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
            
                    Christine Adams,
                    SHRM-CP
            
            HR Business Partner
                Office of Human Resources
            
                    Taryn Akgul,
                    EdD, MEd, BA
            
            Assistant Professor
                Department of Leadership & Learning
            
                    Sydney Arntzen,
                    BA Criminal Justice and BA Sociology 
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Public Safety Sergeant
                Public Safety
            
                    Catherine Artac
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Instructional Technologist/Designer
                Office of Online Learning
            
                    Rachel Axness,
                    EdD, MBA, BS
            
            Construction Management Program Coordinator | Associate Professor
                Professional Management Department
            
                    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
            
                    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
            
                    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
            
                    Gabrielle (Gabby) Bergquist
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            HR Coordinator
                Office of Human Resources
            
                    Ashley Berkenpas,
                    LBSW 
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Case Manager
                Dean of Students Office
            
                    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
            
                    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
            
                    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, School of Teaching & Learning
                Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning | Department of Leadership & Learning
            
                    Jami Crummy
            
            Assistant Director of Employer Relations
                Career Development Center
            
                    Mary Davidow
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Southern Minnesota | Admissions Representative
                Admissions
            
                    Katie Demuth
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Assistant Director of First Year Recruitment
                Admissions
            
                    Melissa Dingmann
            
            Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships
                Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid
            
                    Jason Dockter,
                    PSP, B.S. History Education
            
            Campus Security Officer
                Public Safety
            
                    Travis Dolence,
                    MFA, MS, MS, BA
            
            Digital Initiatives Librarian
                Library
            
                    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
            
                    Corinne (Cori) Edgerton
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Library Technician
                Library
            
                    Alexander (Alex) Elness
                    (He/Him/His)
            
            Readmit Students & Non-Degree Seeking | Admissions Representative
                Admissions
            
                    Elizabeth Evert-Karnes
            
            Director of University Events
                University Events
            
                    Ellen Fagerstrom,
                    PhD, BS
            
            Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
                Academic & Student Affairs
            
                    Erienne Fawcett
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Coordinator of Gender and Sexuality
                Diversity & Inclusion Office
            
                    Tyrel (Ty) Filley
                    (He/Him/His)
            
            Digital Marketing Specialist 
                Marketing & Communications
            
                    Amanda Fimreite
            
            OAS Intermediate
                Academic Success Center | Career Development Center
            
                    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
            
                    Kathleen (Kathy) Frolek
            
            Assistant to the President
                Presidents Office
            
                    Rebecca Gardner,
                    PhD, MA, BA
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Professor
                School of Communication & Journalism
            
                    Kazimir (Kaz) Gazdzik,
                    PhD, MA, BA
                    (He/Him/His)
            
            Assistant Professor of Social Studies Education
                History, Languages & Humanities Department
            
                    Jordan Geiser
                    (He/Him/His)
            
            Northern Minnesota | Admissions Representative
                Admissions
            
                    Denise Gorsline,
                    MA, BS
            
            Faculty
                School of Communication & Journalism
            
                    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
            
                    Carol Hall
            
            Post Office & Print Coordinator
                Post Office | Print Shop | Marketing & Communications
            
                    Amy Hampton
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            OAS Senior
                Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid
            
                    Tonya (T. J.) Hansen,
                    PhD, MS, BS
            
            Professor
                Department of Economics, Law & Politics
            
                    Dana Hanson Schafer
            
            Coordinator of Academic Intervention
                Academic Success Center
            
                    Sara Hartwig,
                    MS
            
            Assistant Director, Financial Aid
                Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid
            
                    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
            
                    Chang-Seong Hong,
                    PhD, MA, BA
            
            Professor
                History, Languages & Humanities Department
            
                    Lacey Hoppe,
                    MS
            
            Director, Early Education Center
                Early Education Center (Childcare)
            
                    Mandie Hulter,
                    LPN
            
            Nursing Lab and Simulation Assistant
                School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
            
                    Megan Jensen,
                    MS, BS, AA
            
            Instructor of Mathematics
                Mathematics Department
            
                    Carol Jergenson
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Associate Director
                Housing & Residence Life
            
                    Aaron Johnson,
                    Veterans Education Benefits
            
            State Prog Admin Sr • MDVA Higher Ed Veterans Program
                Larry Shellito Veteran, Service Member & Family Success Center
            
                    Caitlin (Dr. J.) Johnson,
                    PhD, MEd, MA, BS
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership
                Department of Leadership & Learning
            
                    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
            
                    Aaron Krenz
            
            Yellow Ribbon Advance Director
                Larry Shellito Veteran, Service Member & Family Success Center | Grants & Sponsored Programs Office
            
                    Kyja Kristjansson-Nelson,
                    EdD, MFA, AS, BS
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Dean
                College of Arts & Humanities | Honors Program
            
                    Lauren Kupfer
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Assistant to the VP of Enrollment Management & Strategic Initiatives
                Enrollment Management
            
                    Jenna Laurin,
                    PhD, MA, BS
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Assistant Professor of Psychology
                Psychology Department
            
                    Ok-Hee Lee
            
            Interim Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs
                Academic & Student Affairs
            
