STUDENT AFFAIRS 5 ANNUAL REPORT Ms. Ashley M. Bruzek, assistant director of student involvement and leadership, announced her departure in December of 2023 after accepting a new opportunity at the Department of Legislative Audit, in Pierre S.D. She began her new duties in January 2024. Ms. Bruzek completed a Master of Science degree in banking and financial services in Spring 2022. At Northern, she has been a graduate assistant for residence life; TRIO peer mentor; Campus Activities Board secretary, treasurer, and president; treasurer of the Residence Hall Association; and 2021 homecoming queen. In May of 2022, Ms. Bruzek received an emergency appointment to serve as the full-time assistant director for student involvement and leadership. Mr. Thomas Williams, assistant director for multicultural student affairs, announced his departure in October 2023 to pursue new opportunities. Thomas was named assistant director for multicultural student affairs in February 2022. Thomas was most recently director of education for the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe. He earned a Master of Science degree in parks and recreation from South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. Williams worked to promote belonging, inclusion, engagement, and student success throughout his career in higher education and public service. (See more on Thomas Williams on page 16.) Ms. Chelsea Speck, catering manager for dining services, announced her departure in December 2023 as she accepted a new opportunity as the director of kitchen and catering operations at Kessler’s Hometown Grocers here in Aberdeen. She began her new duties in January 2024. She started at Northern in 2017 as the retail and catering manager. Chelsea’s favorite part of working in dining services is the faculty, students, and of course her clients, but winning the ABBY award for Customer Service this year wasn’t too bad either. Ms. Brittany Bell, associate director for residential education, announced her departure in December 2023 to focus on her Ed.D. in interpersonal leadership from Kent State University. She was later named an area coordinator at the University of Cincinnati. Britt joined the residence life team in July of 2022 and was previously the West Complex director and residential education coordinator at Black Hills State University. She has also served as a community engagement coordinator at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla. Bell received her M.S. in psychology from the University of Phoenix and a B.A. in sociology from the University of Central Oklahoma.Ms. Becky Kuch (NCC, LPC-MH, LPCC), was named Director of Counseling and Health Services in December 2022. Kuch succeeds Heather Aldentaler, who left Northern in September to work in private practice here in Aberdeen. Kuch is a mental health therapist with 21 years of experience and was most recently in private practice with Northern Plains Psychological Associates here in Aberdeen. She has an M.S.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling and B.S. in Psychology, both from Northern State University, and is thrilled to return to where she got her start in the field. Ms. Lauren Berg was named coordinator for student wellness and prevention in June 2023. Lauren succeeded Erin Olson who served in the role from 2017 until July 2021. Berg earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics with a minor in health promotion from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and an M.B.A. in healthcare leadership from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis., in June 2023. Berg was most recently the administrative assistant for the counselor education program at Viterbo University. Berg will build a student development-focused student wellness and prevention services program. Berg began her new duties in July of 2023. Staff Transitions, continued…
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