Dragon VALOR Allies

The Dragon VALOR Program brings together people across campus and the community who want to better understand and support those who have served in the military. Through Dragon VALOR training, participants learn how to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for military-connected students, faculty, staff, and community members. Below is a list of Dragon VALOR allies.
Faculty and staff who help make MSUM a supportive place for veterans and military-connected students.

Ethel Abe,
PhD, MBA, BS
Assistant Professor of Management
Paseka School of Business

Taryn Akgul,
EdD, MEd, BA
Assistant Professor
Department of Leadership & Learning
LO 113

Nicole Anderson
(She/Her/Hers)
Project Manager (ITS 2)
Analytics and Institutional Research
LI 203

Sydney Arntzen,
BA Criminal Justice and BA Sociology
(She/Her/Hers)
Public Safety Sergeant
Public Safety
PS 108

Catherine Artac
(She/Her/Hers)
Instructional Technologist/Designer
Office of Online Learning
LI 136

Rachel Axness,
EdD, MBA, BS
Construction Management Program Coordinator | Associate Professor
Professional Management Department
CB 204D

Bradley Bachmeier,
MFA, LIC, BS
Program Director and Professor of Art Education
School of Art

Loren Baranko Faught
(She/Her/Hers)
Associate Director of Academic Success
Academic Success Center

Bonnie Baumgardner
OAS Intermediate
Paseka School of Business | Professional Management Department
CB 207

Carolyn Beckerleg
OAS Senior
College of Science, Health & the Environment

Kay Beckermann,
PhD, MA, BM
Associate Professor
School of Communication & Journalism

Stephen (Steve) Beckermann,
M.Ed.
Interim Director of Faculty and Professional Learning Center
Library | Faculty & Professional Learning Center
LI 138

Joshua (Josh) Behl,
PhD, MMA, BA
Associate Professor
Professional Management Department

Alli Belfiori
(She/Her/Hers)
Yellow Ribbon Advance Digital Marketing Specialist
Marketing & Communications | Grants & Sponsored Programs Office
OW 206L

Gabrielle (Gabby) Bergquist
(She/Her/Hers)
HR Coordinator
Office of Human Resources

Ashley Berkenpas,
LBSW
(She/Her/Hers)
Case Manager
Dean of Students Office
FR153

Erika Beseler Thompson
(She/Her/Hers)
Interim Executive Director of Student Success | Director of Academic Success
Academic Success Center

Becky Boyle Jones,
MS, BS. SHRM-CP
(She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Director of Student Activities & Organizations | Adjunct Faculty
Office of Student Activities

Jessica Brown,
PhD, MEd, BS
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Department of Leadership & Learning
LO 113

Collin Bueltel
(He/Him/His)
College of Education & Human Services | College of Business, Analytics & Communication | Assistant Director of Transfer Recruitment
Admissions

Jeremy Carney,
PhD, MSW, BSW
(He/Him/His)
Professor | MSW Program Director | Interim Chair
School of Social Work

Jessica Clairmont,
MN, BSN
Assistant Professor of Nursing
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
HA 213
Donald Clark,
MFA, BFA
Professor
School of Media Arts, Design & Entertainment
KH 311

Joshua (Josh) Clarke
Veterans Resource Outreach Director
Larry Shellito Veteran, Service Member & Family Success Center | Grants & Sponsored Programs Office

Audrey Cloe Messner,
MS
(She/Her/Hers)
Interim Assistant Director of International Recruitment
Admissions

Diane Copple
OAS Senior
Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning | Department of Leadership & Learning
LO 214A

Jami Crummy
Assistant Director of Employer Relations
Career Development Center
FR 151

Mary Davidow
(She/Her/Hers)
Southern Minnesota | Admissions Representative
Admissions

Katie Demuth
(She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Director of First Year Recruitment
Admissions
OW 104

Melissa Dingmann
Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships
Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid
OW 107

Jason Dockter,
PSP, B.S. History Education
Campus Security Officer
Public Safety

Travis Dolence,
MFA, MS, MS, BA
Digital Initiatives Librarian
Library
LI 222

Timothy (Tim) Downs,
Ph.D., M.A., B.A.
President
Presidents Office

Tom Dubbels,
MS, BS
(He/Him/His)
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Department of Leadership & Learning


Chuck Eade
Director of Accessibility Resources | ADA Coordinator (Students)
Accessibility Resources | Testing Services

Sandra (Sandie) East
(She/Her/Hers)
Campus Information Officer (CIO)
Information Technology
LI 203B

Corinne (Cori) Edgerton
(She/Her/Hers)
Library Technician
Library
LI 132

Alexander (Alex) Elness
(He/Him/His)
Readmit Students & Non-Degree Seeking | Admissions Representative
Admissions