                    Christina (Tina) Lien
            
            Contract Compliance Officer
                Business Services
            
                    Derek Lien
            
            Design/Communications Coordinator
                Marketing & Communications
            
                    Julie Maahs
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Assistant Director for Career Readiness
                Career Development Center
            
                    Ralf Mehnert-Meland,
                    JD, BA
                    (He/Him/His)
            
            Associate Professor
                Paseka School of Business
            
                    Kristi Monson,
                    BS, MBA
            
            Director of Communications
                Marketing & Communications
            
                    Nancy Moore,
                    MS, BS
            
            BSN Program Coordinator | Associate Professor of Nursing
                School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
            
                    Mary Muehlberg,
                    MLIS, BA
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Associate Professor
                Library
            
                    Sarah Muehler
            
            Executive Assistant to the VPFA
                Finance & Administration
            
                    Denette Narum,
                    MSW, LICSW
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Assistant Professor of Social Work
                School of Social Work
            
                    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
            
                    Ryan Nelson
            
            Executive Director of Public Safety & Compliance
                Public Safety
            
                    Heather Nesemeier
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            OAS Senior
                College of Arts & Humanities
            
                    Brenda Norris
            
            Executive Director of Facilities Management
                Physical Plant
            
                    Anthony Ocana,
                    PhD, BA, ALA
                    (He/Him/His)
            
            Associate Professor
                School of Communication & Journalism
            
                    Mitchell (Mitch) Osland
            
            Patrol Operations Lieutenant
                Public Safety
            
                    Eduardo Pablo,
                    PhD, MA
            
            Associate Professor
                Paseka School of Business
            
                    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
            
                    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
            
                    Debra Radke
            
            Office & Admin Spec Senior
                College of Education & Human Services
            
                    Ashley  Rambousek ,
                    MSN, BSN, AS, AAS
            
            School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
            
                    Amber Reed,
                    DNP, MSN, RN, PHN
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Professor of Nursing | RN-BSN Program Coordinator
                School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
            
                    Jeff Salinas-Jenni
                    (He/Him/His)
            
            Assistant to the Dean of Students (OAS Senior)
                Dean of Students Office
            
                    Paul Sando,
                    PhD, MA, BSEd, BS
            
            Associate Professor
                Anthropology & Earth Science Department
            
                    Sarah Saude
            
            Customer Service Specialist Senior
                Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid
            
                    Deborah Schaefer Kukowski,
                    JD, BS
            
            Professor
                Department of Economics, Law & Politics
            
                    Troy Schmidt
                    (He/Him/His)
            
            Assistant Dean of Students
                Dean of Students Office
            
                    Heather Schneiter
            
            Instructional Technology Specialist 2
                Office of Online Learning
            
                    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 Coordinator | Professor
                School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
            
                    Jitendra Singh,
                    DHSC, MHA, BDS, Lean certified, Online Teaching certified, Bioinformatics certified
            
            Co-Chair | 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
            
                    Jim Sterling,
                    PhD, MS, BS
            
            Associate Professor
                School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
            
                    Nancy Stock,
                    DNP, MS, BSN
            
            Associate Professor
                School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
            
                    Rachel Stotts,
                     MS, CCC-SLP
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Associate Professor
                Speech Language Hearing Sciences
            
                    Aaron Suomala Folkerds,
                    EdD, MS, MDiv, BA
            
            Associate Professor
                Department of Leadership & Learning
            
                    Alicia Swanson,
                    EdD, MSN, RN, PHN, HNB-BC
            
            Professor of Nursing | Graduate Nursing Program Coordinator  | Chief Academic Nursing Administrator
                School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
            
                    Emily Tiefenthaler,
                    M.S.
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            North Dakota & South Dakota | Admissions Representative
                Admissions
            
                    Georges Tippens
            
            Vice President of Finance & Administration
                Finance & Administration
            
                    Jason Trainer
            
            Vice President of Enrollment Management & Strategic Initiatives
                Enrollment Management
            
                    Stacy Voeller,
                    MS, MSLS, BA
            
            Professor
                Library | University Writing Support Center
            
                    Micah Von Bank
                    (He/Him/His)
            
            Assistant Director of Accessibility Resources
                Accessibility Resources
            
                    Lois Wagner
            
            Grant Accountant
                Grants & Sponsored Programs Office
            
                    David Wolff,
                    EDD, EDS, MED, BS 
            
            Assistant Professor of Elementary Education
                Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning
            
                    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
            
                    Hailey  Wyum,
                    MS, BS
            
            Adjunct
                School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
            
                    Madison Ziegler
                    (She/Her/Hers)
            
            Central Minnesota | Admissions Representative
                Admissions
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Individuals and organizations outside MSUM who partner with us to extend that same spirit of support beyond campus.
Olivia Brinsfield
Content Manager, National Military Family Association
Curtis Cannon
Clay County Veterans Service Officer
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
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
 - 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
 - Angeline Risovi
 - Olivia Sethre
 - Crystal Teetz
 - Ashton Thoburn
 - Jordan Urbanski
 - Ian Vedbraaten
 - Joaquin Watson Jr
 














