he probably realizes.
“Together, their support helped me grow academically and personally, and I am incredibly grateful for both of them.”
What will you miss most about NDSU?
“I’ll miss the people the most. The classmates, professors and friends I’ve met along the way made campus feel like home. It’s the everyday moments, conversations before class, running into familiar faces, and being surrounded by a community that supports you, that I’ll miss the most when I leave.
“There’s also something special about being part of the Bison family. I’ve reconnected with old friends just because we realized we were both Bison, that shared pride creates an instant connection. Even cheering in the Fargodome at football games felt like being part of something bigger, thousands of people all showing up with the same pride and energy.
“More than anything, it’s that sense of belonging, tradition and community that I’ll carry with me long after I leave NDSU.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“After graduation, I am pursuing my Master of Healthcare Administration and begin working toward becoming a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. My goal is to build a career in senior living leadership, where I can combine my MIS and analytics background with my passion for serving older adults and creating strong, supportive communities.”
NAME: Wendi Wheeler
MAJOR: Counselor Education
HOMETOWN: Rolette, North Dakota
Who has been a mentor to you throughout your time at NDSU and how have they helped you achieve your goals?
“My advisor, Dr. Jessica Danielson, has been an incredible source of support for me. Every time I thought I couldn’t keep going, she listened without judgment and helped me make a choice about how to move forward. When I thought there were no options, she always had multiple ideas. I truly could not have survived graduate school without her support and guidance.”
What makes NDSU a special place?
“For me, NDSU is special because it’s a large school with all the opportunities for growth that come from a program our size, but it has a small-town feel. I love that I am known here and that I have come to know so many students, faculty and staff.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I will continue working as a hall director with Residence Life until May, to close out the year and say goodbye to my residents and staff, and then I hope to begin working as a counselor.”
NAME: Jessica Brown
MAJOR: Psychology
HOMETOWN: Mosinee, Wisconsin
Who has been a mentor to you throughout your time at NDSU and how have they helped you achieve your goals?
“A mentor to me throughout my time at NDSU has been Dr. Nadeje Alexandre, the Assistant Dean of Student Success for the College of Arts and Sciences. She has exemplified what an amazing faculty is and has always been there for me. She continues to show up to support me, believe in me, and offer advice for anything I bring to her. She has not only been a mentor, but a friend. She has celebrated the big and small moments with me and has always made me believe I can do anything I set my mind to. You can truly tell how much she loves students and wants them to succeed.”
What is your best advice for incoming NDSU students?
“Do not be afraid to jump right in and try things. Saying yes right away can lead to amazing experiences and open doors of opportunity you never expected. When starting, everyone is in the same boat so do not be afraid to meet people and try new things outside of your comfort zone because that is where you will grow the most.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“After graduation, I will be moving to Indianapolis, Indiana, to attend physician assistant school at the University of Indiana and work towards my goal of becoming a physician assistant.”
NAME: Annika Tweten
MAJOR: Industrial Engineering and Management
HOMETOWN: Jamestown, North Dakota
Who has been a mentor to you throughout your time at NDSU and how have they helped you achieve your goals?
“My biggest mentors at NDSU have been Beth Dahl, Nancy Rossland and Kelly Schutt. When I was considering switching my major during my sophomore year, Beth was there to provide me with all the necessary information, offer extensive support and help me plan the rest of my schooling, ensuring I could continue with the marching band. Kelly took over Beth’s position and continued to answer all my questions, guiding me through internship-related questions and providing great support. And, of course, Nancy Rossland has been a huge mentor to my journey at NDSU. As one of the advisors to the engineering ambassadors, she connected me with other engineering students, faculty and alumni, providing me with numerous networking connections, such as attending the Evening of Distinction event in Spring 2025. She’s also been there to help guide me through the full-time job search. Overall, the College of Engineering has a plethora of fantastic mentors who guided me along my way.”
What was your most memorable NDSU experience?
“There are so many to choose from, but I’d have to choose going down to Frisco with the Gold Star Marching Band. They have been my second family here at NDSU. I wanted to join the Gold Star Marching Band ever since I was 5, and it’s definitely lived up to the hype. I’ve found lifelong friends and my fiancé through the band and created priceless memories. The drumline gave me a creative outlet, and bonding with them on the journey to the National Championship is something I’ll never forget.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I will be moving to the cities, working as an industrial engineer. I’ll be getting married next summer as well, so I have lots of exciting things up ahead.”
NAME: Josi Solsaa
MAJOR: Animal Science
HOMETOWN: Watertown, South Dakota
Who has been a mentor to you throughout your time at NDSU and how have they helped you achieve your goals?
“It’s hard to narrow it down to just one mentor because my time at NDSU has truly been shaped by a group of people who believed in me. I was co-advised and supported by several faculty mentors, each playing a different role in helping me grow. Dr. Carrie Hammer, specifically, guided me through the highs and lows of the research process and helped me stay focused on the goals I wanted to achieve. She was transparent, always made time even when things were challenging and demonstrated what it means to be a leader. Truly, it was the combination of my advisors and faculty who encouraged me and helped shape the person I am today, both personally and professionally.”
How did NDSU help you grow personally and professionally? What are your plans after graduation?
“NDSU gave me opportunities that pushed me farther than I ever thought I was capable of. Personally, I learned resilience by navigating uncertainty, learning to ask for help and realizing how important it is to say yes to opportunities, even the ones that felt a little uncomfortable. Honestly, some of the best things that happened to me came from just being willing to show up and take a chance. Professionally, NDSU gave me the opportunity to engage in research, strengthen communication and leadership skills, and work alongside faculty who challenged me in the best ways possible. Through hands-on experiences, supportive mentors and a community that genuinely wanted me to succeed, NDSU shaped me into someone who feels confident stepping into wherever the path leads next.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“After graduation, my goal is to continue working in agriculture, specifically in roles that help bridge the gap between producers, science and the next generation of agricultural leaders. While my plans aren’t set in stone just yet, I hope to find a position that honors the generations who came before me and creates opportunities for those who will follow. I want to use the research, teaching and communication skills I’ve gained at NDSU in a way that makes a real difference. No matter where I end up, I know I want to keep advocating for agriculture and helping people feel connected to the work that feeds and sustains our world.”