Elizabeth Evert-Karnes
Director of University Events
University Events
CA 156A

Ellen Fagerstrom,
PhD, BS
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Academic & Student Affairs
OW 203G

Erienne Fawcett
(She/Her/Hers)
Coordinator of Gender and Sexuality
Women's Center | Diversity & Inclusion Office | Rainbow Dragon Center | Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Global Engagement
Tyrel (Ty) Filley
(He/Him/His)
Digital Marketing Specialist
Marketing & Communications
OW 206B

Amanda Fimreite
OAS Intermediate
Academic Success Center | Career Development Center
FR 154
FR 151

Rikki Fischer,
MS, BA
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Department of Leadership & Learning

Oscar Flores-Ibarra,
PhD, MA, BS
Professor
Department of Economics, Law & Politics

Steve Fox
(He/Him/His)
Asst Director for Operations
Comstock Memorial Union Administrative Offices
CU 222D

Kathleen (Kathy) Frolek
Assistant to the President
Presidents Office
OW 203

Rebecca Gardner,
PhD, MA, BA
(She/Her/Hers)
Professor
School of Communication & Journalism
FR 255B

Kazimir (Kaz) Gazdzik,
PhD, MA, BA
(He/Him/His)
Assistant Professor of Social Studies Education
History, Languages & Humanities Department
MA 374J

Jordan Geiser
(He/Him/His)
Northern Minnesota | Admissions Representative
Admissions

Denise Gorsline,
MA, BS
Faculty
School of Communication & Journalism
MA 260A


Kara Gravley-Stack,
Ph.D.
(She/Her/Hers)
Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Dean of Students Office

Samantha Gust
(She/Her/Hers)
Director of the Career Development Center
Career Development Center
FR 151D

Carol Hall
Post Office & Print Coordinator
Post Office | Print Shop | Marketing & Communications
MA 182

Amy Hampton
(She/Her/Hers)
OAS Senior
Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid
OW 107

Tonya (T. J.) Hansen,
PhD, MS, BS
Professor
Department of Economics, Law & Politics
MA 380H

Dana Hanson Schafer
Coordinator of Academic Intervention
Academic Success Center

Tiara Harris
(She/Her/Hers)
Education Abroad & Away Coordinator
Center for Global Engagement | Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Global Engagement

Sara Hartwig,
MS
Assistant Director, Financial Aid
Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid
OW 107

Rachael Harvey
(They/Them/Theirs)
College of Arts & Humanities | College of Science, Health & the Environment | Admissions Representative
Admissions


Jill Holmstrom,
EdD, MSN, BS
Co-Chair | Professor
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
HA 213F

Chang-Seong Hong,
PhD, MA, BA
Professor
History, Languages & Humanities Department

Lacey Hoppe,
MS
Director, Early Education Center
Early Education Center (Childcare)
LO 84

Mandie Hulter,
LPN
Nursing Lab and Simulation Assistant
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
HA 213B


Megan Jensen,
MS, BS, AA
Instructor of Mathematics
Mathematics Department
MA 375D

Carol Jergenson
(She/Her/Hers)
Associate Director
Housing & Residence Life

Caitlin (Dr. J.) Johnson,
PhD, MEd, MA, BS
(She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership
Department of Leadership & Learning
LO 214K

Lisa Johnson
(She/Her/Hers)
Accounts Receivable Accountant
Business Services

Jessica Jorgensen
(She/Her/Hers)
Campus Security Officer
Public Safety

Sara Juckem
Assistant Director of First Year Programs | GRIT Coordinator
First Year Programs

Kayla Kappes,
MBA, PHR
Campus Human Resources Officer (CHRO)
Office of Human Resources

Heidi King
(She/Her/Hers)
Student Relations Coordinator
College of Arts & Humanities

Karissa Kjos
Assistant Director of Student Organizations & Engagement
Office of Student Activities


Jean Kramer,
MS, MS, BA
Technical Services Librarian | Associate Professor
Library
LI 130

Aaron Krenz
Yellow Ribbon Advance Director
Larry Shellito Veteran, Service Member & Family Success Center | Grants & Sponsored Programs Office
BR 260F

Kyja Kristjansson-Nelson,
EdD, MFA, AS, BS
(She/Her/Hers)
Dean
College of Arts & Humanities | Honors College
BR 250

Emily Lauinger
(She/Her/Hers)
Digital Marketing Specialist
Marketing & Communications
OW 206K

Jenna Laurin,
PhD, MA, BS
(She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Psychology Department
BR 360K

Ok-Hee Lee
Interim Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs
Academic & Student Affairs
OW 203F


