Northern Today_Nov-2018

MATHERN, assistant professor of management at Northern State University, was one of about 55 individuals from around the world selected to attend the Salzburg Global Forum for Young Cultural Innovators V, held in Austria Oct. 16-21. That’s not her only recent achievement: Mathern was also named to the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development 2018 Native American 40 Under 40 list. And in November, she will deliver a Wolf Talk on the NSU campus. It’s made for a busy fall, but Mathern also believes that, even if you don’t feel 100 percent ready for an opportunity, you shouldn’t let that stop you. “When we have opportunities or moments, they don’t come around more than once in a lifetime,” Mathern said. NORTHERN TODAY 8 SPRING 2018 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Seizing opportunities Dr. Amber Mathern believes in seizing every opportunity – and this fall, that belief took her across the globe. “If you don’t take advantage of them when you can, you just won’t have that chance again.” Originally from Rolla, N.D., Mathern is in her fourth year of teaching at Northern. As an undergrad, she said, she expected to spend her career in banking. But after a few years in the industry, she quickly realized her calling was higher education. At Northern, Mathern is the co-advisor for Phi Beta Lambda Business Club, faculty advisor for the NSU Native American Student Association and a member of Northern’s American Indian Advisory Committee. Forum Involved Seminars, Networking At the Salzburg Global Forum, Mathern spent a week attending seminars and networking, looking at ways to collaboratively grow art and culture within communities, particularly underdeveloped communities. “My part of it is my passion for economic development within tribal communities,” she said. Even after the forum, Mathern will be recognized from now on as a Global Forum fellow and could be involved in various initiatives and collaborations connected to the organization’s Midwest hub in Minneapolis. Mathern was nominated for the 40 Under 40 list by NSU American Indian Advisor Lara Nelson, as well as a mentor in North Dakota who is a former executive director of North Dakota tribal colleges and universities. This prestigious award is given to individuals under age 40 who have demonstrated leadership, initiative and dedication and have made significant contributions in business and their community, according to information from the National Center. ‘Dueling Identities’ Subject of Wolf Talk The topic of Mathern’s Nov. 7 Wolf Talk on the Northern campus is “Dueling Identities – Navigating Higher Education as a Native American Woman.” An enrolled member of Turtle Mountain Chippewa, Mathern said navigating her own dueling identities has manifested itself mostly in the form of imposter syndrome when she has achieved recognition. “I just feel so fortunate because I know there are many other people that have talents and should be welcome to sit at that table or that forum, or even the 40 Under 40,” Mathern said. “I know others doing great things, and their name should be on here.” But Mathern uses her accomplishments to help lift up and inspire others – including her students. “In a lot of ways when I’m talking to them and telling them ‘your ideas are important and you’re just as capable as anybody else to graduate,’ a lot of times I feel like I’m still talking to myself,” Mathern said. She’s proud that her daughters – Maria, 8, and Terry Jo, who will be 4 in November – get to see all of her accomplishments. One day Maria expressed surprise when finding out a man who works at Northern also has his doctorate.