Student_Affairs_Annual_Report_2021

STUDENT AFFAIRS 12 ANNUAL REPORT Cory J. Anderson served as a Staff Counselor in the Counseling Center from August 2015 until October 2020. Anderson is an alumnus of Northern State University graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In addition to providing individual counseling services and presentations in classrooms, he was a certified Prime For Life instructor providing prevention programming. As a former national qualifying collegiate wrestler, he was a champion of mental health wellness for our student athletes as well as working with military members. With personal experience through a deployment while employed here, he had a unique perspective on assisting others. He left Northern to pursue a full-time military career as the Course Manager for the Military Occupation Specialty Qualification Class for Field Artillery in the South Dakota National Guard. Assia N. Baker served as the Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities and Title IX Coordinator from August of 2018 until December of 2020. Baker is a graduate of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL, with a Master of Science in Higher Education and a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. She was instrumental in Northern’s mission to educate students on personal responsibility and integrity. With the departure of then Dean of Students, Checka Leinwall, Ph.D., Baker was asked to lead Northern’s compliance with Title IX in December of 2019 at a critical time. With the support from the South Dakota Board of Regents, Baker guided campus through the Trump Administration’s changes to Title IX. She was also a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. She departed Northern to lead Student Conduct and Title IX at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL. “Assia will be greatly missed across campus; we wish her the best in this new role,” noted Sean Blackburn, Dean of Students. Founded in 1967, the College of DuPage boasts nearly 25,000 students, and is the second largest provider of undergraduate education in the State of Illinois, after University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign. Staff transitions: Student Affairs welcomed Dean Blackburn and said goodbye to three outstanding colleagues during the 2020-2021 year. Sean S. Blackburn was named Dean of Students on July 9, 2020. Blackburn comes to Northern with 18 years of experience in the field of Student Affairs, most recently at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. There, he served as Vice President for Student Affairs, previously holding the position of Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. Blackburn’s past experience also includes working in various student affairs roles at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.; the University of Wisconsin-River Falls; and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va. Throughout his career, Blackburn has worked to create and support co-curricular programs and services that advance student engagement, safety and success while fostering a diverse and inclusive community. Blackburn earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and his Master of Education in Student Affairs Administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Blackburn, along with his wife Sarah and their three children moved to Aberdeen in August of 2020. Janie L. Borkowski served as the Assistant Director of Student Involvement and Leadership from July 2018 until May of 2021. Prior to this, Borkowski served as an Area Coordinator in Residence Life starting in December 2016. Borkowski is a graduate of Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a graduate of the University of Sioux Falls with a Master’s in Education. Borkowski spent much of her time working with campus organizations to ensure their success and growth. With the assistance of her supervisor, she was able to rebrand all organizations as the campus has moved away from the term “club.” Borkowski engaged most frequently with students while advising the Campus Activities Board and Co-Advising the Homecoming Committee. Alongside several students and her supervisor, she was also a part of the formation of Wolves for Advocacy, Volunteerism, and Change (WAVE) a service-based program on campus. “Janie is an exceptional professional, is loved by her students, and will be dearly missed,” noted Sean Blackburn, Dean of Students.