Christina (Tina) Lien
Contract Compliance Officer
Business Services
OW 106E

Derek Lien
Design/Communications Coordinator
Marketing & Communications
OW 215B

Julie Maahs
(She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Director for Career Readiness
Career Development Center
FR 151B


Ralf Mehnert-Meland,
JD, BA
(He/Him/His)
Associate Professor
Paseka School of Business



Kristi Monson,
BS, MBA
Director of Communications
Marketing & Communications
OW 203J

Nancy Moore,
MS, BS
BSN Program Coordinator | Associate Professor of Nursing
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
HA 213H

Mary Muehlberg,
MLIS, MET, BA
(She/Her/Hers)
Associate Professor
Library
LI 108A

Sarah Muehler
Executive Assistant to the VPFA
Finance & Administration
OW 206A

Denette Narum,
MSW, LICSW
(She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Professor of Social Work
School of Social Work
LO 114J

Robert Nava
Dean of Graduate Studies
Academic & Student Affairs | Office of Graduate & Extended Learning

Elizabeth Nawrot,
PhD, MA, BS
Dean
College of Science, Health & the Environment
HA 107


Ryan Nelson
Executive Director of Public Safety & Compliance
Public Safety
PS

Heather Nesemeier
(She/Her/Hers)
OAS Senior
College of Arts & Humanities
BR 250A

Brenda Norris
Executive Director of Facilities Management
Physical Plant


Anthony Ocana,
PhD, BA, ALA
(He/Him/His)
Associate Professor
School of Communication & Journalism
FR 255H

Mitchell (Mitch) Osland
Patrol Operations Lieutenant
Public Safety
PS 114
PS 114

Eduardo Pablo,
PhD, MA
Associate Professor
Paseka School of Business


Jennifer Pederson,
MSN, RN, PHN, CNE, CNEcl
(She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Professor of Nursing
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership

Jered Pigeon
Campus Diversity Officer
Academic & Student Affairs

Megan Proulx,
MS, BS
Student Support Services Specialist | Adjunct Faculty
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership | College of Science, Health & the Environment
HA 213A

Elaine Pyle,
PhD, MS, MS, BA
(She/Her/Hers)
Associate Professor | Department Chair
Speech Language Hearing Sciences

Karen Qualey,
MLIS, Ed.S
(She/Her/Hers)
Executive Director of Library Services & Online Learning
Office of Online Learning | Library
LI 108D

Ashley Quinn
OAS Senior
MSUM Foundation
OW 203D
Debra Radke
Office & Admin Spec Senior
College of Education & Human Services
LO 107B

Ashley Rambousek ,
MSN, BSN, AS, AAS
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
HA 213C


Amber Reed,
DNP, RN, PHN
Professor of Nursing | RN-BSN Program Coordinator
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
HA

Jeff Salinas-Jenni
(He/Him/His)
Assistant to the Dean of Students (OAS Senior)
Dean of Students Office
FR 153

Paul Sando,
PhD, MA, BSEd, BS
Associate Professor
Anthropology & Earth Science Department
KH 210

Sarah Saude
Customer Service Specialist Senior
Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid
OW 107

Deborah Schaefer Kukowski,
JD, BS
Professor
Department of Economics, Law & Politics
MA 380C

Troy Schmidt
(He/Him/His)
Assistant Dean of Students
Dean of Students Office

Heather Schneiter
Instructional Technology Specialist 2
Office of Online Learning
LI 139

Peter Sherman,
PhD
Dean of the College of Business, Analytics & Communication
College of Business, Analytics & Communication

Brandi Sillerud,
DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
(She/Her/Hers)
Program Director | Professor
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
HA 213M

Jitendra Singh,
DHSC, MHA, BDS, Lean certified, Online Teaching certified, Bioinformatics certified
Co-Chair | Interim Director of Center for Health Professions | Program Coordinator | Professor
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership

Steve Sjoberg
Director of Foundation Marketing & Communications
MSUM Foundation


Yamaya (Maya) Sosa Machado,
B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
(She/Her/Hers)
Director of Graduate Studies
Office of Graduate & Extended Learning

Amanda Stegmaier
(She/Her/Hers)
Lead Web Design & Development
Information Technology

Carrie Stenseth
Student Relations Coordinator
College of Education & Human Services

Kayla Stenstrom
(She/Her/Hers)
Communications Project Coordinator
Marketing & Communications
OW 203C

Jim Sterling,
PhD, MS, BS
Associate Professor
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
HA 213D

Nancy Stock,
DNP, MS, BSN
Associate Professor
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
HA 213M

