DR. LYNCEE MONSON, first member of NSU’s nursing department, joining in January 2024, Dr. Monson has led the collaborative development of the university’s new B.S.N. program as associate dean. Her leadership secured interim status from the South Dakota Board of Nursing and program approval from the Higher Learning Commission, while establishing program infrastructure and clinical partnerships throughout the region. Through donor engagement and crosscampus collaboration, she has positioned the program for a successful fall 2025 launch while remaining active in professional nursing organizations and community initiatives. With 24 years of nursing experience, including 19 years in academia, Dr. Monson earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Northern Kentucky University in 2022 and holds both CCRN and CNE certifications. Prior to NSU, she taught in SDSU’s accelerated B.S.N. program and has maintained an active clinical practice at Avera St. Luke’s throughout her career, bringing current healthcare expertise to her academic leadership. A resident of rural Groton and mother of two daughters, Dr. Monson’s connection to the region strengthens her commitment to developing healthcare education that serves South Dakota communities. Her daughter Hailey is a new nurse, and her daughter Hannah is also pursuing a career in the healthcare field, continuing the family’s dedication to serving healthcare need. DR. MENG TIAN, was hired as an assistant professor of communication studies in 2024. Dr. Tian arrived in August from Florida State University and will guide the program’s emphasis in public relations. Thanks to Dr. Tian’s expertise, the program has been able to update its course offering in both communication studies major and the public relations minor. Dr. Tian continues the program’s strong emphasis on pragmatic, experiential learning. Last semester, he collaborated with the NSU Foundation to provide students in his Public Relations class (CMST 150) with hands-on experience in which they developed their first PR campaign proposal for a real client. He also invited Aimee Roy from the NSU Foundation to speak to the class to introduce students to the organization and answering students’ questions. NEW FACULTY AND STAFF DR. LUCAS WISCONS, became an assistant professor of criminal justice at Northern State University in 2024, bringing expertise from his time at the University of WisconsinMadison, where he earned his Ph.D. and later taught. His research explores the complexities of police-civilian interactions, criminal case processing, autism spectrum disorder, and the evolving role of science and technology in the criminal justice system. Dr. Wiscons has taught courses spanning sociology, criminal justice, social psychology, and research methods. Before academia, he managed a San Diego law firm specializing in criminal and immigration law, as well as appellate litigation. Passionate about student engagement, he actively involves undergraduates in research, independent studies, honors projects, and graduate school preparation. He likes to focus on civil discourse in his classes because he feels the classroom is a great place to practice skills and learn how to hold civil conversations about difficult topics. He loves being a part of Northern’s community because of the priority they put on the students. A San Diego native, he holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz. PARTNERSHIPS AND ACTIVITIES Center for Public History and Civic Engagement THE NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY CENTER for Public History and Civic Engagement (Center) - through programming, research, and archival preservation - encourages public interaction with history and history education while promoting greater civic knowledge of an active citizenry. Under the direction of Dr. Jon Schaff, the center promotes the importance of historical and civic knowledge as the foundation for a sound republican form of government, hoping to inspire greater appreciation for American history and American constitutional forms. Activities like the South Dakota State Legislative internship program, Noon Forum, Constitution Day, National History Day and campus speakers are such efforts that promote historic and civic literacy and engagement. Dr. Amy Dolan Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Outreach SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH (STEM) OUTREACH has had another busy year! During the 2024-2025 school year, Dr. Amy Dolan and her undergraduate volunteers visited eleven classrooms every month and led over 1,200 hands-on STEM activities in area 4th grade classrooms. “This program is impactful on a couple of different levels,” said Dolan. “Our undergraduate volunteers, mostly elementary education and science majors, get some valuable, STEM teaching experience, and the elementary students get to learn science with fun, hands-on activities. Besides that – it is a lot of fun!” This past year, they have worked with approximately 200 elementary students in the Aberdeen, Britton-Hecla and Evergreen Hutterite Colony schools. STEM activities have included: • Invisible ink – pH and indicators • Build your own solar-powered robot • Egg-drop challenge • Sound – build your own harmonica • Marshmallow spaghetti tower • Ecology – bird beak adaptations Dr. Jon Schaff
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