Rachel Stotts,
MS, CCC-SLP
(She/Her/Hers)
Associate Professor
Speech Language Hearing Sciences
MU 223C

Aaron Suomala Folkerds,
EdD, MS, MDiv, BA
Associate Professor
Department of Leadership & Learning
LO 113H

Alicia Swanson,
EdD, MSN, RN, PHN, HNB-BC
Professor of Nursing | Graduate Nursing Program Coordinator | Chief Academic Nursing Administrator
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
HA 213G

Brent Thompson
Executive Director of Grants & Sponsored Programs
Grants & Sponsored Programs Office

Emily Tiefenthaler,
M.S.
(She/Her/Hers)
North Dakota & South Dakota | Admissions Representative
Admissions

Georges Tippens
Vice President of Finance & Administration
Finance & Administration
OW206E

Jason Trainer
Vice President of Enrollment Management & Strategic Initiatives
Enrollment Management
OW 206F

Lee Vigilant,
PhD, MA, BA
Professor | Interim Dean of Education & Human Services
Sociology & Criminal Justice Department

Stacy Voeller,
MS, MSLS, BA
Professor
Library | University Writing Support Center
LI 107

Micah Von Bank
(He/Him/His)
Assistant Director of Accessibility Resources
Accessibility Resources

Lois Wagner
Grant Accountant
Grants & Sponsored Programs Office
MA 374H


David Wolff,
EDD, EDS, MED, BS
Assistant Professor of Elementary Education
Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning
LO 216L

Danelle Wolnik
Assistant Veterans Resource Outreach Director
Larry Shellito Veteran, Service Member & Family Success Center | Grants & Sponsored Programs Office

Tracy Wright,
PhD, MS, BSN, RN, NI-BC, CNE
Professor
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
HA 213M

Hailey Wyum,
MSN, RN, CNE
Assistant Professor
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
HA 213J


Madison Ziegler
(She/Her/Hers)
Central Minnesota | Admissions Representative
Admissions
OW 104C
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Individuals and organizations outside MSUM who partner with us to extend that same spirit of support beyond campus.
Jace Achiu
Student Veterans of America Chapter Success Coach
Charles Boschee
Cass County Veteran Service Representative
Olivia Brinsfield
Content Manager, National Military Family Association
Curtis Cannon
Clay County Veterans Service Officer
Jeremiah Crum
ND Job Service Veteran’s Representative
Christopher Deery
Cass County Veterans Service Officer
Brianna Droege
Veteran and Military Connected Student Success Coordinator, Metro State University
Minnesota State University System Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Steering Committee Member
Minnesota State University System Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Steering Committee Member
Gabriel Gust
Fargo Vet Center, Veteran Outreach Specialist
Kira Haler Knutson
Executive Director, GiGi’s Playhouse Fargo
Miki Huntington
Political Science Faculty, Minneapolis Community & Technical College
Arrick Jackson
Chancellor, Indiana University Northwest
Christopher Johnson
Director of Credit for Prior Learning, Minnesota State Community and Technical College (Moorhead Campus)
Shane Moore
Assistant Director of Human Resources, Minnesota State
Molly Noble
HR Senior Learning and Development Consultant, Minnesota State
Dylan Rowinski
Military and Veteran Services Coordinator
North Hennepin Community College
Amy Sleath
NDNG Service Member & Family Readiness Specialist
Gina Sobania
Director of Military, Veteran, and Adult Learner Services, Minnesota State
Blake Sykes
Program Coordinator
ND Veterans Education Training
Bryan Watters
NDDVA Veterans Service Officer Supervisor
Thomas Webb
NDDVA Veterans Service Officer
MSUM students who are committed to learning, listening, and leading with empathy.
- Emmanuella (Guzoro) Adumah
- Esther Ebenezer Banezerwe
- Zaya Batmunkh
- Mike (Xavier) Bedard
- Lily Berscheid
- Sylvia Black
- Damien Brandvold
- Bjorn Brunsberg
- Carson Cherne
- Aspen Christeson
- Benjamin Christman
- Mason Conrad
- Kaci Davis-Hoagland
- Joachim Diaz
- Livia Douglas
- Peter Dux
- Jaden Elekeokwuri
- Joshua Fadase
- Rylee Fenton
- Ella Fernanda Leon Alvarez
- Layla Garcia
- Sebastian Hanson
- Tom Hanson
- Fatmata Kamara
- Aurora Negron
- Rachel Norton
- Megan Oyerly
- Brady Peterson
- Dylan Pruitt
- Angeline Risovi
- Olivia Sethre
- Crystal Teetz
- Ashton Thoburn
- Jordan Urbanski
- Ian Vedbraaten
- Joaquin Watson Jr
